i have to say you did an excellent job! Very detailed reviews, very useful. I don't own this cam but its very tempting to buy one if I only could afford it. I wonder why some people seem to be so upset about the pen f. I like it because it is different.
I agonized over this camera for a couple of years now and finally made an offer on one today. The Fujifilm X100 makes great pictures but I cannot stand no having a flip screen. I didn't like the Omd Em5 body style either. So today the X100t and the Fuji X30 go up for sale. I will have to get that Pen-f setup well so I can avoid the rubiks cube menu system. But if Fuji ever put a tilt screen on the XE3 I would be back in a hot minute! Great review.
I'm looking for buying my first camera. Planning to use it for travel and special occasion. At first, I'm deciding to buy Panasonic GF8 or Olympus Pen epl7. But now I'm in love with the design and color tone of the Pen-f after try it at the store. Only issue is the extra weight. The only concern is the Pen F extra features will not benefit me for my purpose of using camera. Please help me decide it.
Have you considered the built-in EVF of the Pen F as well? That's something I use a lot personally. I wouldn't worry too much about the extra weight, it still is a light camera especially with small prime lenses.
Only a little since I am still got little experience with mirrorless cameras. The only concern is the image quality(color, sharpness in human eye level). Since I'm tried both of Pen F and epl7 at the store with the same lens. The epl7 color seems to be more yellow while the Pen f overall quality is much better in my view from the camera screen. So, I am curious that it is just me notice the difference or the truth is, the quality is the same.
I have the pen-f myself, and I love it. But one thing bugs me, and that is the focus point. It is almost invisible. Hope they fix this in a firmware update.
The AF point itself is very low contrast, and almost impossible to see, especially held over a dark subject. It lits up green when in focus, but before that, it is difficult to place the single point accurately.
Which one good olympus pen f vs panasonic gx8 for video vlogging inside home? Im looking for sharpness and fast focusing to my face and when change the subject closer to the lens .
I would choose the GX8. It has better video quality but I'm not sure how accurate the face detection is. For that you may want to look at the Sony a6300.
It's interesting but useful only with certain genre and situations. But I am curious to see where it is headed. Olympus is working to make it usable hand held. I am not sure when they will succeed but they seem to firmly believe in it.
for that price, get yourself a GX85, or a XE2s with better image quality. The GX85 also comes with a kit lens for $800. And you can buy a XE2s with a 35mm f/2 for around the price of this Pen. For what it is, the pen is severely overpriced.
Again? Pen has always being overpriced by 300% Price will drop to 300 just like all the other pen in 1 year or 2. What is sad is Olympus is not making anything new anymore, just rehashing the same tech every 6 month...like canon. The last camera somewhat worth the upgrade was the omd e-m5 for the 5 axis. nothing new since than. Looks like they reached the limit of the sensor. If you want 99% of the performance found in the camera buy a used/new e-m5 for $200-300. If you have too much money and want to have some camera bling...a7rii 3k-4k to blow on or the titanium Leica m9 if money grows on your tree. This camera is just sad.
Well it's 2018, almost 2019, and the Pen-F is $1000 u.s. I guess it didn't drop to $300, but you were close :) I'm going to make a wild guess here, and say you've never even held one.
after 1 year and 282 likes including mine, there are no dislikes on this video. Nice effort at describing & explaining Pen-F which is a good rangefinder style camera, but slightly overpriced. I am looking at EM10-II + 15/1.7 Pana-leica + 45/1.8 Zuiko. Thanks
Mathiew between GX8 and Pen F, what do you prefer? I have an always running 4 year old child. I already have GX7 and EM1, but want something with even better AF, and all the reviews state GX8 is even faster AF if that's even possible which is important for me. On Pen F I just love that Monochrome profile. On the other hand GX8 is larger and it would benefit my larger lenses, like my 42.5/1.2 and 100-300. ..... Or should I wait til Photokina to see how good EM1 M2 will be???? It will have same 20MP sensor anyway so I feel I already know the image quality will be the same.
The GX8 has a faster AF than the GX7 but not so much faster than the E-M1 (actually I think the E-M1 is more accurate). I might be worth to wait for the E-M1 II, it should come soon.
