Is The Olympus Pen-F Still Actually Worth It In 2024??? -
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
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I am an amateur photographer who only gave up film last year for the Pen-F. I have used a number of "classic" cameras over the last 60-plus years including a Nikon FT, a Minolta SRT-101, a Yashica Electro 35GT and most recently an Olympus OM-4. Owing to health problems I finally gave up the weight and bulk of full frame film cameras and bought a Pen-F last year. I was new to high-end digital cameras, and it took me a few months to master the menus and capabilities. I have to say I am beyond delighted with this camera, so much so that I took it to Japan for two weeks. Yes, today there are cameras that are much more capable, but for an enthusiast like me the Pen-F embodies the delights of picture taking that I enjoyed with the old film cameras I've had. I like it so much I'm looking to get a second one as back up since they aren't made any more. And like you, I'm amazed at the prices they continue to command.
It is a duel between mind and heart. And when it comes to the Pen-F, the heart wins without discussion... 🙂
I wanted the PEN-F and found it for under 800 Euros. I have other cameras, but the PEN-F has a very special charm that no other camera has, if you ignore the much more expensive Leica. I love taking photos with this camera. There's nothing more to say about it.
After 50 years of photography, my hobby, and sometimes work, the Pen F is that one that I will never sell. I bought it new just before they sold out. I use it
For the street and with small primes. I have an EM1. I leave the ez Zoom on it. Permanently in my truck wherever I go. My M5.ll I will take in bad weather. I choose the M5.ll as a backup. All three of these cameras use the same battery. The newer M1.lll is for the heavy gear, like 40-150 2.8 pro and the 12-40 pro. Also, Astro and wildlife shooting. The Pen F keeps me shooting. It is inspiring. So that is why it's worth having.
For me it's worth in 2024. I got it 4 weeks ago with a very good price around USD 550. Now, it's my favorite camera though I already have OM-1 II.
Very good price!!
The main problem with the Pen F from my viewpoint is nothing to do with the Pen F itself. It's called the OMD, particularly any recent release from the EM10, EM5 and OM-5 series. I picked up an EM10iii as a backup body for the Pen F and found myself not using the Pen F any more. Now I'm into the OM-5, which frankly destroys the Pen F as a tool, but I am slightly regretting selling the Pen F, particularly in view of the recent price action. They are drop dead gorgeous though and the build quality is something special.
I've had the PEN-F a couple of years. I've had the E-M5ii and G7 from new back when.
The PEN-F is a jpeg monster. To get the best out of it, jpeg using its profiles. That can make it Marmite, love it or hate it. To get the best out of it you do have to spend more time with the knobs and dials; it is not a beginners camera, and that is part of its appeal.
Downsides. No hand grip, use a half case that provides a small grip (the ECG-4 is clunky). Flip screen when it should have had tilt (it's so not a video cam). The EVF is awkward, the image in there is good but no eye cup. It is a collector's item, limited availability pushes the price up.
Upsides. It takes great photos. It's profiles make it more versatile than a Fuji, but more work to set them. It can emulate any film stock or grow your own. All metal body. Better IBIS than the E-M5ii, one stop more. The E-M5ii is already a good camera, the PEN-F can do all that and more. The G7 is probably the cheapest used decent MFT, the equal of the E-M5ii, no IBIS, but can shoot video, lighter with a plastic body that feels plastic.
The PEN-F can take very, very good photos, easily as good as those from say, the G9. The LMOS sensor is by Sony (LMOS indicates it is a Panasonic design), the first of the 20Mp 4/3 sensors. I gather the sensor is unique to the PEN-F, not recycled into the later E-M1iii (which does have the same sensor as the Lumix G9).
The PEN-F seems to be styled somewhere between the Leica IIIc and the M3, which are fascinating to look at. The E-PL7 is sibling to the E-M10ii, both borrowed tech from the forthcoming E-M5ii, the development of all three went into the PEN-F.
Bought a black used one last year. It's a sexy, fun camera. I'd love to get a silver one, but the prices have skyrocketed. Lots of Fuji x100 buyers must be looking at it as an alternative.
Yes, it was worth it in 2024, It will still be worth it in 2025, 2026 . . . One of the best cameras made. I love mine.
Thing with cameras, since these electronic devices arent like smartphones that are becoming obsolete every 1 or 2 years, cameras even more than a decade old would still be viable, sure the new cameras have better AF algos and AI features, but that doesn't mean older cameras cant put out fantastic images.
I still rock an Oly Pen F with the Pana Leica 15 1.7 as my main EDC and the Oly 12-40 as a back up in case I need to go wide or long. AF wise, sure its slow but I always use Manual Focus anyway but the S-AF is good and accurate.
