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Olympus offers major firmware update for OM-D E-M1 II, E-M5 II and Pen-F

28 Feb

Olympus has announced updates for its OM-D E-M1 Mark II, OM-D E-M5 Mark II and Pen-F cameras in the lead up to CP+ 2018. All three cameras get a new Bleach Bypass Art Filter and added support for the Panasonic Leica 200mm F2.8 Power OIS lens, but the improvements go beyond that for the individual camera models.

The E-M1 II’s list of updates is the longest. Firmware 3.0 brings improvements to Pro Capture Mode, increasing the pre-shutter buffer depth from 14 to 35 frames. Pro Capture Mode H can also now be used with any Four Thirds or Micro Four Thirds lens. Focus Stacking mode now works with the 12-100mm F4 Pro, and the camera will now provide in-body distortion correction for the 8mm F1.8 Fisheye Pro.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 II firmware 4.0 adds the focus stacking feature found on the
TG-5 and E-M1 II

Other E-M1 II improvements include the ability to set smaller AF target points in S-AF and C-AF, a 100% magnification option in image playback and a Flicker Scan feature to help choose a shutter speed that avoids flickering from problematic light sources. Olympus also says that C-AF performance has been improved overall, as has stabilization in video shooting, among other minor feature updates.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 II firmware 4.0 adds the focus stacking feature found on the TG-5 and E-M1 II. In this mode, eight images are captured as focus is shifted to create a composite final image with greater depth of field.

Firmware 3.0 for the Pen-F adds the ability to save Monochrome and Color Profile Control settings to the camera by way of a computer. Shading effects are also added to Color Profile Control and Color Creator.

For the full list of improvements, see the press release below or head to Olympus’ website.

YOUR UPGRADE AWAITS: OLYMPUS UNLEASHES POWERFUL NEW FIRMWARE FOR ITS OM-D AND PEN CAMERAS

New Functions and Improved Performance Are Delivered Through Firmware Version 2.0 for OM-D E-M1® Mark II, Version 3.0 for PEN-F®, and Version 4.0 for OM-D E-M5 Mark II

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., February 28, 2018—Today Olympus announces a series of new firmware updates that are available immediately for several of its latest interchangeable lens cameras. The firmware upgrades include Version 2.0 for the flagship Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, Version 3.0 for the Olympus PEN-F, and Version 4.0 for the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II.

Olympus is dedicated to providing ongoing product functionality and performance improvements to deliver cameras that users can depend on long after their initial purchase. The latest firmware updates are designed to bolster Olympus’s interchangeable lens cameras with the latest functionality, improved performance, and expanded creative options. Many of the firmware updates were implemented in response to users’ requests.

For example, Firmware Version 3.0 for the PEN-F adds the ability to save the settings of the Monochrome and Color Profile Control from the user’s computer onto the camera. Firmware Version 4.0 for the OM-D E-M5 Mark II adds the Focus Stacking function available on the OM-D E-M1 and E-M1 Mark II. In addition to these upgrades, videographers will now have access to the Look Up Table (LUT) file for the OM-D E-M1 Mark II and the OM-D E-M5 Mark II, allowing for advanced control and optimal color grading using DaVinci Resolve®.

Other new features include improved Pro Capture Mode functionality in the OM-D E-M1 Mark II’s Firmware Version 2.0, while the PEN-F’s Firmware Version 3.0 includes shading effects that were previously only available in Monochrome Profile Control and are now available in Color Profile Control and Color Creator.

Main Features

OM-D E-M1 Mark II Firmware Version 2.0 Details

1. Improved Pro Capture Mode functionality
Pro Capture Mode provides lag-free shooting so users can capture high-quality, full-resolution images at precise moments without compromise. Pro Capture buffers a running series of JPEG and RAW images when users press the shutter release halfway. With Firmware Version 2.0, the maximum number of pre-shutter frames that can be recorded once the shutter button is fully pressed has increased from 14 to 35.

Additionally, a new display icon shows users that they have initiated Pro Capture Mode and the camera is currently buffering frames.

All attachable lenses are now compatible with Pro Capture H (focus locks after first image is buffered).

Lens	Pro Capture L	Pro Capture H
Olympus Micro Four Thirds System standard lenses	Yes	Yes
Other Micro Four Thirds System standard lenses	No	Yes
Four Thirds System standard lenses	No	Yes
Lenses without electrical contacts (MF only)	Yes	Yes

2. Focus Stacking now supports the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12–100mm F4.0 IS PRO
Firmware Version 2.0 now allows the M.Zuiko Digital ED 12–100mm F4.0 IS PRO to support in-camera focus stacking. Additionally, seven other lenses support focus stacking, including the M.Zuiko Digital ED 8mm F1.8 Fisheye PRO, ED 30mm F3.5 Macro, ED 60mm F2.8 Macro, ED 300mm F4.0 IS PRO, ED 7–14mm F2.8 PRO, ED 12–40mm F2.8 PRO, and ED 40–150mm F2.8 PRO.

3. Small AF Target setting added to S-AF and C-AF
In response to feedback from Olympus users looking for a greater level of precision when choosing a specific AF target, Small AF Targets have been added to the single target (1-point) AF area.

4. In-body Fisheye Correction when using M.Zuiko Digital ED 8mm F1.8 Fisheye PRO
Fisheye Distortion Correction is now available in-camera so that the M.Zuiko Digital ED 8mm F1.8 Fisheye PRO can be used as a wide-angle lens without the fisheye effect. Fisheye Correction effects can be viewed by the user in real time on the rear monitor or EVF before shooting.

5. The magnify setting now offers a 100-percent enlargement ratio for use during image playback
Due to Olympus user feedback, pixel size display has been added to the magnification ratio options, making it possible to review images at a 1:1 pixel ratio.

6. New Flicker Scan function removes flickering when using the electronic shutter
The Flicker Scan function allows users to preview the scene and choose the proper shutter speed to avoid flickering, a phenomenon that is common when using the camera’s electronic shutter under fluorescent or LED light sources.

Other Improvements

Continuous AF (C-AF) performance has been improved.
AF response has been improved when using back-button focus AF settings with the AEL/AFL button.
IS performance has been improved when shooting video, enabling more natural camera work (IS-equipped lenses require simultaneously released firmware update).
Tethered shooting responsiveness and stability using Olympus Capture has been improved, providing an easier shooting workflow.
The remaining battery level icon has been fine-tuned.

PEN-F Firmware Version 3.0 Details

1. Monochrome and Color Profile Control settings can be saved onto camera via computer
It is now possible to save Monochrome and Color Profile Control settings in images recorded on the PEN-F to the camera via a computer. Using the latest Olympus Digital Camera Updater (Ver. 2.1), simply select the image with the profile you want to use and save the settings to the camera.

