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OM System

OM-1

First OM System flagship with cross-type AF and 50fps burst.

$2,199

Launch price

Released Feb 2022

vs
PEN

OM System

PEN

First OM SYSTEM-branded PEN: compact rangefinder-style Micro Four Thirds body with 20.4MP Live MOS, 5-axis IBIS, built-in EVF, IPX1 sealing, and in-camera computational modes.

$1,000

Launch price

Released Sep 2026

PEN is 4.6 years newer.

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Wins

11categories

OM-1

Sports & ActionTravel

Wins

3categories

PEN

TravelVlogging

3 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

OM-1 wins 5 categories·PEN wins 0 categories
  • AOM-1 has higher AF points / zones (1053 vs 121)
  • AOM-1 has higher ISO max (native) (102,400 vs 25,600)
  • AOM-1 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 30 fps)
  • AOM-1 has higher 1080p max frame rate (240 fps vs 60 fps)
  • AOM-1 has lower ISO min (native) (80 vs 200)

Key specs at a glance

OM-1PEN
Resolution20.4 MP20.4 MP
SensorMFTMFT
ISO max102,40025,600
Burst120 fps30 fps
4K60 fps30 fps
IBIS8-stop5.5-stop
Weight599 g393 g
Battery520 shots410 shots

Size and weight, to scale

OM-1

135 × 92 × 73 mm

599 g (1.32 lb / 21.13 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

PEN front view

PEN

126 × 75 × 43 mm

393 g (0.87 lb / 13.86 oz)

OM-1 is 9mm wider, 17mm taller, and 29mm thicker than PEN.

OM-1 is 206 g heavier than PEN.

Depth (front-to-back): 73mm OM-1 · 43mm PEN

Back view, to scale

Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.

OM-1

135 × 92 mm

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

PEN back view

PEN

126 × 75 mm

Top view, to scale

Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.

OM-1

135 × 73 mm

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

PEN top view

PEN

126 × 43 mm

Sensor size, to scale

OM-1

17.4 × 13 mm · Compact / large-type

226 mm² area

PEN

17.4 × 13 mm · Compact / large-type

226 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

OM-1

✓ more lenses

Micro Four Thirds

130+

native lenses available

60 first-party70 third-party

PEN

✓ more lenses

Micro Four Thirds

130+

native lenses available

60 first-party70 third-party

Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.

Use-case scoring

Which one for what?

Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class

Use caseOM-1PEN
Portrait
4.0Fair
4.0Fair
Sports & Action
10.0Excellent✓ wins
6.0Good
Video & Hybrid
5.5Fair✓ wins
3.0Limited
Landscape
2.5Limited
2.5Limited
Travel
7.0Good
7.5Good✓ wins
Wildlife
6.5Good✓ wins
5.5Fair
Vlogging
7.0Good✓ wins
6.5Good

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

OM-1

  • AF low-light limit

    -8 EV vs -3.5 EV — lower is better

  • Subject recognition

    Adds People, Birds, Animals…

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 134.8, 91.6, 72.7

  • Card types

    Adds SD UHS-II, SD UHS-I

  • AF points / zones

    1053 vs 121 — higher is better

  • ISO max (native)

    102,400 vs 25,600 — higher is better

  • Burst (electronic)

    120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better

  • 1080p max frame rate

    240 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better

Reasons to choose

PEN

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Human, Dog, Cat

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 125.8, 74.5, 43.3

  • Card types

    Adds SD, SDHC, SDXC

  • Max video bit rate

    240 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better

  • Weight

    393 g vs 599 g — lower is better

  • Codecs

    Adds MPEG-4 AVC

  • EVF magnification

    1.1 × vs 0.78 × — higher is better

Both cameras share

  • ResolutionBoth 20.4 MP
  • Eye AFBoth support eye af
  • Animal / bird AFBoth support animal / bird af
  • Pre-Capture / Pre-ReleaseBoth support pre-capture / pre-release
  • In-body stabilization (IBIS)Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
  • Weather sealingBoth support weather sealing

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

OM-1

Pros

  • 50fps burst
  • Great weather sealing
  • Computational modes

Cons

  • MFT sensor
  • Superseded by OM-1 II
  • Smaller than FF

PEN

Pros

  • 393g rangefinder body with built-in 2.36M-dot EVF
  • First PEN with IPX1 dust/splash sealing
  • 5-axis IBIS up to 5.5 stops + 121-point cross-type AF
  • Hi-Res, Live ND, Focus Stacking, HDR via CP button
  • 4K / C4K video, vertical video, 3.5mm mic jack

Cons

  • Micro Four Thirds sensor vs APS-C/FF rivals
  • 4K capped at 30p (C4K 24p only)
  • IPX1 is lighter sealing than OM-5 II / OM-3
  • Single SD slot, no headphone jack

Decided which one is right for you?

Compare live prices for the OM-1 and PEN at major authorized retailers.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

= category winner

OM-1
PEN
Resolution
20.4 MP
20.4 MP
Sensor type
4/3 Stacked BSI Live MOS
MOS
Sensor size
17.4 x 13.0 mm
17.4 x 13
AA filter
No
No
OM-1
PEN
Processor
TruePic X
TruePic IX
OM-1
PEN
ISO min (native)
80−120 less
200
ISO max (native)
102,400+2 stops
25,600
ISO max (expanded)
102,400
25,600
OM-1
PEN
Shutter type
Computerised focal-plane shutter + electronic shutter
Mechanical Focal Plane Shutter and Electronic Rolling Shutter
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
1/4000
Max electronic speed
1/32000 sec
1/3200

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for sports, OM-1 or PEN?

OM-1 scores 10.0/10 versus 6.0/10 for PEN — 120fps burst — pro-level action capture.

What's the resolution difference between the OM-1 and PEN?

Both cameras share the same 20.4 MP resolution.

Do the OM-1 and PEN have in-body image stabilization?

OM-1 has 8-stop in-body image stabilization, while PEN has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the OM-1 or the PEN?

OM-1 reaches 120 fps electronic. PEN reaches 30 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the OM-1 and PEN?

OM-1 weighs 599 g and PEN weighs 393 g, so the PEN is 206 g lighter.

Do the OM-1 and PEN record 4K video?

OM-1: 4K up to 60p. PEN: 4K up to 30p.

Are the OM-1 and PEN weather sealed?

OM-1: Yes. PEN: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 520 shots (CIPA) for the OM-1 and 410 shots for the PEN, giving the OM-1 the edge.

How much does each cost?

OM-1 launched at $2,199 and PEN at $1,000. The PEN is $1,199 less.

Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.

Add any camera to get a three-way OM-1 vs PEN vs X comparison.

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed September 2026.

Product images courtesy of OM System press materials.