Retro-Chic Olympus EP-1 Digital Camera [Interchangable-lens, High-Definition Digital Camera]

It might seem that the people responsible for creating the latest and greatest in digital camera technology have run out of ideas when it comes to design. After all, there is only so far you can go with size and sleek lines, right? So what’s a company to do if they want to stand out amongst the plethora of point-and-shoots and slew of SLRs? How about taking a cue from the days of Don Draper and drinking on the job. That?s just what the folks at Olympus have decided to do and it just might work. Enter the EP-1 interchangable lens system digital camera from Olympus.

The Olympus EP-1 looks like it just arrived on a stopover from the 1950s. But once you take a look under the aluminum and black hood, the old school stops there. Touted as the world’s smallest 12.3-megapixel interchangeable lens system digital camera, the EP-1 is one pimped out piece of picture-taking goodness. It has enough goodies inside to make even 007 tear up with excitement. How’s this for a complete package:

• 12 million pixels of resolution
• Autofocus Live-View
• Blur Free/Dust Free Imaging
• ISO 100-6400 sensitivity
• Auto-Adjustment and Face Detection
• 20 shooting modes (5 exposure, i-Auto, and 14 automatic scenes)
• Shadow Adjustment
• Art Filters
• Total Live Control
• 3″ LCD display
• 720p HD video recording at 30fps (1280×720)
• Stereo sound and HDMI out

That list is just a taste of what’s in store with this camera. Weighing in at only 11.8 ounces you probably won’t even know that you’re carrying it around and with all of the features they’ve managed to pack into this puppy your gadget appetite won’t go unsatisfied. This droolicious beauty sports a 14-42 lens kit that retracts into the barrel when not in use and Olympus’ Supersonic Wave Filter helps keep dust under control when swapping-out the lens for Micro Four Thirds, Four Thirds, or OM lenses. All we can say is, damn. Priced at $749 (body only), $799 (with 14-42mm lens), and $899 (with 17mm pancake lens and viewfinder) this is the camera that you’ve been waiting for your entire life. For more info and even more glamour shots, you can head on over to www.olympus.com.