Center Valley, PA—The Olympus PEN E-PL8 is a compact, interchangeable-lens camera designed to offer high image quality, simplified selfie functions and creative control.
It combines a lightweight body with Olympus imaging technology and multiple creative functions to deliver photographic expression beyond a smartphone for those looking to capture their active lifestyle. To enhance users’ creativity, the new Olympus Image Palette (OI.Palette) app brings creative features from Olympus ILCs to smartphones.
With modern, rounded body lines embossed with the Olympus PEN logo, the new camera has detailed metal dials as well as metal and leather-grained finishes to complement each color option—white, black and brown. Imaging tech includes a TruePic VII image processor paired with a 16 megapixel Live MOS sensor and VCM in-body image stabilization to deliver even low-light performance.
The camera’s 180º flip-touch LCD monitor aids in selfie shooting (still and video). Its user interface automatically switches the camera to selfie mode when the monitor is flipped downward to its front-facing position. In selfie mode, the image shown on the monitor turns into a mirror display.
Additionally, with touch AF, the camera focuses and shoots with a touch of the monitor. In e-portrait mode it automatically smooths skin tones, and users can apply one of 14 art filters, then wirelessly upload and share them using built-in Wi-Fi and the Olympus Image Share app.
In addition to the e-portrait, shutter release, self-timer and brightness adjustment buttons, video clips and movie recording buttons were added to the monitor display for a variety of touch operations.
Other selfie-focused functions include video selfie mode. It displays a movie effect button as well as a movie recording button, brightness adjustment button and video clips button. The shutter release button is designed to capture a photo one second after it’s touched, so users can shift their eyes from their finger to the lens for better selfies. And when an electronic zoom lens is attached, it automatically switches the zoom to a wide-angle setting for quick selfie shooting with the optimal wide angle.
In addition, art filters can be used with selfies, and users can check their effects in live view while selecting filters. Art filters can also be applied to frames while using the photo story feature, which enables users to combine multiple shots into a single image.
And Olympus incorporated enhanced movie recording features to permit photographers to more easily post videos to social networks. The clips feature combines multiple short video clips and adds background music and effects to create a single video. Users can download background music to use. Also, art filters are available for video capture, and there are also four movie effects that can be applied to videos, including old film effect.
Additionally, other features include: iAuto mode; a live guide with on-screen displays; nighttime live composite mode allows that captures trails of light; and 8.5-frames-per-second sequential shooting.
Optional Olympus PEN E-PL8 Accessories
OI.Palette App. This free photo-editing app provides features from Olympus interchangeable-lens cameras. These include art filters, art effects, color creator and highlight and shadow control, for use on smartphones and tablets. Joining the Olympus OI.Share and Sweet Photo apps, OI.Palette includes all 28 art filters that can also be combined with eight art effects. Plus, color creator lets users control hue and color saturation, and highlight and shadow control. This makes it possible to adjust highlights and shadows that are difficult to control with exposure compensation. Users can directly post edited images to social networks.
Leather Body Jacket CS-45B. Offered to protect the camera body from scratches, it gives the premium feel of genuine leather. It is available in light brown, brown, black and white with a suggested retail price of $59.99. Users can also opt for a coordinating leather lens cover ($44.99).
Multipurpose Case CS-50SF. This compact, soft case may be used to store the camera with an interchangeable lens attached. It can be folded when not in use. A small pocket on the inside stores SD cards. It is made of polyester and available in beige and black. $29.99.
The Olympus PEN E-PL8 comes in black, white and brown bodies. It has an estimated price of $549.99 for the body only; $649.99 for the 14–42mm II R lens kit. olympusamerica.com
