Olympus PEN-F

January 27, 2016 | Mark Goldstein | Compact System Camera | Comment |

The Olympus PEN-F is the most powerful ever PEN and one of the most beautiful system cameras Olympus has ever produced. The PEN-F inherits much state-of-the-art optical technology from Olympus’ larger, high-end OM-D camera family, including its world’s best 5-axis Image Stabilisation system (worth some 5 EV stops when shooting at low ISO), a 50-Megapixel high resolution shot capability, and a built-in electronic viewfinder with a real-time preview of settings adjustments.

The Olympus PEN-F is available in black or silver from end- February 2016. PEN-F body only £999.99, PEN-F and M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm 1-3.5-5.6 EZ Pancake lens kit £1099.99, PEN-F and M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm 1:1.8 lens kit £1199.99.

Olympus UK Press Release

The new PEN-F proves beauty has no need for DSLR beasts

F – for the finer things in life

Southend, January 27, 2016 – As many photography enthusiasts will confirm, the satisfaction they gain from their hobby comes as much from handling beautifully designed equipment as the moments when they perceive professional quality in one of their own shots. The new PEN-F was clearly conceived to facilitate both. It’s the most powerful ever PEN and one of the most beautiful system cameras Olympus has ever produced. Despite the size constraints of the compact Micro Four Thirds format, the PEN-F inherits much state-of-the-art optical technology from Olympus’ larger, high-end OM-D camera family. This includes its world’s best* 5-axis Image Stabilisation system (worth some 5 EV stops when shooting at low ISO), a 50-Megapixel high resolution shot capability, and a built-in electronic viewfinder with a real-time preview of settings adjustments. Some can be set on a new Creative Dial that gives its owner access to an expanded range of advanced filter options. The metal dial is a prominent feature of the much-vaunted PEN school of design, which blends contemporary and retro style elements with luxury materials and quality craftsmanship.

Screw heads are nowhere to be seen on the PEN-F! Like its classic ‘step-up’ silhouette, the look, feel and photographic performance of the PEN-F are intended to induce envy in photo hipsters – both on the street and online.

The PEN-F is available in black or silver from end- February 2016.

Prices: PEN-F body only £999.99, PEN-F and M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm 1-3.5-5.6 EZ Pancake lens kit £1099.99, PEN-F and M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm 1:1.8 lens kit £1199.99.

PEN designers step up

Like every Micro Four Thirds system camera, the PEN-F is built for spontaneous, everyday street photography without a tripod, so it’s more compact and lighter than much larger DSLRs. It’s also considerably better looking, an impression that is heightened when you pick it up. For a relatively small camera, it has surprising gravitas, it feels sensational in the hand and finish send a clear message: this camera is for people who appreciate the finer things in life – and who are capable of adding to those things with their own photography. The Olympus design team has gone to great lengths to make the PEN-F a potential style icon worthy of the original F series. Below its classic ‘step’ contour, the brand name is precisely engraved in the metal casing and the leather-like camera surround is deluxe to the touch. Even the dimensions and hatched surface of the dials are designed to make onlookers jealous.

EVF on board

The iconic aspirations of the PEN-F are not confined to its design. Street photography has never been more popular and the new PEN features a classic of the genre: a built-in electronic viewfinder that delivers the rangefinder-style shooting experience, including focusing assistance with focus peaking and image magnification of 0.62x. The EVF has a large, highdefinition OLED display with 2.36 million-dot resolution, which shows a realtime preview of any adjustments to settings, such as those accessible via the new Creative Dial. The PEN’s 5-axis IS essentially ensures a blur-free display.

New creative options

The largest metal dial in front of the PEN-F is the gateway to its newest creative features. Olympus prides itself on the variety of filters and options its cameras provide – and on making them easy to use. The Creative Dial
embodies those ambitions with fast, no-look access to four settings, two of which are new to the PEN range: Monochrome Profile Control and Colour Profile Control. The first offers gradation-curve, film-grain, shading
adjustment and black-and-white filter effects with three available presets.

