Is the E-PL5 more
than just an incremental upgrade on the previous E-PL3? Or is there nothing
significantly different?
The Olympus PEN
Lite E-PL5 is the latest compact Micro Four Thirds camera from Olympus
Rather than sticking with the 12.3MP Live MOS sensor found
in the earlier generation of PEN CSCs, the E-PL5 features the same 16.1MP Live
MOS sensor as Olympus's flagship OM-D E-M5, along with the its TruePic VI processor too.
This sees the camera capable of shooting at sensitivities
from ISO 200 to 25,600, improving on the previous E-PL3's ISO ceiling of
12,800, though a baseline ISO of 100 would have been welcome.
As well as that, the camera's burst mode has also been
sharpened up, improving on the E-PL3's 5.5fps to an impressive - but not
class-leading - 8fps at full resolution.
The 3in, 460k-dot screen remains the same as the E-PL3's,
but touchscreen functionality has also now been incorporated too. The screen
can rotate 170° out from the camera body to face forward, allowing easy
composition for self-portraits, while it can also be angled downwards to help
when shooting from up high.
The camera builds on the 35-point AF system seen in previous
models, with 35 points covering the majority of the frame as well as the option
to refine the size of the AF point. So, as well as having a standard AF point
size, this can be increased to a single nine-point square or the entire
35-point area, or an even smaller single AF point for greater precision.
The Auto White
Balance coped admirably, delivering consistent results when shooting the same
scene, as well as under different lighting conditions.
The design is a subtle progression from the E-PL3, and while
it may not have the retro charm of the OM- D E-M5, or the original PEN E-P1, it
still looks pretty sleek thanks to the curved edges and smooth finish. For a
camera in this sector, it's also pleasing to see a predominantly metal
exterior.
Perhaps in order to avoid some of the criticisms levelled at
the E-PL3, the camera features an attachable front grip to allow better
handling than is otherwise possible with the E-PL5's smooth finish, although
from some angles it does look a little ungainly.
The E-PL3 already had a fast AF system - at one point, it
held the accolade of delivering the fastest AF of any camera to date - and we
have to say that in Single AF, focusing on the E-PL5 is pretty instantaneous,
only having a slight tendency to hunt in poorly lit, low-contrast scenes, or
when you try to focus near the lens's minimum focusing distance.
Battery life is
rated at 360 shots according to Olympus / CIPA test results, we were able to
take over 450 shots before the battery went flat
While you can focus and trigger the shutter through the
touchscreen, as well as flicking through images in playback, overall the
touchscreen controls aren't as comprehensive as that of rivals.
The camera's 16.1MP sensor does a very impressive job
recording detail with the right lens, but the 14-42mm kit lens could be
sharper, with edge softness visible at the wide end.
Still, the metering system is largely fine, and while it's a
shame the camera isn't capable of shooting at ISO 100, ISO 200 delivers clean,
detailed images that are free of image noise, which is maintained up to ISO
800. At ISO 1600, noise begins to encroach on the image, but images are still
usable.
Verdict
At first glance, the E-PL5 seems nothing more than a tweak
to the E-PL3, but while it may look similar, it boasts a host of subtle
enhancements. There's still room for improvement however; the grip needs to be
refined, while the touchscreen interface needs to deliver more functionality.
But if these are less of a concern for you than it's worth considering.
Key specs ·
Sensor: 16.1MP (Micro Four Thirds) ·
File formats: Raw, JPEG, Raw+JPEG ·
Shutter speeds: 60-1/4000sec, Bulb ·
ISO: 200-25,600 ·
Exposure modes: iAuto,
PASM, Scene ·
Drive modes: Single, Continuous, Self-timer (2
or 12 secs) ·
Movie mode: 1920 x 1080 (30p) ·
Display: 3in tiltable
touchscreen LCD, 460k dots ·
Viewfinder: No (optional) ·
Built-in flash: No (external unit supplied as
standard) ·
AF points: 35 ·
Memory card: SD, SDHC, SDXC ·
Power: Rechargeable Li-ion ·
Dimensions: 110.5 x 63.7 x 38.2mm ·
Weight: 325g (including battery and memory
card) Best for ·
Enthusiasts looking for excellent image
quality in a compact body ·
A fast and responsive AF ·
Users wanting value for money and a
high-quality finish Alternatives ·
Panasonic Lumix GF6
$663.44 ·
Samsung NX2000 $829.30 ·
Sony NEX-5T $895.64 Pros ·
Impressive image quality ·
Fast single AF acquisition ·
Decent metal finish delivers a quality feel ·
8fps burst shooting Cons ·
Plastic grip feels somewhat cheap ·
AF tracking still needs improving ·
Limited touchscreen functionality
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