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
Sony
Alpha 7 IV
33MP hybrid all-rounder with 10-bit 4K 60p and AI-powered subject tracking.
$2,499
Launch priceReleased Oct 2021
PEN is 4.9 years newer.
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Wins
PEN
Wins
Alpha 7 IV
2 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher RAW buffer depth (828 frames vs 29 frames)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 121)
- APEN has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 10 fps)
- BAlpha 7 IV has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 240 Mbps)
- BAlpha 7 IV has lower ISO min (native) (100 vs 200)
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
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 96 × 80 mm
658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)
PEN is 6mm narrower, 22mm shorter, and 37mm thinner than Alpha 7 IV.
PEN is 265 g lighter than Alpha 7 IV.
Depth (front-to-back): 43mm PEN · 80mm Alpha 7 IV
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
PEN
126 × 75 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 96 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
Alpha 7 IV
131 × 80 mm
Sensor size, to scale
PEN
17.4 × 13 mm · Compact / large-type
226 mm² area
Alpha 7 IV
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
3.8× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
PEN
Micro Four Thirds
130+
native lenses available
Alpha 7 IV
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
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
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds MOV, MPEG-4 AVC
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only PEN supports it
Weight
393 g vs 658 g — lower is better
EVF magnification
1.1 × vs 0.78 × — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7 IV
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 131.3, 96.4, 79.8
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A, SD UHS-II
RAW buffer depth
828 frames vs 29 frames — higher is better
AF points / zones
759 vs 121 — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Animal, Bird, Insect…
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I…
Max video bit rate
600 Mbps vs 240 Mbps — higher is better
AA filter
Only Alpha 7 IV supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
- ✓IBIS effectiveness — Both 5.5 stops
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓EVF refresh rate — Both 120 Hz
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
Alpha 7 IV
Pros
- ✓33MP — more detail for cropping and print
- ✓10-bit 4K 60p (Super35 crop) / 4K 30p full-frame
- ✓Full-size HDMI port
- ✓759 phase-detect AF points
Cons
- –4K 60p requires Super35 crop
- –10fps burst lags behind R6 II at 40fps
- –Complex menu system
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the PEN and Alpha 7 IV at major authorized retailers.
OM System PEN
Sony Alpha 7 IV
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for portraits, PEN or Alpha 7 IV?
Alpha 7 IV scores 9.0/10 versus 4.0/10 for PEN — 33MP — ample resolution for portraits.
What's the resolution difference between the PEN and Alpha 7 IV?
PEN is 20.4 MP and Alpha 7 IV is 33 MP, so the Alpha 7 IV captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the PEN and Alpha 7 IV have in-body image stabilization?
PEN has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while Alpha 7 IV has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the PEN or the Alpha 7 IV?
PEN reaches 30 fps electronic. Alpha 7 IV reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the PEN and Alpha 7 IV?
PEN weighs 393 g and Alpha 7 IV weighs 658 g, so the PEN is 265 g lighter.
Do the PEN and Alpha 7 IV record 4K video?
PEN: 4K up to 30p. Alpha 7 IV: 4K up to 60p.
Are the PEN and Alpha 7 IV weather sealed?
PEN: Yes. Alpha 7 IV: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 410 shots (CIPA) for the PEN and 580 shots for the Alpha 7 IV, giving the Alpha 7 IV the edge.
How much does each cost?
PEN launched at $1,000 and Alpha 7 IV at $2,499. The PEN is $1,499 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way PEN vs Alpha 7 IV vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed September 2026.
Product images courtesy of OM System and Sony press materials.