In summary
Many photographers will welcome the arrival of the PEN-F, not only because it introduces a built-in EVF to the PEN range but also because it is currently the highest-resolution Olympus mirrorless camera available. Its 20.3-megapixel Live MOS sensor matches the specifications of the Lumix DMC-GX8 camera, the highest resolution model in Panasonic’s line-up.
Aside from those important features, there’s a lot to like in the PEN-F, starting with its elegantly designed metal body and well-thought-out ergonomics. It also provides all the key functions that have made the latest OM-D cameras so popular with photographers at all levels.
The PEN-F’s snappy response times and its dual mechanical/electronic shutter system facilitate a wide range of exposure options. And the inclusion of Silent and Anti-Shock modes make it among the most versatile compact cameras on the market.
Improvements to the already efficient Olympus Wi-Fi integration, in the form of remote camera control and image and video transfer for social sharing will also please photographers who are active on social media.
Full review
Olympus has resurrected a popular model name from the 1960’s ““ PEN-F ““ for its latest rangefinder-style camera, the first PEN model to be released since the PEN E-PL7 was announced on 28 August 2014. Based on the 1963 half-frame 35mm film camera’s design, the new PEN-F introduces a 20-megapixel Live MOS sensor, integrated 5-Axis VCM Image Stabilisation (with up to 5EV of compensation) and the first EVF to be built into a PEN camera.
Angled view of the new PEN-F, black version, fitted with the M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/1.8 lens. (Source: Olympus.)
The new camera will be offered in black and silver body colours. Also available when the camera goes on sale will be four specially-designed accessories: the ECG-4 External Grip, which has an Arca-sized tripod plate, the CSS-S120L PR Premium Leather Shoulder Strap, CBG-11 PR Premium Leather Camera Bag and CS-48 PR Premium Wrapping Cloth.
The CBG-11 PR Premium Leather Camera Bag, shown with a camera body, spare lens and flash. (Source: Olympus.)
Who’s it For?
The classic design, superior build quality and efficient control layout make the new PEN-F ideally suited to travel photography as well as reportage and documentary photojournalism. Although too large to slip into a shirt pocket, when fitted with the M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ electronic-pancake zoom lens, it slips easily into a jacket pocket.
Many of the features that made the original PEN F a classic have been adopted in the new lens, including the basic control ergonomics, rangefinder styling and tactile finish of the camera. New features, listed below, bring performance capabilities up-to-date for shootign stills and Full HD movie clips.
The History of PEN F
Designed by the celebrated engineer, Maitani Yoshihisa, the original PEN F cameras were highly sought-after because of their superior build quality, ergonomic controls and the use of a rotary titanium focal-plane shutter that supported flash synchronisation at all shutter speeds. They also recorded images that were 18 x 24 mm in size, equivalent to half of a standard 35mm film frame, which meant users could 72 pictures on each 36-exposure film cassette.
The original PEN F camera, which was introduced in 1963 and is world’s first and only half-frame system single-lens reflex camera. (Source: Olympus.)
The new PEN-F in silver, with the M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/1.8 lens. (Source: Olympus.)
The smaller image format and replacement of the reflex mirror with a porro-prism finder allowed for smaller camera bodies and lenses, making the Pen F system one of the smallest SLR systems ever made. A range of 20 exchangeable lenses was produced for these cameras.
Today’s PEN-F
Olympus has introduced a nice mixture or new and existing features in the PEN-F. Physically, the new camera has top and front covers made from magnesium alloy, while the base plate and machined dials are made from aluminium. All dials are circular with milled surfaces and click-detents that provide photographers with tactile feedback.
Front view of the new PEN F camera body in black with no lens fitted. (Source: Olympus.)
Back view of the PEN F camera body, silver version, with the monitor reversed. (Source: Olympus.)
Back view of the PEN F camera body, silver version, with the monitor extended. (Source: Olympus.)
Top view of the PEN F camera in black with the M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/1.8 lens. (Source: Olympus.)
There’s a recessed thumb rest on the rear panel and a small cut-out in the bottom right hand corner of the rear panel to provide a comfortable resting point on the base of the photographer’s thumb. There are five dials in all, controlling shooting modes, exposure compensation, aperture and shutter speed settings and brightness/colour adjustments (via the Creative Dial, outlined below).
The power on/off switch on the top panel looks a bit like the film rewind lever on the original PEN F, which is a nice ‘retro’ touch. It has a similar, circular design and milled surface to the other dials.
