Olympus Announces PT-EP01 Underwater Case for E-PL1 Support Depth of 40m
2010-02-09 14:09 | Tag: Olympus Depth Case Announces SupportAverage Camera Review Rating [13 reviews]
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Olympus today announces an underwater housing for the Olympus E-PL1 DSLR camera. The Olympus PT-EP01 underwater case is claimed to be the world's first waterproof housing for a Micro Four Thirds system camera which is significantly lighter and more compact than conventional SLR camera waterproof housings. Support a depth of 40m and featuring a fixed lens port, the Olympus PT-EP01 can accommodate an Olympus PEN E-PL1 camera fitted with an M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6L or M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 9-18mm f/4-5.6 lens. Shots can be composed on the LCD monitor with the same ease as with a waterproof compact camera, but the protector can also accommodate the optional VF-2 Live Viewfinder. In addition, the Olympus PT-EP01 supports the Olympus Wireless Remote Control Flash System using the UFL-2 dedicated underwater flash unit. The underwater case is available on March 5 and currently priced at Yen 71,000, i.e. US$792.
Introducing underwater Micro Four Thirds photography with the PT-EP01 Underwater Case for the OLYMPUS PEN E-PL1
Olympus Imaging Corporation (President: Masaharu Okubo) is pleased to announce the introduction of the PT-EP01 Underwater case for the OLYMPUS PEN E-PL1 Micro Four Thirds System camera. The new housing enables truly high-quality underwater photography with compact camera ease, and is scheduled to go on sale on March 5, 2010.
Main Features
- The world's first waterproof housing for a Micro Four Thirds System camera; significantly lighter and more compact than conventional SLR camera waterproof housings (weight reduced by 47%* to approximately 1100g).
- Enables high-quality underwater photography with ease by using the Underwater Macro and Underwater Wide scene program modes on the OLYMPUS PEN E-PL1.
- Supports the Olympus Wireless Remote Control Flash System using the UFL-2 dedicated underwater flash unit.
The PT-EP01 Water Protector for the OLYMPUS PEN E-PL1 is the first waterproof housing to be created for a Micro Four Thirds System camera, and offers waterproof integrity to depths of up to 40 meters.
Making the most of the inherent Micro Four Thirds System advantage in compact, lightweight design, the PT-EP01 Water Protector is significantly lighter and more compact than conventional SLR camera waterproof housings of the past.
In addition, it allows users to easily enjoy underwater photography by taking advantage of the OLYMPUS PEN E-PL1's Underwater Macro and Underwater Wide shooting modes.
Optical connectors also allow the use of up to two UFL-2 Underwater Flash units for off-camera illumination.
* in comparison with 2079g, the PT-E06 Water Protector and PPO-E05 Standard Lens Port needed to shoot underwater with a Olympus E-620 digital SLR camera
Main Features
1. The world's first waterproof housing for a Micro Four Thirds System camera; significantly lighter and more compact than conventional SLR camera waterproof housings (weight reduced by 47% to 1100g)
The PT-EP01 Water Protector maximizes the compact and lightweight design advantages that are inherent to the Micro Four Thirds System standard. Measuring 179mm x 156mm x 166mm (W x H x D) and weighing approximately 1100g, it is noticeably more compact than, and weighs only about half as much as, 2079g of the PT-E06 Water Protector and PPO-E05 Standard Lens Port needed to shoot underwater with a Olympus E-620 digital SLR camera.
The PT-EP01 Water Protector features a fixed lens port and can accommodate an OLYMPUS PEN E-PL1 camera fitted with an M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm f3.5-5.6L or M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 9-18mm f4.0-5.6 lens. The lens port assures uncompromising image quality by using multi-coated glass to suppress internal reflection.
Shots can be composed on the LCD monitor with the same ease as with a waterproof compact camera, but the protector can also accommodate the optional VF-2 Live Viewfinder, enabling users to choose the shooting style they prefer.
2. Enables high-quality underwater photography with ease by using the Underwater Macro and Underwater Wide scene program modes on the OLYMPUS PEN E-PL1
The PT-EP01 Water Protector allows users to take advantage of the OLYMPUS PEN E-PL1 camera's Underwater Macro and Underwater Wide shooting modes, which ensure vivid and natural color with rich blue tones when shooting underwater.
