Olympus PEN-F Hands-On Field Test

[@TheCameraStoreTV]

Chris and I are always as transparent and accurate as possible when it comes to testing products for TCSTV. If we are ever looking at a pre-production camera, we will mention that during the episode. Recent examples of this include the Sony A6300 and Fuji X-Pro 2 episodes. For this reason, when Olympus approached us with the new Pen-F unit, we specifically requested that it was a production unit that the user at home would have access to. Olympus assured us that they had a production, reviewable copy of the Pen-F, so we told them to ship us the camera which is featured in this episode. After the episode was posted, Olympus contacted us to state that the camera we tested was indeed not final firmware. This apparently led to our issues with the continuous AF performance. This was their mistake, as we requested and were assured a production-level camera with final firmware. The good news is that Olympus says some of the issues we found are resolved in their final firmware. We are excited to retest this camera when it is available in a final production version. If the issues are addressed, it will be a much more capable camera than one we tested (and enjoyed) here. Thank you for continuing to support TCSTV with your views, comments and shares. We'll do our best to bring you the consistent, reliable tests you've come to expect from Chris and I. Jordan @ TCSTV

[@hayios0]

+TheCameraStoreTV Keep what you're doing the way you do it, most decent/honest reviewers on youtube, at least you share your thoughts on gear as you realize them without any "backstage". Thank you.

[@bourbakis]

+TheCameraStoreTV Thx for the addendum. Whatever leads to a better production version is welcome.

[@Raist3db]

+TheCameraStoreTV Thanks guys. I look forward to your test and update when you get the production firmware final model.

[@paulhills1967]

+TheCameraStoreTV - Brilliant review as ever - the best reviews on the internet by far - would love to see Chris & Jordan come to the UK.

[@nobitaadidas]

+TheCameraStoreTV Please keep up the good work. Best review channel on youtube. Full support for you guys.

[@kentxx12]

And the Olympus PEN-F Camera is still so lovely and good today in the year 2022 :)

[@polanialmoni6274]

Esthetic af improved?

[@san-chil]

A beautiful product that and possibly the perfect street camera that Olympus decided to shelve. Some companies just hate the potential …

[@nordattack]

Yep, the Pen F is truly beautiful. As to the problems you mentioned: -The touch screen issue is not a problem with me since I hate touch screen on a camera and turn it off on any camera I use that has it. -I don't care about video. -Never use CAF for any reason. -Only care about the camera as a still camera with SAF. I wish you had demo'd the mono mode and showed how you can configure the mono to your personal taste, setting the grain level, contrast, levels. color filter etc. This new mono mode is not the old grainy B&W art filter that was on the E-M5, it is a totally new B&W mode with lots of user control.

[@AnPrionsaBeag]

That's what's great about this channel: they have a way of making you watch and enjoy reviews of cameras you may not even be interested in buying (I'm a Nikon and Sony user). Sharing their passion for and knowledge of photography simply does the trick!

[@SuperChi11]

I love how you guys always film these reviews with new camera's. Gives me as a videographer a real world look at how these camera's can perform. I almost only watch for that fact alone

[@GuerillaRadio848]

You guys can't do any wrong at the minute, every episode keeps on getting better! Absolutely gorgeous camera but it's nearly double the price of the Fujifilm X-T10 which is another great looking camera with a bigger sensor and from what I've heard fairly good CAF (for mirrorless).

[@jlwilliams]

+GuerillaRadio - Maybe Pen F has gotten worse, but E-M 5 mk II has better CAF than Fuji X-T 10 (I use both.) The Fuji is fairly fast, but misses subject a lot (easily thrown off by strongly patterned objects in foreground or background, which is typical fault of PDAF.)

[@oc2phish07]

This was the first time I had come across any of your reviews. I have to say it was a real pleasure to watch, well shot, well presented and full of relevant information and honest comments. I shall look forward to seeing an update to the Pen F from you as well as reviews of other equipment.

[@markinthemix6055]

I love the art filters. I've been making my living in photography for 27 years. I've made good money using art filters. Thank you Olympus.

[@snowwalker9999]

Pen-F is probably the best street photography and back up landscape/architecture photo camera.

[@jeremyharris4021]

Yes I was obsessed with the look of this camera as well. Luckily The Camera Store's review just saved me a lot of money:)

[@edg3947]

Same here

[@eazizisaid]

+Jeremy Harris Same here

[@dlittlester]

+Jeremy Harris Me too. Almost took me away from my desire for an X-T10. Now I'm back.

[@MegaAluchi]

So which one you ended up buying ?

