The Olympus Pen EP-7 is pretty good

Out of curiosity, do you have to pay duty,  import tax or VAT for import into Europe?

Thanks

Belgium.  This government has a way of finding a way to tax something.

Can anyone comment on the E-P7’s performance versus the PEN-F? Both have probably the same sensor, plus 5-axis IBIS and no PDAF. I’m specifically wondering if the AF performance is any better?

I’m considering an E-P7 has a back-up body to carry with me when traveling with my E-M5.3. I think it would excel in this role due to its small size and weight, as well as sharing a battery in common with the E-M5. Although I do also have a PEN-F, so it’s hard to justify the E-P7 unless it does something demonstrably better than the PEN-F. The PEN-F is a little heavier than I would like for a back-up body, and I really hate having to carry multiple battery types when traveling…

I normally dismiss cameras without an EVF, but can probably live with it in a secondary camera. And maybe it will broaden my horizons to work on a different shooting style.

I personally prefer the E-P7 over the Pen F I use to have.

Yes no EVF.  Yes build is not the same.

But I prefer tilting over articulated, I never use ART or CRT.  Really only use Mono.  I find the interface for the profiles easier.

As for the AF?  A new AF system and new processor make it just feel more responsive.  In your area can you find one to try out?  If not the EM10.4 has the same AF and processor to try out.  That's what I did before importing mine.

DavidZvi wrote:

I personally prefer the E-P7 over the Pen F I use to have.

Yes no EVF. Yes build is not the same.

But I prefer tilting over articulated, I never use ART or CRT. Really only use Mono. I find the interface for the profiles easier.

As for the AF? A new AF system and new processor make it just feel more responsive. In your area can you find one to try out? If not the EM10.4 has the same AF and processor to try out. That's what I did before importing mine.

Oh, I didn't even think to compare the processors.  That means the E-P7 has the same TruePic VIII as my E-M5.3, so maybe it will feel more similar to that camera than the PEN-F's TruePic VII.  Although the E-M5.3 does have PDAF, so probably a better comparison would be a E-M10.4 as you suggest.

I do actually live in Japan at the moment, so I could maybe get my hands on an E-P7 to try in the store, but I'd still be interested in hearing from folks (like you) with more long-term experience with both bodies.

In terms of build, I mean, the PEN-F is amazing.  It's like heirloom quality, lol.  But for a back-up body/super-minimalist street shooter, the smaller size and lighter weight of the E-P7 is certainly attractive.  I do own a GM5, but I find it actually a bit TOO small for comfortable use, plus it's got the older 16MP sensor and no IBIS.  And an entirely different battery and UI - it's a cool camera that I intend to keep and use occasionally, but I think switching back and forth between an E-M5.3 and E-P7 would be much more seamless.

Oh, I didn't even think to compare the processors. That means the E-P7 has the same TruePic VIII as my E-M5.3, so maybe it will feel more similar to that camera than the PEN-F's TruePic VII. Although the E-M5.3 does have PDAF, so probably a better comparison would be a E-M10.4 as you suggest.

I do actually live in Japan at the moment, so I could maybe get my hands on an E-P7 to try in the store, but I'd still be interested in hearing from folks (like you) with more long-term experience with both bodies.

In terms of build, I mean, the PEN-F is amazing. It's like heirloom quality, lol. But for a back-up body/super-minimalist street shooter, the smaller size and lighter weight of the E-P7 is certainly attractive. I do own a GM5, but I find it actually a bit TOO small for comfortable use, plus it's got the older 16MP sensor and no IBIS. And an entirely different battery and UI - it's a cool camera that I intend to keep and use occasionally, but I think switching back and forth between an E-M5.3 and E-P7 would be much more seamless.

I go back and forth between my E-M1.2 and the E-P7 seamlessly.  I also use a 1/2 case for all my rangefinder-style bodies so while the feel is different, I barely notice.  And tilt for street shooting is preferable IMHO.

DavidZvi wrote:

Oh, I didn't even think to compare the processors. That means the E-P7 has the same TruePic VIII as my E-M5.3, so maybe it will feel more similar to that camera than the PEN-F's TruePic VII. Although the E-M5.3 does have PDAF, so probably a better comparison would be a E-M10.4 as you suggest.

I do actually live in Japan at the moment, so I could maybe get my hands on an E-P7 to try in the store, but I'd still be interested in hearing from folks (like you) with more long-term experience with both bodies.