3. Supports the Olympus Wireless Remote Control Flash System using the UFL-2 dedicated underwater flash unit
The PT-EP01 Water Protector supports the Olympus Wireless Remote Control Flash System, enabling the OLYMPUS PEN E-PL1 camera's built-in flash to be used as the command unit for advanced multi-flash setups. Optical connectors are provided for up to two UFL-2 dedicated underwater flash units, with full control of flash mode and brightness settings accessible via the camera's LCD monitor when shooting underwater.
Olympus E-PL1 Sample Photos on Flickr
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Olympus E-PL1 Camera Reviews Roundup
| RegHardware: "The E-PL1 records AVI movies in HD at 1280 x 720 and in SD at 640 x 480, both at 30 frames per second. Maximum recording time is 7 minutes in HD and 14 minutes in VGA or 2GB maximum file size. The E-PL1 lets you shoot movies in Program or Aperture Priority mode or gives you complete control over exposure in Manual mode. It also allows the use of a zoom lens while filming. The newly introduced C-AF + TR focusing mode..." - Jul 23 2010 More » | |
| NeutralDay: "The E-PL1 in many ways gets more things right than any other PEN camera. It is cheaper, in feel and in cost, but doesn't actually skimp on any of the inherent power of either of its predecessors. Indeed, in many ways it maybe the superior camera, it handles better, provides a pop-up flash for fill and commanding other flashes, provides a dedicated video record button, and by our eye, takes slightly better pictures t..." - Jul 12 2010 More » | |
| Electronista: "The Olympus E-PL1 is a worthy entry to the ILC ranks for those ready to step beyond the constraints of a typical point and shoot camera. Made for the type of person who chooses to go to the next step, but most likely not further, it offers great image capturing ability without all the bells and whistles that are part and parcel of DSLRs available today. We almost find the E-PL1 too simplified for our comfort le..." - Jun 29 2010 More » | |
| infoSync: "If you remember our review of the Olympus E-620, we were jazzed with the DSLR's image quality. Well, the same applied here with the Olympus E-PL1. Beautifully rendered, natural colors, crisp, detailed lines, and an uncanny ability to stave off common image aberrations like fringing and noise. Even at ISO 1600, our images were great, though we'd recommend shooting with a slow shutter on a tripod at lower ISO levels f..." - Jun 12 2010 More » | |
| DCI: "The E-PL1 still involves a number of trade-offs for potential buyers. Autofocus is not as fast as a digital SLR or high-quality point and shoot, a fact that may come as an unpleasant surprise to Little League Moms and Dads. Image quality is quite good in most respects, particularly when it comes to resolution, and lingering image noise problems will probably be less of an issue than tack-sharp photos for those who a..." - May 20 2010 More » | |
| dpreview: "There are, perhaps, three types of potential users who might find themselves considering purchasing the E-PL1, all of who will find things to love and things to be frustrated by in the camera. The first is the compact camera user who wants better images, might be interested in taking some control over the camera but doesn't want to learn about apertures and exposure. The second is the owner of an enthusiast compact,..." - May 18 2010 More » | |
| CNET UK: "The 720p high-definition movie mode is rather good too, because it offers full manual control over shutter speed, aperture and focusing. You have to remember to set the autofocus to continuous mode before you start shooting if you want to use it, and you have to dip into the menus to choose the exposure mode, but all that's quickly learned. The result is an excellent stills camera that's also an HD camcorder suitabl..." - May 11 2010 More » | |
| TechRadar: "The Pen E-PL1 concept is fairly straightforward - it's a stripped down, easier-to-use version of a high-end camera which can be sold significantly cheaper. It's not the sexiest camera ever, but it really works. Olympus has succeeded in streamlining the PEN E-P2's feature set, while still building a camera with a strong purpose in its own right, which produces excellent images and is fun to use and easy to get c..." - Apr 28 2010 More » | |
| LetsGoDigital: "On the inside, the Olympus E-PL1 resembles the other models in the PEN-series a lot, which is a positive thing. Just like the other models, the E-PL1 offers excellent quality. Noise only becomes a 'problem' in the highest ISO values, but normal sensitivities work well. In any case, it is a lot better than a compact camera. That is also true for the dynamic range and the color display. A big advantage of the Oly..." - Apr 21 2010 More » | |