2. Shading effects in Monochrome Profile Control are available in Color Profile Control and Color Creator
Due to popular demand, shading effects have been added to Color Profile Control and Color Creator for a wider range of photographic expression.

OM-D E-M5 Mark II Firmware Version 4.0 Details

1. In-Camera Focus Stacking function
The Focus Stacking function available on the Tough TG-5 and OM-D E-M1 Mark II is now available on the OM-D E-M5 Mark II. The focus is shifted in half-pixel increments while capturing eight images, which are then composited to form a single image that is in focus from the foreground to the background. A total of eight lenses are supported (the same lenses supported by OM-D E-M1 Mark II Firmware Version 2.0).

Common Features for OM-D E-M1 Mark II, PEN-F, and OM-D E-M5 Mark II

1. New Bleach Bypass Art Filter option
The Bleach Bypass Art Filter included in the OM-D E-M10 Mark III (released in September 2017) is now available with these firmware updates. This option replicates the bleach bypass effect used to develop film creating images with a beautiful metallic sheen.

2. Support for Panasonic LEICA® DG ELMARIT 200mm/F2.8/POWER O.I.S. interchangeable lens
This firmware update improves the compatibility with the Panasonic LEICA DG ELMARIT 200mm/F2.8/POWER O.I.S. (H-ES200) interchangeable lens.

Please visit the following URL for more details on the firmware updates: getolympus.com/firmware

Movie-exclusive picture mode: “Flat” LUT file release
An LUT file is released for movies recorded in the movie-exclusive picture mode “Flat” with the OM-D E-M1 Mark II and E-M5 Mark II. This file converts recorded videos to BT.709 in DaVinci Resolve from Blackmagic Design Pty. Ltd. for color grading.

Please visit the following URL for more details: getolympus.com/firmware

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Worth the Weight: Ultralight backpacking photography with the Olympus PEN-F

13 Aug

Mount Rainier from Grand Park ISO 200 | 21mm | F3.5 | 1/80th

One of the things that I love the most about my Olympus PEN-F camera is its chameleon-like nature. One minute it can be a tourist snapshot camera, the next a rugged backwoods professional shooting rig. Once I was even chastised for ‘still shooting film’ by a millennial.

This past summer I decided to take my PEN-F with me on my annual ultra-light hike to Mt. Rainier National Park. Those of you familiar with the concept of ultra-light hiking will immediately notice the irony of my statement. Ultra-light hiking requires that only essential items are included in one’s pack. Adding over two and a half pounds of photo gear doesn’t really fit the motif.

The Set Up

I have hiked with cameras for decades, but I have never really been satisfied with my set up.

Simple neck straps—no matter how wide—are out because of the interference with pack straps, croakies, and now hydration systems. Kuban-hitches are just too much mental origami to deal with. Similarly, hip slings can’t be used because they inevitably overlap with the main hip belt of the pack rendering them inaccessible.

It was a bit of a difficult challenge, but I was able to locate a great belt strap clip that was both strong enough securely hold my PEN-F and also small enough to fit on the limited space exposed on the hip belt of my Osprey Aether 60 AG pack. This was the key component of my set up. (IMZ’s DSLR Camera Hanger Belt Clip / 3 oz.)

In addition to the belt clip, I wanted much more gripping security on the camera body itself, so I added a couple elements there.

First was a fingertip grip by Haoge that both gives the body some more heft as well as adding some good security to the three dimensional grip and finger purchase of the body (Haoge HG-PENF QR quick release plate camera bracket holder hand grip for Olympus Pen-F / 4 oz.).

I am fairly pleased with this grip, but I’m still searching for one with even more positive fingertip connections. For one-handed, damp, unstable shooting situations, I love the feel of the PEN-F with this grip on it. Solid.

K Spire from Elysian Fields Camp, Mt. Rainier ISO 200 | 32mm | -0.3 EV | F10 | 1/800th

The other item I added was a wrist strap (Prost Leather Hand Strap / 2 oz.). Here I only minimally succeeded with my choice (not that I could find a better one). I wanted the ability to slip my hand into a strap that would keep the camera very close to the palm even if my grip was relaxed.

Such a strap would have to go from the eyelet on the camera body near the shutter release to a spot on the base near the tripod mounting port. The best I could do was a strap that simply ran down the side of the camera from the eyelet to the base. It provided some security, but not everything I was looking for.

It did, however, provide a nice bit of padding for the camera that paid off in some tight squeezes between rocks and downed trees.

Shooting Process

The wonderful thing about the clip is that the camera attaches to the harness with a ball shaped brass connector. This allows the camera to hang easily below the hip belt of the pack with the lens following the natural crease in my hip. Even in steep climbing the camera was both out of the way and completely accessible to me.

There were so many times when I was winded enough that if I had had to futz with a case or a Kuban-hitch I would have simply skipped the shot. Because I am a bit worrisome about my gear, I always clicked the locking pin into position when the camera was seated in the clip. This meant that releasing the camera was always a 2-handed process. The throat on the clip is deep enough that I believe there are many instances where the locking pin could be dismissed without any downside, but I kept it locked on.

Descending from Spray Park, Mt. Rainier ISO 200 | 12mm | F6.3 | 1/320th

In this configuration, the camera did not swing freely (desirable). It did pivot evenly against my hip and while I thought that this pivoting might create some abrasion or wear on the camera body of lens barrel, there are no visible battle scars on the camera from this adventure. Also, I shot entirely with the eyepiece, leaving the LCD screen folded away for protection against scratches and trail dust.

I took only one lens with me, the Olympus M. Zuiko Pro 12-40 f 1:2.8 zoom (17 oz.). For both protection and effect I had 2 filters on the lens at all times: a simple Rokinon UV filter and also an Altura omni-directional polarizing filter. I nearly always shot in Program mode, frequently with one to two thirds of an f-stop of decreased exposure in order to compensate for the dark foregrounds which had a tendency to washout the scenic backgrounds.

Early sun enters Ohanapecosh Valley ISO 200 | 38mm | -0.3 EV | F5.6 | 1/320th

Across the period of 7 days of hiking I shot 440 images onto a 32GB SanDisk Ultra card with tons of room to spare. While I had 2 back-up batteries at the ready, the battery that I started with lasted for the entire journey.

For those of you familiar with the Pacific Northwest and specifically Mt. Rainier, our trip started at Mowich Lake and ended at Steven’s Creek (Grove of the Patriarchs) with camps at Spray Park, Lake James, Grand Park, Frying Pan Creek, Summerland, and Ohanapecosh.

Ghost Fir, Ohanapecosh, Mt. Rainier ISO 200 | 12mm | F5.6 | 1/200th

I did have two mishaps with my clip, both user error but worth noting. First was on a training hike (and gear check). The small brass clip knob that attaches to the tripod mount worked its way all the way out and dropped the camera, luckily onto soft dirt and bushes. That camera drop nearly stopped my heart. For the long trip I made sure it was much more tightly attached and checked it regularly.