Colour Profile Control also comes with three presets and affects the gradation curve. It can be used to adjust the saturation of 12 colours to 11 different levels. A lever mounted at the back of the camera easily switches
between different modes.

Low-pass filter-free for higher resolution

Image quality is where bulky DSLR cameras would hope to out-perform the PEN-F, but most will fall short. This unique piece of design is packed with state-of-the-art technology. The tried-and-tested 5-axis Image Stabilisation
system remains the world’s best* and, combined with a new 20-Megapixel Live MOS image sensor that lacks a low pass filter, it enables longer exposure times at low ISO settings. The new sensor provides 25% better resolution, while maintaining low-noise and dynamic-range performance.

The results are impressive, especially with spontaneous, handheld photography. Which, of course, is what the lightweight PEN-F does best.

Ultra-fast response

Speed of response is equally important when you’re shooting on the fly, and it’s a common fallacy that DSLR cameras generally respond faster than their Micro Four Thirds equivalents. The PEN-F lays this myth to rest with the category’s shortest* release time lag between pressing the shutter release button and the actual shot. The autofocus is also extremely quick, thanks to the Eye Detect AF feature and touch-panel access to point focusing.
The PEN-F offers street style enthusiasts a number of other advantages.

High-speed sequential shooting at up to 10 fps makes it easy to track fast moving subjects and a high-res Vari-angle LCD monitor is ideal for capturing videos or stills in tricky situations. At the request of keen photographers,
Olympus has linked AF spot metering to the AF target, which helps achieve correct exposure in any shooting situation, while another OM-D-tested feature makes for an unexpected treat – High Res Shot bumps resolution up
to the equivalent of 50 Megapixels.

For uploading images to photo communities and other media, the PEN-F supports Wi-Fi and the free OI.Share 2.6 app. Other user-friendly features include the Supersonic Wave Filter, which automatically shakes off dust that
can settle on the sensor during lens changes – and avoids dreary lens cleaning procedures. For style-conscious owners, the PEN-F is compatible with a specially designed range of accessories as well as some 40 M.ZUIKO lenses, including the professional-grade M.ZUIKO PRO range.

Every Olympus lens and camera comes with a free six-month warranty extension** when registered via the MyOlympus online platform.

To celebrate the launch, Olympus are running special PEN-F in-store events at a selection of retailers. Photographers can pre-book at 20 minute session with Olympus, and get hands on with the PEN-F. For more details please go to: www.olympus- imagespace.co.uk/vip-experience/

Pricing and availability

The PEN-F body only is priced at £999.99 RRP inc VAT and available from end February 2016.

The PEN-F and M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm 1-3.5-5.6 EZ Pancake lens kit only is priced at £1099.99 RRP inc VAT and available from end February 2016.

The PEN-F and M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 17mm 1:1.8 lens kit is priced at £1199.99 RRP inc VAT and available from end February 2016.

Recommended accessories

Genuine leather neck strap CSS-S120L. Haptics are an essential part of the PEN-F experience, and leather accessories reinforce that.

Genuine leather wrapping cloth CS-48PR. Protection for both the camera and a spare lens in a suitably high-quality material.

Genuine leather camera bag CBG-11PR. The timeless design and craftsmanship of the messenger bag match the PEN-F.

OI.Share v2.6 smartphone app. For seamless Wi-Fi image sharing.

Body jacket CS-47B. A stylish way to help protect the camera from bumps and scratches.

Metal L-grip ECG-4. Increase the surface area of the camera for a firmer hold when shooting fast on the street.

Product specifications are subject to change without notice. Please check the Olympus website at http://www.olympus-europa.com for the latest specifications.

* As of January 2016. Among interchangeable lens cameras – including SLRs – on the market, and using Olympus’s in-house test conditions.

** Six months on top of the statutory warranty in the country of purchase.