OM System PEN vs. OM-3 vs. OM-5 Mark II: Which Camera Is Right for You?

The new OM System PEN gives Micro Four Thirds photographers another choice in an OM System lineup that already includes the OM-3 and OM-5 Mark II.

All three cameras use the Micro Four Thirds lens mount and share quite a bit of OM System technology. But after seeing the final PEN specifications, I think the differences between them are pretty clear.

The PEN is the least expensive and lightest of the three. OM System is positioning it as an entry-level camera for beginning photographers and smartphone users who want to move into an interchangeable-lens system. At the same time, its small size, light weight, EVF and creative controls also make it interesting for travel, street and everyday photography for more experienced photographers. 

The OM-5 Mark II is the better fit for travel that includes hiking, bad weather and more demanding outdoor photography. The OM-3 costs considerably more, but its stacked sensor and more advanced autofocus make it the most capable all-around camera of the three.

So where does the PEN fit, and which camera makes the most sense for you?

OM System PEN vs. OM-3 vs. OM-5 Mark II

Feature	OM SYSTEM PEN	OM-3	OM-5 Mark II
Sensor	20.4MP Live MOS	20.4MP Stacked BSI Live MOS	20.4MP Live MOS
Processor	TruePic IX	TruePic X	TruePic IX
Autofocus	121-point all-cross-type PDAF	1,053-point Cross Quad Pixel PDAF	121-point all-cross-type PDAF
Subject Detection	Human + Cat/Dog Detection	Humans, birds, animals, cars, motorcycles, airplanes and trains	Face/Eye Detection
IBIS	5.5 stops; no Sync IS	Up to 7.5 stops with Sync IS	Up to 7.5 stops with Sync IS
EVF	2.36M-dot OLED	2.36M-dot OLED	2.36M-dot OLED
LCD	3-inch fully articulating, 1.04M dots	3-inch fully articulating, 1.62M dots	3-inch fully articulating, 1.04M dots
Weather Protection	IPX1	IP53	IP53
Maximum Electronic Burst	30 fps	120 fps	30 fps
Pro Capture	Up to 8 fps with C-AF; up to 30 fps with focus/exposure fixed	Up to 50 fps with C-AF; up to 120 fps with focus fixed	Up to 10 fps with C-AF; up to 30 fps with focus fixed
Creative Dial / Control	Color/Mono selector	Creative Dial	No
CP Button	Yes	Yes	Yes
Weight with Battery/Card	393g	496g	418g
U.S. Body Price	$999.99	$1,999.99 MSRP	$1,199.99 MSRP

The first thing that jumps out from the specifications is that the PEN is technically much closer to the OM-5 Mark II than the OM-3.

The PEN and OM-5 Mark II both use a conventional 20.4MP Live MOS sensor, TruePic IX processor and 121-point phase-detect autofocus system.

The OM-3 uses the 20.4MP stacked BSI sensor and TruePic X processor found in the OM-1 Mark II. That gives it a significant advantage for autofocus, burst shooting and moving subjects.

Where Does the New OM System PEN Fit?

I was glad to see OM System target the PEN as an entry-level camera. Micro Four Thirds needs cameras that can attract new photographers into the system, not just increasingly expensive bodies aimed at existing users.

The PEN is specifically being positioned toward beginners and smartphone photographers who want to step up to an interchangeable-lens camera. But OM System hasn’t accomplished that by stripping away everything an experienced photographer might want. 

You still get an integrated EVF, twin control dials, phase-detect autofocus, 5-axis stabilization, a fully articulating touchscreen and an AF-ON button. There is no autofocus joystick, although the AF point can be moved using either the rear controls or touchscreen. 

The fully articulating LCD is another useful addition for street photography. It can be used for waist-level and low-angle shooting, video, or flipped inward to protect the screen. 

Most importantly, OM System brought an integrated EVF back to the PEN concept. That’s a feature I would want on any camera intended for serious street or travel photography.

Is the PEN Also the New E-M10?

This may be one of the more interesting questions surrounding the new camera. OM System hasn’t said that the PEN replaces the E-M10 series, so I wouldn’t call it a direct replacement.

But it does seem to occupy much of the position the E-M10 once held.

At $999.99, the PEN is now the entry point into the current OM System lineup. It provides an EVF, interchangeable lenses, image stabilization, phase-detect autofocus and enough advanced features for a beginning photographer to grow into.

The biggest difference is how OM System is presenting it.

Instead of another small SLR-style body, we now have a rangefinder-style PEN with more emphasis on street photography, everyday use, Color and Monochrome Profiles and in-camera creativity.

I don’t know what OM System plans to do with the E-M10 name going forward, but the PEN certainly looks capable of filling that role in the lineup.

OM System PEN vs. OM-3

The PEN vs. OM-3 comparison will probably get plenty of attention because both cameras have a retro influence.

Underneath the styling, however, they’re very different.

The OM-3 uses the 20.4MP stacked BSI sensor and TruePic X processor. It has 1,053 phase-detection points, broader AI subject detection and electronic burst shooting up to 120 fps.

The PEN uses a conventional 20.4MP Live MOS sensor, TruePic IX processor and 121-point phase-detect autofocus system.

It does have Human Detection along with Pet Detection designed specifically for cats and dogs. PetaPixel found the pet detection could recognize some other animals as well, but I wouldn’t consider it a replacement for the dedicated bird and animal detection in the OM-3. 

The PEN also has Pro Capture and can shoot electronically at up to 30 fps. At the highest Pro Capture and sequential speeds, however, focus and exposure are fixed at the first frame. 

