My personal search for that elusive digital rangefinder might finally end with the Olympus PEN E-P1. The bad news is: I just bought a digital compact camera.

Adopting the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) System means the E-P1 is an interchangeable lens digital camera that’s compact in size, as it does not need a quick-return mirror like those in SLR (single-lens reflex) cameras.

Its metallic nostalgically-designed lightweight body (335g without battery and lens) stores a 12.3-megapixel Live MOS image sensor and a new TruePic V image processor that’s able to shoot pictures and 720p high-definition videos using the three-inch LCD.

While it might not have an optical viewfinder, it has something I have been looking for - a hot shoe viewfinder in VF-1, which can be used to complement its 17mm (34mm of 35mm equivalent due to sensor’s 2x crop factor) pancake lens.

The E-P1 supports MFT mount lens, and Four Thirds lens via the MMF-1 adapter. It even supports old OM system SLR lens with the MF-2 adapter.

At the local launch, I played with the camera and found that the buttons and dials were all at the right places, with the design reminiscent of the classic Olympus PEN half-frame film camera. The built is sturdy and offers a firm grip.

The Olympus PEN E-P1 will be available in white and silver by next month at S$1,298 (body with 14-42mm lens) and $1,488 (body with 17mm pancake lens).

Does anyone want to buy my digital compact camera?
- TODAY/yb