TechRadar Review: OM System PEN Mirrorless Camera Delivers Strong Everyday Value Under $1,000
TechRadar evaluated the OM System PEN, recommending it as an appealing starter camera for smartphone upgraders and travel photographers due to its compact rangefinder styling, 5-axis in-body stabilization, integrated EVF, and $999.99 base price ($1,099 with kit lens). Reviewer Timothy Coleman praised its capable computational photo modes and portability, especially when paired with fast prime lenses. However, the reviewer highlighted notable drawbacks, including fiddly control buttons, modest IPX1 weather sealing, and basic 8-bit 4K video capabilities.
TechRadar's reviewer found the OM System PEN an enjoyable, compact everyday and travel camera with appealing stabilization and creative modes, while noting fiddly controls and limits for harsh-weather use or larger lenses.
Who it may suit Smartphone upgraders and everyday or travel photographers using smaller lenses.
What the source liked
The reviewer enjoyed its compact retro design, viewfinder, and vari-angle touchscreen for walkaround photography.
The reviewer found animal-detection autofocus sticky when tracking birds.
The reviewer says stabilization and computational modes can be useful for handheld stills and video.
Trade-offs & limitations
The reviewer found several buttons and controls fiddly.
The reviewer says its IPX1-rated body is less suited to inclement weather than the OM-5 II.
The reviewer notes that High Res Shot and HDR modes can produce blur or ghosting when subjects move.
Source testing context The reviewer says OM System loaned the camera and kit lens for several weeks; the reviewer used them on a work trip to China, tried computational modes and autofocus, shot handheld video, and compared the camera with the Lumix L10.
Questions this review helps answer
Does the camera have in-body image stabilization?
Yes. The review identifies five-axis in-body stabilization and reports 5.5EV image stabilization.
Is the camera body-only or bundled with a lens?
The review describes both configurations: body-only and a kit with the 14–42mm f/3.5–5.6 III lens.
What weather protection does the review report?
The body is described as IPX1-rated; the review says the kit lens is splash-proof and the body is less suited to inclement weather than the OM-5 II.
✦
AI brief
Source-based
The TechRadar reviewer says the OM System PEN combines a compact rangefinder-style body, in-body image stabilization, an electronic viewfinder, and creative computational modes, making it worth considering if you want a walkaround camera with interchangeable lenses. The source also flags fiddly controls and says the 14–42mm kit lens may not satisfy every photographer; the linked $1,099.99 BHPhoto listing is not confirmed as the same body-only configuration discussed in the review.
Best suited for Smartphone upgraders and everyday or travel photographers who want a compact interchangeable-lens camera with a viewfinder and stabilization, according to the reviewer.
Highlights
The reviewer found its compact design and viewfinder appealing for everyday and city-break photography.
Five-axis in-body stabilization supports handheld shooting, and the reviewer also notes stabilization works for video.
Computational modes include handheld High Res Shot for still scenes, which the reviewer says can raise resolution from 20MP to 50MP.
The Micro Four Thirds mount offers access to hundreds of lenses, including the reviewer-mentioned 45mm f/1.8 option for portraits.
Consider before buying
The reviewer found the small controls fiddly, particularly when accessing computational modes.
The reviewer says the body is less suited to inclement weather and larger lenses than the OM-5 II.
The reviewer cautions that the 14–42mm kit lens alone may not meet all photography needs and suggests budgeting for a fast-aperture prime.
The linked listing's exact configuration is unclear; shipping, returns, and warranty terms are not supplied.
Product facts & conditions
Model / variant
OM System PEN · Black with silver trim; body-only
AI-generated from the original report, not a hands-on review. Confirm details with the retailer. Read source ↗
Cashback, gift cards, and points are separate rewards. They are not subtracted from the checkout price. Price comparisons cover only the matching observations recorded by Savlume; they are not a complete market history.
How to get it
Exact redemption steps were not specified. Read the merchant’s conditions before ordering.
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