From the Manufacturer You demand superior image quality and uncompromising performance. The PEN E-PL6 is perfect. Shoot images with stunning detail and vivid color thanks to a powerful tandem of a sizeable 16 MP Live MOS Sensor and our TruePic VI image processing engine. Technology like an AF Illuminator and an ISO with speeds that hit 25,600 capture crisp, clear shots in low light. Everything is fast on the PEN E-PL6 from the exceedingly responsive touch screen to 8 fps sequential shooting. Nourish your artistic side with Full HD Video 1080i and 12 Art Filters and Effects. Take full control of your settings with features such as My Set, and a customizable self timer. Unleash your creativity, apply new monochrome Art Filters Effects or edit RAW images right in the camera. The PEN E-PL6. All the professional features you need to take you to the next creative level.
B**L
I do love this little camera, but is it just mine when it comes to the big difference in field of view of RAW versus JPEG?
I used this camera to take photos on a 10-week trip to SE Asia. I managed to get some 7,000+ photos. I loved the camera, but didn't really care for the touchscreen aspect of it. The touchscreen seemed to have a mind of its own as to turning on -- probably from frequent trips in and out of my backpack -- and I frequently had to turn it off.The menu is learnable and almost logical once you get used to it.I won't add much to the many other reviews, which cover many technical details.But I will say that I was thrilled with the photos I did take, the camera was light and it held up nicely through uncountable trips into and out of my backpack, being exposed to 95+ temperatures for much of the trip, and much being banged around while on the wrist strap I used in lieu of a neck strap. It took much better than expected night photos and even the high ASA photos look good.The rest of my review talks about an oddity with RAW and the JPEG photos. I set the camera to take both RAW and JPEG images of every photo. For reasons discussed below, I ended up favoring the RAW images over the JPEG images, but the quality of the JPEGs was excellent. The downside of RAW images is that they essentially require individual post-processing in software, which is time-consuming, but yields wonderful images. I have a Macbook Air and purchased Affinity Photo software for use alongside my Photoshop Elements 14. I ended up favoring the Affinity software.But I did notice one unexpected thing with my camera for which I have seen no comments about. I discovered that my RAW photos had a much greater field of view than my JPEG photos. The photos in JPEG conformed to the viewfinder screen, but the RAW field of view is much greater.This turned out to be a great advantage insomuch as I took many photos in tight quarters and the RAW view captured much more of what was in front of me. So I took photos with the camera set to save both a JPEG and a RAW file of the same photo. To illustrate, I have attached two photos to this review. One photo is a JPEG made from the RAW file, showing a temple in Bagan, Myanmar with the total view captured by the RAW file (with RAW editing done to straighten and some small amount of cropping). The second photo is the untouched JPEG photos file. You can see the tremendous difference in field of view. Now, I shot the photo from the seat of my scooter as I was arriving at the temple, and I was guessing as to how much of the scene would actually be caught in the RAW format since the RAW view is not in the view given by the camera screen -- by this time I was not expecting to use the JPEG files for anything useful and decided to worry about fine adjustments later. Shocking difference. I wonder if anyone else has had this experience or it is unique to my camera?Now I will say this. I prefer the wider field with RAW even though I had to do a lot of post-processing that isn't necessary with a JPEG file. But since the RAW field is not shown in the view screen, one has to do some guessing.
E**R
Nice small camera, but sometimes, too small.
I don't have much experience with the camera but I like it very much. I have a Canon Rebel XT (350D) that it's about 12 years old and was looking for a replacement. I choose a Micro Four Thirds because of the size and the Olympus E-PL6 two lens kit for the price.The thing I like the most is the thing I hate the most. It's size. It's great for carrying around, the camera with the 14-42 in one pocket and the 40-150 in a chest pocket. Some day I'll probably get a pancake lens. The lenses are mostly plastic and very light. I found myself a couple of times checking my pocket to make sure the 14-42 was still there.When taking pictures with the camera soon I'm missing little more grip. AND better controls. There are a lot of adjustments but the menus aren't very user friendly. It takes time to learn and get used to them.A few days ago there was in Buenos Aires a military parade for the 200 years of Argentina's Independence. I found a lot of failed pictures because I accidentally changed exposure compensation or focus point. When I realized that I turn off the touch screen and the wheel in the back.I was taking pictures with the arm extended to the air and my 4yo son on my shoulders, so I can't fully blame the camera, but, at least until I get used to it, I have to adjust my grip after a few shots.The tele lens falls a little short. On the Canon I have a Sigma 70-300 and with the Olympus I miss the extra zoom. The Sigma is equivalent to 420 mm and the Olympus it`s "only" 300mm.What I can't find at a reasonable price is a Macro Lens (not a screw in glass).The external flash (included) is a little anoying, but not a big deal, it works nice and you can choose betwen several power settings.I also bought a Yongnuo YN560 III external flash. Compared to the camera is huge!!!This is my first external flash and just starting to learn how to use it.I took only a few test shots, all manual, a few in the hotshoe, but mostly as a slave. I love it, and I'm thinking on get a another one and a YN-560 TX transmiter (to control both flashes wirelessly).Another interesting thing is the possibility of getting adaptor for old manual lenses.I bought a Fotga Leica R to M4/3 to use a Leitz Wetzlar Summicron-R 1:2 50mm lens. I used the lens at home for a few test and it's interesting. Because of the crop factor the lens is like a 100mm in the leica, with an aperture of 2!Can`t wait to try it outside. I used it only with the aperture in 2 and it's not easy to focus. There is an focus aid that zooms on a small part of the image to help adjusting the zoom, but at 2 it's a very "shallow" focus. But for smaller apertures I use the kit lens.Saludos!
T**E
Pen E-PL6 review, a bit late to the party
I like this camera, and my review is from a product I bought years ago. However, coming from an old Evolt E500, this camera changed my photography life. I'm impressed with micro 4/3 and I'm impressed with the image quality. Olympus did an excellent job and I will but future Pen cameras.
M**K
The price is right!
This is a great starter camera for anyone looking to move away from using just their point and shoot or phone camera, or if you want something lighter and more portable than a traditional DSLR. The Olympus makes a great starter product and with two lenses and the FlashAir card it is a great deal for under $400. The camera was very easy to use in auto mode and it has a ton of features for advanced users. The only challenge is the FlashAir card isn't super intuitive, but it works!
A**.
Delighted with my first MILC
(Beginner user, week 1) Awesome experience with the Olympus PEN E-PL6, so far. It's relatively cheap and takes very nice pictures. The camera itself is cute, compact, and a joy to carry around. It's not very user-friendly though - controls drive me a little crazy but I suppose it'll grow on me.
Trustpilot
1 week ago
2 weeks ago