Another ‘retro’ feature is the shutter release button, which has a threaded socket that accepts a mechanical cable release. A standard hot-shoe is provided for attaching the bundled FL-LM3 dust- and splash-proof flash, which has a GN of 9.1 (ISO 100/metres) and bounce capabilities. Using the Olympus Wireless RC Flash system, this flash can control up to four groups of synchronised Olympus flashguns.
For the first time in a PEN camera, there are four custom positions on the mode dial, providing instant access to different user-designated settings. Another PEN ‘first’ is the dedicated exposure compensation dial, which is positioned for easy access while shooting.
The monitor is the same fully articulated 3-inch touch-screen display as used in the OM-D E-M5 Mark II. It has a resolution of 1,037,000 dots, +/- 7 levels of adjustment for brightness and colour temperature and the choice between vivid and natural colour tones.
The rear of the LCD monitor is covered with the same synthetic leather as used on the camera body for a unified appearance and feel. The battery is the same BLN-1 pack as used in the PEN E-P5 camera, where it was CIPA rated at 400 shots/charge. In the PEN-F you only get 330 shots/charge, probably because of the power drain due to the EVF.
For the first time in a PEN digital camera the PEN-F sports a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF). Based upon OLED (organic light-emitting diode) technology, its screen has a high resolution of 2,360,000 dots (the same as in the latest OM-D cameras) and aspherical optics are used to minimise distortion. It covers the full field of view of the image sensor and provides 0.62x magnification with a 20mm eyepoint and -4 to +2 dioptre adjustments.
Adaptive brightness technology (EVF Auto Luminance) automatically adjusts the viewfinder brightness according to subject lighting conditions. Two levels of manual brightness adjustments and three levels of colour adjustments are available on each side of the neutral position.
In the P, A, S and M shooting modes, the S-OVF (Simulated OVF) viewfinder setting uses HDR (high dynamic range) technology to expand the dynamic range of the live preview, which can be displayed by pressing the depth of field preview lock. Adjustments produced by the Art Filters, white balance and exposure adjustments are not reflected in the EVF.
Shooting guide overlays include three types of grid, a scale and a diagonal and a two-axis (horizontal/vertical) level gauge. Photographers can also call upon Magnified Display and Focus Peaking functions to assist with manual focusing.
The new Creative Dial on the front panel of the camera provides instant access to new Monochrome and Colour Profile settings, as well as the Art Filters and the Colour Creator mode, both carry-overs from previous models. The new profiles can be adjusted with the front and rear dials, which can also be used for adjusting the shadows/highlights contrast curve and adding vignetting or simulated film grain to B&W pictures.
These adjustments in the Monochrome and Colour Profile Control settings also enable photographers to fine tune tonal and colour characteristics to replicate the look of a preferred film. These ‘film’ characteristics can be saved as profile presets for subsequent use.
The Monochrome Profile Control provides five tone effects, covering colour filters, shading, film grain and highlight and shadow control. There are also three film presets: the default preset 1, Classic Film B&W (preset 2) which delivers higher contrast and Classic Film IR (preset 3), which simulates B&W infrared film.
With the Colour Profile Control setting users can adjust the saturation of 12 colours in 11 steps and combine these adjustments with highlight and shadow control for additional fine-tuning. In addition to the default preset 1, the camera provides Chrome Film Rich Colour (preset 2) and Chrome Film Vivid Saturation (preset 3) settings, which are self-explanatory.
Sensor and Image Processing
The other key feature of the PEN F is the new 17.4 x 13.0 mm Live MOS sensor, which has the highest resolution so far in an Olympus mirrorless camera. Its effective resolution is 20.3 megapixels (21.77 million photosites), compared with 16.1 megapixels and 17.2 million photosites, respectively in the PEN E-PL7. The maximum image size is 5184 x 3888 pixels, compared with 4608 x 3456 pixels in the PEN E-PL7.
The TruePic VII image processor has been used in Olympus mirrorless cameras since the OM-D E-M1. Designed to refine image quality and manage the in-camera JPEG rendering, it includes profiles for all Olympus lenses and covers automatic chromatic aberration and distortion correction. Sharpening is tailored to individual lenses and softening due to diffraction at apertures smaller than f/7.1 is corrected automatically. High ISO and video recording performances are also improved.
Like the Olympus OM-D cameras, the PEN-F offers four aspect ratio settings: the sensor’s native 4:3 plus 3:2, 16:9 and 1:1. JPEG image sizes range from 5184 x 3888 pixels to 640 x 480 pixels; raw files are recorded at 5184 x 3888 pixels only.
