If you have manual focus lenses from your SLR days, this is currently the best deal on a camera body to bring those lenses back to life. There are inexpensive adapters for using lots of SLR lens types, and some old rangefinder lens types, with Micro Four Thirds cameras such as this one. With your old lens mounted, just set the camera mode to A for aperture priority, set the aperture on the lens to your desired f-stop, and the camera will automatically adjust the shutter and ISO for a good exposure. Manually focusing your lens is made easier because the viewfinder can magnify the subject you're focusing on.

Moreover, the camera has in-body image stabilization, so the sensor compensates for camera shake. You just choose your lens's focal length from a menu, and the camera will permit slower shutter speeds without blur. Other camera lines put their image stabilization in their lenses, but the Olympus PENs have it in the body, so it can be used with any lens you mount on the... Read more

This is certainly a no brainer, given the extremely low cost. I am using it with the lenses that I purchased for my Panasonic Lumix G3. This OLYMPUS E-PL1 serves as my every day carry camera, for grabbing shots that pop-up, who knows when. Only thing I don't like is the lack of a viewfinder, to deal with the hard to see display in brite day light and having the Lumix G3 with its articulating display has also spoiled me. But, the E-PL1 is certainly a great buy at this cost and my intended use. It replaces my old Canon PowerShot A620 which goes to a new home with a friend. My ultimate carry camera is still my tiny Canon PowerShot S230 Digital ELPH, built like a tank... much like this OLYMPUS E-PL1 appears to be, but with much greater capability, of course.
FWIW,
-Rod

I have now purchased two of these cameras. The first came with the 14-42mm kit lens and the other was just the body. The reason for the second body was the price and my experience with the first E pl-1, which has been very satisfactory for my photograph needs, and was economically feasible.

I like the programming on these cameras, the single downside issue is they deplete batteries rather fast, so I purchased about 6 of the Wasabi Power batteries that work just as well as the Olympus branded batteries at a fraction of the price.

I shoot with a Lensbaby Tilt Transformer Composer on one body and the kit lens on the other body. The second body came from Cameta Camera, and the service was excellent. The Lensbaby TT/C works well on aperture priority.

Obviously this model is being phased out judging from the low prices offered. They are a bargain for those of us on limited means.

If affordable, I recommend the VF-2 electronic view finder. It cost... Read more