Second, while on the Rainier trip, there was a time when the right side of the clip itself worked free from the hip strap. This is possible and resulted in a dangle rather than a drop. Making sure the straps were in the correct position, unfolded, and flat against the other straps became part of my routine.

I love the process of shooting considered photographs. I am generally pleased with the results. And even though it added an additional 2.8 pounds to my total carry (that’s 6%!) it was totally worth the weight.

Mount Rainier from upper Spray Park ISO 200 | 12mm | F5.6 | 1/250th

Specifications:

Lens: 1 lb, 1 oz.
Strap: 2 oz.
Grip: 4 oz.
Camera Body: 1 lb.
2 extra batteries: 3 oz. (unused) Belt clip: 3 oz.

Total Weight: 2 lbs, 13 oz.

Ben Bauermeister has been an amateur photographer his entire life and is currently also a social impact entrepreneur living in the small Puget Sound town of Port Townsend where he enjoys cycling, hiking, kayaking, as well as unnatural acts of community stewardship. His community mentoring website can be found at www.skillmation.org, or you can follow him on Instagram @bbauerm.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Olympus firmware update brings support for Profoto remote and more to E-M1 II, EM-5 II and PEN-F

08 May

Olympus has announced major firmware updates for its E-M1 Mark II, E-M5 Mark II and PEN-F, as well as a pair of lenses. The camera updates add support for Profoto’s TTL flash system and provide plenty of new features, detailed below.

The first new feature is support for the Air Remote TTL-O (‘O’ for Olympus) radio trigger from Profoto. Pop it on the hot shoe and you can use a simple interface to control off-camera Profoto Air TTL flashes in both TTL and HSS modes.

Other major features include AF Target Spot Metering (E-M1 II only), the ability to set a minimum shutter speed in Auto ISO (PEN-F only), improvements to the AF touchpad function on the PEN-F for left-eye shooters, the ability to use High Res Shot and Focus Stacking modes when shooting with non-Olympus flashes, improved color reproduction on the E-M1 II’s EVF, and more.

Two lenses also receive updates: the 12-100mm F4 IS Pro and 300mm F4 IS Pro. The updates boosts sequential shooting performance when IS is turned on when using the E-M1 II and also improve 5-axis Sync IS with the E-M5 II and the original E-M1.

The updates are available immediately from the Olympus support website in your region. See the press release below for all of the changes in these updates:

Press Release:

PLUG IN AND POWER UP: OLYMPUS^® FIRMWARE UPDATE DELIVERS NEW CAPABILITIES FOR OM-D^® AND PEN^® CAMERAS

Expansive New Performance Updates for the OM-D E-M1 Mark II, OM-D E-M5 Mark II and PEN-F Include TTL and HSS Compatibility with Profoto AirTTL Flashes

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., May 8, 2017 — Today, Olympus announces a series of powerful new firmware updates that enhance the performance of the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II, Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II, Olympus PEN-F and select M.ZUIKO^® PRO and PREMIUM lenses. The updates are available immediately and are designed to bolster Olympus cameras and lenses with the latest functionality, including true compatibility with the new Profoto Air Remote TTL-O, to strengthen the performance for the professional and enthusiast photographer.

Olympus is dedicated to providing ongoing product functionality and performance improvements to expand the capabilities of their cameras. The E-M1 Mark II, Olympus’s latest flagship camera designed to withstand the rigors of professional use and deliver outstanding images, is upgraded to Version 1.2. The E-M5 Mark II, a high-performance compact system camera that features Olympus’s advanced in-body 5-Axis Image Stabilization, is upgraded to Version 3.0. And the PEN-F, a beautifully crafted camera with creative functions ideal for street shooters and those with an affinity for sophisticated industrial design, is upgraded to Version 2.0.

The recent updates are comprehensive and go beyond compatibility with the Profoto Air Remote TTL-O. The E-M5 Mark II has been enhanced with features that include “Save Settings and Mysets” for saving camera settings on a computer, and a midtone adjustment function has been added to Highlight & Shadow Control for even greater control over the tonal quality of images. The PEN-F now offers touch-to-select Art Filters while viewing the effect in real time, and users can set the slowest shutter speed allowed before the camera raises the sensitivity in ISO AUTO. For the E-M1 Mark II, High Res Shot and Focus Stacking Modes are now compatible with non-Olympus flashes, and AF HOME settings are saved when the camera is turned off.

Firmware Version 1.1 for the M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12-100mm f/4.0 IS PRO and Firmware Version 1.2 for the M.ZUIKO Digital ED 300mm f/4.0 IS PRO improves silent sequential shooting performance when image stabilization is active on the E-M1 Mark II. Firmware Version 1.1 for the M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12-100mm f/4.0 IS PRO also improves 5-Axis Sync IS performance when paired with the E-M5 Mark II and the E-M1 Mark II.

Main Features

Compatibility with Profoto Air Remote TTL-O

The latest firmware upgrade delivers compatibility between the Profoto Air Remote TTL-O and the E-M1 Mark II, E-M5 Mark II and PEN-F models. The Profoto Air Remote TTL-O wirelessly integrates the Profoto Air TTL Flash with these cameras, providing Olympus users with seamless integration with products from one of the leading manufacturers of lighting and light-shaping tools.

Simply attach the Profoto Air Remote TTL-O to the hot shoe for quick remote control of all functions. For more information on which functions can be used, please see the Profoto website: http://profoto.com

“Save Settings and Mysets” function saves camera settings on the user’s computer

The convenient “Save Settings and Mysets” function has been added to the E-M5 Mark II and PEN-F to easily save the user’s customized settings on their computer and restore them on the camera when necessary. This feature is useful for applying the same settings to multiple cameras and saving complex settings when upgrading firmware.

Midtone adjustment function added to Highlight & Shadow Control

The new midtone adjustment function has been added to the Highlight & Shadow Control on the E-M5 Mark II to provide control over bright and dark sections of a subject and to give users complete control over the tonal properties of the image.

AF Target Spot Metering provides spot metering at the focus point

AF Target Spot Metering is now available on the E-M5 Mark II to effectively link the AF Target position and spot metering area.

Touch to select Art Filters while viewing sample images on the screen

Sample images that demonstrate the effects of the Art Filter are now shown at the bottom of the PEN-F’s screen. Users can simply view and touch the sample Art Filter image on the screen to instantly activate that option.

Set the shutter speed to begin raising the ISO sensitivity in ISO AUTO

It is now possible to control the lowest shutter speed setting on the PEN-F. This allows users to predefine a minimum shutter speed so that the ISO sensitivity increases in low-light situations rather than slowing down the shutter speed. This is convenient for handheld shooting in low-light environments.