The High Res. Shot mode, which was introduced in the OM-D E-M5 Mark II (INSERT LINK) combines fast image processing with the camera’s sensor-shift stabilisation system to record a rapid sequence of eight frames, captured with slight shifts in the sensor position. The resulting JPEG images have a resolution of 8160 x 6120 pixels, the equivalent of 50-megapixel images.
With raw files, the camera can deliver a resolution of 10368 x 7776 pixels or 80-megapixel image files. As in the E-M5 II, this shooting mode works best with static subjects.
Carry-over Features
A number of key features new to the PEN range have been ported across from current OM-D cameras. Among them are the following:
1. The 5-axis VCM (Voice Coil Motor) image stabilisation system, which provides up to five shutter speed steps of shake compensation. The PEN-F is also compatible with Olympus’ latest 5-axis Sync IS technology, which provides up to six steps of stabilisation with the M.Zuiko 300mm f/4.0 IS PRO lens.
M-IS (sensor-shift plus electronic image stabilisation) is available in movie mode. Users can switch the electronic stabilisation off and use only the sensor-shift IS to avoid frame cropping with the electronic stabilisation.
2. The TruePic VII processor minimises the release time lag, which at 44 milliseconds is claimed as the shortest in the PEN-F’s class. High-speed sequential shooting is supported at 10 frames/second (fps) with focus locked on the first frame, 5 fps with Continuous-AF and 20 fps in Silent mode (which uses the electronic shutter). The PEN-F also provides an Anti-Shock mode to minimise shutter shake when shooting with longer lenses, particularly when the camera is hand-held.
3. The PEN-F offers most of the same movie capabilities as the OM-D E-M5 Mark II and can record Full HD movie clips in both the MOV (MPEG-4AVC/H.264) and AVI (Motion JPEG) codecs. Users can choose from ALL-I and IPB compression, the former delivering higher quality and the latter smaller files.
Choosing ALL-I limits users to 30p, 25p and 24p frame rates, while IPB adds in 60p and 50p. HD (1280 x 720) video can be recorded in both codecs at all frame rates. Users can also record clips at VGA resolution for online sharing or 120 fps high-speed recording.
A UHS-II or UHS-1 U3 card is required for ALL-I recordings. The 4K Time Lapse movie capability introduced with the E-M5 Mark II is also present in the PEN-F, recording frames with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels at 5 fps.
4. The shutter mechanism in the PEN-F combines a mechanical shutter with a top speed of 1/8000 second with an electronic shutter. The electronic shutter includes two modes, a Silent mode, which covers shutter speeds from 60 seconds to 1/16000 second and is useful for shooting in situations that demand complete silence and an Anti-Shock mode first curtain synch mode that operates at shutter speeds from 60 seconds to 1/320 second and can be used when you want to prevent shutter shock (vibration).
Bulb and Time exposure modes are available with the mechanical shutter, with selectable exposure times of one, two, four, eight, 15, 20, 25 and 30 minutes. The default setting is eight minutes.
The Live Composite mode that was introduced in the OM-D E-M10 can be used to capture and combine a series of exposures recorded over a long period of time into one composite image. It’s popular for recording star trails and can be triggered and controlled from a smart device via the Olympus Image Share app. Photographers can watch the image build up in real time on the camera’s monitor screen over a period of up to three hours (the maximum for this camera).
5. The high-speed imager AF technology used by the PEN-F’s autofocusing system has been used since the Olympus’s E-series DSLR cameras. It is based upon contrast detection and the new camera uses a similar 81-area AF-point selection system to the OM-D E-M10 and PEN E-PL7 cameras.
The standard Multi-area, Centre, Selective single-point, Tracking, Single and Continuous AF modes are available and Live View Face priority AF and Eye priority AF can detect and continue adjusting the focus on faces or eyes for easier portrait shooting. Touch AF and Touch shutter triggering with AF are supported on the rear LCD monitor and a dedicated AF Targeting Pad makes it easy to select any of 81 focus points on the touch screen while looking through the viewfinder. Live View Boost 2 makes it possible to focus and compose shots while checking distant stars in Live View during astrophotography
6. The PEN-F supports ISO settings from a Low equivalent to ISO 80 to a maximum of ISO 25600. High ISO and long-exposure noise reduction processing are the same as in other current Olympus mirrorless cameras.
