Olympus PEN-F Detailed Review

See all images of the Olympus PEN-F

Main

In additional PEN-F was introduced by Olympus in January 2016. It belongs to the Mirrorless Cameras category.

Olympus is well-known and shouldn’t require further introduction, please see our manufacturer’s page for more digital cameras by Olympus.

Brand Olympus
Category Mirrorless
Date 01/2016
Sensor Properties

Also PEN-F has a Four Thirds CMOS sensor with size of 17 x 13 mm² (0.68″ x 0.51″).

Picture of PEN-F’s sensor compared to popular format.

Infographic: PEN-F comparing sensor sizes

The 1-Euro coin has a diameter of 23.25mm.

The PEN-F’s sensor has resolution of 20 megapixel.

The Olympus supports taking images in RAW. RAW images are stored as they come from the sensor, without any in-camera processing or sharpening. Converting to JPEG or other formats takes place on the computer, using software like Adobe Lightroom or Olympus’s RAW converter. This involves one extra processing step but almost always results in superior image quality. Some filters, like converting to monochrome (black and white) will only yield decent results when used with RAW images.

The PEN-F features a mechanism for automatic sensor cleaning.

Format Four Thirds
Sensor area 17.30 x 13.00mm²
(0.68″ x 0.51″)
Type CMOS
Resolution (physical) 21.80 megapixel
Resolution (effective) 20.30 megapixel
Pixel size 11.10 µm²
Sensor cleaning
RAW support
Continuous 10 frames/second
Lens
Interchangeable lens
Mount Olympus Micro Four Thirds (MFT)
Viewfinder Properties

The PEN-F uses an electronic viewfinder with a resolution of 2.36 megapixel, an excellent value for a viewfinder like this which makes the camera a joy to use.

The magnifcation is c. 0.61x, an above average value for an electronic viewfinder.

Type Elektronic
Coverage 100%
Magnification 0.61x
Resolution 2.36 megapixel
Dioptric correction
Shutter

The PEN-F’s shutter speed varies from 1/8000s to 60s.

Max. shutter speed 1/8000s
Min. shutter speed 60s
Sensitivity Properties

The PEN-F’s sensitivity goes from 200 ISO und 25600 ISO, a very useful and practical range.

Automatic
Min. sensitivity 200 ISO
Max. sensitivity 25600 ISO
Exposure Modes

The PEN-F supports all general exposure modes.

The Olympus allows spot exposure for the difficult occasion.

Multi
Center weight
Partial
Spot
Auto Focus Properties

The PEN-F’s auto focus processor uses 81 AF points (or sensors). A basic rule of thumb says that the more AF points you have, the better. More AF points mean a better chance to have a point at the location of interest in a scene, a big plus in challenging situations (e.g. when panning the camera).

Manual focus is also possible with the Olympus, a plus in tricky situations or for some creative freedom.

Type Contrast Detection
AF points 81
Manual focusing
Flash Specs

The PEN-F doesn’t feature a built-in flash. That is not unsusual in this camera category.

A flash or a trigger for remote flashes can be attached to the Olympus’s hotshoe.

Built-in
Hot shoe
Display Specs

The PEN-F display has a diagonal of 76.00mm (3.0 inches.) and a resolution 1.04 megapixel.

The camera display is intended for selfies or other occasion.

Display parameters:

Type LCD
Size 76.00mm (diagonal)
(3.0 in.)
Resolution 1.04 megapixel
Articulated
Touch screen
Video Specs

PEN-F video supported the resolution with 1920 x 1080 pixel.

ACamera is not equipped with an external microphone.

Olympus PEN-F Video parameters:

Max. resolution 1920 x 1080 pixel
…with frame rates 24 frames/second
25 frames/second
30 frames/second
50 frames/second
60 frames/second
External microphone
Connectivity & Wireless Specs

The PEN-F has Wi-fi connection. You can transfer photos to a mobile or laptop using wi-fi.

Connect the Olympus to a monitor or TV set over HDMI.

The Olympus supports USB 2.0.

Connection parameters:

WiFi
Bluetooth
NFC
Remote (wired)
Remote (infrared)
Apps
HDMI (standard)
HDMI (mini)
HDMI (micro)
USB 2.0
USB 3.0
USB Micro
USB Mini
USB-C
Custom
Memory

The camera supports SD HC and SD XC cards.

Memory cards characteristics:

Slots 1
Memory cards SD
SDHC
SDXC
Battery

The Olympus PEN-F has a BLN-1 LiIon battery. The battery provides a shooting life of 330 shots. It`s enough for one day or more.

The PEN-F’s battery battery parameters:

Type BLN-1 LiIon
Removable
In-camera charging
Battery life 330 photos
Size

The Olympus PEN-F’s size is 124.8 x 72.1 x 37.3mm³. (4.9″ x 2.8″ x 1.5″). That dimensions are without lens. The weight of camera is 4.9″ x 2.8″ x 1.5″ grams (427 oz.) without lens weight.

Here is front and top view of the PEN-F:

Dimensions Comparison

To put the size of the camera in context, here it is next to a typical ID card (c. 86mm x 55mm, about the size of a credit card).

The PEN-F is not much bigger:

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