Improved AF Targeting Pad on the rear LCD monitor

The firmware update makes it possible to use touchpad operations on the PEN-F even if your nose touches the rear LCD monitor while looking through the viewfinder. The AF Targeting Pad provides the freedom to move the AF point on the rear LCD monitor using touch operations while keeping your eye on the viewfinder.

High Res Shot and Focus Stacking Mode compatibility on non-Olympus flashes

The E-M1 Mark II’s powerful 50MP High Res Shot and Focus Stacking Modes are now supported with both Olympus flashes and flashes from other manufacturers.

Automatic switching to rear LCD monitor when shooting with the viewfinder

When shooting through the E-M1 Mark II’s viewfinder during Rec View, the camera now automatically switches to the rear LCD monitor for image playback when the eye is moved away from the viewfinder.

AF HOME settings saved when camera is turned off

Previously, AF HOME settings were reset after the E-M1 Mark II was turned off. The firmware upgrade saves the user’s AF HOME settings even if the camera is turned off.

Additional Improvements

Improved viewfinder color reproduction during shooting for the E-M1 Mark II lets users compose their image while viewing color more accurately.
Improved stability for battery level display for the E-M1 Mark II.
Lens firmware upgrade improvements:

(1) M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12-100mm f/4.0 IS PRO Firmware Version 1.1 and M.ZUIKO Digital ED 300mm f/4.0 IS PRO Firmware Version 1.2 improves silent sequential shooting performance when image stabilization is active on the E-M1 Mark II.

(2) M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12-100mm f/4.0 IS PRO Firmware Version 1.1 improves 5-Axis Sync IS performance when paired with the E-M5 Mark II and E-M1 Mark II.

Camera Bodies – New Functions and Improvements

	E-M1 Mark II Ver 1.2	E-M5 Mark II Ver 3.0	PEN-F Ver 2.0
Compatibility with Profoto Air Remote TTL-O	X	X	X
“Save Settings and Mysets” for saving camera settings on a computer	Already available	X	X
Midtone adjustment function added to Highlight & Shadow Control	Already available	X	Already available
AF Target Spot Metering provides spot metering at the focus point	Already available	X	Already available
Touch to select Art Filters while viewing sample images	–	–	X
Set the shutter speed to begin raising the ISO sensitivity in ISO AUTO	Already available	–	X
Improved AF Targeting Pad on the rear LCD monitor	Already available	–	X
High Res Shot and Focus Stacking Mode available on non-Olympus flashes	X	Already available	Already available
Automatic playback on rear LCD when using Rec View in the viewfinder	X	Already available	Already available
AF HOME settings saved when camera is turned off	X	Already available	Already available
Improved viewfinder color reproduction	X	–	–
Improved stability for battery level display	X	–	–

M.ZUIKO Lenses – New Improvements

	E-M1 Mark II	E-M5 Mark II	E-M1
M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12-100mm f/4.0 IS PRO Firmware Ver 1.1 and M.ZUIKO Digital ED 300mm f/4.0 IS PRO Firmware Ver 1.2 improves silent sequential shooting performance when image stabilization is active	X^*	–	–
M.ZUIKO Digital ED 12-100mm f/4.0 IS PRO Firmware Ver 1.1 improves 5-Axis Sync IS performance	Already available	X	X

* E-M1 Mark II must be upgraded to firmware v1.2

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

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Field Test: Claire Bangser and the Olympus PEN-F hit the Mississippi Blues Trail

11 Apr

DPReview’s Wenmei Hill and New Orleans-based photographer Claire Bangser recently hit the road with the Olympus PEN-F, visiting historic spots along the Mississippi Blues Trail. If you love the blues or want to learn more about the folks living in the small towns that dot the route, then you’ll enjoy our latest field test.

See full-resolution images from the Field Test in the Olympus PEN-F Samples Gallery

See more Field Test videos

This is sponsored content, created with the support of Olympus. What does this mean?

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History Repeating: Olympus PEN-F Review

25 Feb

The original Olympus PEN-F first hit the streets in 1963. Built around the half-frame film format, it quickly gained a following thanks to its beautiful, yet simple design and small size. Getting 70 images to a roll of film probably didn’t hurt, either. Now, 53 years later the PEN-F is back.

The digital reincarnation of the 35mm film Olympus PEN-F does not replace the current digital PEN flagship E-P5, rather it slides in next to it as the ‘premium’ option in the PEN family. The reason being that unlike digital PENs before it, the F has something much more OM-D-like: a built-in 2.36 million dot OLED electronic viewfinder. The F also boasts the highest output resolution of any Olympus body to date, boasting a 20MP Four Thirds sensor (probably the same one we’ve seen in the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX8).

Released specifically to appeal to street shooters and the design conscious looking for a capable camera with retro-styling and rangefinder-like controls, the PEN-F has a lot going for it.

Olympus PEN-F features:

20MP Live MOS Four Thirds format sensor
5-axis image stabilization with automatic panning detection
2.36 million dot OLED electronic viewfinder
Up to 10 fps continuous shooting (20 fps with electronic shutter)
Highly customizable interface, twin controls
Fully articulating 1.04 million dot, 3″ LCD touchscreen
50MP High-res Shot mode
1/8000 sec top mechanical shutter speed (1/16,000 with e-shutter)
1080/60p video recording

All of the above come packaged in a machined aluminum and magnesium body, with no visible screws anywhere. A faux-leather wrap encircles the PEN-F and the body itself is both well-weighted and has a very solid feel to it.

With many of the same guts as the OM-D EM-5 II and sleek rangefinder-style looks (reminiscent of Fujifilm’s X100 series cameras), the most direct Micro Four Thirds competitor to the PEN F is the Panasonic GX8, which also uses a 20MP chip. Other close competitors include the Sony a6000, a6300 and the Fujifilm X-E2S – all of which are APS-C format cameras. Of course, the PEN-F also has to compete against alternatives within the OM-D series as well.

To help us to better understand how the PEN-F fits into the market place as a whole, we chatted with Eric Gensel, a technical specialist with Olympus. He breaks down exactly how the PEN-F fits in Olympus’ lineup, who the target-audience of the camera is and what went into the design process:

Compared to its siblings

Many of the highlight features of the PEN-F aren’t new. In fact a lot of the key spec is shared with other recent Olympus releases. However, some functions have been improved upon. For instance, thanks to its 20MP sensor, the Pen F is capable of higher resolution in multi-shot mode compared to the OM-D E-M5 II, up to 80MP in Raw mode (50MP in JPEG). It also features a dedicated creative control knob on the front, as well as four customizable shooting modes, accessed via the locking exposure mode dial.

It’s hard to see the PEN-F as a large step forward given how many of its core features are inherited from other models, but it offers a handling experience that is unique in Olympus’s lineup. Is the PEN-F more than just a pretty face? Let’s dig in.

