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Oly Pen F: buy or wait?
- Thread starter avyoung
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jackkurtz
Veteran Member
These questions are difficult to impossible because everyone's needs are different. There hasn't been much word of Pen F Mark II, just wish lists floating around. The E-M5 Mark II will probably be updated before the Pen F and the timeline on the E-M5 Mark II update is not clear, so it may be a long time before we see an E-M5 Mark III and a longer time before we see Pen F Mark II.
If you're looking a camera now and want a Pen F, buy the Pen F. If you're looking for a camera in six months, buy the Pen F (or whatever camera fits its niche in the lineup) then.
I have a Pen F I can think of a few things I would like in the Pen F but they are very much evolutionary, not revolutionary. Even if a Pen F Mark II comes out tomorrow my current Pen F will continue to make excellent photos.
If you're looking a camera now and want a Pen F, buy the Pen F. If you're looking for a camera in six months, buy the Pen F (or whatever camera fits its niche in the lineup) then.
I have a Pen F I can think of a few things I would like in the Pen F but they are very much evolutionary, not revolutionary. Even if a Pen F Mark II comes out tomorrow my current Pen F will continue to make excellent photos.
Skeeterbytes
Forum Pro
Being just one of two 20MP Oly cameras the Pen F is unlikely to be up for replacement for awhile, at least coming after the next E-M5. I'd buy it rather than wait what may be a good long while.
Cheers,
Rick
Cheers,
Rick
Guy Parsons
Forum Pro
One note of caution is that Olympus admitted in an interview that the Pen-F was a marketing experiment.
If it sells well enough then maybe it has a future, if not, then no more Pen-F.
So waiting may be a bad option.
If you like the idea of M4/3 then dive on in, there's plenty of variety in Olympus and Panasonic bodies that will suit various needs.
Regards....... Guy
Jackson Bart
Well-known member
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I wrote a blog post about why I bought a Pen-F last August: https://jacksonbart.com/2017/08/27/pen-f-why-now/
I had a prediction that there wouldn't be a Pen-F Mark II for about a year from when I wrote that, which means not until late this summer.
Neither is an answer to the question. If it doesn't bother you that there may be a camera that comes out in August with features that may seem really awesome compared to the old Pen-F, then sure buy one now. If you can afford it. Don't spend money you can't afford for G.A.S. reasons.
If a replacement for the PEN-F had been announced or even strongly rumoured, then you might choose to wait.
But there has not even been any rumour (that I'm aware of) about its replacement. Therefore, even if another iteration of the PEN-F is produced it might be years off.
If you are interested in the PEN-F then the existing model is for sale right now.
Well, I just received my new Pen F today to go along with my E-M5II, so I guess that tells you what I think.
As others have said, it's unclear whether there even will be an update to a Pen F, but if it comes it's unlikely to be until next year. The E-M5II is a full THREE years old at this point, and so you have to think that it's the next body to be updated (although still a very good camera). Even there, there aren't any concrete rumors at all, so we're all in the dark as to what Olympus might be planning.
If you're buying new though, you might have just missed the discounts - I think the 200 off deal ended on Saturday, but I guess you can check.
As others have said, it's unclear whether there even will be an update to a Pen F, but if it comes it's unlikely to be until next year. The E-M5II is a full THREE years old at this point, and so you have to think that it's the next body to be updated (although still a very good camera). Even there, there aren't any concrete rumors at all, so we're all in the dark as to what Olympus might be planning.
If you're buying new though, you might have just missed the discounts - I think the 200 off deal ended on Saturday, but I guess you can check.
rurikw
Veteran Member
Sales apart I think the Pen-F has reached a fairly decent price level for what it is (have seen used >675€, new >850€, started at about 1200-1300€ in these parts) and probably won't be sinking very fast. So in that respect not a bad time to buy.
NowHearThis
Veteran Member
If you are going to use anything bigger than the small primes on it, I’d recommend adding the ECG-4 grip as it improves ergonomics. You could also get a half case if you prefer that more. Hope you enjoy it, I’ve enjoyed mine.
