Will the new OM System PEN replace the EP-7?

 Last update:- 3rd October 2026 (Several updates and new images)

OM System announced a new PEN mirrorless camera on Monday, the 9th of September 26. Except for YouTubers discussing photography with Olympus and OM System equipment, others resurfaced for the first time to present the new PEN following the OM-3 launch in January 2025. It was amusing to see the instant love and joy over the fifth variation of a 12-year-old Pro mirrorless camera.

One could literally repeat the top 5 OM System sales arguments after the third YouTube video, which is perfectly fine, as corporate press events were done like this forever. It's normal to work with press representatives and to place a print-ready article or script in each press package. The difference is, one never saw a line like, "The article is sponsored, but I am free to report my thoughts." The contrast between innovation with Olympus over the final 10 years and the 5 years with OM System reminds me of a small community of influencers admiring the Stone Age, where size matters.

See this video discussing color profiles with the OM-3.

Does the above segmentation strategy look like something supporting the next 10 years? Does it matter?

There is something special about professional Olympus or OM System cameras. It's always a joy to see the excitement when someone bought an older EM-1. The popularity of cameras like the E-1 & 3, the EM-1 series, and the EM1X are great examples. The Olympus EM-1 II introduced many photographers to the MFT segment, and the EM-5 series enjoyed a distinct enthusiast preference, which made the EM-5 III and the first OM-5 obvious progress. It's almost disrespectful to repurpose a 6-year-old professional camera like the EM-1 III to an entry-level and low-cost camera. We can only speculate what's next for pro-level cameras like the Olympus OM1, the OM System OM-1 II, and the OM-3.

If well "designed" (repurposed), the OM System PEN has the potential to quickly become the ultimate entry-level pro camera, while the modest EP-7 has proven to be a popular everyday camera. Copying the color & mono lever from the EP-7 is an appropriate choice, as it's a more practical option than the creative dials of the OM-3 and older Pen F. The new mobile phone application (IO.Share) looks like a welcome improvement. See my Workspace update page for more information on why I removed the newer V2.5 from my PCs and reinstalled the older V2.3.2 on my MacBook and iMac.

Considering the knowledge we gained, would it be a mistake to move on...?

One cannot help but wonder if Workspace became an existential liability to OM System. Everything about the RAW+ format and Workspace points to innovation and a culture of designing cameras that would lead the industry. Olympus invested in loyal customers with exciting camera firmware updates and the unique RAW+ conversion concept by extending TruePic imaging to Workspace.

The more I learn about the enhanced raw format (RAW+) and the creative color options from Olympus and OM System cameras, the more frustrating it is when an update fails basic expectations of having a new camera added to software like Workspace. Unfortunately, OM System seems to have lost interest in that final piece truly differentiating Olympus and OM system cameras from others.

Interestingly, only a few social media influencers who introduced the PEN did a comparison between the PEN, OM-5, and OM-3. An OM-5 II body costs a little more than the OM-3 on our local market. How much are you willing to spend on the OM-3 (repurposed OM-1 II)? The EM-1 III, OM-5, or the new PEN are great cameras, whereas the OM-3 is a beast with its TruePic X and Quad BSI sensor.

See this interesting report about the OM-3 from Mark McGee...

Would you partner with those loving the "new" look of a 12-year-old camera and repeating "bigger is better" sales lines the day after? One of them reviewed 9 products from Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fuji, and OM System in the same month. Why not select YouTube channels discussing segments like traveling, farming, and sailing, where influencers could showcase the new OM System PEN camera?

One has to consider that smiling influencer faces do not contribute to OM System's survival over the next 24 months. Competitors are launching exciting new products, and software companies like DxO, Canva (Affinity), ON-1, and Skylum are growing fast. Is a moment's "hype" over a repurposed 12-year-old camera and poorly performing software enough to foster a loyal customer base?

Will the new PEN replace the PEN EP-7? The new camera was developed to target new customers, not traditional Olympus photographers. The launch price was pitched at an acceptable street price, which would rather increase than loose value if the OM marketing team continues doing an excellent job. That means the Olympus EP-7 will become an even more appealing secondhand alternative. The Pen EP-7 is and will continue to be an excellent low-cost and everyday creative alternative.

Taking a peek at Canon, Nikon, and Sony, it doesn't take much to see the MFT used market is a worthy competitor to these brands, with excellent camera bodies and lenses. It doesn't cost much to own an EM-1 III with the 12-45 mm and 40-150 mm f/4.0 Pro combo. Cameras like the Pen EP-7 or the EM-10 IV make it difficult to justify the cost associated with an APC or FF camera. I would much rather have a new PEN on the back end of my lenses than a Nikon, Canon, or Sony with kit lenses...

The best OM System PEN video I saw to date.

Siegfried

The Olympus PEN EP-7 has been one of the most popular everyday cameras...