	Olympus PEN-F	Olympus OM-D E-M5 II	Olympus PEN E-P5
Pixel count	20MP	16MP	16MP
Image stabilization	5-axis	5-axis	5-axis
Stabilization (CIPA)	5 stops	5 stops	4 stops
Max shutter speed	1/8000 (1/16000 electronic)	1/8000 (1/16000 electronic)	1/8000
On-sensor PDAF	No	No	No
Continuous shooting (without /with AF)	10 fps / 5 fps	10 fps / 5 fps	9 fps / 5 fps
Flash	Clip-on Tilt/bounce/rotate	Clip-on Tilt/bounce/rotate	Pop-up flash
Viewfinder	Built-in 2.36M-dot LCD 1.23x mag	Built-in 2.36M-dot LCD 1.48x mag	Optional VF-4 accessory EVF w/ 2.36M-dot LCD and 1.48x mag
Max video res/rate	1080/60p	1080/60p	1080/30p
Max bitrate	77Mbps	77Mbps	20Mbps
Mic socket	No	Yes	No
Rear screen	Fully articulating 3″ touchscreen 1.04M-dots	Fully-articulated 3.0″ touchscreen 1.04M-dots	Flip up/down 3.0″ touchscreen 1.04M-dots
Wi-Fi	Yes	Yes	Yes
Environmental sealing?	No	Yes	No
Battery life (CIPA)	330	310	330
Weight	427 g	469 g	420 g
Dimensions	125 x 72 x 37mm	124 x 85 x 45mm	122 x 69 x 37mm

Pricing and availability

The Olympus PEN-F will be available at end of February – early March 2016, and will hit the streets at a body-only price of $ 1199. It ships with the FL-LM3 flashgun seen in the image at the top.

If you're new to digital photography you may wish to read the Digital Photography Glossary before diving into this article (it may help you understand some of the terms used).

Conclusion / Recommendation / Ratings are based on the opinion of the reviewer, you should read the ENTIRE review before coming to your own conclusions.

We recommend to make the most of this review you should be able to see the difference (at least) between X, Y, and Z and ideally A, B, and C.

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Pride and joy: shooting the Olympus PEN-F in Austin

28 Jan

Austin, art modes, acceptance

When you are inside the Texas Capitol, you cannot forget that you are inside the Texas Capitol. Taken using Olympus’ ‘Classic Film Monochrome’ mode. F4 | 1/30 | ISO 3200

The new Olympus PEN-F has been, on the whole, receiving Texas-sized portions of praise around the DPReview offices. But there’s one design detail that hasn’t been met with much southern hospitality: Olympus’ decision to place a dial smack on the front of the camera that is solely used for selecting various photo effects for your JPEGs, and what’s more, to make it impossible to assign to another feature.

But after just a couple of days of shooting with he PEN-F, I found that I was using that little dial all the time. ‘Keep Austin Weird’ is the saying. Maybe this city is rubbing off on me a bit.

Olympus’ ‘Classic Film Vivid Saturation’ can occasionally push skin tones a little over the top, but is perfect for adding some punch to urban landscapes. F2 | 1/8000 | ISO 200

And there does seem to be a bit of parity going on here. Wander the streets of Austin, an unabashedly hip (and hipster-filled) town and there are times that you’d be hard-pressed to tell that you’re actually thousands of miles away from the west coast. Apart from the drop-dead-delicious down-home cooking, there’s a lot of Austin that just doesn’t seem to jive with the typical Texan stereotypes. To me, that’s totally okay and just adds to this city’s charm.

That’s kind of the same feeling I get about the Creative mode dial on the front of the PEN-F. This camera is solid, expensive, attractive and looks serious – until you read that dial and see that one of the settings is ‘Art.’ It honestly doesn’t really fit in to the classically-styled PEN-F, but somehow, adds some unexpected charm.

The ‘Classic Film Monochrome’ lives up to its name, right down to the heavy-handed grain. I like it. I expect many people won’t. F2 | 1/30 | ISO 400

Most of that added charm is thanks to the fact that this little Creative mode dial hides two completely new profile modes for the Olympus ecosystem. Taking a page out of Fujifilm’s book, Olympus claim that they are meant to be film emulations. I assigned ‘Color’ to either Chrome Film Rich Color or Chrome Film Vivid Saturation, and the ‘Mono’ setting is always on Classic Film Monochrome, which is full-on contrasty, grainy goodness. I rarely used the ‘Art’ or ‘Color Creator’ modes because, you know, there has to be a line somewhere.

I like using this dial so much because I would never get these images if I were shooting in a more ‘natural’ JPEG setting or Raw. I just don’t tend to tone my photos this way. I might come up with similar compositions, but they wouldn’t have the same mood. Not to harp on Fujifilm, but it’s reminiscent of why I shoot my X100 in JPEG mode almost all the time – I like it, and I can’t say I’d get the same feel if I did everything myself.

When they decided to expand Texas’ state capitol facility, they basically tunneled it underground. Because why not? Here, I used the ‘Chrome Film Rich Color’ mode that cranks both the saturation and contrast a bit which, combined with some intentional exposure adjustments, can lead to nice, crunchy shadows. Tasty. F5.6 | 1/1250 | ISO 400

And I’ll come right out and say that you may still think this is all rather silly. I wouldn’t blame you, and these emulations certainly won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. But that’s fine. I don’t think Austin is everyone’s cup of tea either, but it sure is fun.

Now. To the camera.

So, if you came here to read more about an actual camera and less about frivolous-yet-fun art filters, let’s dig in a little deeper. Our illustrious staff has already some some some excellent hands-on and preview content, and I agree with them on most of their points. Here’s a few personal takes from me.

The body does feel extremely solid, and the lack of exposed screws is a nice touch, but it doesn’t get me as excited as I think Olympus’ engineers were. (Also, I can’t imagine what it’s like if you ever have to get this camera serviced.) What’s missing is weather sealing, which is an odd omission for a camera of this caliber, this price and one that Olympus claim is aimed at street shooters.

And let’s be real. If you’re going to go to the trouble to eliminate visible screws, let’s also add some invisible weather sealing.

The new PEN-F’s autofocus modes are on par with Olympus’ other mid-to-high end offerings, such as the E-M5 II. Here, single-point autofocus nailed the can of spray paint perfectly despite some intense backlighting. F2 | 1/6400 | ISO 200

This is an exceedingly comfortable camera to hold, and the typical magic feel of Olympus’ dials is in full force. I find myself just twiddling them as I walk down the street, even if I’m not actively shooting. The viewfinder is big, bright and beautiful, but the fully articulating screen can be hard to see in daytime. Also, I don’t particularly like fully articulating screens, but I do like that this one has leatherette on the back if you fold it away completely – it’s nice if you want to be extra discrete or grasp more of the camera for just carrying around.

Speaking of being extra discrete, this camera can operate completely silently and with no noticeable noise penalty from using an electronic shutter. For moments when silence isn’t necessarily golden, the feel and sound of the mechanical shutter (which goes to 1/8000!) is very nice indeed.

