A wonderful camera with a very high potential for addiction!

INTRODUCTION
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For some time now I have been an Olympus E-30 with lens Zuiko 14-54 mm II, Zuiko 70-300mm, and Zuiko 35mm macro lens and was very happy with it, although this combination has not always been very transportable. Although she was almost always there, but the first PENs have me pretty interested. However, several things talked initially opposed even the how of some slow autofocus and the unsatisfactory situation of fast lenses.

Since then, the new 3 Series of the Olympus PEN cameras came out rose my interest but continuously, especially with the extremely attractive bepreistem M.Zuiko 45mm f1: 1.8 and also the actions in different stores to try out the pens and the occasional special Olympus-trained staff to (as opposed to relative naivety of most normal seller) bother with all sorts of stupid questions wound up given the decisive impetus for me to buy this camera. Why the E-PL3 and E-P3 not? Because of the folding screen is a lot more convenient for me, as the touch-sensitive screen of the E-P3 and because the E-P3 had a little overwrought my budget. Fortunately, there were the intended configuration E-PL3 + M.Zuiko 45mm lens, the zoom lenses almost double thrown after, so I could not say no as well.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
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After unpacking you will be amazed once on the really small size of the E-PL3 and the supplied lens. If you have large hands, the camera is to hide behind a hand. The lenses disappear in one hand, only the 40-150 is a bit longer. I got myself the white version and with silver lenses affects this combination very classy, ​​though the double zoom lenses are kept a bit cheap in plastic execution. In contrast, the 45mm lens has a metal bayonet and to the extent it is possible to assess my sense of touch also a more stable housing. A special feature has to offer 14-42 II R lens the MSC M.Zuiko, it must be extended before use only what I initially some confusion and missed shots gave, but if you have the hang of it, which is no longer a problem.

The sensitivity of the sensor has improved significantly and now exceeds my E-30 by far, even with the standard lens, you can now receive much better in light-poor situations and has also still a faster autofocus than the e-30th The speed with which one can now shoot is really impressive, especially when shooting! I did not think that it is practically possible to exceed the continuous shooting speed of my E-30 with a PEN, but so it is! But more on that later.

Included is next to an instruction manual, a CD with software, a small shoe mount in a cute little bag and a few colorful folders with accessories and a attached to the camera Bildkartönchen which indicates the most important features. And of course, battery, charger and various meter cable and cubic meters of plastic packaging.

The instruction manual has the scope of previous versions, but thanks to the presence of several languages ​​instead of profound information sown quite thin and contains practically only a guide to proper mating of the items, and then does not come much. Very little say in German.

The controls are also advised correspondingly small for such a small camera and with slightly larger hands you have a little trouble to make the well accordingly.

The folding screen contrast, works beautifully, even if it can not be folded to one side, at least up and down, which is extremely useful if, like me often photographed at the top or close to the ground.

INTENSIVE TEST:
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Now it came to the real test of the camera. In almost dark situations, by candlelight, in dark churches, with all lenses. The already mentioned increased ISO sensitivity has a positive effect, up to ISO 1600, the camera goes to the default settings and provides low noise images in wonderfully clear SLR quality while the camera ISO to ISO 12800 provides sensitivities, however (as with many other manufacturers also) seem to be more for marketing purposes to serve. For my personal taste but I can screw with a clear conscience above the pre-set ISO limit.

In this time of year (winter, if you read the later) poorly lit situations, such as dimly lit churches with worse illuminated nativity, by candlelight in the evening or when lighted Christmas tree, made both the standard lenses as of course especially the bright 45mm lens a very good figure. The luminous intensity of 45mm lens should be currently the lone peak in the Olympus lens range and it really makes a huge fun to photograph it. There are almost no more so, in which one could no longer photograph situation! Although the minimum focusing distance is 50cm generous, you can still isolating objects wonderful (contrast with the background of the then wonderfully blurred) and can conjure beautiful bokeh effects, including the beautiful light curls of lights in the background. The other standard lenses are not brighter than the versions for Olympus DSLR cameras, but with the increased light sensitivity of the camera can also excel this illuminated in bad situations, thus providing a good image quality at the one exception of the light intensity can not complain. Also, all lenses are suitable for filming, which can be seen in the name by the abbreviation MSC.