[@jlwilliams]

Going by my own experience, I think Chris is off base in thinking that advanced photographers don't use JPEG and will be turned off by the Pen's JPEG-centric features. Shooting events and theater productions, I almost always need to get a few photos up on social media right away, so I always shoot in raw+JPEG: raw for post-production later, JPEG for uploading from the field. Editing the JPEGs on a phone is tedious; instead I use my E-M 5 mk II's tone-curve feature a lot, and the color creator and art filters occasionally, so I can get the look I want right out of the camera. It's the future, guys!

[@jeffslade1892]

I usually find that if the JPEG is not good enough to publish the raw wants binning. The photo might just want cropping and maybe slight enhancement. If the JPEG is no good, the camera or more likely the photographer (me) is a waste of milk. If you were raised on film, you couldn't take 4,000 shots, you only got one chance to do it right and little you could do to correct it afterwards. If we apply those same lessons to digital, let the camera do it. The firmware they developed, the engine, is usually way more sophisticated than any software package. Both Olympus and Panasonic are poorly supported by post-production apps, they rarely understand the raw files properly.

[@edshotsdotcodotuk]

so glad you guys brought up the GX8. many respectable reviewers seem to have totally forgotten that had the 20mp sensor first. i'm a massive fan of olympus and think they have a great take on their cameras. IBIS, amazing jpeg engine that you can completely control, copyrighting in camera, custom file names, super control panel, a pleasing thumb rest that results in a confident grip, the dedicated button to switch displays (Sony's auto only system is a pain in the butt), and their cameras make you wanna shoot. does the pen-f have a touchpad af system? because that has come in with the E-M10mkII and has always proved useful on the panasonics since the G6.

[@libork8106]

Great review , I just got one. Olympus dropped the price so it's good deal now and I love the camera. With 17mm F1.8 it is perfect working tool. I have it as the backup to my E-M1m2. The art dial, well I just love the BW settings, good contrast images ....

[@redneckrosey8221]

Still probably one of the best street cameras, I have a black version, I’ve blacked out the white lettering on the front, I’m now using the Olympus 12-40 2.8 pro lens with it.

[@EduardoMendozaPhoto]

Thanks so much guys!! I really appreciate that Chris makes it so clear about the good, the bad and the ugly of the gear tested, keep going!!!

[@johnclifford1911]

This was a surprisingly good review. I think the C-AF issue with video has been fixed with the latest body firmware update. Love my new PEN-F for what it is... dSLR image quality, great lenses, compact size.

[@dankuettel5063]

So Im commenting on this video 8 years later and the PEN F still commands a healthy resale value while all the other bodies are super cheap. Must be a popular and quality camera. Great video and review

[@FierceSleepingDog]

I bought an excellent used black Pen F and I am buying small used Olympus primes. What a fun camera. I really like the art filters. Not something I normally use, but they can be fun in certain situations. Some cameras are just damn sexy and fun to use. This is one of them. I don't expect this camera to be useful for action shots and video. It's just great everywhere else. Sometimes these online reviews expect way too much (i.e. measure up against the top line state of the art). I would buy a Pan F ii in a heartbeat if they: 1) added weather sealing, 2) updated the AF, and 3) updated the back display and EVF. I think if they used the same sensor as used on the E-M1 iii that would be fine. Get your bulky FF out if you want 45+ MP on every shot. I dont need all those MPs for a very portable walk around camera.

[@thenerdherdforum]

I was really looking forward to this, it's a bummer it has so many downsides, because it looks gorgeous and it delivers some nice pictures. It will be for the next one Olympus!

[@mishkathlay]

Love the double sweater look on Chris.

[@dwitede]

regarding C-AF: from DPReview, from the review of the OMD M5 II, which I assume is similar to the Pen f:-- The camera won't continuous autofocus when set to maximum (10fps) shooting speed, so you have to use Continuous L.-- The default "release priority" setting for C-AF mode results in a high number of missed shots. Disengaging this setting will greatly improve the camera's hit rate.

[@svendura1]

I liked your review a lot. Very comprehensive, very understandable and you were the first editor, who dared to mention some critics. I really loved that. You gave me a second opinion to all those praising reviews. Thanks for that. Thumbs up and abo.

[@TheCameraStoreTV]

+Svenja You're welcome Svenja! Although we are a representing a camera store, we really feel cameras are tools, and that people need the right tool, for the right job, for their creative goals. Cameras are not perfectly designed or universally loved so it's about finding out if this tool is the right match for you. To that end we try to keep it unbiased and with our own personal thoughts and feelings. Thanks for watching! Chris @TCSTV

[@nourelrefaiphotography]

The tripod thread placement actually makes sense, it might reduce the effect of parallax if you decided to take panoramas on a regular tripod head!

