Olympus PEN E-P7 Camera Kit, 20 MP Sensor, 5-axis image stabilisation, tilt HD LCD, 4K, Wi-Fi, color and monochrome profile control, silver incl. M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm EZ black

Product Information

But the GX9 rear dial started to fail on me 4-5 months in- not a fan of that. Also I discovered Olympus AF tends to be more accurate in moderate to lower light than the GX9's. standard JEITA conditions) 140min (When repeatedly recording at the maximum time of 29 minutes, using M.Zuiko Digital ED 14‑42mm F3.5‑5.6 EZ, 4K video shooting) Unlike the more expensive OM-D camera range, the new EP7 isn't weather-sealed in any way, a clear concession to its more modest price-point.

The EP-7 is the first ever camera released by Olympus' new owners, OM Digital Solutions, and thankfully it's a very good one. Combining the stunning retro looks of the classic PEN series with the up-to-date technology of the E-PL range, this mid-tier camera certainly punches above its price weight. I understand. The E-P7 is not for you and that's ok. Some people don't care that much about the EVF and care more about other things (I am in that other group). Like TILT LCD or death :-). Though I would have been quite fine with an "GM9" - better processor, latest DFD, 20 MP no AA filter. That would have been my camera. The E-P7 resembles the old Pen half-frame film camera, whereas the E-PL10 has a more fashionable look with its faux leather finish. The E-M10 IV resembles an old SLR film camera. E-M10 IV E-P7 E-PL10 As on the Lumix GF7, you can tap the PEN E-PL7’s touch screen to focus during movie recording, an advantage both touch screen models share over the Samsung NX3000. You can see an example of the E-PL7’s touch-focus in action in the movie section below.Unsurprisingly the PEN E-P7 retains the Olympus unique selling point of on-board Art Filters, which can be applied to 4K video as well as stills. These filters are easily accessed via the dedicated ART option on the Shooting mode dial on top of the camera. Indeed, the improved AF is particularly noticeable when recording video; gone is the hunting and pulsing of Olympus' older contrast AF system, with much more honest autofocus that makes this a realistic proposition for straightforward content creation and filming vlogs up to 4K 30p.

Olympus PEN E-P7 + M.Zuiko 75mm f/1.8 (1/2000 sec, f/1.8, ISO200) (Image credit: James Artaius) Olympus PEN E-P7: Build & handling The front of the E-P7 has a lens mount and button to detach the lens, of course, but it also has a Profile Control Dial on the front. This allows the user to swap between standard, color and monochrome photo modes and filter effects. Again, this camera's main feature is the 4k video, IBIS, great color options and output,and at 337g. It only disappoints for me in build (which is also the reason it's 337g) and extremely low shutter speeds (1/15s and lower). I will be frank though. This camera is sold for too much for what it is at 899 euros with the kit lens (plastic body, no PDAF)... I didn't pay that though. I took advantage of the 899 euros with kit and 75mm 1.8. With that deal, it was definitely worth it for the video and ability to fiddle with colors (again, in video). I've dumped the idea of shooting jpeg- DXO PL5 ruined it for me, in a good way (ISO 3200, no problem and it looks like ISO 200). Note: Depending on shooting conditions, the sequential shooting speed may reduce speed during shooting.

PEN E-PL7 movie modes

All the Olympus cameras I use have this switched to off and still the same issue the issue only happens with the 20mm f1,7 amongst all the lenses I have no idea if it happens with the other Panny pancake If we compare it to the E-PL10, the changes are more significant: there is a better sensor, better image stabilisation, an updated AF algorithm and a few more dials and buttons. Low light sensitivity stretches from ISO 200 all the way up to a pro-like ISO 25600, partly down to the implementation of the 20.3 megapixel sensor and latest noise reducing TruePic VIII processor, with an extended LOW setting equivalent to ISO 100 also available.

Just as we found in the OM-D E-M10 IV, the autofocusing system for the E-P7 doesn't set the world ablaze. But it is at least predictable, which is perfectly good enough for a camera of this type and size. So much time has elapsed since those two cameras that the Olympus brand is now owned by OM Digital Solutions, which acquired it at the start of 2021. As for using a long lens hand held (at least the oly 75) and the beach I can use it but that’s just me and my needs and wants I understand some really require an evf I’ll admit it’s one of the things makes me appreciate the em10.4 with its feature set but I value small and the jpeg engine it has (ep7) Action photographers will appreciate the fast burst rate of 8.7fps when using the mechanical shutter, complete with continuous auto-focusing and for an unlimited number of JPEGs and RAWs. Switch to the electronic shutter and the speed increases to 15fps, but the buffer decreases to 42 RAW and 49 JPG files. While shooting raw and creating a video afterwards on your PC gives you more control over grading, sharpening etc., the in-camera option is nice to have when shooting JPEG or raw+JPEG, as it is obviously much faster.We know that many people were hoping for a PEN-F Mark II, and may feel disappointed that this isn't that camera. Here's the truth, though: the Olympus PEN E-P7 combines the style and shooting modes of the PEN-F with the tiny form factor of the E-PL bodies and the fresh technology of the E-M10 Mark IV –and, in so doing, is a far more interesting proposition than a PEN-F Mark II would have been. Although it’s hard to assess exposure in bright conditions, the E-P7’s ESP metering generally does a great job so in most situations you can rely on the camera to produce a decent image. There’s also a histogram view that will let you know if the highlights are going to be burned out or underexposed etc, but it would be nice to have a viewfinder to be able to assess the image with a good preview. Unlike the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III and OM-D E-M5 Mark III which have a hybrid focusing system that uses both phase and contrast detection, the E-M10 Mark IV has just contrast detection autofocusing. The Pen E-P7 also uses contrast detection autofocusing and there are 121 selectable AF points. If you care about small (I DO) this camera is better than the GX9. If you must have an EVF then GX9 wins by default.

Here are some sample photos. I don't pixel peep so forgive me if I don't do this camera justice. I also reduced the sharpness in post. No review of an Olympus PEN would be complete without taking a look at the varous effects modes on offer. In common with other PEN models the E-PL7 offers the full trange of 14 Art filters. Olympus was one of the first manufacturers to include in-camera filters in anything more advanced than a point and shoot compact and those on the PEN E-PL7 are among the best and most versatile around. The range has grown and there are now 14 available filters including Pop Art, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Cross Process, Key Line and Partial Colour shown above.

Olympus’s OI. Share app and the onboard Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connectivity make it easy to connect a smartphone to the camera, so you can use that to compose images in some instances, but it’s not the ideal substitute for a viewfinder. I still think the biggest bargain on the market is the E-M1 ii- better in every way, but at the cost of 237g more. Those are my thoughts. I'll also be interested in yours. Olympus has gained a reputation for outstanding stabilisation with the five-axis systems built into its OM-D E-M1 and EM5 bodies. The PEN E-PL5 doesn’t quite match those standards but instead empoys a three-axis system that shifts the sensor to compensate for up/down, left/right and rotational (roll) movement of the camera body. If you want five-axis stabilisation in a PEN you should consider the PEN E-P5.