If you manage to stumble upon a Pen F at a decent price, go for it.
Yeah - Get them while you can
For myself I like the pen f . But I have always wanted a Fuji x100 or one of the Fuji xpro cameras
Like you I came to the Pen F late in the game. When it was new I couldn’t afford it. So now I was able to I afford one so grabbed one. I am sure that I paid too much for it. But there is something magical about Pen F. I own several cameras that blow it away in the spec department. But when I go out to shoot I tend to grab the Pen F and go. As matter of fact I am going on a trip to Greece and I am debating what to take. In my head I want to take one of the more capable newer cameras that I own, but in my heart I want to take the Pen F. And isn’t photography something that should inspire you when it comes down to it? So I am in a quandary.
Still have it...
I go with your heart, the Pen f. The experience of using that camera in addition to being in Greece I think would be a good match
Another great video...And I had just sold all my (m43) gear over the last month ...go figure...I was gonna buy a used Sony a7c...but..instead...I.just bought another black Pen-f. set..($750 US). 8000 shutter)...and with lens..flash...batteries...extra optical viewfinder.. course I live in Bangkok ...Here.. the facebook market usually has 2 or 3 for sale at any one time...I just could not pass it up...Plus... I like some of the m43 lenses over the full frame Sony stuff anyway....The Olympus 40-150 /2.8 pro plus 1.4 TX comes to mind...Cheers
My gx9 is everything I need - trying to overcome my GAS (as an engineer is is kinda built in to be a gear geek). Still my photography is not limited by the camera but my limited practice.
Definitely still on my list of dream kit items. I want one for hobby/work. It definitely has a dose of magic inside and out.
Hi Grant! I’m relatively new to photography, and started out last year with a new E-M10 iv. Began looking for a “knock around” camera and happened upon a GX85 on FB Marketplace for $300. Thought it must be pretty beat up for that price but the pics looked good. Once it arrived, I found that it had less than 200 shots on the shutter count. Even though it is 16mp vs the Olympus 20mp, I think i like the Lumix better. Definitely and great value to money ratio to me.
Good video. Bottom line though is that the Pen-F makes you want to pick it up more than any other camera. And it’s still very solid. I recently took it to Africa for wildlife photography paired with the 2 Olympus f/4.0 pro zoom and the combination was brilliant for travel convenience, size, weight and quality
I want one, but just can't pull the approximate 1k trigger.
Its crazy how it held its value. Basically a camera to sit on your coffee table. Still, I have it and the jpegs are fantastic.
I'd love a PEN F it's exactly the camera I want but as someone trying to get back into photography and needing to pretty much start from scratch on the equipment side I don't think I can justify that spending on a camera that old even though it is still such a good and iconic camera. If OM were to release an update like so many people want I would consider the outlay and I honestly don't understand them not doing but they must have their reasons. I think I would probably have to go for something like the a6400 currently but I do prefer that OM styling.
I love the idea of the camera, but can’t pull the trigger at the price. Especially since I am not in the Olympus ecosystem amd would have to buy lenses as well. Just can’t do it, but happy to live vicariously through your youtube videos!😊
Yeah, I know what you mean!!! The price is right up there at the moment AND They are super hard to find!!! - I'll keep on making Pen-F content :)
Recently sold all of my aps-c fuji kit to go into m43. I love my om1 mark ii. But it was a mistake of me to sell my X100F. I miss the form factor, size, and most of all that sexy design(imo). I was looking around and settled in this beautiful camera got all the trio f1.8 lenses and the EZ zoom. What a joy to shoot. Gonna use this till they decide for a mark ii of the pen f
I got mine brand new at $999US when it was still on sale. I wish I had bought a black one as well. It takes great images for a small package. I would not use it for professional work of course but for personal use it's a lot of fun, you can definitely play with their raw images.
Just love my lumix gx 80 for a everyday walk around camera and that’s old
Is it worth it in 2024 if you already own it then yes but buying one today then no as you have said. I have owned mine for a few years I enjoy using it. But it is a style thing now because they not going to bring out a new version same with the lumix G9 in my opinion.
Hi Grant. Try the ep-5. The pen-f may be trendy but the ep-5 is for me the better choice. I picked mlne up for $400 Aud. I have had both and i would go with the ep-5.
Nice :) I'll have to check one out :)
I purchased one recently. Beautiful camera.
Both the PenF and the GX9 fill an empty niche: they are semi professional gear, small but VERY capable and unique under certain aspects. You say the PenF is cluncky, and slow: I would say, having owned both, that the X100V is FAR more cluncky and slow then the PenF, which is 4 years older. I sold the X100V out of frustration!