It isn’t all puppies and rainbows. The high saturation of the Chrome Film modes requires careful attention to your white balance, which can (understandably) struggle under mixed lighting. In other words, the colors in this image SOOC are pretty gross and yes, I should have stuck to black and white. F2 | 1/80 | ISO 320

The new sensor represents the highest pixel count of any Olympus camera yet, and it doesn’t disappoint. It provides excellent detail and good high ISO performance. If you add some of your own grain a la Classic Film Monochrome, you can comfortably shoot at ISO 6400. A more reasonable limit for Raw purists will be around 3200, but as always, this will vary on the quality of your remaining light and your choice of exposure.

The new high-res mode on this camera produces 50MP JPEGs and 80MP Raws. To get the most of those extra pixels I found you need to exercise more caution than I did, even if you’re using a tripod. I would also recommended that you engage an extra timer delay to minimize any vibration you might otherwise cause by physically pressing the shutter button.

This is the “Pinhole Camera III” art filter. And this is why I don’t use the art filters much. F2 | 1/1000 | ISO 200

Single-point autofocus is fast and accurate, and continuous focus with tracking is comparable with the E-M5 II (though not the E-M1 with its hybrid system).

Lastly, kudos to Olympus for including a clip on flash that articulates for easy bounce work. What’s more, some non-scientific testing yielded an almost Fujifilm-quality of fill flash: perfectly balanced with the ambient surroundings, and maintaining decent color.

With its sleek yet low-profile looks, fold-away screen and excellent viewfinder, the PEN-F is almost perfectly set up to be a street photographers’ walk-around camera. Except for that whole weather-sealing thing. F1.8 | 1/8000 | ISO 200

At the end of the day, the PEN-F is an excellent camera for its intended audience of fashion-conscious folks who are serious about their travel or candid photography. Though the price is on the high side, the feature set, build quality and image quality from its all-new sensor at least merits a look for anyone looking to move into the Micro Four Thirds system in style.

The heavy-handed (but adjustable) film grain effect adds impact to this portrait, in my opinion. F1.8 | 1/50 | ISO 6400

For more samples from the Olympus PEN-F, please take a look at our samples gallery below.

View our Olympus PEN-F sample gallery for more examples from both Austin and Seattle.

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Olympus PEN-F revives 1960s rangefinder-style design with 20MP sensor, built-in EVF

27 Jan

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Olympus has announced the revival of its classic 1960s half-frame film camera in digital form – the 20MP PEN-F. The first digital PEN to feature a built-in viewfinder, it offers an impressive 2.36 Million-dot OLED panel. The PEN-F also boasts a fully articulating 1.04 Million-dot 3″ LCD. The E-M5 II’s 5-axis image stabilization is also included with a claimed benefit of 5 stops, and full 1080 HD video is offered at 60p.

Taking its design cues straight from the middle of the 20th Century, the PEN-F includes plenty of manual control points including a locking mode dial, exposure compensation dial and a front-mounted Creative mode dial housing direct access to color and Art Filter modes. A hotshoe flash is included in the box, and a number of stylish accessories will be available for separate purchase.

The Olympus PEN-F will be available in March for $ 1199.99 body-only.

Read our Olympus PEN-F First Impressions Review

See our Olympus PEN-F Hands-On

Press release:

OLYMPUS’ ICONIC MASTERPIECE: THE NEW PEN-F® COMBINES TIMELESS DESIGN WITH SOPHISTICATED COLOR PROFILE CONTROL FOR THE ULTIMATE STREET PHOTOGRAPHY TOOL

20 Megapixel Live MOS Sensor, 5-Axis VCM Image Stabilization, Fully-Customizable Monochrome and Color Profile Control, and Interactive OLED Electronic Viewfinder in a Classic Rangefinder Design

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., January 27, 2016 — Olympus is pleased to announce the PEN-F, a compact system camera created by fusing cutting-edge digital technology with craftsmanship handed down from 80 years of Olympus camera manufacturing. As the digital update of the original PEN-F, the world’s first half-frame SLR, the new PEN-F is packed with incredible performance advancements for photographers seeking superior image quality and creative control. The 20 megapixel Live MOS Sensor is combined with Olympus’ 5-Axis Image Stabilization, a built-in 2.36 million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder, and a new Creative Dial on the front of the camera that accesses a host of controls to deliver a captivating shooting experience, all included in a design that exudes timeless beauty.

Elegant, Meticulous Design
The PEN-F’s classic body lines and silhouette are inherited from its predecessor, which debuted in 1963. The top and front covers of the body are crafted from magnesium, and the precision metal dials (along with the bottom of the body) are crafted from aluminum. Olympus engineers devoted extraordinary resources to ensure superior quality and craftsmanship, so much so that even screws are undetectable on the camera’s exterior. Simple, stylish touches — like the included camera strap and the leather-grained exterior of the camera body and the back of the articulating LCD monitor — provide a unified look and feel. Customizable buttons and dials are positioned for easy operation while the user looks through the viewfinder, and the new Exposure Compensation dial and four custom modes on the Mode Dial offer instant access to registered settings for simple, direct control.

Ultimate Image Quality in Every Situation
The newly-developed 20 megapixel Live MOS Sensor is paired with the latest TruePic™ VII Image Processor to bring out the amazing image quality of Olympus’ M.ZUIKO® lenses. The sensor’s low-pass filterless construction delivers high resolution and a low sensitivity ISO LOW mode equivalent to ISO 80. In addition, the powerful 5-axis VCM (Voice Coil Motor) image stabilization compensates up to 5.0 steps* of shutter speed for one of the world’s highest levels of compensation performance. This technology allows users to capture clear images of night scenes and other low light situations with minimal noise, without raising the ISO. Focal length may be set manually, so that even legacy manual-focus lenses can be image-stabilized. The PEN-F’s High Res Shot Mode captures 50 megapixel equivalent images that reproduce incredible subject detail in ultra-high resolution, perfect for architecture and still life work. Plus, Olympus Viewer 3 Ver. 2.0 image editing software has been updated to process High Res Shot RAW images.

Complete Freedom of Expression
The PEN-F’s new Monochrome and Color Profile Control functions allow photographers the ability to emulate their favorite films of years past. These functions differ from using photo editing software after shooting, as they allow users to apply and check effects in Live View while shooting to create their own original images. Both functions include quick-select presets designed to give images the look of classic film. Or, settings can be completely customized to achieve specific looks. The camera’s front-mounted Creative Dial accesses Monochrome Profile Control, Color Profile Control, Art Filters, and Color Creator, all with a simple twist.

