Latest Olympus PEN trio unveiled

PEN lite

Smaller and lighter than the E-P3, the E-PL3, or Olympus PEN Lite, sits in the middle of the new range.

A newly designed shutter unit has been designed to fit into the smaller body and also allows for high-speed shooting at 4.1 frames per second with image stabilisation or 5.5 frames per second without.

The E-PL3 shares the same TruePic VI image processor and world's fastest autofocus system as on both the new E-P3 and E-PM1 (Mini) cameras. As with all PEN cameras, the PEN Lite has image stabilisation built into the body.

PEN lite top

Six art filters can be found on the Lite, including Pop Art, Soft Focus and Diorama along with several other effects including the new Starlight and White Edge settings.

Unique to the Lite in the new range, and for the first time on any PEN branded camera, is the tilting 460,000 dot Hypercrystal LCD rear screen.

PEN lite rear

Above: The PEN Lite's 3in 460,000 dot Hypercrystal LCD screen dominates the rear of the camera

Capable of tilting up to 80 degrees upward and 45 degrees downward, it is designed for shooting in awkward positions, but is not touch-screen as on the E-P3. The screen can also be configured to a 3:4 aspect ratio to support shooting at a portrait angle, as it cannot be rotated.

PEN lite side

Above: The PEN Lite's LCD screen can be tilted up or down

Due to its condensed size, the Lite loses its scroll-wheel from the back of the camera, but keeps the same wheel on top as the E-P3 which allows for P,A,S,M modes to be selected along with scene, movie and art filters.

Although the PEN Lite doesn't have a built-in flash, it is supplied with a small flash that can be slipped into the hotshoe.

The Olympus PEN E-PL3 (Lite) will be available from late summer in 4 colours – red, silver, white or black. The recommended retail price is yet to be confirmed.

Amy Davies

Amy has been writing about cameras, photography and associated tech since 2009. Amy was once part of the photography testing team for Future Publishing working across TechRadar, Digital Camera, PhotoPlus, N Photo and Photography Week. For her photography, she has won awards and has been exhibited. She often partakes in unusual projects - including one intense year where she used a different camera every single day. Amy is currently the Features Editor at Amateur Photographer magazine, and in her increasingly little spare time works across a number of high-profile publications including Wired, Stuff, Digital Camera World, Expert Reviews, and just a little off-tangent, PetsRadar.