[@sinewaymusic]

Very good review. I especially appreciate the large lens coupling to get a sense of whether it's usable for that. 100% agree on the front dial being a bit wasted. Would be great for focus modes. Thanks!

[@supernova1976]

that lens produces gorgeous image. thanks guys you are doing an amazing job, I really think no one out there is doing what you doing. hats off.

[@Gary_W]

Finally, a good comparison between PEN-F and the GX8! Thank you!

[@pjw2000]

The GX8 does really seem to be one of the most underappreciated cameras out there. Not a perfect piece by any means, but a great overall balance, and no one seems to care. It's on my wishlist.

[@mountainhobo]

+pjw2000 GX8 has two brothers that overshadow it in a way. GH4 is stellar for video for just a little more. G7 is very nice for video and good for stills, and underprices GX8 significantly at only a cost of IBIS (but with better ergonomics).

[@pjw2000]

+mountainhobo Yes, very true. It is totally overshadowed by those other two. But it's also important to note that the GX8 has good weather sealing, an adjustable viewfinder, and a few extra megapixels to boot. Those, plus the benefit of IBIS, are big features for me personally. But yeah, I can totally see why someone else would go for something different.

[@Kenjis9965]

I'm glad you guys addressed the elephant in the room (the GX8) it kind of breaks my heart that nobody is really talking about the gx8 and many sites are not even reviewing it. The GX8 is a spiffy camera with great iq(i quite love mine to be honest) and I think at current pricing it makes a compelling argument vs the pen. I am curious if the IS on the 300 f/4 works on the Panasonic bodies.

[@SeanBires]

re: touchscreen menus... The way the "super control panel" is supposed to be used is you select the parameter with touch, and change it with the rear dial; at least that's how it is on the OM-Ds. Love the review though.

[@bryanyoung7637]

I have my first Olympus OM-D EM5 coming today from B&H, I am excited! Hopefully, this will hold me over until Olympus irons out all these short comings. I believe the camera manufacturers get in too much of a hurry to get their latest cameras out, because they don't want to lag too far behind the competition... Hopefully, firmware updates can address the issues. I really like where mirrorless is going.

[@StreetsOfVancouverChannel]

What lens did you use to film this episode? Truly stunning video quality in this vid.... peace to y'all from Vancouver.

[@shadow100101]

+Streets of Vancouver agreed!, the video here is sharp! What's the combo?

[@thenikhilray99]

+Streets of Vancouver I would like to know too .

[@TheCameraStoreTV]

+Streets of Vancouver I shot this with a Tamron 15-30 F2.8 VC for most of the episode, and a Canon 24-70 F4 IS for the camera closeups. Jordan @ TCSTV

[@hudwa]

+Streets of Vancouver That flare at 3:25 though...

[@Kaizen2013v]

+TheCameraStoreTV Hey Jordan Are you still using a speed boosted GH4 for most of your TCStv footage or have you gone to Sony? Also noticed that tammy 15-30 you mention previously has no filter thread, how do you manage is daylight without ND?

[@Smaug1]

Well-done, and THANK YOU for not making it a fluff piece. Your part at the end, comparing it against the Lumix was great. I thought it was silly at first, but the Olympus is just SO much nicer looking than the Lumix, I found myself making excuses for it: "Yeah, but do I REALLY need AF-C? Or video?" I'm at odds with you for the JPG modes. Believe it or not, not everyone likes messing around in software after taking the pix. Sometimes, a fellow just wants a grainy B&W with no messing around. (street photography, right?) I just loved the Grainy B&W and Dramatic Tone ART modes on my old XZ-1. In the end though, it's $1200 and doesn't even work as well as a $500 SLR. Olympus needs to fix it quick, through a free firmware upgrade to save their reputation. The video mode on my XZ-1 was garbage too. Why can't they get this right. Hire a damn video guy already.

[@bogrunberger]

Just discovered your channel and I'm trawling through all of your videos. You have some very good and fair reviews, and I really enjoy the banter between you guys. Glad to have found such a great and serious photography channel!

[@TheCameraStoreTV]

+bogrunberger Thanks for the kind words! Stay tuned for some good stuff coming up soon! Jordan @ TCSTV

[@TCKe]

Jpeg is not aimed for beginners, this is not a RAW shooters dream camera, this is a creative monster to play and have fun with regardless if you are pro or not. Thanks for a great review as always :)

[@andrelloyd4010]

Always great quality reviews with these guys !

