A quick note on the new Olympus Pen F introduction.

[kirktuck]

Even though I currently own four Pen FT cameras I will probably line up to get the new Pen F camera from Olympus. Why? Hmm. Even though I own various Nikon cameras, including the D810, I find the current Olympus cameras (the EM5.2 especially) do most of the work I need to do more quickly and easily and, if I don't transgress beyond the maximum "target" parameters the images look just as good. The reason I am interested in the new Pen F is for the handling and the new high magnification EVF. It's a wonderful system for lots of things that are less fun to do on bigger, clumsier cameras. Sometimes, when I used the Nikons and the Olympus cameras back to back I feel as though I am stepping out of a pick-up truck and into a Miata or some other sporty little car. Not good for hauling firewood or compost but very nice to drive....

I am a little surprised that this is the first post about the Pen F on the forum. Did the m4:3 users not make the jump over the pay wall?

[razrblck]

I'm surprised no one is talking about the 80MP raw multishot files.

[rdonson]

Perhaps everyone is waiting for the cameras to be in people's hands and for in-depth reviews and detailed analysis of photos.

[SZRitter]

Even though I currently own four Pen FT cameras I will probably line up to get the new Pen F camera from Olympus. Why? Hmm. Even though I own various Nikon cameras, including the D810, I find the current Olympus cameras (the EM5.2 especially) do most of the work I need to do more quickly and easily and, if I don't transgress beyond the maximum "target" parameters the images look just as good. The reason I am interested in the new Pen F is for the handling and the new high magnification EVF. It's a wonderful system for lots of things that are less fun to do on bigger, clumsier cameras. Sometimes, when I used the Nikons and the Olympus cameras back to back I feel as though I am stepping out of a pick-up truck and into a Miata or some other sporty little car. Not good for hauling firewood or compost but very nice to drive....

I am a little surprised that this is the first post about the Pen F on the forum. Did the m4:3 users not make the jump over the pay wall?

The forum doesn't have the "pay wall".

As another m43 user, I'm on the fence about the Pen F. I'm still shooting an E-M5, and over the last few months, have fallen in love with the camera all over again (read, got a halfway decent prime in the 25mm f1.8 Oly). On the outside, the F looks awesome, although I am not a huge fan of the giant dial on the front. Features are, aside from the EVF and new sensor, nothing spectacular, unless I missed something in there. I'm 50/50 on the lack of weather sealing. I am, however, very excited to see a standard cable release in the shutter release. You have no idea how oddly happy it makes me.

From initial posts I've seen, it seems people are on the fence on if there is much improved in the IQ department. Sounds like a tiny bit more DR, but that is about it.

[SZRitter]

I'm surprised no one is talking about the 80MP raw multishot files.

It's 50MP, isn't it?

[Internaut]

It's 50MP, isn't it?

There's an 80MP file produced, but Olympus brings this down to a more sensible (with less artefacts) 50MP for the file they expect most users to use.  Look up Ming Thein's review - even this is not perfect at the moment (may need a firmware tweak or two).

BTW, Olympus had mooted the possibility of getting hi res shots as fast as 1/60 (i.e. potential to get a critically sharp hand-held shot, if shooting reasonably wide).  Alas, this isn't going to be the camera to provide that.  As such, it's good for still life (or a sufficiently still landscape) but I'm guessing not much else.

Do I want this camera?  Probably not at the typical launch price of a Pen.  My E-P5 and external VF both serve me well enough.  If anything I might add an OMD, for an all in one package.

[Guillermo Luijk]

the new high magnification EVF

Correct me if I am wrong, but what I have read so far is that the EVF magnification in the PEN-F is lower than that of the E-M5 II or the detachable VF-4.

Regards!

[Telecaster]

I own a Panasonic GX8, which takes care of the "rangefinder-like" portion of the m43 lineup. For me anyway. 

-Dave-

[Kevin Raber]

Having shot with the PEN-F for the last few days I must say I am impressed.  There was little to find fault with the camera.  I own three Olympus 4/3 bodies now.  Most likely I will retire (sell) the M5 and purchase the PEN-F.  I have not had a chance to evaluate the images in Capture One.  I am pushing Phase One to get this done in an update as soon as possible. However, what I have from the camera in JPEGs is quite impressive.  There are a lot of features in this small camera.  Most likely most people won't use a lot of them but it is nice to know they are there.  I did post an initial review on this site.  I'll follow it up with a more in depth hands on once I can process RAWs and make some prints.  IMO Olympus has always made fine cameras.  I have had Olympus cameras since 2012.  Looks like I'll have them for a while longer.  I anxiously await the next version of the OMD line.

[razrblck]

It's 50MP, isn't it?

There's an 80MP file produced, but Olympus brings this down to a more sensible (with less artefacts) 50MP for the file they expect most users to use.  Look up Ming Thein's review - even this is not perfect at the moment (may need a firmware tweak or two).

Yeah, the 50MP is for the jpeg output.

The biggest show stopper for this camera will be price. It's quite steep for a consumer body, and I guess pros are now waiting for a E-M1 mk. II that will have the same EVF and sensor as well as superior construction, weather sealing, better speed and controls.