| DigitalCameraReview: "The Olympus E-PL1 is the cheapest of the Olympus Digital PEN cameras, rolling onto the scene with a 14-42mm kit lens and body for $599. The E-PL1 is compact, stylish and well-priced for its features. It has an image sensor that is larger than a point-and-shoot, and offers the ability to change different lenses. It also comes with most of the same specs as its two predecessors, the E-P1 and E-P2. Minus a few fun..." - Apr 15 2010 More » | |
| Engadget: "Speaking of video, let's speak of video. We're pretty happy with what we see here. These Micro Four Thirds cameras are turning out to be some of the best ways of capturing video on the cheap known to man, and the E-PL1 turns around quality 720p footage on a budget. The biggest drawback, as pointed out elsewhere, is the audible auto focus noise made by the camera, which has dogged it since the E-P1, and is perhaps ac..." - Apr 09 2010 More » | |
| Steve Huff: "Many of you know that I reviewed and LOVED the Olympus E-P1 and E-P2. I even bought the E-P2 over the Leica X1 due to my wife preferring the overall user experience of the E-P2 over the little Leica. Well, this is the Huff household and if a digital camera makes it for more than 2 months you know it is a winner but cameras come and go in this house and I love writing about them all. We recently sold the E-P2 because..." - Apr 08 2010 More » | |
| DigitalCameraResourcePage: "Photo quality was very good -- better than I expected, in fact. The E-PL1 exposes photos accurately, though like other Four Thirds cameras (Micro or regular), it does like to clip highlights. Colors are pleasing, and are especially vibrant if you're using the iEnhance Picture Mode. Images have the "smooth" look that you come to expect from a camera like this, with plenty of detail captured, save for minor..." - Mar 29 2010 More » | |
| PhotoReview Australia: "High ISO performance was also better in the E-PL1 than we found with the E-P2. Interestingly there was little difference in the results we obtained with JPEG and ORF.RAW files, as shown in the graph below. (It will be interesting to re-run these tests on the raw files when the update of Adobe Camera Raw is released because we have some reservations about the capabilities of the raw converter in the supplied ib softw..." - Mar 29 2010 More » | |
| PhotographyBLOG: "Importantly for the target audience, the E-PL1 is the first PEN to feature a built-in flash, very neatly implemented with a folding design that raise the unit above the lens and helps reduce red-eye. The new Live Guide is another beginner-friendly addition that makes understanding and changing apertures and shutter speeds to achieve creative effects very straight-forward indeed - simply move the slider and observe t..." - Mar 05 2010 More » | |
| Pocket-lint: "When it comes to shooting with the camera, the E-PL1 is fast and responsive, though it does take a brief moment to automatically determine focus and exposure, confirmed with an affirmative bleep. A blocky handgrip to the front enables a firm, steadying hold, yet as the on/off button is located slap bang next to the shutter release button, it's easy for your forefinger to wander to the wrong control if you're concent..." - Mar 05 2010 More » |
Olympus E-PL1 Camera Recent User Reviews
Best camera around, geprieto - Jul 15 2010
This camera is just too close to be perfect. I originally had my sights on the pen e-p2 and the panasonic G1, but I decided on the e-pl1. Not because of the price, but for the flash (not present on the e-p2) and the bulb mode (limited to 4 minutes on the G1). The build quality is excellent, and is more heavy than I imagined. The sensor quality is VERY good! I had a Canon SX before, DS...
I love this camera!, Bo - Jul 13 2010
I was looking for something smaller but with slr quality. I found it and more with this camera. I know people with bulkier and more expensive slr cameras and I am way more pleased with my photos and the simplicity of the Olympus Pen E-PL1. I have had it for about a month now and haven't had any issues. I love the extra art settings this camera offers too. I would recommend this camera...
I love it!, C. McDougle - Jul 08 2010
I had my doubts about this camera after reading a ton of online camera reviews. I decided that reviews always have to be taken with a grain of salt, so I ordered it. I love this camera, it's fun to use. The autofocus is fine.. It's not a DSLR and so it doesn't perform as well as a high end camera would. However, after updating to firmware 1.1 the autofocus works pretty well. I am a...
The E-PL1 is the perfect Assistant SLR. (or is it Assistant to the SLR :), Royal Blue - Jul 07 2010
I spent several months on trying different cameras to co-reside with my trusty Kodak Z712 IS that was still producing wonderful pictures at a very high success rate. During the process I also learnt a lot about them and having kids, I was very interested in the quality aspect of the images since I did not want to lose the well, Kodak moments :) Just like most consumer electronics, ev...
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