Japanese company OM System has brought back the PEN name with a new Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera, marking the first model in the series released under the OM System brand. The line originated with the Olympus PEN half-frame film camera in 1959 and later moved into digital photography, with compact dimensions remaining one of its defining characteristics.

The new PEN follows the same general approach, using a rangefinder-style body weighing 393 grams. However, it introduces several features that were absent from many previous digital PEN models, including IPX1-rated weather resistance and a built-in 2.36-million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder. A 3-inch fully articulating touchscreen is also included, while physical controls provide direct access to photo, video and slow/quick-motion modes.

Internally, the camera uses a familiar 20.4-megapixel Live MOS Micro Four Thirds sensor paired with the TruePic IX processor. Five-axis in-body stabilization provides up to 5.5 stops of compensation, while the 121-point phase-detection autofocus system includes subject recognition for people and animals. Continuous shooting reaches 8 fps in conventional operation, while Pro Capture can record at up to 30 fps and begin buffering images before the shutter button is fully pressed.

The PEN also incorporates several of OM System’s computational photography functions: handheld High Res Shot can generate 50-megapixel files, while tripod-based High Res Shot increases resolution to 80 megapixels. Live ND provides up to four stops of simulated neutral-density filtration, and additional modes include HDR and focus stacking.