[@justAfisherman1187]

"in fact this big lens is hiding right here in between my legs..... " that sounds like a great pick up line. Thanks Chris.

[@jonbarnard7186]

Love my Pen-F. However, as far as the ergonomics go, as beautiful as it is, it needs a dedicated rear AF/On button. There isn't a good button for this on the body, at least for my hands. The EVF is functional but not great. I love the black and white jpegs it takes too. Having a dial to switch easily from RAW to B&W is a plus. They can keep their color wheel and art filters. And this camera doesn't need video. I wouldn't care if it had no video capabilities. I'd gladly trade the video for some weather sealing, or a better viewfinder.

[@JohnRobertsTV]

Loved the point-counterpoint nature of the final wrap-up here, very effective and informative. The GX8 seems like a logical comparison as well. On the point that Chris really enjoyed shooting the PEN-F that reminds me of my experience with M43 that not just the body, but the lenses (I use) are also more compact and I'm enjoying using this smaller system more and therefore shooting more. So the physical design is a big deal.

[@Metal_Vistas]

A couple of minutes in, and I feel compelled to mention the fact that Olympus does NOT always do dials well. The E-M1, their flagship model, has a well-documented design flaw in the rear control knob, which forces one to have the entire top assembly replaced... sometimes more than once. The E-M1 is a great camera, but this problem (and Olympus' refusal to take responsibility for it) has really shaken my faith in the company.

[@OldCameras]

Oh how disappointing. I had such high hopes for this one. It IS gorgeous though :)

[@jeffslade1892]

JPEGs aren't just for beginners. The processors in these cameras can often more than better post-processing. I now find that if I have to post-process the raw it is because there is something that needs fixing and the photo should probably be binned. The only problem post-processing the raw in-camera, which it can do, is that the monitor screen is a bit small for that job. The monochrome mode is rather good, as is the one-spot colour. I must admit a lot of the photo effects are a bit meh, why would I want to do that.

[@PhinioxGlade]

From frame one of this Pen oozes classic. Retro in a way the EM series failed at. Maybe someone at Sony can crank out a body this pretty ;)

[@paristo]

Touchscreen for menus is disabled for the reason. You use front and rear dials to move around and change settings. So your right hand us always on the front and rear dial, ready to press shutter. And then you use touchscreen in SCP with left hand quickly choose the setting to adjust without moving selector around with dials. Same thing example with color creator and those, front and rear dials adjust all around without requirement to use Dpad or OK at all (shutter button works as OK). So you get quickly to modes with new front mode dial or the new shadow/highlights switch and then you do adjustments with front/rear dials and hit shutter to accept. All with a single hand, without taking camera off your eye or loosing a grip. It works perfectly. And then there is this video side. You can't rotate dials easily while recording as you easily move camera around or cause noise. Why touchscreen is better as finger taps doesn't generate noise or move camera that IBIS can't compensate.

[@JennyDarukat]

If only it did sell really well.. I was really looking forward to a mark II 😭

[@demetrio3d239]

me too, me too... I'm with Fujifilm but if they came out with a Pen Mark ll I would switch.

[@jeffmcclure888]

It's really nice that you immediately tell us what camera the episode was filmed on. I always wonder what you are using.

[@d.hufford2355]

It appears to be a little known fact, but it does rain "on the street" so weather proofing would have been nice here too. A nice, thorough look at the Pen-F. Gonna wait until the price drops and I actually need another camera, though.

[@MrNYCman530]

I would certainly opt for an accessory adhesive hand grip if I decide to buy it.

[@HalidesAndHollowness]

I agree with basically everything here. Beautiful looking camera but tons of weird omissions and design choices, No weather sealing I understand but for the price point it puts it behind the competition. The front art dial is in a great place and Olympus doesn't let you customize it's function!? Sometimes I really don't understand what they're thinking. And yeah the Olympus menu's are a giant mess and before I bought my E-M10 I kept seeing people say "You'll get used to the Olympus menu's after a while" But IMO if it takes you several weeks or days in order to get used to the menu's you've failed at designing those menu's. Thanks for the video guys.

[@photographerjonathan]

I wish more cameras would look as beautiful as this one, but even with it's beautiful looks It doesn't make me want to buy it, I think for me it's the micro four thirds sensor and there are better cameras for the money, like the Xpro 2 and A6300 that seem more appealing to me, but they also let me down with the lack if touch screen, I wish Sony would make an A6300 or a A7r lll that looks as nice as this Pen but also with a fully articulating and functional touch screen

[@edg3947]

Been waiting for this review!

