It seems Olympus’ latest Micro Four Thirds model, the entry-level E-PL1, is now official, according to 43rumors.com. It has the same 12 megapixel Live-MOS sensor as the E-P1 and E-P2 (and probably also the Panasonic G1 and GF1), but a smaller, plastic body (opposed to metal in the E-P1 and E-P2), a hot-plug for the electronic megapixel viewfinder VF2 which comes in kit with the E-P2 and – this is what a lot of people have been waiting for (though I am not one of them) – an integrated pop-up flash. At a price of ~ US-$ 600 with the 3x zoom kit lens (though without the EVF), this sounds like a real bargain and will make MFT even more attractive for a lot of people – especially those who have been interested but reserved so far.

43rumors.com also obtained some pictures (probably 3D models, but they do look like the real thing) that show what the new baby MFT camera looks like:

Olympus E-PL1 + M.Zuiko 14-42/3.5-5.6. Image courtesy of 43rumors.com

Rear view. Mind the button for the pop-up flash. And it’s also got a dedicated video record button now.

Olympus E-PL1 rear. Image courtesy of 43rumors.com.

P.S.: Rumor has it that Olympus’ next MFT camera will be a pro-level model (see this thread at dpreview.com forums). Will it have an integrated EVF like the G(H)1?