In terms of build, I mean, the PEN-F is amazing. It's like heirloom quality, lol. But for a back-up body/super-minimalist street shooter, the smaller size and lighter weight of the E-P7 is certainly attractive. I do own a GM5, but I find it actually a bit TOO small for comfortable use, plus it's got the older 16MP sensor and no IBIS. And an entirely different battery and UI - it's a cool camera that I intend to keep and use occasionally, but I think switching back and forth between an E-M5.3 and E-P7 would be much more seamless.

I go back and forth between my E-M1.2 and the E-P7 seamlessly. I also use a 1/2 case for all my rangefinder-style bodies so while the feel is different, I barely notice. And tilt for street shooting is preferable IMHO.

I've never had strong opinions about the tilt versus flip debate, and in fact most of my cameras have had fixed screens, which I only ever use for very occasional menu-diving.  With my Olympus bodies, I've find that I actually prefer the flip screen because I can turn it in for protection (and I think the camera just looks better that way).

Obviously, with an EVF-less camera, you need the screen facing out at all times, and so tilt was a better choice.  I know a lot of street shooters prefer the tilt, but I've always used the EVF for all of my shooting - but maybe this is a good opportunity to be more open-minded and try a new style of shooting, see if it gives me new compositional ideas, etc.

You have both the P7 and M5III bodies. Which do you prefer with the 12-40f2.8?

Promeneur wrote:

Wow, nice set of photos! Did you use one of the in camera profiles if I may ask? Thanks!

I shoot in RAW and process with Adobe Camera Raw and Adobe Photoshop.

grain_frame wrote:

DavidZvi wrote:

.....
And tilt for street shooting is preferable IMHO.

I've never had strong opinions about the tilt versus flip debate, and in fact most of my cameras have had fixed screens, which I only ever use for very occasional menu-diving. With my Olympus bodies, I've find that I actually prefer the flip screen because I can turn it in for protection (and I think the camera just looks better that way).

Obviously, with an EVF-less camera, you need the screen facing out at all times, and so tilt was a better choice. I know a lot of street shooters prefer the tilt, but I've always used the EVF for all of my shooting - but maybe this is a good opportunity to be more open-minded and try a new style of shooting, see if it gives me new compositional ideas, etc.

I only mentioned preferred for street since you mentioned street.
I prefer it for off angle, mainly lower angles.  I find it easier when the screen is in line with what I'm framing instead of to the side of my framing.

Hey folks!

I took immense pleasure reading this post, as I've been contemplating purchasing the EP-7 myself.

This being said, as i already own the OM-5 (and the OM-1), I find it hard to justify the purchase... however good looking the EP-7 appears to be!

Some already commented on this, but I'm keen to hear from people who have owned both the Pen-F (can be found used in Europe) and the EP-7 (can be found new).

I've owned the Fuji X100v in the past and, as I'm left eye dominant, the viewfinder was actually annoying at times in my experience!

I look forward to reading you all!

NiX82 wrote:

Hey folks!

I took immense pleasure reading this post, as I've been contemplating purchasing the EP-7 myself.

This being said, as i already own the OM-5 (and the OM-1), I find it hard to justify the purchase... however good looking the EP-7 appears to be!

Some already commented on this, but I'm keen to hear from people who have owned both the Pen-F (can be found used in Europe) and the EP-7 (can be found new).

I've owned the Fuji X100v in the past and, as I'm left eye dominant, the viewfinder was actually annoying at times in my experience!

I look forward to reading you all!

What's your question, exactly? I'm also left-eye dominant, and own both the E-P7 and PEN-F.

If I had to choose one, it'd be easy, the PEN-F all day. It's just such a beautiful camera, and a joy to use. I find shooting with a viewfinder much more engaging, but beyond that the build is miles better, and it's just the kind of camera you want to hold onto long-term. It still performs really well, too.

But I still really like the E-P7, even if I'm not crazy about EVF-less cameras in general. I think it feels very snappy and responsive. The control layout is very similar to my E-M5 III, so it is seamless to move between the two cameras, and they share a battery, which is nice. The E-P7 is smaller and lighter than the PEN-F, which are beneficial in the role of a secondary body. I haven't used either camera in enough different (or especially challenging) situations to know which camera performs better, but with the newer processor and everything the E-P7 should have slightly faster autofocus (especially C-AF) and I think has slightly better IBIS as well.*

So, I'm happy with both cameras. The E-P7 may have some slightly upgraded internals, but I wouldn't call it a night and day difference. For me, the E-P7 is ideally suited as a back-up to my E-M5 III when traveling, and the PEN-F occupies a separate role, but if I had to get rif of one or the other it would be the E-P7, with the caveat that I generally prefer a camera with an EVF, and also prefer a reversible FAS to a tilting screen (but of course a reversible FAS makes no sense on a camera without an EVF).