[@Steelcrafted]

Are you using a predetermined focus point for AF-C?? Or just letting the camera do it's thing and pick where it focuses?? I can easily see with that much compression, at long distances where you still have a deep depth of field, the AF system getting confused...even pro sports shooters are using a single point or a small group of points in AF-C mode....

[@MechFrankaTLieu]

good work letting us to know about the caveats up front ; Like the part with the comparison against the GX8 , interesting points there ..

[@Endogamy]

Curve adjustment on camera. Well done Olympus!

[@alanwu6243]

It's too bad about the C-AF. Although I was a bit surprised Chris didn't talk about the chrome film / monochrome mode more. I've seen some sample shots and they look great. Sure it's a bit gimmicky and others will say they can get it from their phone for free but their simulated film stock does look different and quite unique.

[@JonPais]

Superb image quality - thank you so much!

[@Alexandra-Rex]

I wish Pentax would come with a digital camera with looks of a K1000. Full frame even.

[@EDHBlvd]

The looming Pentax Full Frame is huge.

[@TheCameraStoreTV]

+Alexander Rex Evensen I wish Nikon would come out with a digital Nikon FM3A with an optional MB-D12 like battery grip. I would spend a first born child on it. Chris @ TCSTV

[@EDHBlvd]

+TheCameraStoreTV I love my FM3a. It is a timeless classic.

[@Alexandra-Rex]

Rediscover Film I don't care about the size for normal cameras, but the K1000 is beautiful, so it would have been cool.

[@Alexandra-Rex]

TheCameraStoreTV Yeah, that's about the same thing :)

[@louiseducator]

Great video as always. Very thorough. I have to agree with Jordan that the GX8 is functionally a better camera. I think it worth saying the build quality on the GX8 is very high quality. As a GX8 and long-time Panasonic owner I've never been attracted to Olympus bodies and only recently bought my first Olympus m43rds lens (the beautiful 7-14/2.8) but I could finally see adding the PEN-F as a second camera body. I particularly like a sensor without the OLPF - although what I would ideally like is that sensor in the GX8. Both cameras together would be the best of both worlds.

[@wickie4801]

I´m using it for almost 3 years: nice look, lightweight, small, creative - a little bit slow in focussing. It´s good enough, nice photolook, interesting bracketin-ART-functions: not he best camera in technic - but the I own but th mot beauiful one - sympathic to use...you dont`have to use RAW - and that´s fine because it makes evraythin easy and simple; you have enough possibilities to handle with creative filters...gerat for beginners who don`t want to make RAW development. GREAT! LIFEQUALITY - not to spend hours and hours in front of the Computer...

[@borispradel1037]

Thanks for your info... Do you think I can find many of these features in the Oly EPL9 (albeit no EVF)...just to get started in the Olympus world?

[@tptrsn]

Wow Jordan, KILLER image quality in this video!!! Even with the deep depth of field, the image held up to KZbin's compression perfectly! Obviously the FS5 is a beast, but how do you compare the Tamron 15-30 to the Canon 16-35 F/4? This Tamron seems to produce pretty phenomenal images, albeit it's a pretty huge lens I guess...

[@TheCameraStoreTV]

+Hammerhaus Kennel Both the Tamron 15-30 and Canon 16-35 F4 are beautiful lenses, which is the better option depends on the body used. Since the Tamron doesn't have filter threads, I would only use it on a camera with a built in ND or if I had a matte box. The Canon is a great choice with mirrorless cameras, since it's small, light and has threads for screw in NDs. I love the images out of both lenses, though I find the Canon less prone to flare. Jordan @ TCSTV

[@tptrsn]

+TheCameraStoreTV Thank you again Jordan!

[@eldontyrellcorp]

I bought one 2 months ago and I'm pretty happy with it. Of course my d7200 delivers better shots but the Pen F is very light and there's a ton of cheap very good lenses for it. I took it in Japan one month ago and got some very good results with it. For street photography, this works very well because almost nobody notices it :)

[@MichaelSmith-yy8fw]

Thanks for the critical look at this camera. I was almost sold on it but now I’m going to take a far more careful look. Calling it a jpg users camera really got my attention. Nice size and it is a pretty thing.

[@2112jonr]

Quality review, well thought through comments. More of the same please! Thank you both.

