Center Valley, PA—The Olympus PEN-F is a compact, mirrorless system camera created by fusing digital technology with craftsmanship handed down from 80 years of Olympus camera manufacturing.
As the digital update of the original PEN-F, the first half-frame SLR, the new PEN-F employs a 20 megapixel Live MOS sensor, Olympus 5-axis image stabilization, a built-in 2.36M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF), and a new creative dial that accesses a host of controls.
The PEN-F’s classic lines are inherited from its predecessor, which debuted in 1963. The top and front covers are crafted from magnesium and its metal dials from aluminum. Even screws are undetectable on the camera’s exterior. Stylish touches—like the included strap and the camera’s leather-grained exterior—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 access to registered settings.
The 20MP sensor is paired with the latest TruePic VII image processor. The sensor’s low-pass filterless construction is engineered to deliver high resolution and a low sensitivity ISO low mode equivalent to ISO 80. In addition, the 5-axis VCM (voice coil motor) image stabilization compensates up to 5.0 steps of shutter speed, allowing users to capture clear night scenes and 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.
Additionally, the PEN-F’s high-res shot mode captures 50MP-equivalent images, and Olympus Viewer 3 V2.0 image-editing software was updated to process these RAW images.
New monochrome and color profile control functions lend the ability to emulate photographers’ favorite films. They can apply and check effects in live view while shooting. Both functions include quick-select presets that give images the look of classic film, and settings can be customized for specific looks. Monochrome profile control combines five effects—color filter, shading, film grain, monochrome color and highlight and shadow control. 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 can adjust the color saturation of 12 colors in 11 steps. In addition to preset 1, there is chrome film rich color (preset 2), which provides deeper tones, and chrome film vivid saturation (preset 3), which creates high levels of color saturation. A rear lever lets users toggle through the effect controls.
The PEN-F’s 2.36 million-dot OLED EVF offers a 100% field of view and a 1.23x magnification rate. 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 (with three levels and four colors) permit precise lens focusing. In addition, a vari-angle, touch-enabled LCD monitor lets users compose live view shots from various angles.
According to specs, the PEN-F has a 0.044-sec release time lag and 1/8,000-second, mechanical shutter for capturing fast action. Shutter functions can be customized: silent mode is useful for shooting in situations that require complete silence; and anti-shock mode prevents shutter shake. In addition, an AF targeting pad enhances control by letting users set focus points by touching the rear monitor with their thumb while composing the shot in the viewfinder.
Other features include: face priority AF and eye priority AF that detect and adjust the focus on faces or eyes for easier portrait shooting; AF target spot metering; super spot AF and small target AF; live composite mode that extracts and composites the brightest areas from multiple, sequential images to capture cityscapes and star trails; built-in Wi-Fi; 4K time-lapse movie that captures 999 images automatically at intervals from one image a second to one every 24 hours, and combines them into a 4K video in-camera; and 10-fps sequential shooting with the mechanical shutter, 5 fps with C-AF and 20 fps with silent mode.
PEN-F Leather Accessories
Optional accessories for the PEN-F include an external metal grip (ECG-4) that lets users replace the battery without removing the grip. A quick shoe compatible rail on the bottom allows direct connection to a compatible tripod head.
Leather accessories are available in limited quantities. A premium leather shoulder strap (CSS-S120L PR) features a two-tone design and a thickness that helps reduce shoulder strain. A leather wrapping cloth (CS-48 PR) wraps around the camera with a large lens attached. A premium leather camera bag (CBG-11 PR) is a compact bag produced under the direction of Ajioka Co., Ltd., a Japanese leather manufacturer, with attention to details, including pockets, a shoulder pad and shoulder strap. And, a genuine leather body jacket (CS-47B) is designed to protect the bottom of the PEN-F from bumps and scratches.
The Olympus PEN-F is available for $1,199.99. olympusamerica.com