*Actually, I just looked it up and the PEN-F has slightly better IBIS, being rated for 5 stops versus the E-P7's 4.5.

On an unrelated note, the E-P7 has a pop-up flash, the PEN-F does not.  I'm not a big flash user, and pop-flashes are generally not great, but sometimes they can be very convenient when you absolutely NEED a flash and forgot to pack one.

grain_frame wrote:

NiX82 wrote:

Hey folks!

I took immense pleasure reading this post, as I've been contemplating purchasing the EP-7 myself.

This being said, as i already own the OM-5 (and the OM-1), I find it hard to justify the purchase... however good looking the EP-7 appears to be!

Some already commented on this, but I'm keen to hear from people who have owned both the Pen-F (can be found used in Europe) and the EP-7 (can be found new).

I've owned the Fuji X100v in the past and, as I'm left eye dominant, the viewfinder was actually annoying at times in my experience!

I look forward to reading you all!

What's your question, exactly? I'm also left-eye dominant, and own both the E-P7 and PEN-F.

If I had to choose one, it'd be easy, the PEN-F all day. It's just such a beautiful camera, and a joy to use. I find shooting with a viewfinder much more engaging, but beyond that the build is miles better, and it's just the kind of camera you want to hold onto long-term. It still performs really well, too.

But I still really like the E-P7, even if I'm not crazy about EVF-less cameras in general. I think it feels very snappy and responsive. The control layout is very similar to my E-M5 III, so it is seamless to move between the two cameras, and they share a battery, which is nice. The E-P7 is smaller and lighter than the PEN-F, which are beneficial in the role of a secondary body. I haven't used either camera in enough different (or especially challenging) situations to know which camera performs better, but with the newer processor and everything the E-P7 should have slightly faster autofocus (especially C-AF) and I think has slightly better IBIS as well.*

So, I'm happy with both cameras. The E-P7 may have some slightly upgraded internals, but I wouldn't call it a night and day difference. For me, the E-P7 is ideally suited as a back-up to my E-M5 III when traveling, and the PEN-F occupies a separate role, but if I had to get rif of one or the other it would be the E-P7, with the caveat that I generally prefer a camera with an EVF, and also prefer a reversible FAS to a tilting screen (but of course a reversible FAS makes no sense on a camera without an EVF).

*Actually, I just looked it up and the PEN-F has slightly better IBIS, being rated for 5 stops versus the E-P7's 4.5.

On an unrelated note, the E-P7 has a pop-up flash, the PEN-F does not. I'm not a big flash user, and pop-flashes are generally not great, but sometimes they can be very convenient when you absolutely NEED a flash and forgot to pack one.

You've answered the question i didn't ask; thanks!

NiX82 wrote:

grain_frame wrote:

NiX82 wrote:

Hey folks!

I took immense pleasure reading this post, as I've been contemplating purchasing the EP-7 myself.

This being said, as i already own the OM-5 (and the OM-1), I find it hard to justify the purchase... however good looking the EP-7 appears to be!

Some already commented on this, but I'm keen to hear from people who have owned both the Pen-F (can be found used in Europe) and the EP-7 (can be found new).

I've owned the Fuji X100v in the past and, as I'm left eye dominant, the viewfinder was actually annoying at times in my experience!

I look forward to reading you all!

What's your question, exactly? I'm also left-eye dominant, and own both the E-P7 and PEN-F.

If I had to choose one, it'd be easy, the PEN-F all day. It's just such a beautiful camera, and a joy to use. I find shooting with a viewfinder much more engaging, but beyond that the build is miles better, and it's just the kind of camera you want to hold onto long-term. It still performs really well, too.

But I still really like the E-P7, even if I'm not crazy about EVF-less cameras in general. I think it feels very snappy and responsive. The control layout is very similar to my E-M5 III, so it is seamless to move between the two cameras, and they share a battery, which is nice. The E-P7 is smaller and lighter than the PEN-F, which are beneficial in the role of a secondary body. I haven't used either camera in enough different (or especially challenging) situations to know which camera performs better, but with the newer processor and everything the E-P7 should have slightly faster autofocus (especially C-AF) and I think has slightly better IBIS as well.*

So, I'm happy with both cameras. The E-P7 may have some slightly upgraded internals, but I wouldn't call it a night and day difference. For me, the E-P7 is ideally suited as a back-up to my E-M5 III when traveling, and the PEN-F occupies a separate role, but if I had to get rif of one or the other it would be the E-P7, with the caveat that I generally prefer a camera with an EVF, and also prefer a reversible FAS to a tilting screen (but of course a reversible FAS makes no sense on a camera without an EVF).