[@WylunCustoms]

Hey Chris and Jordan, I know its been a while since you had this camera, but if you can remember, that would be great. I have a question regarding focusing WHILE shooting video. I still have my old epl-1 and I used to have a OMD, and I know that with those, while shooting video, I would be able to refocus on my subject with no problem (with the half press of the shutter) however with the Pen F, I can not do that, its only option is to take a picture. My settings in Video mode is with A-priority with S-AF on. Also, you briefly talked about the touch screen while shooting video but only said you can change the volume etc. I also noticed I cant even refocus shooting video by touching the LCD Screen. I can move the AF point around but it doesnt even do anything. is this only my camera or is this the lack of Video optinons/qualify you were talking about? thanks.

[@loremipsum7471]

Everything you said about the PEN-F is also my experience. I have this camera, but am about to return it because CAF during movie shooting pumps/wobbles in and out of focus. Setting the movie mode for SAF requires using the shutter button to refocus too often and makes the experience unpleasant due to micromanaging focus all the time on moving objects. SAF doesn't work in all movie modes either. Why no touch screen SAF for movies? What a disappointment.

[@WylunCustoms]

sorry to hear the camera didnt live up to your expectations. However its also nice to hear from someone else that SAF does not work during video mode.. i honestly asked this question a month ago on here and other forums and never go a answer... i however went to BH store to play around w/ their display version and found out it doesnt not work (confirming it wasnt just mine).. i guess it really depends on what you want to use the camera for.. more photography or videos, both. or alittle bit of each.. i use it for both, but i dont do alot of action videos or need to refocus.. i just do reviews on youtube and manual focusing is no problem for me.... i do have to admit, before this I had the GX8 and i see many ways how that camera functionally was alot better than the pen F. video mode was alot better, touch to focus, SAF, etc etc.. but I dont know.. theres something about this Pen.F that i just cant give up. will you consider a new mirrorless? the new panasonic gx80/85 looks promising.

[@loremipsum7471]

SAF does work if set up this way: Go to the gear menu = I. Movie+Photo Mode = mode2. Shutter Function = mode1. After that, while recording a movie, half-press the shutter to focus or press the default Fn1 button.

[@WylunCustoms]

REALLY.. THANKS i'll have to try this asap!

[@WylunCustoms]

i kno this was 5 months ago, but just wanted to let you know thanks for the tip and it works!

[@filippodordoni6380]

Just got one with 17 f1,8 - terrific camera !!!

[@shaolin95]

Surely the saying applies here perfectly... Beauty it's in the eye of the beholder....

[@WatchmakerErik]

I think the far-forward tripod mount is designed just so that large lenses won't be aproblem. It is sitting under the center of mass of a system that includes a very large lens.

[@Nulrom]

those pictures with the 300mm were too damn good.

[@sebastiaanvanwater]

I haven't tried the Pen F, but I'm curious, Chris. Did you try the C-AF on the EM5 markII (your old review doesn't mention it)? I am willing to bet the Pen F and EM5 work the same way. And if your videos are stuck at 4 seconds, I'm pretty sure you can change that in the movie mode with the mode dial (start button, find movie options, change it).

[@anthonygasparetto8740]

Kudos for a comprehensive review of this camera warts and all. it's pretty rare that anyone makes an attempt to test CAF in their reviews. Unless the camera is faulty the CAF is abysmal. It appears worse than my EPM2 and my camera is ancient. Good point about the functionality of the touch screen in stills mode.

[@TheCameraStoreTV]

+Anthony Gasparetto I'm almost thinking its a faulty model although that's unlikely. I was so surprised by it and the previous Olys have always done well. Hopefully they address it soon. Chris @TCSTV

[@OliverSchlecht]

Glad to see you comparing the PEN-F to the GX8. I am not sure why the GX8 should not look classic. But I'm very sure that the feature set of the GX8 is at least comparable if not much better than the Olympus. Unfortunately the marketing department of Panasonic does a very bad job. So the Panasonic GX8 is mostly unknown.

[@LyndonPatrickSmith]

Great review as always guys. However I think you've missed the point of the new color control dial. I agree that art filters suck - I have an em5-ii and never use them. But the new settings in the dial are designed to compete with fujis excellent film simulations. Specifically they have a faux tri-x and I'm not sure what kind of chrome emulation is included. You can vary virtual film grain which apparently responds differently in the highlights vs shadows. Vignetting can also be controlled. So the target for this camera is street shooters who want a film look straight out of the camera. And for people who just want the aesthetics.

