New Olympus PEN F: Modern inside, Vintage off

Many references to the 1963 model for the new mirrorless Oympus PEN F, but also so much modernity inside the aluminum body, starting from the new Micro Four Thirds sensor to 20.3 megapixels. In addition to the electronic viewfinder also it offers touchscreeen swiveling display.

Pull over vintage fur that a bullock cart: this could be a motto that describes well the current photographic market, especially when it comes to mirrorless. There are many examples of cameras that wink to the past and even Olympus models for its new release has decided to rely even more deeply to his film PEN, those half-formed can give a global success to the Japanese manufacturer.

Olympus has decided to simplify the nomenclature for its new product, which is simply called Olympus PEN F, as the namesake of 1963. In the model design is replete with references to the past, such as a ring switch for the ignition located at the top left corner or the particular ring positioned at the front to manually Art Filters, black and white and other shooting modes on effect; the latter is a clear aesthetic appeal the PEN F to film. The camera is built in aluminum with black simulated leather finish and is available in silver or black livery.

Then there is a dedicated exposure compensation dial, with a circular eyepiece viewfinder (with diopter correction), double adjustment ring, adjustable display and a number of buttons, which in the tradition Olympus will be customizable functions. The electronic viewfinder uses an OLED panel by 2.36 million points (very used and appreciated on several models of mirrorless outstanding) and offers 0.62x magnification. Interestingly the adoption of a rear display divided by 3″ and 1.037k points with touchscreen functionality, for more intuitive use of menus, in reviewing the photos and to position quickly with a touch of the focus point.

The new Olympus PEN F brings with it a Live MOS Micro Four Thirds sensor to 20.3 megapixels without anti aliasing filter: the size is half of the 35 mm frame, equal to half format that characterized the PEN film of the last century. Despite the compact body, the new Olympus PEN F is bringing the 5-axis stabilization system featuring cameras OM-D series and provides the multi-shot shooting mode High Res (also RAW) 50 megapixel.

Olympus has equipped its Olympus PEN F of a focal plane shutter capable of working up to 1/8000 of a second, but exploiting the electronic shutter of the shutter speed can be up to 1/16,000 of a second.

As for the focus, Olympus chose an AF system based exclusively on the contrast that offers 81 areas/800 points, with the ability to use the touchscreen as a pad to move the focus point while you have the eye leaning against the viewfinder.

As per tradition, Olympus PEN F also offers many advanced shooting features: remember that it was the Japanese manufacturer to launch into the world of mirrorless Art Filters and how to shoot creative, but between the special functions can also mention Live Composite, a indispensable mode of shooting – for example – for hunter’s lightning.

Olympus PEN F – Features

• Creative control dial lets you directly access 4 functions, including Monochrome, Color Profile Controls, and Art Filters.
• 2.36 Million-Dot OLED electronic viewfinder.
• New 20 Megapixel Live MOS sensor with 50Megapixel High-Res Shot mode
• In-body 5-Axis Image Stabilization
• 10 frames per second high speed sequential shooting (5 frames per second with AF Tracking)
• OLED electronic viewfinder : This good-sized, high resolution electronic viewfinder has 2.36 million dots, vivid color and a fast refresh rate.
• All-new sensor : The PEN-F is Olympus first mirrorless camera to sport a 20 megapixel “Live MOS” sensor. It features an ISO range of 200-25600.