Repair E-P5 shutter guesstimated $200 or buy recond. PEN-F $750

barrystet wrote:

For those familiar with both the E-P5 and Pen-F would you recommend getting the P5 fixed or buy a used Pen-F?

I would go to PEN F. Even that when I have E-P5 in daily use, I prefer the PEN F for handling and especially for its capabilities.

I although dislike the PEN F corner viewfinder and flip screen and totally prefer E-P5 because its tilt screen and external VF-2, but you get the best in the industry JPEG engine and film simulations and color creation.

The E-P5 is such camera that I am still little wondering why have not Olympus released E-P6?

The E-M1 Mk3 is coming out in early next year, so about 6-9 months from now as Olympus 100th Anniversary. And there is possibility that E-P6 as well E-M5 Mk3 gets released back then.

The PEN F was not directed to surpass PEN E-P line but was just their 80th anniversary model from their first camera, so totally another "side project" for Olympus. Why seeing a PEN F Mk2 is little unlikely. But who knows what E-P6 might become to be.

Comparing E-P5 and PEN F is little bit like talking about sisters, do you like blond or brunette? If you are lucky, you can have both, but they are similar and yet different.

Like said about my opinion, I prefer the tilt screen as it is faster, easier and more stealthy and doesn't come on the way of handling. The VF-2/4 attached makes it far nicer to use because you can shoot both eyes open regardless which one you use, you can tilt it upwards as well, and then remove it when not needed. But then again PEN F has nicer grip and you get far better shutter and especially electronic shutter.

Just remember that E-P5 was E-M5 without EVF. So since then we have seen E-M1, E-M5 Mk2, E-M1 Mk2 and PEN F.

You are not gaining in the technical image quality with PEN F, but you are gaining a lot in image quality in form of a JPEG. To be more creative that way.

But it depends a lot what you really want. If you are a pixel peeper, keep the E-P5, if you are creative, get PEN F. If you don't need a pop-up flash (excellent for portraits in many situations) and quick waist level viewfinder operation, keep E-P5.

If $500 is not too much to ask, it is between screen, pop-up and JPEG.