*Actually, I just looked it up and the PEN-F has slightly better IBIS, being rated for 5 stops versus the E-P7's 4.5.

On an unrelated note, the E-P7 has a pop-up flash, the PEN-F does not. I'm not a big flash user, and pop-flashes are generally not great, but sometimes they can be very convenient when you absolutely NEED a flash and forgot to pack one.

You've answered the question i didn't ask; thanks!

So now you have competing views.  No question the build quality goes to the Pen F, but with a 1/2 case on each I don't really notice it.  I prefer the tilt for off-angle shooting I tend to do more often.  I did notice the slightly snappier operation and prefer the simpler interface.

But neither of us is "wrong", we just have different things higher on our preferred list.

I've also owned the X100v.  A nice camera I'm actually thinking of getting again.  The reason I sold it was to simplify.

NiX82 wrote:

Hey folks!

I took immense pleasure reading this post, as I've been contemplating purchasing the EP-7 myself.

This being said, as i already own the OM-5 (and the OM-1), I find it hard to justify the purchase... however good looking the EP-7 appears to be!

Some already commented on this, but I'm keen to hear from people who have owned both the Pen-F (can be found used in Europe) and the EP-7 (can be found new).

I've owned the Fuji X100v in the past and, as I'm left eye dominant, the viewfinder was actually annoying at times in my experience!

I look forward to reading you all!

The Pen-F is, well, the Pen-F. It is wonderful to use. I have an OM-1, EM5 MKiii and now an EP-7. I sold my EM10 MKiv in favor of the EP-7 because it is even smaller. The EP-7 is more for social situations where I will need a small flash such as at a restaurant. I also really like the tilt screen. The OM-1 is more my wildlife camera, the EM5 MKiii for city and travel but so is the Pen-F. At some point the 5 will be sold but no way for the Pen-F. If you can find a nice Pen-F, that is the one I would choose. The EP-7 (I like it way more than I thought I would) is a very nice camera but the Pen-F wins easily between the two for me. Get both if you can 😁

I also had the X100V but sold it after getting the Ricoh GRIII, a fantastic camera!

BruceRH wrote:

NiX82 wrote:

Hey folks!

I took immense pleasure reading this post, as I've been contemplating purchasing the EP-7 myself.

This being said, as i already own the OM-5 (and the OM-1), I find it hard to justify the purchase... however good looking the EP-7 appears to be!

Some already commented on this, but I'm keen to hear from people who have owned both the Pen-F (can be found used in Europe) and the EP-7 (can be found new).

I've owned the Fuji X100v in the past and, as I'm left eye dominant, the viewfinder was actually annoying at times in my experience!

I look forward to reading you all!

The Pen-F is, well, the Pen-F. It is wonderful to use. I have an OM-1, EM5 MKiii and now an EP-7. I sold my EM10 MKiv in favor of the EP-7 because it is even smaller. The EP-7 is more for social situations where I will need a small flash such as at a restaurant. I also really like the tilt screen. The OM-1 is more my wildlife camera, the EM5 MKiii for city and travel but so is the Pen-F. At some point the 5 will be sold but no way for the Pen-F. If you can find a nice Pen-F, that is the one I would choose. The EP-7 (I like it way more than I thought I would) is a very nice camera but the Pen-F wins easily between the two for me. Get both if you can 😁

I also had the X100V but sold it after getting the Ricoh GRIII, a fantastic camera!

I like how you think, I'd love to get both! But then I'm pretty sure I'd have to sleep in my car for the better part of 2023!

So looks aside, you would say you enjoy using your PEN-F more than your EP-7 (which you enjoy nonetheless)?

It's a shame it's no longer possible to find them other than online. I wish I could start by holding one in person; that would be a good start!

On a side note, the price range of the PEN-F, used, is 749 EUR to 864 EUR.

The price of the PEN E-P7, new, is 849 EUR body only, and 949 EUR with the 14-42mm pancake lens.

NiX82 wrote:

On a side note, the price range of the PEN-F, used, is 749 EUR to 864 EUR.

The price of the PEN E-P7, new, is 849 EUR body only, and 949 EUR with the 14-42mm pancake lens.

No idea whether their mainland Europe operation has any, but MPB in the UK have several E-P7 camera bodies, in "Like New" condition, priced at £504... which is some 580 Euro, I think?

Got mine, from the UK site, almost a year ago now.

They've also got no less than eighteen Pen-Fs at the moment - with those in "Excellent" condition (their next step down from "Like New") priced at £729.

More than I was, or am, prepared to pay!

Peter