[@peasantrobot]

+Lyndon Smith, Chris needs a real film shooting experience. Maybe then he will start appreciate more the film simulations (including the Classic Chrome from Fuji, which he ridiculed). He looks more like a street shooter, so is a pitty that he doesn't know film (you would think that a photo reviewer must know the basics already so, he doesn't have the right reference point for a correct evaluation of this camera or segment) ...

[@SimonPhillipsPhoto]

Funny you mention the crappy auto focus with the 300 as I was using that combo on a Olympus walk a week ago and I was getting the same results it just wouldn't focus properly with things in the distance close up it was fine.

[@rightslot1]

I am trying REAL HARD to stay focused on the camera review. But I am distracted by the unbelievable clarity, depth, smoothness of the review itself. Sony FS5? Is that correct? Reminds me of when I first seen a HD TV. I'm watching on a 27" Apple Retina. Looks like I can reach in, GRAB the camera and test it myself! ... OK, back to the review.

[@andre1k28]

Cool design, looks like a Leica II

[@mhsvz6735]

Beautiful camera! Overpriced, but beautiful none-the-less. As a stills photo shooter, it's right up my alley.

[@paul_paun]

Have you tried to set the frame rate on high and check if the lag on EVF is still there? This setting is available only if the art filter or focus peaking was not activated, and you can found it in menu on the D section on page 2.

[@TheoDahlemPickups]

Great review, so lemme ask this: Did you ever happen to test the production model with the updated firmware. I was probably too dumb to find it. Any pointer is much appreciated.

[@jonhermannsson9231]

spot on guys - yes looks good and ill sell quite well - but same old story - the GX8 is consider as junk that is not even worth looking at - I have the EM1 and EM5 - but I also have the A6000 and GX8 - and there is no question in my mind which is most fun to use - and like like you said so fast in single focus and very fast in tracking focus - it has 4K - awesome EVF - and focuses extremely well in low light - actually to me the fastest low light focus mirrorless camera - and I have the A7 and XT1 and X100s - Yes the A6300 will have few advantages to the GX8 like a bit larger sensor and 4MP and a bit faster 4k readout - but it does not have Full Touch LCD with touch on menu and display options as well as Touch Focus etc - C1 C2 C3 - so many Fn buttons - curve adjustments etc - and not to forget a much much larger lens selection - Sales will always follow trends and looks - the Pen F will sell well due to looks even though the GX8 is a much much better value - Sony A6300 will sell well because of their new focusing system and the Sony name - while Panasonic has to put lots more into their cameras and even then they do not sell as well - they are like the bastard child - like Samsung was - but as Samsung has pretty much pulled out Panasonic gets the title of bastard child - Fuji Xpro 2 at $1699 with same size sensor as the A6300 will do well due to the retro looks and the Fuji name and the Purists :) Yes I would not mind owning the Pen F for some street shooting - but I know that my GX8 is more capable - I will wait for Olympus to fix the various focus issues - meanwhile I am extremely happy with my GX8 -

[@NostalgicCookingByCarrol]

Hey Chris, I'm just now getting on the band wagon on the PEN F....watched your video & just read your last comment...can you tell me if any of your concerns were fixed...I purchased the PEN E lp7, but had to return due to damage during shipping ugh...now not sure what to buy...I have the Canon 80d, but it's to heavy to carry around..would love to hear your thoughts....PS I bought lens 25 mm to go with the PEN.

[@rhodjones2960]

GX8 over the Pen-F; have used quite a few Panasonics and their touch screens, well thought out menus and video functionality have spoilt me to the point where I find Fujis slow and ponderous to operate, although the Fuji image output I prefer to M43.

[@ristovainio]

I somewhat disagree on the front jpeg dial being of low value. I personally love to test my visual ideas real time, see the change whether it's the tone curve, colour response alteration or black and white looks. The same goes with Fuji film simulations, they provide me an inspiration on location and saving RAW too gives me complete freedom to tweak and fine tune everything to my heart's content afterwards. That's best of both worlds to me, especially if post processing software supports importing the jpeg treatment.

[@high4travel]

I do like the look of Pen-F and dials. Have they fix focusing issue?

[@polanialmoni6274]

Have u found out?

[@josh885]

It seems to me they only put in video because they had to check the box on the feature list to keep the headline about the camera from being "No video" but they didn't' actually care about it at all.

[@breadsled6827]

In this review of the PEN, you said the video wasn't very good. In your review of the OM-D E-M5 Mark II, you thought the video was pretty good. The specs on the Olympus site are the same for the PEN and the E-M5 ii. Is there a difference? I'm trying to decide among the two and the GX8. Thank you for your work.