Monochrome Profile Control combines five photographic effects — Color Filter effect, Shading effect, Film Grain effect, Monochrome Color, and Highlight and Shadow Control — for a variety of monochromatic expressions. In addition to the default setting (Preset 1), there is also Classic Film Monochrome (Preset 2) for a monochrome film effect with high contrast, and Classic Film Infrared (Preset 3) for an effect that mimics infrared film. In Color Profile Control, users are able to adjust the color saturation of 12 individual colors in 11 steps. This is combined with Highlight and Shadow Control for limitless color expression. In addition to the default setting (Preset 1), there is also Chrome Film Rich Color (Preset 2), which provides deeper tones in images, and Chrome Film Vivid Saturation (Preset 3), which creates high levels of color saturation. The PEN-F’s rear lever lets users easily toggle through the various effect controls, including Highlight and Shadow Control, a feature that also allows for the adjustment of midtones within plus or minus seven steps for advanced customization.

High-Visibility Interactive Viewfinder
The PEN-F is equipped with a built-in 2.36 million-dot high resolution OLED Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) with a 100-percent field of view and a magnification rate of 1.23x (35mm equivalent: approx. 0.62x) for a clear view without aberrations, even at the edges. Simulated OVF (S-OVF) Mode expands the dynamic range and provides an image similar to what would be seen with the naked eye. The magnified display function and Focus Peaking (which offers three levels and four colors) allow for extremely precise lens focusing. In addition, the PEN-F’s vari-angle, touch-enabled LCD monitor lets users compose Live View shots from a variety of angles, high or low.

Super-Fast Response for Comfortable Shooting
The PEN-F features blazing-fast speed with the shortest shutter-release time lag of any compact system camera** at 0.044 seconds. The 1/8000-second, high-speed mechanical shutter provides superior performance for capturing fast action, and shutter functions can be customized according to the scene. Silent Mode is useful for shooting in situations that require complete silence, and Anti-Shock Mode allows users to prevent shutter shake. The AF Targeting Pad enhances control by allowing users to set focus points by touching the rear monitor with their thumb while composing their shot in the viewfinder. Face Priority AF and Eye Priority AF detect and continuously adjust the focus on faces or eyes for easier portrait shooting. Enhancing the detail of every shot is AF Target Spot Metering, which links the AF Target and the metering area, while Super Spot AF and Small Target AF make it possible to focus on small subjects.

The PEN-F offers additional compatibility with users’ legacy lenses by enabling them to register the information of lenses without electronic contacts for inclusion in images’ EXIF data. The lens information may be recalled with the press of a button. Up to 10 lenses can be registered, including the lens name, focal length and aperture value.

Even More Creative Control
Other creative features include Live Composite Mode, which allows users to extract and composite the brightest areas from multiple, sequentially shot images to capture incredible cityscapes and star trails. With the PEN-F’s built-in Wi-Fi®, users can utilize the Olympus Image Share app for Android® and Apple® to adjust settings and monitor the progress of the image as it develops in real time on a smartphone or tablet. In 4K Time Lapse Movie, the camera captures up to 999 images automatically at intervals ranging from one image every second to one image every 24 hours, and combines them into a stunning high-resolution 4K video, all in-camera, without the need for additional software.

For those who enjoy macro photography, Focus Bracketing captures multiple shots at the touch of a button, all with slightly different focus depths. The new Live View Boost 2 makes it possible to easily focus and compose shots while checking visible stars in Live View. The PEN-F’s high-speed sequential shooting capabilities let users capture all the action at 10 fps with the mechanical shutter, 5 fps with C-AF, and an extraordinary 20 fps with Silent Mode.

Premium Leather Accessories
Optional accessories include the External Metal Grip (ECG-4) that lets users replace the battery without removing the grip, featuring a Quick Shoe Compatible Rail on the bottom for direct connection to a compatible tripod head. Premium-quality leather accessories are also available in limited quantities. The Premium Leather Shoulder Strap (CSS-S120L PR) features high-quality leather with a two-tone design and a thickness that helps reduce shoulder strain. A Premium Leather Wrapping Cloth (CS-48 PR) made of finely textured genuine leather is perfect for wrapping the entire camera with a large lens attached. The Premium Leather Camera Bag (CBG-11 PR) is a compact, genuine leather camera bag produced under the direction of AJIOKA Co., Ltd., a Japanese leather manufacturer, with thorough attention to details including pockets, a shoulder pad, and shoulder strap. The Genuine Leather Body Jacket (CS-47B) is designed to protect the bottom of the Olympus PEN-F from bumps and scratches.

U.S. Pricing and Availability
The PEN-F is available now for an estimated street price of $ 1,199.99 (U.S.) and $ 1,499.99 (Canada).

*Based on CIPA measurement conditions, when using M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 EZ (focal length = 42mm (35mm equivalent with 84mm)).
**Based on Olympus internal testing as of January 26, 2016.

Olympus PEN-F Specifications

Price
MSRP	$ 1199 (body only)
Body type
Body type	Rangefinder-style mirrorless
Body material	Magnesium alloy + aluminum
Sensor
Image ratio w:h	1:1, 4:3, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels	20 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors	22 megapixels
Sensor size	Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm)
Sensor size notes	High resolution mode produces Raw images at 10368 x 7776 or JPEGs at 8160 x 6120.
Sensor type	CMOS
Processor	TruePic VII
Color space	sRGB, Adobe RGB
Color filter array	Primary color filter
Image
Boosted ISO (minimum)	80
White balance presets	7
Custom white balance	Yes (4 slots)
Image stabilization	Sensor-shift
Image stabilization notes	5-axis
Uncompressed format	RAW
JPEG quality levels	Super fine, fine, normal, basic
File format	JPEG (Exif v2.3) Raw (Olympus ORF)
Optics & Focus
Autofocus	Contrast Detect (sensor) Multi-area Center Selective single-point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection Live View
Autofocus assist lamp	Yes
Manual focus	Yes
Number of focus points	81
Lens mount	Micro Four Thirds
Focal length multiplier	2×
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD	Fully articulated
Screen size	3″
Screen dots	1,037,000
Touch screen	Yes
Screen type	TFT LCD
Live view	Yes
Viewfinder type	Electronic
Viewfinder coverage	100%
Viewfinder magnification	1.23×
Viewfinder resolution	2,360,000
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed	60 sec
Maximum shutter speed	1/8000 sec
Maximum shutter speed (electronic)	1/16000 sec
Exposure modes	iAuto Program Auto Shutter Priority Aperture Priority Manual
Scene modes	Portrait e-Portrait Landscape Landscape + Portrait Sport Hand-held Starlight Night scene Night + Portrait Children High Key Low Key DIS mode Macro Nature Macro Candle Sunset Documents Panorama Fireworks Beach & Snow Fisheye Conv. Wide Conv. Macro Conv. Panning 3D
Built-in flash	No (external flash included)
External flash	Yes
Flash modes	Flash Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (1st curtain), Slow sync (2nd curtain)
Flash X sync speed	1/250 sec
Continuous drive	10.0 fps
Self-timer	Yes (2 or 12 seconds, custom)
Metering modes	Multi Center-weighted Spot
Exposure compensation	±5 (at 1/3 EV steps)
AE Bracketing	±5 (2, 3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps)
WB Bracketing	Yes
Videography features
Resolutions	1920 x 1080 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p)
Format	MPEG-4, H.264, Motion JPEG
Videography notes	Choice of ALL-I, APB codecs
Microphone	Stereo
Speaker	Mono
Storage
Storage types	SD/SDHC/SDXC
Connectivity
USB	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI	Yes (micro-HDMI)
Microphone port	No
Headphone port	No
Wireless	Built-In
Wireless notes	802.11b/g/n
Remote control	Yes (wired or via smartphone)
Physical
Environmentally sealed	No
Battery	Battery Pack
Battery description	BLN-1 lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	330
Weight (inc. batteries)	427 g (0.94 lb / 15.06 oz)
Dimensions	125 x 72 x 37 mm (4.92 x 2.83 x 1.46″)
Other features
Orientation sensor	Yes
Timelapse recording	Yes (video)
GPS	None

