Olympus E-PL 7 - Let's Selfie with Touch Screen

If you noticed, my recent post has greatly mentioned about "I shoot with Olympus E-PL 7". Yes, I shoot with Olympus. Not my O-MD E-M1, but E-PL 7! The latest PEN LITE series addition in Olympus family. Obviously I shot once back to last month and I did a mini review/user experience on it. This time, I am given the Olympus E-PL 7 by Olympus itself. Hence, I am grabbing the opportunity cover first two part of the camera, touch screen and selfie.

First thing first, here are the technical specification of Olympus E-PL 7

• 16 megapixels
• Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) CMOS Sensor
• TruePic VII image processor
• ISO 200 - 25600
• 3 Axis Image Stabilization
• 81 Number of focus points
• 3″ Tilting LCD screen with 1,037,000 Screen dots
• 8.0 fps burst
• 1920 x 1080 (30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps) video recording
• Built-In Wi-Fi
• BLS-50 lithium-ion battery
• 115 x 67 x 38 mm
• 357 g
• Price : RRP RM2399 with M.ZUIKO 14-42mm EZ

On quick note, Olympus E-PL 7 is major upgrade from E-PL 5/6. It boost a better image processor, Wi-Fi and overall better selfie experience. It is like a double of OM-D E-M 10, in different physical design. Alright, I shall stop on technical stuff since all this information can be easily find on online review. This post will be mainly focused on Olympus E-PL 7 touch screen and also Selfie. Here a quick video of demo and explanation on Olympus E-PL 7 touch screen and also what I like when selfie using the camera.

Sorry if I used wrong alot words. I was too nervous :P

Touch Screen

It is no surprise touch screen is getting popular in camera world. Olympus might not be the first nor having the advance touch screen technology on their camera, but what's more important than reliability? In my case, I am pointing that Olympus E-PL 7 is very responsive and also reliable. You can easily swipe your photos around when viewing using touch screen just like your smart phone, or you can make full use of the touch capture/touch focus. For demo on that, please view the video above!

Here are same sample shot using touch capture from the video.

Personally, I seldom use touch capture despite it is convenience as I more prone on using viewfinder on my E-M 1 and adjusting the focus point using physical button. I would say it is nothing wrong! Just depend which is your shooting style since Olympus offer variety way for you to shoot. Perhaps, I shall really give it a try using touch capture on E-PL 7 more since it doesn't have viewfinder.

Selfie

No surprise E-PL 7 are targeted for lifestyle consumer. It has been done before with the E-PL 5/6 but now it is better with E-PL 7! As I mentioned in the video above, I love three things in Olympus E-PL 7 when using it for Selfie.

• Screen flip to bottom allow user to mount external flash without blocking the screen.
• Virtual shutter button on screen that give you one second timer before capture.
• When using Olympus 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 EZ lens, the lens will automatically zoom out when the screen is flip.

Yes! Finally I can mount huge ass external flash on E-PL 7 while the screen is flip at the bottom for selfie! Heavy or not, that's another question. Some people might complain why the screen was flipped at the bottom instead top like most of the cameras out there. Personally, I felt eye look more natural looking at the camera screen when the screen was flipped at the bottom. Again, Olympus is providing more optional to shoot when selfie. You can either pick the physical shutter button, virtual shutter button or even the touch capture. It is all about choices and flexibility for the user. Unfortunately only Olympus 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 EZ lens can zoom out when screen is flip down since it came with electronic zoom.

Here are some selfie photos taken recently at Yvonne wedding with Olympus E-PL 7 using 12mm f2 or the 9mm f8 body lens cap.

Overall, I am satisfy with Olympus E-PL 7 features and performances. Picture quality is no longer a question since I have confident, and I know how well the camera can perform. If you're curious, you may visit my Guinness Amplify and Yvonne Wedding blog post for the photos taken by E-PL 7.

Alright, I shall stop writting here. Fear not. this is just a portion of information I am sharing with you all regarding E-PL 7. I'll update more post in coming future as I go along and using the camera. Of course, you may come and ask me personally about the camera. I am more willing and happy to help.

Olympus E-PL 7 is now available in retail price of RM 2,399 and come with 3 colors - White, Black and Silver. Go for Silver if you like retro!