All the photos were taken with my Olympus EP-7 and 17 mm f/2.8 lens.

The images were taken with the Pen F and the Leica 25mm f/1.4 lens. I used color harmonies while converting the RAW+ files in Workspace. See this video for more on color harmonies. The information shared in the video makes working with color harmonies a pleasure. It's safe to say that technically and functionally, the new OM System PEN is a worthy replacement for the Olympus PEN F.

Walking the dog with my Olympus EM-5 II

Last update:- 9th September 2026

Taken with the Olympus EM-1 III and the M.Zuiko 12-45mm pro lens. I converted the RAW+ file in Workspace.

I decided to take my E-M5 II and Leica 25mm f/1.4 lens on a summer afternoon walk with my wife and Milo. It was literally the final minutes prior to the sun setting for a quiet evening. The EM-5 II, with its innovative feature set, continues to be a fascinating mirrorless camera in 2026. The images have a unique natural balance with beautiful colors, and it's one of only a few cameras with a pleasant and soft shutter sound. The posted photos were converted and edited in Workspace, and the frames were added in Affinity. I edited my camera settings, tonal settings, and a mix of Natural, iEnhanced, and Color Creator Picture modes in Workspace. It's great to use a mirrorless camera from 2015 with such an advanced "computational" like feature set. Will it be the final one in my camera bag?

PS. The posted images ended up covering a span of three days.

Forecasted consumer trends, like the declining popularity of compact digital cameras and demand for hybrid cameras, seem to have been marketing "trends" all these years. We also see how corporate and consumer priorities changed with the arrival of AI, which impacts the business forecasts and priorities of professional photographers. For instance, the original Sony A1 with a lower shutter count is now a better financial alternative to the newer MKII label. Shouldn't photographers question official market trends more, with used camera sales being excluded from globally reported sales figures? One cannot help but wonder, how well is OM System geared for this fast-changing environment?

Imagine the savings potential when using a mirrorless camera from 2015 with modern features such as connectivity to OM Capture, Pen F and OM-3 color profiles via Workspace, 40MP high-res photos, and more. The EM-5 II has proven to be an exciting camera with its high-sensitivity 16 MB Live MOS sensor. Imagine an MFT camera with access to a large range of quality used lenses and no need for expensive PC configurations, overpriced memory cards, and high-capacity memory servers in 2026.

Olympus EM-5 II and the 25mm f/1.4 Leica lens. ISO200, f/3.5, 1/8th. This high-res 40MP RAW+ file was converted in Workspace.

While watching a video from James Popsys about colour and studying the book Lighting & Rendering from Jeremy Birn, I was reminded of how much more I need to learn. I am looking forward to the day our focus shifts from perfect cameras to using our GOD given talents to become better artists and not consumers. I am excited to see a new camera from OM System and wish them success...

The photos below are a selection of my enhanced raw files converted and edited in Workspace, plus HDR conversions of the EM-5 II raw files in Affinity. I added all the frames in Affinity.

This is one of my EM-5 II plus 25mm f/1.4 Leica lens photos I took the day after. I used the Color Creator in Workspace.

This is a more "natural" EM5 II - HDR version of the converted RAW file in Affinity Photo 2.

Another EM-5 II HDR raw conversion in Affinity Photo 2.

I used the HDR function of Affinity to convert this EM-5 II RAW+ file. Affinity made HDR photography fun again...

OM-3, E-M5 III and E-M1 III high-speed challenge...

Last updated: 2nd September 2026

24th August 2026 - Day 1:

The Olympus E-M5 III with the 12mm f2.0 M.Zuiko lens. ISO5000, f/2.8, and 1/250th. I converted the RAW+ file in Workspace.

I saw an intro opportunity for my next YouTube video while our grandchildren were playing with their toys. While the planning and taking of the images was fun, it felt like something was not right in the above scene. You are welcome to share your thoughts. I tweaked my camera and noise filter settings while converting the enhanced raw file (RAW+) in Workspace. The question is, should I photograph and film the "flying" cars with my newer OM-3? For example, which camera is the more practical photo option for this project, the OM-3 or the older E-M1 III (OM-5)? Email me if you'd like to create a similar "high-speed" application. It will be great to have more examples in this article...

As you can see, day one started with many unknowns and questions.

Tip: The camera settings below each image tell the story of creating the final shot...

OM System OM-3 with the 12-50mm f3.5-6.3 EZ M.Zuiko lens. ISO800, f/6.3, 1/8th sec. 80MP High-ress, AI noise filter at "Low" in Workspace.

The more I learn about this application, the more I realize it's not simply a quick intro for a future YT video. For example, I seldom use more than the camera's "Low" noise filter or the Workspace AI noise filter. The intro E-M5 III photo is one of only a few times I had to use the "Standard" AI noise option in Workspace. The bright areas were clean while the shadows were simply too noisy.

