- The first new digital rangefinder PEN called OM System is presented
- It costs from $999.99/£849 (Australia prices TBA)
- New 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Mark III kit lens released with camera
Olympus fans, the day has finally come – OM System has relaunched the Olympus PEN series and put its name on it with the release of the new OM System PEN.
The new PEN carries the torch of the iconic Olympus PEN-F and has a classic compact retro form factor. I have to say that in every way it looks like a mirrorless camera for travel and everyday use, but has an equally surprisingly attractive entry-level price.
While the five-star EM-5 Mark II has a viewfinder bump (which I think looks great too), the OM System PEN is a “rangefinder” style mirrorless camera with the same 2.36m OLED viewfinder that is instead flush with the body.
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And the specs are as attractive as the IPX1 dust- and splash-resistant design; the same 20.4-megapixel micro-four-thirds sensor with 5-axis image stabilization rated up to 5.5EV, 121-point phase detection autofocus with subject detection AF for people and animals, and a slew of computational photography modes that are simply fun to play with—my review of the OM-3 paints a picture of how fun modes like Live ND can be.
OM System has also added various color profiles, including two “Cine” picture modes designed for 4K video recording, and has reincorporated a color/monochrome switch on the front of the camera, which provides a variety of movie-inspired effects.
The camera uses OM System’s BLS-7 battery that delivers 410 shots on a full charge, and USB-C charging makes it even more convenient to travel with.
When you consider the retro IPX1-rated body, built-in viewfinder, and stabilized sensor, the PEN feels like an exceptional value, even though it features a dated micro four-thirds sensor that’s smaller than APS-C and full-frame and adds very little that’s new.
For me, however, the format has always presented a compelling combination of quality, power and features, and is an easy recommendation for smartphone movers who will find the computing modes exciting and somewhat familiar.
The PEN series is the one we’ve been waiting for for an OM System update since the acquisition of Olympus, and now that day has arrived: the new compact mirrorless model does not disappoint.
In terms of pricing, the new PEN becomes the entry-level model of the OM System – for $999.99 you get the camera body in silver or black, or for an additional $100/£100 bundle with the new Mark III version of the 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 lens that was released alongside the camera, and both are due to go on sale from 1 October. I will update this page with Australian prices when I receive it.
I can’t wait to try out the camera – if it’s anything like the previous OM System cameras I’ve reviewed, it’ll be a lot of fun to test out. In my opinion, the OM System PEN looks like a contender for the best entry-level mirrorless camera of the year.
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