Does anyone knows why the S-OVF option in the personal menu is greyed out on the pen-f ? Supposedly one should be able to toggle between OVF / EVF. PS. Sudently it game back. In a whole I sold it for an e-p5 which is better build. The only thing I am missing is bleach bypass art filter and fisheye correction. The e-p5 is smaller, more streamlined and looks less like an overcrafted jewel. It feels even more solid, more substantial and the add-on evf is a beast, something for a 10k camera 👏👏👏👏 You get it for cheap because nobody really is aware of its existence
How does the Pen-F against the new Panasonic GX9? There are a number of similarities between the 2 offering both fundamentals overpriced compared to the competition. However I’m a fan of the GX7 but due to my clumsiness needs replacing. It’s an interesting dilemma and it is tempting to by a GX7 used however the improvement in picture stability may warrant an upgrade. Finally I enjoy your balanced a sensible approach in presentation and I appreciate your videos.
I love the design of the Pen F, but personally I would probably choose the GX9. I love the GX7, I own a GX85 and the GX9 includes features that were present on the GX7 and that Panasonic ditched on the GX85 like the tilting EVF. Plus I prefer the Panasonic menu system and video quality.
The best Review of Pen F I found on TH-cam. whyß you are the only one to describe how to use the filters/dial on front. It´s for People who don`t want RAW converting - like more using JPEG in camera. for me the biggest fault of PenF is slow fokussing and the complexity of menue/handling. For a beginner it is not so easy. One question: I have the Problem that EVF is not automatically changing with Display: only if the Display is closed to the back of camera, the EVF functions right. Guess, i have clicked on something. Can you give help to have both automatically changing? Thank you.
Try to hold and press the Fn2 button on the rear: if you haven't changed its default function, it should bring the option of manual and auto switch for the LCD and EVF.
Dear Mathieu, it has worked. Many many thanks - you have gave me great help!!! I was desperate - nothing before could Change it. THANK you very well...Christoph
Sexy design? :D Honestly, it's more about the design and the position of the EVF more than anything else. The monochrome profiles are also interesting if you like good B6W straight out of camera.
It really seems odd that they would dedicate that dial to those filters with the price of this camera. At $1,000+, who in their right mind is using this camera to shoot jpegs? My guess is that we will see that front dial on a future camera likely a EM5 III and it will have a real useful functionality. This mode dial just seems like it was purposefully crippled so that it would not infringe on a future camera's appeal. Panasonic tends to do this more often (GM5 max flash shutter speed at 1/50) but I guess Olympus is getting into the game now too. Its a shame because it forces consumers to continuously wait for the "next" camera that might give them what they actually want.
As usual, thoughtful and thorough -- some of the best reviews on the web are on this site. Consistently worth paying heed to.
I enjoy your measured, thoughtful and insightful approach to reviewing cameras!
Thanks for the comprehensive vid, I bought one and I love it. But since I'm a Nikon user it was nice to see you explain all the features of the PEN-F
I just ordered one of these. Thank you for the fantastic review of this beautiful camera.
i have to say you did an excellent job! Very detailed reviews, very useful. I don't own this cam but its very tempting to buy one if I only could afford it. I wonder why some people seem to be so upset about the pen f. I like it because it is different.
Thanks. Perhaps you can find a second-hand pen f in a few months.
in US, Refurb Pen F is $799
Really like your reviews dude, very detailed. Thanks for sharing.
thanks ;)
I agonized over this camera for a couple of years now and finally made an offer on one today. The Fujifilm X100 makes great pictures but I cannot stand no having a flip screen. I didn't like the Omd Em5 body style either. So today the X100t and the Fuji X30 go up for sale. I will have to get that Pen-f setup well so I can avoid the rubiks cube menu system. But if Fuji ever put a tilt screen on the XE3 I would be back in a hot minute! Great review.
amazing review, i would to upgrade from em5 girst version to this last mft olympus product. thanks
You do such a nice job. Thank you.
Rob
Good review, I'd love to watch a demo on how you created your great intro.
Deadly honest, I like that.
Very thorough and informative,,,,also ,,I enjoyed your example images very much,,,,
Very nice review. Thank you.
