OM System PEN Announced: $999 Micro Four Thirds Camera With EVF and IBIS

OM System has officially announced the PEN, reviving the PEN name under the OM System brand for the first time. It's a Micro Four Thirds camera built around a rangefinder-style body with a built-in electronic viewfinder, making it only the second PEN model ever to include one, after the original PEN-F. OM System says it will ship in late October 2026, priced at $999.99 body only, $1,099.99 with the M.Zuiko 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 III kit lens, or $1,299.99 in a double lens kit that adds the M.Zuiko ED 40-150mm F4.0-5.6 R telephoto.

The overlap with the OM-5 II is substantial: independent testing found the PEN shares its sensor and processor with that camera. But the PEN packages similar core hardware into a flatter, rangefinder-style body aimed at everyday, street and travel photography, with dedicated Color and Monochrome Profile controls for customizable JPEG looks.

Confirmed specs, straight from OM System's own materials: a 20.4-megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor, 5-axis in-body stabilization rated up to 5.5 stops, a 2.36-million-dot electronic viewfinder, 121-point all-cross phase-detection autofocus with AI-powered Human and Pet Detection AF, and IPX1-rated splash and dust resistance, the first PEN model built that way, all in a 393-gram body.

The first reviews are already in, and they largely reinforce what the spec sheet suggests: this is a photography-first camera. PetaPixel and DPReview have both praised the compact handling, the stabilization, and the in-camera color controls. The new BLS-7 battery is CIPA-rated for approximately 410 shots per charge. Video is the clearer limitation: recording tops out at 4K/30 in 8-bit, with no headphone jack for monitoring audio.

The most obvious comparison is the OM-5 II. If you were already considering it, the PEN is now a genuine alternative for buyers who prefer a flatter rangefinder-style body, a stronger emphasis on in-camera creative controls, and everyday portability, as long as video isn't a priority. We'll follow up once it's actually shipping and more hands-on impressions are in.