After the camera with the lenses had brilliant in the sunshine as in semi-darkness so now the next intensive test came for me. I have previously been with the E-30 like fast-moving subjects such as trains (railway photographer), unpredictable motives all too happy received (birds and animals) and the semi-darkness. Now came the big test as to propose the E-PL3 here. First, in bright sunshine with the 14-42mm, which is a (compared to E-30) breathtaking burst speed allowed. Mir remains rarely spit away but I was flabbergasted! And the autofocus has everything taken narrowly, and has allowed no Schnitzer! Euphoric I photographed up into the darkness further into it and was not disappointed, was later than I on the light stronger 45mm switch to set the amazement hardly an end. So convincing is working this little camera that I though initial skepticism really first thoughts came the E-30 can hardly be need. On another day we went on with animals and birds, which were captured as sharp as clean detail.

The autofocus in burst mode, so you can describe it best, like a cartoon in which you just can see individual images as fast it affects me. You can thanks to this animation show nevertheless recognize on the screen at any time while the subject is moving and drag and the camera snaps diligently in high speed mode. Later, while checking the images you are amazed then what in the short time this small camera has captured everything knackscharf and only has the luxury problem of which many successful pictures you want to keep.

EXTRAS:
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In addition to many shooting modes to suit almost every conceivable situation and an intelligent auto mode with very user-friendly settings unbeaten users (but also I like to do it use because it is mistaken practically) in which you can easily set using a controller if you want to, for example, have the background out of focus or not, the saturation or hue will have warmer or colder and a lot more, which is pleasing to save time. Anyone who does not appreciate it, and has the strange claim always to have to adjust everything exactly self (which is still possible) will probably appreciate this.

Furthermore, there is an - unfortunately limited in comparison with the E-P3 - selection of art filters that even a few effects in addition dominate in contrast to my E-30, as starlight effect or photo frame, but in some cases some gradations in the effects offer. Overall, I like this kind filter effects including much because they allow me the image format, including equal to choose the way I would like it, without having to make later the annoying and time-consuming for me working on the computer. I can thus fully concentrate on the image statement and the image itself and am already completed must still make to the edit while Andre.

The movie mode lets you capture movies that are extremely attractive thanks to the interchangeable lenses and the light intensity, but unfortunately it has in Olympus forget that the sound of the autofocus or zoom have a disruptive effect in the movie, which is why one while filming unfortunately should refrain. Furthermore, from a totally incomprehensible for me because of the otherwise at photos very good image stabilizer inactive areas and the stabilization takes place only electronically, which gives the whole hand-held shooting some problems when you have on the computer screen suddenly find rubbery motion in the picture where you really had no plan. Also the continuous autofocus in movie mode is not working satisfactorily. There is still some need for improvement!

Of course the normal P, A, S, M modes, in which you can adjust via semi-automatic (P, A, S), or fully manual (M), so as desired.

What I miss:
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Unfortunately, unfortunately, there are in this camera two important things not who I really liked on my E-30: The spirit level to not take pictures awry when the horizon can not be uniquely determined, and the possibility of portrait photos to automatically rotate the Unfortunately you have to manually do what I find a bit annoying. Even against some other type filter, I would not mind. When the video mode could still be stabilized, which would also be very nice. If it once were an interesting MFT macro lens I would not say no!

SUMMARY:
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The E-PL3 is a truly amazing camera as an experienced photographer knows really delight! The sum of the functions and the quality of the housing allow the initially high price seem relatively, the easy-to-use functions and modes can to have a look again all the fun of photography without worrying about details, what you but if you do not entirely satisfactory takes, nevertheless can.

Combining E-PL3 + three lenses will play in my two pockets space and you can take it where you would have to carry a lot more sooner. There is virtually no excuse not to have the camera there! From me, despite the absence of small effects a strong buy recommendation! As someone said before me, this camera can make really addictive!