Olympus UK has announced the suggested retail price and availability of the Olympus PEN E-PL3 compact system camera. The Olympus E-PL3 boasts ultra-fast auto-focus, a new 12-megapixel FourThirds format sensor, tiltable rear screen, flash hot-shoe, accessory port, in-body image stabilisation and compatibility with the full line of Micro Four Thirds lenses. Also called the PEN Lite, the Olympus E-PL3 will be in the shops from late summer in black, white, silver or red; priced at £549.99 with the 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R zoom lens.

Photos: Check out our hands-on photos of the Olympus PEN E-PL3 compact system camera

Olympus Press Release

The PEN Lite from Olympus is one of three new PEN system cameras

Another PEN, another little miracle

Over the last couple of years, Olympus PEN has made a name for itself with retro-styled, easy-to-use, compact system cameras that take very high-quality pictures.

The new PEN Lite (E-PL3) does that and more. It gives you all the creativity and interchangeable lenses of an SLR camera, but with none of the hassle – and none of the bulk. The secret is a powerful new processor called TruePic VI. More power means a whole camera-full of new state-of-the-art features, including FAST AF – world’s fastest* autofocus system for interchangeable lenses. The processor also drives an impressive array of Art Filters that you can use (and even combine) with 1080i Full HD movies and stills. Like every PEN, the E-PL3 has Image Stabilisation built into the camera body, so it doesn’t matter if your new (or old) lens doesn’t have decent IS as the Lite automatically compensates for shaky hands. A brand new feature is the tiltable 3-inch LCD. If you have to hold the camera at arm’s length, for example to get a shot over a crowd, tiltability makes life a lot easier – just like everything else on the PEN Lite! The E-PL3 will be in the shops from late summer in black, white, silver or red with 14-42mm II R zoom lens; pricing £549.99 for the standard kit.

* As of June 2011.

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