[@Impostertot]

Holy crap! It's February right, where the heck is your snow Calgary !?!

[@IvanJoseHurtadoBaron]

You should try the continuous autofocus with the touchscreen or with touchscreen while looking through the viewfinder. It may improve the hunting, maybe. Or maybe it's just bad.

[@donalone]

Hey thanks for the great review video. One thing to point out, you kept saying it's a camera for JPG shooters because of the versatile art filters. I don't own this camera and haven't tried, but I read this somewhere that the art filter settings actually write into the raw file in Pen-F. Maybe you can confirm with that for us?

[@donalone]

+Donnie Lee Use OV3 and you can load the color wheel settings, edit it again as raw files. The one you mentioned around 6:28.

[@TheSascha551]

Any chance you guys might do a 1DX mark 2 field test? I know you usually don't do the flagship models for Canon but I'm really interested in what Chris thinks about the autofocus and weather sealing and what Jordan thinks about the amazing 4k 60p etc..

[@TheCameraStoreTV]

+Sascha It's coming! We're just waiting for a production copy. Jordan @ TCSTV

[@HallieHerb]

Hope they make a mark II and sort out the cons you mentioned. Really wanted this camera

[@100PercentATP]

@7.02 "This big lens is hiding right here in-between my legs..." lol. A bit of innuendo there, eh? Glad to hear your honest opinion about the CAF mode. Thank goodness there is the absurd A6300 425 phase detection points that will lock onto any north korean nuke in any light condition. Like most Olympus equipment, it looks good on paper and maybe in person, but you have Sony in the corner just coming out with insane technology that makes m43 look even more over priced and archaic.

[@B1r0d1M0n]

Which one would you get if you go fishing and want to take landscape photos? It must be a bit sturdy.

[@cevisuals]

I'm torn between sticking with Olympus m43 and switching to the Sony a6300 (a pair of them). As a 30+ yrs pro shooter, I ditched DSLR's late last year deciding to settle on Olympus but the news of the a6300 has me wondering now if I made the right choice. I still have a pair of old t2i's I use for occasional video shooting with a brace of MF Nikon Primes for my glass but they are getting very long in the tooth and the a6300 really got my attention for shooting video. Your thoughts?

[@aucourant9998]

That was a really excellent review.

[@naalsoegat]

What's your opinion on the Lumix 100-300 4-5,6? It's getting old and I'm look for something with that range but not with the price of the new Lumix/Leica 100-400

[@DanOhPhotography]

Though I feel features for feature GX8 is superior to Pen-F. However, I do root for any mirrorless ... Sony, Fuji, Oly, and Lumix. This Pen-F review is disappointing with various problems. Hope Oly can fix the problems you mentioned through firmware upgrade. Only thing I heard good is that the camera is BEAUTIFUL.

[@gatesbuster]

nice looking camera. I only wished it would be weather sealed. The rest, menu etc... hopefully is the same as the E M5. I also noticed on my E M5 mkII some issues with the EVF being finicky and not starting when putting my eye close to it. Never had an issue with the season with my E M5. Well something they hopefully will fix with firmware

[@hidekigomi]

The continuous AF and the video issues - same on the EM5ii? I don't think these were mentioned in its review, were they? It's a super sexy camera but why do the manufacturers clip some obvious features "on purpose" whenever new models come out. Olympus' touch partial screen for all, no image stabilizer in Sony a6300 are a few of them, at least to me.

[@tarwin42]

Please do a re-review of the Olympus E-M1. There has been a ton of Firmware/Feature updates and I want to know if I should take one of the cheap deals I see popping up...

[@Raist3db]

Chris- on the continuous AF- did you find the same problem with the other primes like the 17mm, or the 25mm or the 45mm? I mention this because I see in the video you used the new telephoto prime and while the critique is still valid as someone buying that to shoot some sports perhaps- I think the longer telephoto may be more difficult to handle without PDAF, and the other primes maybe do very good? Makes me think an OMD EMMKII could have done the same.

[@TheCameraStoreTV]

+Raist3db I did find the same issue with other lenses unfortunately. In single point the camera did somewhat better, but single point and C-AF do not go hand in hand. Even with a minimal zone focus setup which is far more useful for sports and action the camera had issues. Chris @ TCSTV

[@Raist3db]

+TheCameraStoreTV Thanks for the answer. Bummer. I just answered to Jordan. I wonder if this is a firmware bug and they will fix it, but hard to spend USD $1,200 on a promise. But you say single point "somewhat better?" that makes me also cringe :-(