You can buy a G9 or an Em1 MKII for less then a Pen F, end even a GX9, which I bought new, just released, for 850€ (plus VAT) with the 12-32 kit lens.
There is a reason why nobody wants these old DSLR styled camera: you can get MUCH superior technology in the same format today.
There is a reason why EVERYONE still wants a PenF or even a GX9: you CAN'T get anything as capable, in that format today.
Sometimes I think people at OMD and Panasonic are stupid.
Partly disagree, a canon 5d is so capable, cool, cheap so you can throw it around, love it even if I have a more capable r6 ii. Sold my fuji xt3
Owned this camera for a few years and sold it recently. While I loved how it looked and the quality of the images, it wasn't a fun camera to use. Don't miss it.
Best looking digital camera ever made. But it is so pretty I was scared to use it. It collected dust so I sold it
I have a silver one with less than 2300 clicks on it. It’s gorgeous but it’s a little heavy.
I started reading about the Pen F a a little over a year ago and had to have one. I lucked into one last June (from Australia, by the way) for $925 USD. Too high, but it had only 400 clicks so I pounced on it. I stuck the Pany 25mm f1.4 on it and have never looked back. I haven’t shot raw since, and do not miss the time I spent in post processing before. To me, this camera is unmatched in the M43 world. I don’t shoot much video, so it’s not a factor for me. I’ve already sold my GX85, and will probably sell my Pany LX100 M2 as well…I seldom use it now. I enjoy your channel!
Just bought mine, mint condition, classic silver color body
I would love the Pen-F so much - if it hadn't that boring sideways flipping out screen. So instead I got a Pen E-P7- just last week. It has the good old flip up screen but mostly the same ingredients of the Pen-F. The only draw back for some people might be that there is no way to get an EVF. Instead it has a little flash built in.
If OM Systems doesn't release an upgraded Pen-F, sounds as if you can assume they are just milking what Olympus accomplished before disappearing.
The only body that I’ve kept from my Olympus collection is the Pen-F in silver, I had the black version but swapped it for the silver body, as for lenses I have 12mm f/2.0, 17mm f/1.8, 25mm f/.18, 45mm f/1.8 & 75mm f/1.8
99% of the time the 17mm is on my camera.
If I had to keep 3 lenses they would be (in order)
17mm
12mm
75mm
The 75mm is so hard to use but when you nail a shot with this lens its fantastic.
The other lenses are good, the 45mm is super sharp but for me it’s the 17mm all the way.
If I got offered a swap for the 17mm f/1.2 I’d say no as the 17mm f/1.8 is small and a great combo on the pen-F
I think the Pen-F is a great camera if you can find one at the right price. I personally wouldn't pay $1200 for one, and was lucky enough to find one at a significantly cheaper price due to the physical condition. I think the price increase for cameras like the Pen-F can somewhat be attributed to the desire to own a rangefinder style camera, which is something we saw with the Fujifilm X100V, but also the fact that there has been no follow up to the Pen-F, making it somewhat of a collector's item.
It’s crazy how aesthetics plays a role in resale value. A used OM-1 is going for under $1k! Cheaper than the Pen-F. An OM-1!
The value of the Pen F has always been primarily about the looks. Even when it was first out, the specs and performance were dated for the asking price. Today you are really paying throughbread prices for a donkey.
Can you get great shots with it? Yes. Will it do everything any other m4/3 camera can do? Yes if you know what you are doing. But a camera 1/5 of the price will do just as well or better.
That said, it is a sexy, sexy camera. Just make sure you know what you are getting on the performance side before you invest.
Wondering if I should sell my PenF and get the GX9.....hmmmm
not much difference really
its a discontinued camera and has a beautiful design . I believe that's why its expensive
These are going for nearly a £1000 now, used in the uk! That’s mad……1900$Aus?
My view would be , classic great looking camera, but incredibly poor value , and usability , lumix menus are so much better from that period , a GX85 or GX9 would be a head choice for a MFT walkaround , depends whether you want to look at it , or actually use it......
I think the Pen F is a great option for a cheap camera to walk around with.
I will buy OMD and Panasonic again when they put their trust back into the m43 users.....GX9.and Olympus PEN F rock....Update...Ended up buying a Pen F instead...
It costs 600$ used in Taiwan.
Pen F is a lovely camera but overpriced.
I already have a GF2, E-M5, E-M5ii and E-M1ii.
One Pen F would cost more than the total of those cameras in today prices 😂
I don't see myself needing another camera right now and definitely I don't need to lust after a Pen F.
If it's done right. Yes, it's worth it.
Tempted!