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
OM System
PEN-F
Retro-styled MFT rangefinder body with 20MP sensor, built-in EVF, and classic dial controls.
$1,199
Launch priceReleased Jan 2016
PEN is 10.6 years newer.
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Wins
PEN
Wins
PEN-F
3 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BPEN-F has higher RAW buffer depth (60 frames vs 29 frames)
- BPEN-F has lower ISO min (native) (100 vs 200)
- APEN has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 15 fps)
- BPEN-F has higher 4K max frame rate (60 fps vs 30 fps)
- BPEN-F has higher Card slots (2 vs 1)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to share
PEN
126 × 75 × 43 mm
393 g (0.87 lb / 13.86 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
PEN-F
125 × 72 × 37 mm
427 g (0.94 lb / 15.06 oz)
PEN is 1mm wider, 2mm taller, and 6mm thicker than PEN-F.
PEN is 34 g lighter than PEN-F.
Depth (front-to-back): 43mm PEN · 37mm PEN-F
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
PEN
126 × 75 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
PEN-F
125 × 72 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
PEN
126 × 43 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
PEN-F
125 × 37 mm
Sensor size, to scale
PEN
17.4 × 13 mm · Compact / large-type
226 mm² area
PEN-F
17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds
225 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
PEN
✓ more lensesMicro Four Thirds
130+
native lenses available
PEN-F
✓ 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
PEN
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 125.8, 74.5, 43.3
Card types
Adds SD, SDHC, SDXC
Subject recognition
Adds Dog, Cat
Codecs
Adds MOV, MPEG-4 AVC
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 15 fps — higher is better
Weather sealing
Only PEN supports it
Max video bit rate
240 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better
AF points / zones
121 vs 81 — higher is better
Reasons to choose
PEN-F
AF low-light limit
-7 EV vs -3.5 EV — lower is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 124.8, 72.1, 37.3
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II
Subject recognition
Adds Animal, Bird, Vehicle
RAW buffer depth
60 frames vs 29 frames — higher is better
ISO min (native)
100 vs 200 — lower is better
4K max frame rate
60 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds H.265
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 25,600
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
- ✓EVF resolution — Both 2,360,000
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
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
PEN-F
Pros
- ✓Beautiful retro design
- ✓Built-in EVF
- ✓20MP MFT
- ✓Creative dial modes
Cons
- –No IBIS
- –MFT sensor
- –Discontinued
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the PEN and PEN-F at major authorized retailers.
OM System PEN
OM System PEN-F
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, PEN or PEN-F?
PEN-F scores 6.0/10 versus 3.0/10 for PEN — 4K recording.
What's the resolution difference between the PEN and PEN-F?
PEN is 20.4 MP and PEN-F is 20.3 MP, so the PEN captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the PEN and PEN-F have in-body image stabilization?
PEN has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while PEN-F has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the PEN or the PEN-F?
PEN reaches 30 fps electronic. PEN-F reaches 15 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the PEN and PEN-F?
PEN weighs 393 g and PEN-F weighs 427 g, so the PEN is 34 g lighter.
Do the PEN and PEN-F record 4K video?
PEN: 4K up to 30p. PEN-F: 4K up to 60p.
Are the PEN and PEN-F weather sealed?
PEN: Yes. PEN-F: No.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 410 shots (CIPA) for the PEN and 640 shots for the PEN-F, giving the PEN-F the edge.
How much does each cost?
PEN launched at $1,000 and PEN-F at $1,199. The PEN is $199 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way PEN vs PEN-F 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.