That’s plenty for occasional action or catching a planned moment on the street. It isn’t the same thing as the OM-3’s stacked-sensor performance.

I’ve been using my OM-3 for street photography and really like it for that purpose. But I can also take that same camera to photograph wildlife or another fast-moving subject and not feel like I brought the wrong body.

That versatility is what you’re paying for with the OM-3.

OM System PEN vs. OM-5 Mark II

This is probably the more important comparison.

The PEN and OM-5 Mark II share a lot of the same underlying technology, but they are designed around different types of photography.

Both use a 20.4MP Live MOS sensor, TruePic IX processor and 121-point phase-detect autofocus system. Both also offer many of OM System’s computational photography features and electronic shooting up to 30 fps.

The PEN weighs 393 grams with battery and memory card. The OM-5 Mark II weighs 418 grams, so surprisingly the PEN is the lighter camera.

But the OM-5 Mark II has some significant advantages outdoors.

The PEN’s IBIS is rated at 5.5 stops and does not support Sync IS. The OM-5 Mark II can provide 6.5 stops from the body alone and up to 7.5 stops when combined with compatible stabilized lenses using Sync IS. 

The OM-5 Mark II also has an IP53 rating, while the PEN is rated IPX1. The PEN can handle some rain and splashing, and OM System says it has also tested the body for dust resistance, but it does not have the same official dust protection rating. 

For hiking, landscapes, telephoto use and bad weather, I’d choose the OM-5 Mark II.

For walking around a city, traveling light or carrying a camera every day, I can see the appeal of the PEN.

The price difference makes the PEN vs. OM-5 Mark II comparison especially interesting.

At $999.99, the PEN is only $200 less than the $1,199.99 OM-5 Mark II. That isn’t a huge jump, so the decision probably won’t come down to price alone.

For the extra $200, the OM-5 Mark II gives you stronger image stabilization, Sync IS and IP53 weather sealing. Those are meaningful advantages for hiking, landscapes and travel in rougher conditions.

The PEN goes in a different direction. It is lighter, has the flatter rangefinder-style body, and puts more emphasis on street, everyday travel and creative photography.

So rather than thinking of the OM-5 Mark II as simply the next step up, I think the better question is which style of photography fits you better.

Creative Profiles and Computational Photography

One reason I wouldn’t call the PEN a basic entry-level camera is how many of OM System’s creative and computational features made it into the body.

The PEN includes four Color Profiles and four Monochrome Profiles. Color Profile Control allows adjustments across 12 colors, while Monochrome Profile Control includes filters, shading, film grain and toning.

A front selector makes it easy to switch between standard, Color and Monochrome modes. 

The PEN also gets a dedicated CP button for Computational Photography.

It provides quick access to:

• High Res Shot
• Live ND
• Focus Stacking
• HDR
• Multiple Exposure

Live ND is limited to four stops, or ND16. That’s still plenty useful for something like blurring moving water without carrying an ND filter, but it doesn’t have the stronger Live ND implementation of the OM-3. 

Again, I think OM System made a reasonable decision about which features to include.

There is enough here for a beginning photographer to experiment with, while experienced photographers can still take advantage of features such as Pro Capture, focus stacking and Multiple Exposure.

Who Should Buy the New OM System PEN?

I think the PEN makes the most sense for photographers interested in:

• Street photography
• Everyday photography
• Travel
• Family and people
• Creative color and monochrome photography
• Moving up from smartphone photography
• Getting started with an interchangeable-lens camera

It should also pair nicely with the smaller Micro Four Thirds lenses.

A PEN with a small prime such as the 17mm f/1.8 II would make an interesting street photography setup. The new 14-42mm III kit lens also adds only $100 to the body price.

Experienced OM System photographers may also find the PEN interesting as a lightweight second body.

My Initial Take on the New OM System PEN

The new PEN has a clear place in the current OM System lineup.

Its 20.4MP Live MOS sensor, TruePic IX processor and 121-point autofocus system put it much closer technically to the OM-5 Mark II than the OM-3. But the rangefinder-style body, creative controls and emphasis on street, travel and everyday photography give it a different purpose.

I’m also glad OM System is targeting beginning photographers.

Micro Four Thirds has a lot to offer someone moving beyond a smartphone: small lenses, effective stabilization, computational photography and a huge selection of lenses. The system needs an accessible camera that introduces those advantages to new photographers.

The PEN appears designed to do that without becoming a camera that experienced photographers would quickly outgrow.

OM System PEN vs. OM-3 vs. OM-5 Mark II: My Recommendation

Best Everyday and Street Camera for the Money: OM System PEN

The PEN gives you the lowest price, lightest body and a strong combination of creative controls, phase-detect autofocus, an EVF, Pro Capture and computational photography.

Best All-Around Camera: OM-3

The OM-3 costs considerably more, but you’re getting the stacked sensor, much better autofocus and significantly more performance. If I wanted one camera to cover the widest variety of photography, I’d choose the OM-3.

Best Lightweight Outdoor and Adventure Travel Camera: OM-5 Mark II

The OM-5 Mark II remains my choice when weather protection, stabilization and outdoor photography matter most. With only a $200 MSRP difference between it and the PEN, I’d give the OM-5 Mark II a serious look if those features are important to you.

The PEN doesn’t need to replace either camera.

It gives OM System something just as important: an entry point designed to bring new photographers into the system while still offering enough capability to interest photographers who have been shooting Micro Four Thirds for years.

Want to Learn More?

Is the OM System OM-5 Mark II the Upgrade You’ve Been Waiting For?

Beginner’s Guide to Computational Photography with OM System Cameras

OM System Live ND: Common Problems, Limitations, and How to Get Better Results