OM System PEN Review: A Superior Successor to the PEN-F
The OM System PEN, priced at $999, is a weather-sealed, retro-styled camera with in-body stabilization, an electronic viewfinder, and advanced
The OM System PEN camera launches in late September for $999 body-only, offering IPX1 weather sealing, in-body image stabilization, and an electronic viewfinder. According to a review by Digital Camera World, this new model is a spiritual successor to the Olympus PEN-F and improves upon it in nearly every aspect.
Specifications and Pricing
The OM System PEN will be available in silver and black from late September. Its pricing and kit options are detailed below.
| Variant | Price |
|---|---|
| Body Only | $999 / £849 |
| Kit with 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 III lens | $1,099 / £999 |
| Double-lens kit with 14-42mm & 40-150mm lenses | $1,299 |
The review notes this price undercuts competitors like the Fujifilm X-T5 and Canon EOS R7, which start at $1,999 and $1,649 respectively for bodies with similar sealing, stabilization, and viewfinder features.
Build and Handling
The camera retains the iconic PEN series design and is nearly identical in size to the PEN-F. Key handling features include a front Profile Control switch and a right-hand power switch, enabling one-handed operation for street photography. It gains IPX1 weather sealing and a dedicated memory card door, moving beyond the entry-level practice of storing the card in the battery compartment. The build uses a new, squat BLS-7 battery, which is CIPA-rated for 410 shots but reportedly delivered over 600 in testing.
Performance and Features
Performance is described as quick and nimble, with agile autofocus. The camera is loaded with creative tools, including film-inspired picture profiles, Art Filters, and a Color Creator for customizing looks. A dedicated CP button unlocks a suite of computational photography features. These include Live ND for simulated neutral density effects, an 80MP High Res Shot mode, in-camera focus stacking, Starry Sky Autofocus, Live Composite for light painting, and 30fps Pro Capture, which records frames before the shutter is fully pressed.
The reviewer states, "There is so much creative potential packed into the OM System PEN that you will become a more versatile and more adventurous photographer almost by osmosis." File transfer and remote shooting are help by the OI.Share app, which the source calls the best companion camera app on the market.
Limitations
The primary limitations concern resolution and video. The camera uses a 20MP sensor, the same as in the OM-5 Mark II. The reviewer argues this is sufficient for most purposes, and the 80MP High Res Shot mode is available for extra detail. Video recording is limited to 8-bit, though the camera includes subject detection autofocus for humans and animals during stills capture. The source concludes that these are minor trade-offs for what is fundamentally "a stills-first camera to its core" and an "ultimate everyday carry."