7. The Colour Creator function, which was introduced in the OM-D E-M1, has been expanded and now covers a total of 30 colours, based upon 12 points, arrayed in a circle. Adjustments are accessed via a thickly ribbed dial embedded in the base of the mode dial. The interface allows the saturation of each colour to be individually adjusted between -4 and +3 when you want to add a colour cast to an image ““ or subtract an unwanted cast.
8. The Photo Story function, introduced with the Stylus XZ-10 in early 2013 and also included in that year’s PEN E-P5 camera, enables users to create composite images in the camera from up to five shots captured in sequence. Options have expended since this function was introduced and the PEN-F provides seven aspect and window patters, four frame/edge effects, around 15 effects options and four layouts.
9. Wi-Fi functionality is similar to other recent Olympus cameras and outlined in our ‘First Look’ review of the PEN E-P5. As in the original system, it requires the Olympus Image Share (OI.Share) app to be installed in the controlling smart device. Easy connection with the device is via a QR code display on the camera’s monitor screen.
Once connected, the following functions are supported: Live View, Rec View, Wireless Touch AF shutter, Self Timer ( with Countdown guidance, Sequential shooting, movie recording capability), Wireless Release, Movie Recording and Power Off. Users can select the following shooting modes: iAuto / P / A / S / M (Live Bulb, Live Time, Live Composite) and drive mode settings. Aperture, shutter speed, exposure, ISO sensitivity and white balance can be adjusted and images can be geotagged with smartphone GPS data.
Online image sharing is restricted to JPEG images and MOV movie clips (raw files and MPO images can’t be uploaded). Up to four smart devices can be linked with the camera for simultaneous sharing.
10. The Art Filter options are also the same as in current cameras with 14 selectable filters, most with pre-set variations. Nine Art Effects are also available.
Conclusion
Many photographers will welcome the arrival of the PEN-F, not only because it introduces a built-in EVF to the PEN range but also because it is currently the highest-resolution Olympus mirrorless camera available. Its 20.3-megapixel Live MOS sensor matches the specifications of the Lumix DMC-GX8 camera, the highest resolution model in Panasonic’s line-up.
Aside from those important features, there’s a lot to like in the PEN-F, starting with its elegantly designed metal body and well-thought-out ergonomics. It also provides all the key functions that have made the latest OM-D cameras so popular with photographers at all levels.
The PEN-F’s snappy response times and its dual mechanical/electronic shutter system facilitate a wide range of exposure options. And the inclusion of Silent and Anti-Shock modes make it among the most versatile compact cameras on the market.
Improvements to the already efficient Olympus Wi-Fi integration, in the form of remote camera control and image and video transfer for social sharing will also please photographers who are active on social media. We look forward to reviewing a production unit when they arrive next month.
SPECS
Image sensor: 17.4 x 13.0 mm Live MOS sensor with 20.3 megapixels effective
Image processor: TruePic VII
A/D processing: 12-bit lossless compression
Lens mount: Micro Four Thirds
Focal length crop factor: 2x
Image formats: Stills: JPEG (DCF Ver. 2.0, Exif Ver.2.3, MPF Baseline compliant), ORF.RAW, RAW+JPEG, MPO (3D still); Movies: MOV (MPEG-4AVC/H.264), AVI (Motion JPEG)
Image Sizes: Stills ““ 3:2 aspect: 7952 x 5304, 5168 x 3448, 3984 x 2656; 16:9 aspect: 7952 x 4472, 5168 x 2912, 3984 x 2240; Movies: [Full HD] 1920 x 1080: 30p/25p/24p (ALL-I or IPB); 1920 x 1080: 60p/50p (IPB); [HD] 1280 x 720 60p/50p/30p/25p; 640×480(SD) at 30p
Image Stabilisation: Built-in 5-Axis VCM Image Stabilisation with up to 5 EV correction
Dust removal: Supersonic Wave Filter sensor vibration
Shutter (speed range): Mechanical focal-plane shutter: 60 to 1/8000 second plus Bulb/Time (selectable 1 to 30 minutes) Composite maximum shooting time 3 hours; Electronic shutter (Silent mode): 1/16000 – 60 sec
