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OM System PEN Review

Fuelled by their own teaser video, speculation has been brewing for some time about the next-generation rangefinder-style PEN series camera.

This is an update to a highly anticipated and extremely compact interchangeable-lens Micro Four Thirds camera, one that is not only super stylish, but packs a much larger creative punch, with dedicated computational controls, 4K video and custom profiles.

First Look Video by Gareth Evans

Gareth had hands-on time with it, and you can watch the video here.

Our OM System PEN Review includes a specs comparison with the previous E-P7, along with important details including price, release date and how this compact stabilised camera and multiple lens kits can inspire you with new ways of creating content.

So without further ado, let's get stuck in with colours and lens kit options.

Release Date and Price

This comes in a series of body-only and kit options, allowing you to choose the best fit for the type of content you want to make. Essentially it's a choice between a zoom, a 35mm or a 50mm equivalent, and all of the lenses are Mark II or III, which is a nice touch.

An updated 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 III Lens also joins the foray, which is priced at £349.00. We look at the zoom more closely later, but for now let’s find out a little more about the lineage.

Sample 01 © Gerard Trang. No EXIF data

A brief history of the range

This particular story began in 1959. The idea was to make photography accessible and enjoyable for everyone. More than six decades on, the Silver finish nods to that heritage, combining familiar retro styling with modern technology.

This isn't the kind of camera you only pull out for a planned shoot, it's compact and stylish enough to become part of your everyday. With interchangeable lenses, it can grow with your interests while keeping that same distinctive styling.

Sample 02 © Gerard Trang using Live ND16. No EXIF data

What’s New in this gen.?

Quite a lot as it happens. This list highlights key upgrades:

• First model with phase-detection autofocus, using 121 all-cross-type points
• AI subject detection for people, dogs and cats
• TruePic IX processor
• 5-axis stabilisation rated up to 5.5 stops in the centre of the frame
• 2.36-million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder
• A Vari-angle touchscreen
• Dedicated Computational Photography controls
• Live ND16, Focus Stacking and Handheld High Res Shot among the expanded computational tools
• Up to 30fps continuous shooting
• Electronic shutter up to 1/32000 sec, increased from 1/16000 sec
• C4K recording, alongside 4K/30p
• Vertical video and dedicated Still/Video/S&Q control
• OM-Log400 and OM-Cinema1/2 video profiles
• 3.5mm microphone input
• USB-C connectivity and UVC/UAC webcam support
• IPX1 splash resistance (when paired with a compatible OM System lens)
• New BLS-7 battery, rated for around 410 shots

That's a shopping list of new and upgraded features, but of course some haven't changed.

The sensor resolution, art filters, 4K/30p video and mechanical shutter are all similar to the previous version, which we explore in more detail next.

Sample 03 Using Multiple Exposure. No EXIF data

Specs Comparison with the E-P7

This specs comparison table highlights the key differences between these two generations. While the newer model is 56g heavier and slightly larger, it does boast quite significant upgrades, including an EVF and vari-angle screen.

Sample 04 Using High Res Shot. No EXIF data

What types of content can you create with it?

With such a lightweight, pocketable size and so many content modes, it is especially well suited to general purpose everyday content creation. You can bring it just about everywhere and capture stabilised 4K video as well as lots of photography styles.

Stills content includes:

• Snapshots with your friends, family and pets.
• Travel and city exploration, where a proper interchangeable-lens setup fits in a small bag.
• Street photography, using the EVF, discreet size and custom looks to create your own unmistakable style.
• Portraits, with human detection, primes lenses and profiles that let you shape exactly how skin tones and moods come out.
• Food and details, the kind that stop people mid-scroll, especially with a close-focusing or macro lens, or Focus Stacking when you want everything tack sharp.
• Landscapes and night shots, where stabilisation, High Res Shot, Live ND and Live Composite let you get results handheld.
• Experimental stuff like intentional camera movement, long exposures, multiple exposures, Art Filters and custom colour or black-and-white looks.

For video there’s:

• Reels and vertical content, which are properly vertical, with no cropping or black bars
• Everyday scenes and travel with stabilised 4K
• Vlogs and talking-to-camera, where the vari-angle screen helps you see yourself, plus a mic input for clean audio
• Slow-mo and speed-ramped footage using S&Q modes
• Advanced filmmaking with C4K/24p, OM-Log400 and Flat profiles to grade exactly how you want
• Footage with a style baked in, straight out of camera, courtesy of OM-Cinema1 and OM-Cinema2 profiles

One thing Gareth particularly liked is how easy the built-in features are to access. Rather than becoming functions you discover once and then forget about, he found himself using them frequently while shooting.

