The OM System PEN Revives a Cult Classic for $1,499
OM System's new PEN brings back the much-loved rangefinder-style compact, now with a built-in viewfinder, film modes and weather resistance.
The Olympus PEN was one of the cameras that made mirrorless cool, a small, stylish rangefinder-shaped body that looked as good on a café table as it did round your neck. OM System, the company that took over Olympus's camera business, has brought the name back with a new model simply called the PEN.
Classic looks, modern extras
The PEN is a compact, rangefinder-style body weighing 393g, built from engineering plastic to keep weight and cost down. Crucially, it has a built-in electronic viewfinder, only the second PEN ever to include one, plus a fully articulating rear screen. It also carries IPX1 weather resistance.
What's inside
- 20.4MP Micro Four Thirds sensor and ninth-generation TruePic processor
- 5.5 stops of in-body stabilisation
- eight colour and monochrome film modes with adjustable saturation
- computational tricks including high-res shot, Live ND, focus stacking and HDR
- human, dog and cat subject detection
- in-camera Raw conversion and 4K 30p video
The catches
Early reviews praise its travel-friendly design and in-camera creative tools, but note that autofocus needs more hand-holding than rivals, video is limited to 8-bit, and it has a single UHS-I card slot. It is a camera for people who enjoy the process of photography more than those who need the latest specs.
Price and availability in Australia
- PEN body only: $1,499 RRP
- PEN with M.Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 III kit: $1,799 RRP
- Kit lens separately: $479 RRP, a retracting 28-84mm equivalent zoom weighing 125g
- Colours: silver or black
- Availability: on sale now
Sources: Photo Review, DPReview. Image courtesy of OM Digital Solutions.