Exposure Compensation: Max. +/- 5EV in 1/3EV steps (+/-3EV for movies)
Exposure bracketing: 2, 3 or 5 frames in 0.3/0.7/1.0EV steps selectable, 7 frames in 0.3/0.7EV steps selectable
Other bracketing options: ISO, White balance, Flash, Art Filter, Focus, Focus Stacking
Self-timer: 2 or 12 seconds delay, Custom: Wait time: 1-30sec., Shot interval: 0.5/1/2/3sec., Number of shots: 1-10, Every time AF: ON/OFF
Focus system: High-speed imager AF with 81-area multiple AF, group target area (9-area), single target(standard), single target(small)
Focus modes: Full-time AF: Single AF (S-AF) / Continuous AF (C-AF) / Manual Focus (MF) / S-AF + MF / AF tracking (C-AF + TR), Selectable magnification: x3, x5, x7, x10 (Default), x14 Super Spot AF, Face detection AF / Eye detection AF (nearer-, right- or left-eye priority); focus peaking available when in S-AF+MF or MF mode
Exposure metering: Digital ESP 324-area multi pattern metering , Centre-weighted and Spot metering patterns; spot metering with highlight or shadow control; AF target spot metering
Shooting modes: i-Auto (with Live Guide), Program AE (with Program shift), Aperture priority AE, Shutter priority AE, Manual (Live Bulb, Live Time and Live Composite are available), Custom(x4), Photo Story, Scene select AE (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 )
Picture Modes: i-Enhance, Vivid, Natural, Muted, Portrait, Monotone, Custom, e Portrait, Colour Creator, Art Filters, Colour Profile Control, Monochrome Profile Control
Art Filters: Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Light Colour, Light Tone, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, Cross Process, Gentle Sepia, Dramatic Tone, Key Line, Watercolour, Vintage, Partial Colour
Art Effects: Soft Focus, Pin Hole, White Edge, Frame, Star Light, Blur Effect (Top & bottom, Left & Right), B&W Effect (None, Yellow, Orange, Red, Green), Picture Tone (None, Sepia, Blue, Purple, Green), Shade Effect (Top & bottom, Left & Right)
Colour space options: sRGB and Adobe RGB
ISO range: Auto, LOW (approx.80) to ISO 25600
White balance: Auto, 7 Preset WBs, 4 Capture WBs, Custom WB (Kelvin setting); +/- 7 steps of adjustment along A-B / G-M axis (except in Custom WB mode)
Flash: Bundled standard flash: FL-LM3; GN – 9.1 (ISO100/m), Bounce Capability: up and down: 45, 60, 75, 90 degree / left and right: 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180 degree
Flash modes: Auto, Redeye, Fill-in, Flash Off, Red-eye Slow sync.(1st curtain), Slow sync. – 1st/ 2nd curtain, Manual: Full power to 1/64 power
Flash exposure adjustment: +/- 3EV in 1/3, 1/2 or 1EV steps
Sequence shooting: Max. 10 shots/sec.; max. 5 fps with AF/AE
Buffer capacity: Max. 45 Large/Fine JPEGs, 39 RAW files for 10 fps; max. 250 RAW files or unlimited JPEGs for 5 fps
Storage Media: SD, SDHC, SDXC cards (Compatible with UHS-I/II standard and Eye-Fi Cards)
Viewfinder: Eye-level OLED electronic viewfinder, approx. 2.36M dots, Approx. 100% field of view coverage, 20 mm eyepoint, -4 to +2 dioptre adjustment
LCD monitor: 3.0-inch vari-angle 3:2 aspect ratio monitor with approx.1037k dots and electrostatic capacitance touch panel
Playback functions: Single-frame, information display (brightness/RGB histogram, Highlight/Shadow point warning, AF frame, shooting data, off), index display (4/9/25/100 frames), Clips, calendar, enlargement (2x – 14x), movie (with sound, FF/REW/Pause), picture rotation (auto), slideshow (with sound including BGM, Slide show effects, replaceable BGM), Light Box display; post-capture editing and raw file conversion
Interface terminals: Dedicated multi-connector (USB2.0 Hi-Speed, video: NTSC/PAL selectable, optional remote cable RM-UC1 compatible), Micro HDMI (Type-D)
Wi-Fi function: IEEE 802.11b/g/n; Easy Connection QR code setting
Power supply: BLN-1 rechargeable Li-ion battery pack; CIPA rated for approx. 330 shots/charge
Dimensions (wxhxd): Approx. 124.8 x 72.1 x 37.3 mm (excluding protrusions)
Weight: Approx. 373 grams (body only); 427 grams with battery and card
RRP: AU$TBC
Distributor: Olympus Imaging Australia; 1300 659 678, www.olympus.com.au
