The Olympus Pen digital (above). And the original Pen (below)

Extract from dpreview.com preview by Simon Joinson:
"The E-P1 was designed from the outset to be as small as possible using current components and this philosophy led to the decision (not, I'm sure, taken lightly) to leave out both viewfinder and built-in flash. The FL-14 flashgun overcomes the latter, but the optional viewfinder attachment won't help anyone using the zoom lens, and the lack of anything to peer through, especially on bright days when the LCD gets washed out by the sun, will undoubtedly put some potential purchasers off. Though, once they get their hands on the camera, I suspect many will be won over by its undoubted charms."

A new Pen - small room with no view

The Pen revival from Olympus looks to be a fine camera, well designed and with some super specs. We said in May that a digital OM1 would fit the bill to rival Panasonic's G1 Micro Four Thirds camera and that still remains a goal. For there is one essential thing missing from the new Pen - a viewfinder. True, you can attach a new finder to the flash shoe, but that's just for the pancake 17mm lens. Every other lens that can be attached, from the new ones developed for the E-P1 to the original Four Thirds lenses using an adaptor, have to be viewed through the live view. And that, as every photographer knows, can be difficult in bright sunlight and unnatural at the best of times.

Canon knows the value of a compact camera with a proper viewfinder, such as on its G10 and the previous G9, which remains a superb compact camera, so why has Oympus decided to ditch one on the Pen? It is an odd idea to do without the viewfinder on a camera with interchangeable lenses and it remains to be seen whether Olympus has made the right call.

Nanny Panasonic

Now, here's an odd one. Panasonic has developed new firmware for its latest digital cameras that prevents users from buying third-party batteries. The company claims that the move is to make sure its customers are safe from possible injuries because of overcharging, internal heating or short circuits.

Doesn't it smack a little of nanny knowing best? While we will always agree that safety is paramount, surely it is up to the user whether or not they risk buying a cheaper battery to work in their cameras. We hope that Panasonic will give users the option to skip the 'battery safety' firmware and not include it in every update.

By the way, a genuine Panasonic DMW-BLB13 Battery for the G1 costs over £50 on the web; it is possible to buy a replacement battery for £20 (at Amazon) from, we assume, a reputable dealer. So, two batteries for the price of one and a tenner to spare.

Does this firmware mean that no other companies can now make a cheaper 'Panasonic' battery, even if you trust them not to explode?So, what next, firmware that means your camera will only work with branded lenses? It's a slippery slope.

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