What do you do when you want digital SLR quality photographs, but you don’t want to deal with the added bulk that an SLR brings to the table when compared to a regular point-and-shoot digital camera? Panasonic and Olympus got together to address this concern and they emerged with the new micro four-thirds format.

Both companies have had cameras in this format for about a year now, but the newest to join the fray is the Olympus PEN E-PL1. The idea with this camera is that it can simplify the process for novices while providing spectacular quality photos. For instance, white balance is a “slider” going from cool to warm, rather than dealing with the esoteric terminology that populates the more professional space.

The Olympus E-PL1 uses the same 12.3-megapixel sensor as its E-P1 and E-P2 cousins, but it is the first in the range to include a built-in flash. There’s also the 2.7-inch HyperCrystal LCD with Live View, continuous autofocus, a number of different art filters (including one that mimics tilt-shit photography), and interchangeable lenses. The 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko digital zoom lens is included in the bundle.

The newest Olympus PEN digital camera is currently on sale for less than $500 on Amazon Canada, which is a pretty good deal considering that some other online retailers are selling the E-PL1 for north of $600. Amazon has free shipping too.