Design and Handling

This is a beautifully styled camera. Both black and silver look brilliant, but the Silver leans harder into a classic, vintage-inspired design. Regardless of looks, it's made to be held and used, with a handful of simple, well-placed controls that make the design feel clean and free from clutter.

The dials and buttons are much more engaging than swiping around a phone. There's a dedicated Computational Photography button that selects tools like Live ND and High Res Shot.

A Creative Dial puts your personal colour and monochrome looks instantly in reach, so choosing a mood becomes part of every shot. Front and rear dials provide tactile control over exposure, and there's a dedicated Still/Video/S&Q switch.

The EVF sounds insignificant but it really changes how you are able to shoot. Bringing it up to your eye instead of holding it out in front of you is a completely different experience to the old E-P7 and to a phone.

This is more focused, more immersive, more you in the moment.

The vari-angle screen is perfect for high or low angles, and for flipping around to film yourself. You can choose to use touch control, as it works alongside the dials instead of replacing them.

All of this is inside a compact, rangefinder-style body that oozes signature PEN looks. Throw on a different strap or accessory and you've got a camera that feels unique. And yes, it looks incredible hanging off your neck. But underneath is an advanced piece of kit, which is a bit of a sleeper.

Gareth found it extremely small and light, making it very easy to take out and about and particularly well suited to that everyday-carry, document-your-life kind of photography.

Interestingly, he felt it rides the line between a fixed-lens compact and an interchangeable-lens camera particularly well. You get that small, uncomplicated feeling associated with a fixed-lens model, but with the huge advantage of being able to change lenses.

Sample 05 Light trails captured using Live Composite. No EXIF data

Autofocus and Image Stabilisation

Autofocus sees a major upgrade as this is the first PEN with phase-detection. 121 all-cross-type points work with contrast detection, and AI subject detection for humans, dogs and cats is also new.

Translation = faster, stickier focus, especially for moving subjects.

Stabilisation is still built-in, and it's effective even with lenses that don't have optical stabilisation. The 5-axis system now gets up to 5.5 stops centre-frame (4.5 in the corners). That equates to shooting handheld at slower shutter speeds while still getting sharp results, which is especially useful in low light. Apparently you can even handhold multi-second exposures, but I've not tried that myself yet.

Sample 06 © Anna Salvador using Live ND8. No EXIF data

What is the new M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 III Lens?

The third-generation OM System M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 III is a standard zoom with a 28-84mm equivalent range and variable aperture. It now has dust-resistant construction, and IPX1-equivalent splash resistance when paired with a compatible weather-sealed body (like PEN). The retracting mechanism is easier to engage with a click-type design.

If you like to capture a variety of subjects this could be the deal kit lens for you.

Which are the best accessories?

You can add a ton of accessories to change your experience and personalise the camera.

Although it gets around 410 shots on a charge, I would always recommend a spare BLS-7 battery, just so you don’t get caught without any charge right when you want a shot.

Likewise, if you capture landscapes, selfies, astro or really long exposure shots you can get a RM-WR2 Wireless Remote Control to trigger it.

Adding the BCS-7 Battery Charger to your kit lets you charge one battery in the body and another in the charger, saving time and stress if you don’t have a cable handy.

There’s a single slot for an SD memory card, (UHS-I). You will need a card if you don’t already have one. There’s lot to choose from, I’d get something like a SanDisk 64GB Extreme PRO or eve better a Lexar SD Silver Plus 128GB card.

Other accessories to consider include a styling camera strap and a compact case to protect it when not in use.

Verdict

This version of the PEN really does live up to the hype. Although subjective, the design is unashamedly retro, and you can swap lenses even though it's really quite small. It has modern phase-detection autofocus, an EVF and weather resistance for real-world shooting every day.

You get computational tools and controls that place more tools to experiment with at your fingertips.

Three kit options mean you can start your creative journey where you want, with a zoom, everyday prime or portrait prime, with the huge Micro Four Thirds ecosystem ready when you want it.

The real win is better than specs. It's super small and light in use, easy to bring along and unusually good at encouraging you to use the built-in features. It rides the line between a fixed-lens compact and an interchangeable-lens camera very well.

Browse our range of Micro Four Thirds Cameras and discover what they can do for your creativity.

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By Nick Dautlich on 09/09/2026

Nick Dautlich

Senior Content Writer and Product Reviewer

Nick Dautlich is the Senior Content Writer and Product Reviewer at Park Cameras, with over 15 years of photography experience. A Sony Imaging Professional and expert reviewer, Nick has worked with major brands such as Canon, Sony and Nikon. His work is also featured on Vanguard World UK’s website, Capture Landscapes, and Shutter Evolve. Nick’s photography includes National Trust projects and magazine covers and he is passionate about landscapes and storytelling. Nick also enjoys hiking and teaching his children about nature. Learn more on his profile page.