I personally feel the update will take longer than usual, if at all.
The Pen F was priced $200 lower all during the holiday buying period, now it's back up to its inflated price.
I think the Pen F is an amazing product and I resisted it for a really long time because I had E-M1 and E-M5.
The thing is I really prefer a rangefinder style body and those are not.
When the E-M1.2 came out, I got excited about the new 20MP sensor.... except for the Pen F, other bodies that have been updated have not got it. The GX8 did have the newer sensor, but it got heavily derailed by the shutter shock issue, real or not.
I saw a couple of videos on the web about the Pen F and I really got the idea that eventually it would be a camera I would own.
Still I couldn't get around the price. So I decided to sell a lens I don't use as much as I thought and bought the Pen F. I've used it more than I thought and I have grown to really love it.
mferencz
Leading Member
If you have your heart set on the Pen F, get it. I can't imagine an new Pen F prior to 2020. I truly believe the cycle at Olympus and refreshing models will be slowing even more. Lastly, this camera is still state of art M43. Are they going to put out an updated 20mp sensor significantly better than the current 20 mp sensor? Are they going to majorly update IS? No and No in the short term. You want to pay big money for a Pen F with some new profiles or gadgets? Not me.
Bangers and Mash
Veteran Member
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I don't know whether you have purchased it as yet, but it does look like a beauty and performs like one too.
This seems to be a thing with some people when it comes to purchasing a camera. Should I, or should I not wait for an upgrade. If one keeps putting it off for the latest upgrade, one will never purchase a camera. You have to take the plunge sooner or later. Jump in now, the Pen-F is awesome.
I also have the original version of the OMD EM-5. It still works fine and I have no desire to upgrade. Why should I? They praised it back then when it first came out, so now that it has been upgraded, does that mean that the EM-5 is now not something worthy of praise anymore. Let's face it, if it wasn't a performer back then, it wouldn't have been a camera that deserved all the accolades. I love my OMD and I still rave about it. I also love my Pen-F and will continue to love it and rave about it even when the Mk III comes out. Forget about upgrades and get out there and enjoy taking the awesome images that it produces, or are you waiting for an upgrade that will allow it to make your morning coffee. Take the plunge and enjoy. If you wait for an upgrade, that's time taken away from taking great images. My 2 cents worth.
Wayne
Albert Valentino
Forum Pro
I would seriously consider a refurb body as the best bang for the buck. They go quickly when in stock. Refurbs have 30 days trial and 90 day warranty - plus you can purchas an extended warranty within 90 days,
At the moment, Olympus refurb store has the Pen F for $699 in black, and $749 in silver
http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/outlet/reconditioned-cameras.html
Also, lots of good deals on refurb lenses http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/outlet/reconditioned-lenses.html
At the moment, Olympus refurb store has the Pen F for $699 in black, and $749 in silver
http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/outlet/reconditioned-cameras.html
Also, lots of good deals on refurb lenses http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/outlet/reconditioned-lenses.html
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gary0319
Forum Pro
I bought mine as a refurb. Never regretted it a moment (also bought the extended warranty from B&H).
Jackson Bart
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I think that there will be an E-M5 mark III first, as the E-M5 II only has a 16 MP sensor, and the E-M5 series is more relevant now that Olympus dumbed down the the E-M10 series.
After the E-M5 III, I fully expect there to be a Pen-F II as the next camera release.
This seems to be happening pretty slowly, so maybe expect E-M5 III in the spring, and Pen-F II in the fall. I think Pen-F II at the very latest will be Q1 2019.
--
My personal blog: https://jacksonbart.com/
After the E-M5 III, I fully expect there to be a Pen-F II as the next camera release.
This seems to be happening pretty slowly, so maybe expect E-M5 III in the spring, and Pen-F II in the fall. I think Pen-F II at the very latest will be Q1 2019.
--
My personal blog: https://jacksonbart.com/
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