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 V
33MP partially stacked Exmor RS hybrid with BIONZ XR2 AI, 30fps blackout-free burst, 7.5-stop IBIS, and 4K 60p oversampled from 7K.
$2,899
Launch priceReleased Dec 2025
PEN is 9 months newer.
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Wins
PEN
Wins
Alpha 7 V
2 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 7 V has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 121)
- BAlpha 7 V has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- BAlpha 7 V has higher RAW buffer depth (95 frames vs 29 frames)
- BAlpha 7 V has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 240 Mbps)
- BAlpha 7 V 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 V
130 × 96 × 82 mm
695 g (1.53 lb / 24.52 oz)
PEN is 5mm narrower, 22mm shorter, and 39mm thinner than Alpha 7 V.
PEN is 302 g lighter than Alpha 7 V.
Depth (front-to-back): 43mm PEN · 82mm Alpha 7 V
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 V
130 × 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 V
130 × 82 mm
Sensor size, to scale
PEN
17.4 × 13 mm · Compact / large-type
226 mm² area
Alpha 7 V
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 V
✓ 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
Codecs
Adds MOV, MPEG-4 AVC
Weight
393 g vs 695 g — lower is better
EVF magnification
1.1 × vs 0.78 × — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 7 V
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 130.3, 96.4, 82.4
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II, SD UHS-II
Subject recognition
Adds Animal, Bird, Insect…
AF points / zones
759 vs 121 — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I…
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
RAW buffer depth
95 frames vs 29 frames — higher is better
Max video bit rate
600 Mbps vs 240 Mbps — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Burst (electronic) — Both 30 fps
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
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 V
Pros
- ✓33MP partially stacked sensor — ~4.5× faster readout than α7 IV
- ✓Blackout-free 30 fps with full AF/AE (electronic shutter)
- ✓7.5-stop central / 6.5-stop peripheral IBIS (CIPA 2024)
- ✓759-point phase-detect AF down to EV -4 with AI subject recognition
- ✓7K oversampled 4K 60p (full-frame, no pixel binning) + 4K 120p
- ✓Pre-Capture and dual USB-C (10 Gbps + USB 2.0)
- ✓Up to 16 stops dynamic range
Cons
- –Premium price vs α7 IV
- –4K 120p typically requires APS-C / Super 35 crop
- –Heavier than α7 IV (695 g vs 659 g with battery)
- –Complex menu and feature set
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the PEN and Alpha 7 V at major authorized retailers.
OM System PEN
Sony Alpha 7 V
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, PEN or Alpha 7 V?
Alpha 7 V scores 8.0/10 versus 3.0/10 for PEN — 4K recording.
What's the resolution difference between the PEN and Alpha 7 V?
PEN is 20.4 MP and Alpha 7 V is 33 MP, so the Alpha 7 V captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the PEN and Alpha 7 V have in-body image stabilization?
PEN has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while Alpha 7 V has 7.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the PEN or the Alpha 7 V?
PEN reaches 30 fps electronic. Alpha 7 V reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the PEN and Alpha 7 V?
PEN weighs 393 g and Alpha 7 V weighs 695 g, so the PEN is 302 g lighter.
Do the PEN and Alpha 7 V record 4K video?
PEN: 4K up to 30p. Alpha 7 V: 4K up to 120p.
Are the PEN and Alpha 7 V weather sealed?
PEN: Yes. Alpha 7 V: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 410 shots (CIPA) for the PEN and 630 shots for the Alpha 7 V, giving the Alpha 7 V the edge.
How much does each cost?
PEN launched at $1,000 and Alpha 7 V at $2,899. The PEN is $1,899 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way PEN vs Alpha 7 V 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.