At the bottom end of the range, catering for compact upgraders looking for higher quality images, is the new Olympus PEN E-PM1, or PEN Mini. One of the smallest interchangeable lens cameras currently on the market, it still retains many of the key specs as its bigger brothers in the range.
Aimed squarely at beginners, menu navigation is accompanied by pop-up windows to explain various functions, along with the PEN Live Guide to allow for functions like aperture to be used by sliding a bar up and down. Live Guide can be activated from within any mode and also includes adjustments for colour vividness, image brightness and moving subjects.
As on the E-PL3, the Mini comes with 6 inbuilt art features, including Soft Focus and Diorama, but doesn't come with other effects such as Starlight.
Like the PEN Lite, a removable flash comes in the box, which fits directly into the hotshoe. An optional extra viewfinder is also available to fit into the hotshoe.
Like both the E-P3 and E-PL3, the Mini also boasts the world's fastest autofocus system for any interchangeable lens camera, along with the newly developed True VI image processor and 35 autofocus points.
Above: The PEN Mini is almost identical in size to Olympus's high-end compact, the X-Z1
The Olympus PEN E-PM1 (Mini) will be available from early autumn in a choice of 6 colours, including chocolate, black, silver and purple, along with interchangeable lens rings for complete customisation.
Recommended retail price has yet to be confirmed.