Excellent report!
I'm looking for buying my first camera. Planning to use it for travel and special occasion. At first, I'm deciding to buy Panasonic GF8 or Olympus Pen epl7. But now I'm in love with the design and color tone of the Pen-f after try it at the store. Only issue is the extra weight. The only concern is the Pen F extra features will not benefit me for my purpose of using camera. Please help me decide it.
Have you considered the built-in EVF of the Pen F as well? That's something I use a lot personally. I wouldn't worry too much about the extra weight, it still is a light camera especially with small prime lenses.
Only a little since I am still got little experience with mirrorless cameras. The only concern is the image quality(color, sharpness in human eye level). Since I'm tried both of Pen F and epl7 at the store with the same lens. The epl7 color seems to be more yellow while the Pen f overall quality is much better in my view from the camera screen. So, I am curious that it is just me notice the difference or the truth is, the quality is the same.
I have the pen-f myself, and I love it. But one thing bugs me, and that is the focus point. It is almost invisible. Hope they fix this in a firmware update.
what do you mean by invisible?
The AF point itself is very low contrast, and almost impossible to see, especially held over a dark subject. It lits up green when in focus, but before that, it is difficult to place the single point accurately.
can you do a tutorial on using the GPS on Pen F?
I don't have the Pen F with me anymore I'm afraid.
Which one good olympus pen f vs panasonic gx8 for video vlogging inside home? Im looking for sharpness and fast focusing to my face and when change the subject closer to the lens .
I would choose the GX8. It has better video quality but I'm not sure how accurate the face detection is. For that you may want to look at the Sony a6300.
Mathieu Gasquet video quality 4k ? How bout in the same way 1080p 60fps ? Which one good?
the GX8 has better sharpness in 1080p as well.
Mathieu Gasquet then , what cons for olympus ?
which lens i have to use then for panasonic? Wide lens and good for vlog
I wish they scrapped their menus all together and make the camera an android device. Also that the video was more usable.
what do you think about pixel shift technology ?
It's interesting but useful only with certain genre and situations. But I am curious to see where it is headed. Olympus is working to make it usable hand held. I am not sure when they will succeed but they seem to firmly believe in it.
for that price, get yourself a GX85, or a XE2s with better image quality. The GX85 also comes with a kit lens for $800. And you can buy a XE2s with a 35mm f/2 for around the price of this Pen.
For what it is, the pen is severely overpriced.
Also GX85 has dual IS (Body and Lens)
Except it has the best Mono Chrome - B/W Mode of any digital camera; worth buying just for that if your love B/W photos..
The color dial is the worst thing about the Pen F.
Nice "moustache"
Again? Pen has always being overpriced by 300% Price will drop to 300 just like all the other pen in 1 year or 2. What is sad is Olympus is not making anything new anymore, just rehashing the same tech every 6 month...like canon. The last camera somewhat worth the upgrade was the omd e-m5 for the 5 axis. nothing new since than. Looks like they reached the limit of the sensor. If you want 99% of the performance found in the camera buy a used/new e-m5 for $200-300. If you have too much money and want to have some camera bling...a7rii 3k-4k to blow on or the titanium Leica m9 if money grows on your tree. This camera is just sad.
Well it's 2018, almost 2019, and the Pen-F is $1000 u.s. I guess it didn't drop to $300, but you were close :) I'm going to make a wild guess here, and say you've never even held one.
Very thorough review. You addressed my major questions about this camera. Thanks Mathieu!
I really like the idea of having 4 different custom settings on the mode dial. I wish every manufacturer were to implement this.
after 1 year and 282 likes including mine, there are no dislikes on this video. Nice effort at describing & explaining Pen-F which is a good rangefinder style camera, but slightly overpriced. I am looking at EM10-II + 15/1.7 Pana-leica + 45/1.8 Zuiko. Thanks
Nice video, will have to get that Olympus software. 👍
Thank you for the review!
