Quoting the past

The EP-1 (1) is a modernized version of a 1960s-era Olympus Pen. (2)

In the same way that Volkswagen revived a classic design with the launch of the New Beetle, the surface design of the EP-1 instantly evokes the feel of a vintage camera while its innards make it an unmistakably modern product.

Olympus decided to use a lot of bright metals on the body. Contemporary digital SLRs are typically all-black to reduce potential glare (and look menacing), but the bright metals enhance the EP-1's retro appeal.

Still, there's one nostalgic aspect of the EP-1 that will seem odd to a contemporary user: it lacks the finger grip that modern dSLRs use to hold the battery, so you feel like you have to hold this camera more carefully.

Overall, however, the ergonomics are good, and the black elastomer retro-leather-look grip (3) helps you get oriented without looking at the the camera, so you can always find the shutter.

On the bottom of the camera is one of my favorite details. It says, "Designed by Olympus in Tokyo; Made in China." Olympus tore a page from Apple's "Designed in California" branding to tout the EP-1's Japanese origins.

The Japanese are known for making very good cameras and consumer electronics, so this is a case of a Japanese company highlighting its expertise to make the pitch that you should buy an Olympus instead of another brand.