Pixiq

The E-P1 can record both high- and standard-definition movies in the Motion JPEG (M-JPEG) format. These files are saved as .AVI files, and can be played on most common video players. The resolution can be set to either SD (Stan­dard-Definition, 640x480) or HD (High-Definition, 1280x720) via the MOVIE submenu.

The differ­ence between these resolutions is noticeable, and while Standard-Def might save some space on your memory card, you’ll really be missing out on some stunning detail. On that note, it’s worth repeating that for best performance you should be using a Class 6 SDHC card. The size of the video file is limited to 2GB, after which recording will automati­cally stop; this does not set an exact time limit on the length, but it’s usually around seven minutes. Sound is also recorded in stereo and saved with the video file, though this can be deactivated in the submenu.

The E-P1 does have to sacrifice a number of its features in order to record movies of this quality. The Image Stabiliza­tion system is deactivated—though replaced with a digital version that attempts to keep the scene level by cropping out a small amount of the outer frame (thereby reducing the angle of view by a small amount). This works, but not as well as the mechanical stabilization system that you’re used to from shooting stills, so it is very important to keep the camera as level and still as possible. If you are going to pan from side to side, do so very slowly and with an even hand. However, if you are using a lens that has a built-in stabilizer function, you can employ its use to great effect.

ISO is also locked at AUTO, which can cause the quality of the movie to drop in low light; therefore it’s best to use wide apertures in dim lighting conditions. Metering mode is locked at  ESP. Obviously, Continuous  Drive mode is not available, but both self-timers can be used. You also have complete control over the white balance, though the presets cannot be adjusted once recording begins.

Just like still-image capture, movie recording is begun by fully pressing the shutter-release button, and ended by a sec­ond full-press. Half-presses have no effect once recording begins. You can set the camera to record a full-resolution still image at the very end of a movie by activating the  MOVIE+STILL option. 

Movie Shooting Modes

In the  MOVIE AE MODE menu option, you can select which shooting mode to use during movie recording. By default, the camera will shoot in P mode, automatically determining the best aperture and shutter speed (which must be above 1/30 second). It will also record in P shoot­ing mode while any of the Art Filters are used. The Art Fil­ters can be a lot of fun, and definitely provide your movies with a distinctive look without having to do intensive post processing.  , , and  reduce the frame rate below 30fps, but don’t let this discourage you from experi­menting with these Art Filters, as the lower frame rate can add be an interesting artistic touch. In A mode, you can select the aperture, which will stay locked throughout the movie recording. If you are filming moving subjects, it helps to set this to a narrow aperture (higher f/stop), as it will expand the depth of field and keep subjects in focus, without actually having to refocus the shot. Wide apertures (lower f/stops), on the other hand, can dramatically blur out the back- or foregrounds to emphasize one particular subject. I strongly recommend playing around with all of these different modes and options, as the possibilities are quite endless.

Exposure will be automatically adjusted using ESP metering mode, and cannot be changed once recording begins. You can, however, set an exposure compensation before shooting begins, which will be maintained through­out the shot. 

All focus modes remain available while recording movies (though Face Detection is deactivated). In S-AF mode, the camera will lock focus as soon as the shutter-release but­ton is pressed, and will re-focus any time the AEL/AFL but­ton is pressed. In C-AF mode, the camera will automatically attempt to refocus whenever it detects subject motion, or if the scene is recomposed around a new subject at a different distance. In MF mode, obviously, you have complete control over the focus. It’s worth noting here that the stereo micro-phones will pick up most any sounds made by the camera, including its zooming and focusing operations (even manual focus—because this operates by electronic fly-by-wire).

The Olympus Master software offers some basic movie editing options, like single-frame extraction, splicing, and face-in/fade-out transitions. 1/125 second at f/5, ISO 200.