OM System
OM-5
Compact weather-sealed MFT for travel and outdoor photography.
$1,199
Launch priceReleased Nov 2022
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 priceReleased Sep 2026
PEN is 3.8 years newer.
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Wins
OM-5
Wins
PEN
8 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AOM-5 has higher Burst (mechanical) (10 fps vs 5 fps)
- BPEN has higher EVF magnification (1.1 × vs 0.78 ×)
- BPEN has higher Battery life (CIPA) (410 shots vs 310 shots)
- AOM-5 has higher IBIS effectiveness (6.5 stops vs 5.5 stops)
- BPEN has lower Weight (393 g vs 414 g)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to share
OM-5
125 × 85 × 50 mm
414 g (0.91 lb / 14.60 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
PEN
126 × 75 × 43 mm
393 g (0.87 lb / 13.86 oz)
OM-5 is 1mm narrower than PEN but it is also 11mm taller and 6mm thicker.
OM-5 is 21 g heavier than PEN.
Depth (front-to-back): 50mm OM-5 · 43mm PEN
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
OM-5
125 × 85 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
PEN
126 × 75 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
OM-5
125 × 50 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
PEN
126 × 43 mm
Sensor size, to scale
OM-5
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-5
✓ more lensesMicro Four Thirds
130+
native lenses available
PEN
✓ more lensesMicro Four Thirds
130+
native lenses available
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
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
OM-5
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 125.3, 85.2, 49.7
Burst (mechanical)
10 fps vs 5 fps — higher is better
IBIS effectiveness
6.5 stops vs 5.5 stops — 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
EVF magnification
1.1 × vs 0.78 × — higher is better
Battery life (CIPA)
410 shots vs 310 shots — higher is better
Weight
393 g vs 414 g — lower is better
Max video bit rate
240 Mbps vs 237 Mbps — higher is better
4K max frame rate
30 fps vs 29.97 fps — higher is better
1080p max frame rate
60 fps vs 59.94 fps — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓Resolution — Both 20.4 MP
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 200
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 25,600
- ✓AF points / zones — Both 121
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
OM-5
Pros
- ✓Compact
- ✓IP53 sealing
- ✓Computational features
Cons
- –No grip extension
- –MFT sensor
- –Single slot
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-5 and PEN at major authorized retailers.
OM System OM-5
OM System PEN
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for vlogging, OM-5 or PEN?
PEN scores 6.5/10 versus 5.5/10 for OM-5 — 393g — easy to handhold for selfie video.
What's the resolution difference between the OM-5 and PEN?
Both cameras share the same 20.4 MP resolution.
Do the OM-5 and PEN have in-body image stabilization?
OM-5 has 6.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while PEN has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the OM-5 or the PEN?
OM-5 reaches 30 fps electronic. PEN reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the OM-5 and PEN?
OM-5 weighs 414 g and PEN weighs 393 g, so the PEN is 21 g lighter.
Do the OM-5 and PEN record 4K video?
OM-5: 4K up to 29.97p. PEN: 4K up to 30p.
Are the OM-5 and PEN weather sealed?
OM-5: Yes. PEN: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 310 shots (CIPA) for the OM-5 and 410 shots for the PEN, giving the PEN the edge.
How much does each cost?
OM-5 launched at $1,199 and PEN at $1,000. The PEN is $199 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way OM-5 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.