[Photog-x]

I really enjoyed my m4/3 cameras in the past (E-M1 and E-M5 more so than the GH2 or G2 I owned)...but overall, I was just more happy with the look and feel I got from my Nikon full frame cameras (D750 and Df presently).  Obviously, I really loved the size/weight of the E-M1 and that in-body IS was amazing.  I just wish Nikon would come out with a sensible FF mirrorless body and possibly a set of new lenses designed for it that are smaller/lighter.  Why Nikon?  Well...it's just my personal preference because I tend to like the way they implement features on their cameras and I like the look I get from their cameras (I always shoot raw and edit in Lightroom, but the camera does make a difference in the look/feel of the images even if you shoot raw).

[scooby70]

Having shot with the PEN-F for the last few days I must say I am impressed...

I bought into the system when the GF1 first came and I now have a Panasonic G1 and a GX7. I bought a Sony A7 when it first came out and it has a couple of feature that I love and would really like to see in MFT...

I'd love to see in view exposure and depth of field in all modes and I'd also love auto ISO with the ability to dial in exposure compensation in all modes.

I really find these features to be wonderful with my A7 and I do wish they were available in a MFT body. I don't suppose that the new Pen offers these does it? and if not will it ever happen?

[b_rubenstein]

The PEN-F is a wonderful retro-porn camera if used with prime lenses and µ4/3 is not your primary photography platform. The E-M1 with ver 4 FW is a much better primary camera. From my perspective, the only substance the PEN has is the 20mp sensor, and that's only a 12% potential increase in resolution. The high res mode doesn't do anything for what I shoot, or what my files are used for. Having used the LX100 for several months, I'm very impressed with AF of Panasonic's Depth from Defocus. Unless Olympus does something useful with an E-M1 update, I'll probably get a GX8. At least the knobs won't fall off or stop working...

[BobDavid]

I'm waiting for the OMD EM-1 II. The EM-5 II is a really fine camera. And the EPL-5 with the VF4 is a nice combo. I'm a big fan of multi-shot--the 1/60th sec feature will be a game changer. I am patient, and I'll wait another year for the EM-1 II.

The difference between 16mp and 20mp is marginal. From what I've seen, the 20mp is noisier at higher ISOs. I wonder if it's possible for Oly to introduce a 17.3mm X 17.3 mm chip. That would be a game changer.

[b_rubenstein]

... I wonder if it's possible for Oly to introduce a 17.3mm X 17.3 mm chip. That would be a game changer.

Olympus doesn't make sensors. They are basically constrained to what Sony will make, and Sony doesn't make what they can't sell enough of to make some % profit. This is why up until the 20mp 3/4 sensor came out Olympus was using a 2012 technology 16mp sensor.

I also think a square sensor would only be a game changer for you, Kirk Tuck and maybe 17 other people. You do realize that the image circle for that sensor would be significantly larger than a 4/3 sensor, and may need new lenses to cover it.

[BobDavid]

Olympus doesn't make sensors. They are basically constrained to what Sony will make, and Sony doesn't make what they can't sell enough of to make some % profit. This is why up until the 20mp 3/4 sensor came out Olympus was using a 2012 technology 16mp sensor.

I also think a square sensor would only be a game changer for you, Kirk Tuck and maybe 17 other people. You do realize that the image circle for that sensor would be significantly larger than a 4/3 sensor, and may need new lenses to cover it.

Existing mft lenses throw an image circle of at least 17.3mm. So a 17.3mm X 17.3mm sensor is fine. From what I've heard, the sensor for the EM-1 II will not be the same one used in the Pen F. ... The Pen F is a pretty camera, to be sure. But for my money, I'd just assume go with an EM-5 II or an EM-10 II. ... Different strokes for different folks.

[GLJ]

There's an 80MP file produced, but Olympus brings this down to a more sensible (with less artefacts) 50MP for the file they expect most users to use.

The Raw file produced will be 80MP. The OOC JPG will be 50MP.
I doubt its anything to do with reducing artefacts, if its like the EM5II, it will just be a case of there won't be 80MP of detail in the file, it needs resizing down to 50MP to get respectable sharpness. Still not too shabby though

[BobDavid]

The EM-5 II renders 60 mp RAW files. Low light ISO 400 files are nearly immaculate. ISO 200 files are immaculate. The file size is app. 24" X 18" 360 DPI. When opened up in PS @ 16 bits, the file size is 384mp.

http://forum.luminous-landscape.com/index.php?topic=107626.0

[Telecaster]

Since getting the GX8 my other m43 cameras have been gathering dust. It's mostly to do with the EVF placement. I learned photography with rangefinders, and that top left VF just feels correct to me. I could get rid of everything else but this camera and my Leica M8.2s and their respective lenses—even the Sony A7r2 system with its apparently deity-sanctioned "full frame" sensor—and be perfectly happy.

-Dave-

[b_rubenstein]

Existing mft lenses throw an image circle of at least 17.3mm. So a 17.3mm X 17.3mm sensor is fine.

The minimum diameter of the image circle is equal to the diagonal of the 17.3 square, which is 17.3mm x square root of 2: 24.4659mm. I understand people being a little weak in quantum mechanics when discussing sensors, but this???