Hi all, I've owned several M43 cameras like the EM1 Mark II and GX9. I was looking at retro-looking cameras like the Olympus EP-7 and the PEN-F. I am leaning more towards the EP-7 because of it's small size. I understand that it's missing the EVF, but that is not an issue because my other cameras already have an EVF. I'm looking for a pocketable camera that I can grab off the shelf and do street or casual walk-around photography, etc.
- How good are the color profiles in these cameras?
- Is there a difference in profiles between the two cameras?
- And are these the same profiles found in the EM1 Mark II?
People used to talk about "Olympus colours" back in the day, and Pen F even has physical dials dedicated to adjusting JPEG output. It is a major emphasis of the camera and of Olympus cameras in general, so I don't think you should be worried about that.
The Pen-f is pretty small. Too small for my hands in fact. The viewfinder is large and bright. I have a Pen-f for sale with the 17,25, and 45mm f/1.8 and a Lumix 12-32, if you are interested.
mannyfresh79 wrote:
Hi all, I've owned several M43 cameras like the EM1 Mark II and GX9. I was looking at retro-looking cameras like the Olympus EP-7 and the PEN-F. I am leaning more towards the EP-7 because of it's small size. I understand that it's missing the EVF, but that is not an issue because my other cameras already have an EVF. I'm looking for a pocketable camera that I can grab off the shelf and do street or casual walk-around photography, etc.
- How good are the color profiles in these cameras?
- Is there a difference in profiles between the two cameras?
- And are these the same profiles found in the EM1 Mark II?...Show more →
I own the Pen-F and it is a camera that I would not sell. I am not too familiar with the EP-7, but two big differences make me favor the Pen-F. First, is the lack of an EVF -- in very bright sunlight, shooting with an LCD is a pain in my book. Secondly, would be the lack of a fully articulating LCD on the EP-7 -- the 'flip' screen is OK for most shooting, but I personally like having the ability to be able to do a portrait orientation shot of a flower or a very small child, etc. without crouching way down so I can see and compose using the LCD.
Either camera will take excellent photos, but for my taste the Pen-F is a much nicer looking camera as well -- I bought a leather 'half case' for mine and it gets a lot of positive comments.
I don't know how the profiles compare, but I do know that I love the Pen-F built-in B&W Profile #2 -- it really reminds me of Kodak T-Max B&W Film.
Attached is a shot I did with my Pen-F and the tiny Olympus 9mm Fisheye Bodycap Lens, using B&W Profile #2.
mannyfresh79 wrote:
Hi all, I've owned several M43 cameras like the EM1 Mark II and GX9. I was looking at retro-looking cameras like the Olympus EP-7 and the PEN-F. I am leaning more towards the EP-7 because of it's small size. I understand that it's missing the EVF, but that is not an issue because my other cameras already have an EVF. I'm looking for a pocketable camera that I can grab off the shelf and do street or casual walk-around photography, etc.
- How good are the color profiles in these cameras?
- Is there a difference in profiles between the two cameras?
- And are these the same profiles found in the EM1 Mark II?...Show more →
I have owned a Pen-F since nearly the beginning and I have had an E-P7 since February of this year. I have not done a complete dive into the various profiles but a quick look says both Pen’s have the same B&W and Color profiles and the E-P7 does have the color wheel for tweaking those profiles. I don’t stay too far from the standard Olympus Natural profile but I do like the B&W profiles of the Pen’s. The EM1 MKii does not have the profiles that are specific to the Pen-F and Pen E-P7.
I have to say I really like the Pen E-P7. The pro’s are:
Smaller and lighter (fits in the palm of my hand)
Flip screen
Built in fill flash which works great
In camera charging
The lack of an EVF does not bother me since like you, I have other cameras for that, I see that as the only con. If you put a small prime on or the 14-42EZ, you have a very discreet street camera or a pocketable camera for what ever. It has become the camera I take when my wife wants social type photos, especially where the flash will come in handy. The build quality is better than I expected, it is not as premium as the Pen-F but it feels solid. From your comments, I think the E-P7 would suit your needs perfectly. As long as you have an EVF on another camera, the E-P7 would be my choice, it has become one of my most used camera bodies at this time.
Thank you for the response about the E-P7. I've purchased one off here and I'm excited to receive it. Already ordered extra batteries and a charger. I wasn't aware they had an OVF available for it. I'm not sure I'd use it so won't be ordering for now, but it's good to know that one is available.
I actually came across this site when researching the E-P7 few days ago. I've bookmarked this site as it'll be useful later.
I'vs been considering buying one of these for travel.
I use my OM-1 kit most of the time and see the Pen F/E-P7 as a replacement for using my iPhone 13PM in the evening when we go to dinner and wander around. Currently I leave my camera at the lodging and would prefer to have better IQ then using my phone camera.
Both are great but the E-P7 is smaller and lighter. I have both but like you, I wanted something small for evenings, etc. Pair the E-P7 with a Panasonic 14/2.5 and the combination is very small and capable, especially since it has a built in fill flash. The E-P7 build quality is better than I expected but obviously not up to the Pen-F’s quality.
As this is a casual, primarily travel-evening camera, I do not need the computational capabilities of the Pen-F so leaning toward the 7, especially since it does not have the anti-alias filter and apparently better AF. I have to use the LCD on my phone for composition so only having an LCD is okay though I am sure that either camera's LCD is nowhere near as bright or high resolution as the phone.
I was just reading about the Pana/Leica 15/1.7 which somebody tested (with pics) to be much sharper then the Oly 17/1.8 wide open. Do like the aperture ring on the Pana vs the MF clutch on the Oly.
I'll research the 14/2.5 though was ideally looking for something faster .. do like the true pancake size !
Thx
Can anybody confirm that when using the Pana 15/1.7 on an Olympus/OM body, that the aperture ring does not work and a camera dial must be used instead?
figure five wrote:
That’s correct the aperture dial only works when the 15 is attached to a Panasonic body. Also the PEN-F does not have an anti-aliasing filter.
That's too bad. I really prefer an aperture ring vs a control wheel.
I'm currently leaning towards PEN-F because of the size and viewfinder. I have a gx850 and in the sunlight it'd tough to see what's going on. It's a bit of a guessing game if the sun is bright enough.
