I can still remember the first time I saw the camera, with its stylishly sleek lines, reassuringly chunky build and retro design that referenced its maker’s distinguished heritage. Classic looks were back – and I knew this camera would be an instant hit.
No, I’m not talking about the viral success that’s accompanied the Fujifilm X100V and its VI successor. I’m talking about the ‘OG’, a camera with all the above attributes that debuted a decade ago: the Olympus PEN-F.
This was 2016’s digital re-imagining of 1963’s film era Pen F, the world’s first half frame 35mm SLR. And if I was lucky enough to still own one in 2026, I wouldn’t be selling it on.
No mere fixed lens compact, the digital era Olympus PEN-F is a Micro Four Thirds mirrorless model on which I can swap the optic to best suit whichever subject I’m shooting. Unlike the Fujifilm X100V/VI, I’m not limited to a 23mm f/2 lens. Sure, such limitations can inspire their own creative workarounds, but why restrict ourselves?
Plus, if you’ve been eyeing up the Fujifilm for its tactile buttons, controls and reassuring handling, the digital PEN-F can provide all this in spades, letting you feel like you’re in control of the outcome.
Its manufacturer’s first digital rangefinder style camera at the time (with built-in viewfinder), one of its chief appeals for me is the PEN-F features top and front plate dials and knobs aplenty. Its milled aluminium construction ensures it feels sturdy yet manageably portable.
The ‘write’ stuff
Described in AP’s review at the time as ‘a beautiful design capable of beautiful images’, the PEN-F’s headline features include a modest sounding 20MP, which in fact back then was the highest sensor resolution in Olympus’ line-up, with the further option of a 50MP composite images. Completing the package are five-axis image stabilisation plus tilting LCD and 2.36 million dot eye-level OLED viewfinder.
Yes, the Fujifilm X100VI may boast a larger APS-C sensor and a 40MP resolution, but in all honesty for regular everyday shooting I don’t need that number of pixels. It’s further worth noting that a pre-owned digital PEN-F, although having held its value well, can be purchased for half the price of a new X100VI.
The PEN-F may be the resurrection of a classic from the Cold War, but in 2026 it’s still hot stuff. In fact, it’s a bit of a head scratcher why we haven’t seen a PEN-F II successor by now.
But with 2026 marking the tenth anniversary of the digital PEN-F’s release, now is the perfect occasion to bring this modern classic back in some shape or form; an extra incentive being to add in the computational photography features seen in more recent OM System offerings.
Plus, with the Fujifilm X100VI proving hard to get hold of, and Olympus under ‘new’ OM Digital Solutions management, it very much feels like there’s still a chapter for the PEN-F to write.
Do AP readers own an Olympus PEN-F from 2016, or an even older film Pen F from 1963, and feel they still hold up against the best of 2026? Get in touch and share your experience.
The views expressed in this column are not necessarily those of Amateur Photographer magazine or Kelsey Media Limited. If you have an opinion you’d like to share on this topic, or any other photography related subject, email: [email protected]
Related reading:
- These are the best Olympus cameras (and best OM System cameras)
- Fujifilm X100V and X100VI Alternatives? Best retro cameras
- Why are Olympus cameras so overlooked? It’s the best image quality possible for the size
- Vintage digital cameras you should actually buy
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