Four exposure variables and one fixed (constant) variable.

The challenge became higher shutter speeds, lower ISOs, and more luminance onto the sensor, which felt like an impossible task with my current home studio and available LED lighting options.

List the typical challenges one should expect from a scene like this?

26th August 2026 - Day 2:

OM System OM-3 with the 35-100mm f2.8 Lumix lens. ISO3200, f/2.8, 1/500. I used the "Low" AI noise filter option in Workspace.

It's a mistake to encourage photographers to purchase expensive Lumix or Leica lenses for Olympus or OM System cameras. I own some inexpensive used Lumix/Leica lenses, like the 25 mm f1.4, the 20 mm f1.7, the 12-35 mm f2.8, and the 35-100 mm f2.8 lenses. The risks of paring these lenses with Olympus cameras are potential incompatibilities and high-performance issues. For example, the OM-3 prevented me from selecting some of the Pro Capture options because my Lumix 12-35 mm and 35-100 mm lenses are incompatible with some of the more advanced Pro Capture options.

Should I use the Pro Capture or high-speed sequential mode?

For more on the Olympus ecosystem.

OM System OM-3 with the 12-40mm f2.8 Pro lens - ISO3200, f2.8, 1/500.

I made several changes to improve the OM-3 layout. The challenge was to overcome the weak scene luminance ("4th" exposure variable) of the first layout. That meant a different scene and camera/lens configuration, camera angles, and the selection and placement of light sources. I am getting closer to a working setup that could perform well as an intro scene for my next YouTube video...

List 5 improvements I made to improve the above scenes.

27th August 2026 - Day 3:

Olympus EM-1 III with the 12-40mm f2.8 Pro lens. ISO2500, f/3.2, 1/1250. The RAW+ file was converted in Workspace.

My relatively new home studio, reviewed in this article, is perfect for static scenes. High-speed action scenarios require more planning and experience. The challenge is to systematically apply the digital imaging basics explained in my blog articles. This project has proven to be an excellent case study to explain the advantages of theoretically correct and accurate information. For example, if needed, an equivalent depth of field requires ISO 10000, f/6.3, and 1/1250 on full-frame cameras. Having 2 stops less reflected light onto the full-frame sensor means lower SNRs and more noise. 

The alternative to noise is increasing the average scene luminance by 2 stops. That means doubling the light at each stop, which is easy when starting from the camera's native ISO. It's more difficult when doubling the light a third or fourth time. One quickly reaches the point of considering the actual cost implications of having enthusiast or professional equipment. The challenge social media experts are facing in 2026 is more realistic photography and equipment discussions.

28th August 2026 - Day 4:

Olympus EM-1 III with the 12-40mm f2.8 Pro lens. ISO2500, f3.2, 1/1600. The RAW+ file was converted in Workspace.

It took two weeks from starting the project to having the above photo. It's one of my most exciting projects with Olympus cameras. The practical application of illumination, sensor saturation, and a high-speed action scene is exhilirating. My final strategy focused on optimizing my depth of field and having more light on the sensor. That means I applied most of the available light to the tiny area with moving cars while applying an alternative strategy in the shadow areas. I couldn't use gamma controls like "AUTO" gradation because the contrast between illuminating the moving cars and darker areas worsened the SNR deltas. The final phase in this project will start tomorrow.

Here is a list of my home studio lighting equipment:

• 2x Rotolight Neo II LED lights with stands
• 4x SmallRig Mini LED Video Lights with tripods
• One of the first (small) Aperture LED lights
• Diffusers and color filters as needed

Olympus EM-10 IV with the Leica 25mm f1.4 lens. ISO800, f5.0, 1/50. The RAW+ was converted in Workspace and edited in Affinity.

29th August 2026 - Day 5:

Post processing and preparing the intro scene with Affinity and Final Cut Pro will take a day or two. The images below were taken with the Olympus EM-10 IV and the M.Zuiko 60 mm f/2.8 Macro lens and the Leica 25 mm f/1.4 lens. I converted and edited the enhanced raw (RAW+) files in Workspace. The Olympus EM-10 IV is a great camera with excellent image quality for everyday photography.

All the high-speed sequential photos in this article were done in silent mode at 30 fps.

The above timelapse was created from 11 RAW+ files, which I converted and cropped to the 16:9 ratio in Workspace. The remaining photos in this article were converted and edited in Workspace. The final intro scene was created from a mix of preprocessed and RAW+ content. The TruePic imaging process made it possible to create color-balanced video and photo footage by preprocessing the video clips in the camera and converting the RAW+ files in Workspace. The final intro sequence is surprisingly short for the effort of preparing my home studio and recording the video and photo footage. 

See my next video for the final intro and more information.

How would you present the final version?

Siegfried