Thankyou. Very helpful and informative. I think it’s a yes👍👍👍
Mathiew between GX8 and Pen F, what do you prefer? I have an always running 4 year old child. I already have GX7 and EM1, but want something with even better AF, and all the reviews state GX8 is even faster AF if that's even possible which is important for me. On Pen F I just love that Monochrome profile. On the other hand GX8 is larger and it would benefit my larger lenses, like my 42.5/1.2 and 100-300. ..... Or should I wait til Photokina to see how good EM1 M2 will be???? It will have same 20MP sensor anyway so I feel I already know the image quality will be the same.
The GX8 has a faster AF than the GX7 but not so much faster than the E-M1 (actually I think the E-M1 is more accurate). I might be worth to wait for the E-M1 II, it should come soon.
As always, thoughtful, informative, thorough and fair.
In your opinion, what camera do you think is a better buy for vlogging and blog use? The Pen-f or the OM-D E-5 Mark II?
Their video capabilities is very similar. However the E-M5 II has a mic input and you can also have a headphone output with the HLD‑8G grip.
Thank-you!
Mathieu Gasquet I can't use rode mics in the hot shoe of pen F? I have to rely on built in mic?
There isn't a mic input on the Pen F.
Does anyone knows why the S-OVF option in the personal menu is greyed out on the pen-f ? Supposedly one should be able to toggle between OVF / EVF. PS. Sudently it game back. In a whole I sold it for an e-p5 which is better build. The only thing I am missing is bleach bypass art filter and fisheye correction. The e-p5 is smaller, more streamlined and looks less like an overcrafted jewel. It feels even more solid, more substantial and the add-on evf is a beast, something for a 10k camera 👏👏👏👏 You get it for cheap because nobody really is aware of its existence
There must be a setting or a specific mode that prevents you from using it. For example, it doesn’t work in video mode.
@@MathieuGasquetMirrorLessons thanks for helping but tried all sort of modes and always greyed out
How does the Pen-F against the new Panasonic GX9? There are a number of similarities between the 2 offering both fundamentals overpriced compared to the competition. However I’m a fan of the GX7 but due to my clumsiness needs replacing. It’s an interesting dilemma and it is tempting to by a GX7 used however the improvement in picture stability may warrant an upgrade. Finally I enjoy your balanced a sensible approach in presentation and I appreciate your videos.
I love the design of the Pen F, but personally I would probably choose the GX9. I love the GX7, I own a GX85 and the GX9 includes features that were present on the GX7 and that Panasonic ditched on the GX85 like the tilting EVF. Plus I prefer the Panasonic menu system and video quality.
Great personal review …. any ideas how to assign something useful to the jog dial? thanks
Unfortunately you can't customize the front dial.
The best Review of Pen F I found on TH-cam. whyß you are the only one to describe how to use the filters/dial on front. It´s for People who don`t want RAW converting - like more using JPEG in camera. for me the biggest fault of PenF is slow fokussing and the complexity of menue/handling. For a beginner it is not so easy. One question: I have the Problem that EVF is not automatically changing with Display: only if the Display is closed to the back of camera, the EVF functions right. Guess, i have clicked on something. Can you give help to have both automatically changing? Thank you.
Try to hold and press the Fn2 button on the rear: if you haven't changed its default function, it should bring the option of manual and auto switch for the LCD and EVF.
Dear Mathieu, it has worked. Many many thanks - you have gave me great help!!! I was desperate - nothing before could Change it. THANK you very well...Christoph
Ergonomics wise, doesn't that color knob get in the way?
It didn't bother me too much, and it because it is sturdy it can actually help a little with the grip.
Why i should get this one over em5 mk2
Sexy design? :D
Honestly, it's more about the design and the position of the EVF more than anything else. The monochrome profiles are also interesting if you like good B6W straight out of camera.
It really seems odd that they would dedicate that dial to those filters with the price of this camera. At $1,000+, who in their right mind is using this camera to shoot jpegs? My guess is that we will see that front dial on a future camera likely a EM5 III and it will have a real useful functionality. This mode dial just seems like it was purposefully crippled so that it would not infringe on a future camera's appeal. Panasonic tends to do this more often (GM5 max flash shutter speed at 1/50) but I guess Olympus is getting into the game now too. Its a shame because it forces consumers to continuously wait for the "next" camera that might give them what they actually want.