The EP-1 probably one of the most anticipated digital camera in 2009, a couple of month back Olympus announced the return of an old form and the beginning of what would become a new benchmark in compact digital camera. Olympus introduced the smallest digital camera with micro four-thirds technology, which was originally invented by both Olympus and Panasonic. The basic idea of this technology is to feature a compatible interchangeable lens into smaller bodies.

What is so special about the camera? To begin with, the camera has the size and weight of any standard compact camera. Nothing special about that, but what makes it unique is the interchangeable lens, which for now you can choose between the 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens and the 17mm f/2.8.The company is aligning the Olympus E-P1 with the aesthetic of an old PEN system of film cameras and style. Definitely one of the best looking compact camera we’ve ever seen.

While looking at its spec and feature, I think it would be wrong to call this device as just a “digital compact camera”. The camera has the capability and produces an image quality comparable to any mid-range SLR, even for shooting in low light, thanks to its advance image sensor. Like I said before, the camera has the potential to change the landscape of digicams genre. Creating a new class in the industry. The question now is, how long before we see the respond from the likes of Canon, Nikon, Leica or Sony?

“A Full-Spec Compact Digital Camera With All The Power of DSLR.” That is the Sigma’s own marketing tag line for the DPII. It is a bold statement coming from Sigma, and now the question is whether this compact camera can fuel the expectation of their own tag line or even its price tag (Rp. 8.995.000,-).

Powered by a SLR-sized image sensor, a “TRUE II” image processor and the same 14 megapixel direct image sensor as the SD14 (Sigma’s digital SLR), surely the DPII should have enough ammunition to compete at this stage. Note that the sensor is approximately 6 to 7 times larger than the sensors in the Canon G10 and the Leica D-Lux 4. Hence, it has the capability shooting in relatively high ISO and low light, as you would find in any regular digital SLR.

The image quality seems to be the most valuable point from this premium compact digital, even compared to likes of Leica and Ricoh, thanks to its massive image sensor and The DP2’s 41mm (35 mm equiv) single-focal length lens. With a price tag that will cost you more than a brand new kit EOS 500D, this camera is not without flaws, beside its price of course. Similar to Ricoh GRII, the DPII adopted a single-focal lens, which can be viewed as a problem for some people. Also, we can’t say it has a better build quality than G10, which you can get at almost half the price of a DPII. We’re not saying that it is poorly built, but you would ask for a much better quality if you’re going to spend a fortune on a compact.