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The mighty PEN: Hands-on with Olympus PEN-F

27 Jan

The mighty PEN: Hands-on with Olympus PEN-F

Olympus’s PEN series of digital interchangeable lens cameras has a long heritage, stretching right back to the mid-20th Century, long before digital imaging transformed photography. The company’s latest PEN shows off its early influences in a classically-styled body and enthusiast-friendly handling experience, but in terms of its specifications the PEN-F is very much of its time.

Read our Olympus PEN-F First Impressions Review

The mighty PEN: Hands-on with Olympus PEN-F

The PEN-F is available in two finishes, black (shown here, obviously) and silver. We really like the sleek-looking black finish but it’s all a matter of taste. We also quite like how the black version pairs with the silver finish of our 17mm F2.8. And how a camera looks is the most important thing, right?

The mighty PEN: Hands-on with Olympus PEN-F

Well, looking at this camera you could certainly be forgiven for thinking that. The PEN-F is perhaps the most shamelessly ‘retro’ camera we’ve seen since the Nikon Df.

There’s really no need for a physical control point to select color modes, for instance (were the engineers just looking for something to make that dial do?), but we’ll freely admit that the front-mounted dial does look pretty cool. Likewise the generous amount of leatherette that covers the front (and back) of the PEN-F. So much classier than bare metal, or heaven forbid – plastic…

The mighty PEN: Hands-on with Olympus PEN-F

The large on/off switch on the top left of the camera body is another control point that we suspect was included more for nostalgic reasons than anything else. Recalling the on / off switch on many OM-series film SLRs it moves positively, and with an expensive-feeling stiffness.

The mighty PEN: Hands-on with Olympus PEN-F

New in Olympus’s digital PEN lineup is a built-in electronic viewfinder. This finder immediately sets it apart from earlier models like the E-P5 and puts the handling experience of the PEN-F closer to cameras like Sony’s venerable a6000. With 2.36 million dots, this OLED finder gives a very clear and crisp view of the world beyond the lens.

Also thoroughly modern is an 800-point contrast detection AF system, with face and eye-detection. This might not be capable of quite the same accuracy when tracking moving subjects as the hybrid system in the OM-D E-M1, but we’ve been impressed by Olympus’s contrast detect AF in other recent ILCs. Initial experience of using the PEN-F suggests that it performs well.

The mighty PEN: Hands-on with Olympus PEN-F

At the heart of the PEN-F is a 20MP Four Thirds format Live MOS sensor. The Micro Four Thirds system entails a 2X crop factor for attached lenses, meaning that our 17mm F1.8 actually behaves approximately like a 34mm F3.6 lens would on a full-frame camera.

Like its bigger brother the DSLR-style OM-D E-M5, the PEN-F features 5-axis image stabilization, which Olympus claims should offer a stabilization benefit of ~5 stops. In our experience, this type of stabilization is also extremely useful when shooting handheld video.

The mighty PEN: Hands-on with Olympus PEN-F

The PEN-F’s video specification is pretty standard for an ILC in 2016, offering Full HD capture at up to 60fps, with a maximum bitrate of 52Mbps. Sound is dealt with by a built-in stereo microphone, visible here just ahead of the hotshoe, on the top of the camera.

The mighty PEN: Hands-on with Olympus PEN-F

By default, video is initiated via the red movie record button on the top right of the PEN-F and both this and most other major controls are pretty familiar, being used in other recent OM-D and PEN-series Olympus cameras. The shutter button sits in the middle of the main control dial (and a thread for a screw-in cable release is a nice touch) and there’s a secondary dial just behind it, jutting out from the rear of the camera. A ±3EV exposure compensation dial can be found on the top right shoulder.

The mighty PEN: Hands-on with Olympus PEN-F

The PEN-F features a 3″ fully articulating LCD screen with 1.037 million dots, which folds out to the left of the camera body. The screen is touch sensitive, allowing for various features like touch AF placement and shutter release, menu navigation and zoom / swipe image review.

In terms of general handling, the PEN-F feels dense without being too heavy, and its aluminum and magnesium-alloy body gives a distinct impression of quality – an impression backed up by the nicely damped dials and stiff, well-machined dials. It’s a shame that the body isn’t weatherproof, though. That’s something that we did expect for the relatively high MSRP.

The mighty PEN: Hands-on with Olympus PEN-F

Here’s a clearer view of the rear of the PEN-F showing the screen stowed for normal use. The notched dial to the right of the viewfinder is a diopter adjustment.

The mighty PEN: Hands-on with Olympus PEN-F

On the right side of the PEN-F under a sprung flap you’ll find USB and HDMI ports. The USB port doubles as a jack for Olympus’ optional RM-UC1 remote shutter release. The camera lacks sockets for an external microphone or headphones. As with most cameras these days, Wi-Fi is built-in.

The mighty PEN: Hands-on with Olympus PEN-F

The battery and memory card can be accessed from the bottom of the PEN-F, from within the same compartment. The battery is the familiar BLN-1, and this is rated for around 330 shots by CIPA standards.

As you can see, the tripod socket of the PEN-F is central to the lens axis, and far enough away from the battery compartment that it should be possible to swap battery / memory card with the camera mounted on some (if not all) tripods. This is good to see.

The mighty PEN: Hands-on with Olympus PEN-F

This view gives you a pretty good idea of the PEN-F’s size – or rather of its smallness. Without a lens attached you can see that the camera fits pretty much into the hand of our model. The PEN-F measures 125 x 72 x 37mm, weighs 427g with battery and card installed, and will be available in March for $ 1199.99, body only.

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History Repeating: Olympus PEN-F First Impressions Review

27 Jan

Released specifically to appeal to street shooters and the design conscious looking for a capable camera with retro-styling and rangefinder-like controls, the PEN-F has a lot going for it.