The PEN has no viewfinder but a brilliantly sharp display with folding mechanism and Selfie function on the can focus very well either via the timer or by touch function. Who missed the viewfinder can be retrofitted the camera with the Olympus VF-4, which is not cheap. With the 399 PEN, however, even very inexpensive.
Happily, I have to buy the E-PL7 no more light weak pancake kit lens but can use them with small, lightweight lenses. Therefore, instead of the M.ZUIKO 45mm f1.8 Kitobjektives is initially recovered with me as a lightweight telephoto and portrait focal length.
The small Mirrorless fits perfectly into the Olympus PEN Fashion camera bag size S and there is still plenty of space for an interchangeable lens. Since I bought this time the camera at the local Olympus dealer, I got the bag for free. Whether that is ordering through Amazon even so, I can not say unfortunately.
The camera technology:
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The E-PL7 joins my Olympus OM-D E-M1 as a backup camera, so it's already diverse Oly photo stuff with me yet (see my other reviews). The PEN has the same sensor installed as the larger E-M10, and is therefore in terms of image quality in line with the Olympus E-M1 Flaggship camera. That's Olympus-typical and makes the purchase of the Small PEN for me particularly attractive.
Since I professionally work as a Web designer and the camera both operational / business and personal use as a nature and wildlife photographer I can without compromising on quality having to make both cameras with matching lenses take to shoot and keep getting the same, predictable quality, no matter used which camera is. All existing MFT lenses are also attached to the small PEN camera.
Under the robust metal housing is a little quieter than to the large E-M1, which can track the autofocus when shooting at 9 frames per second. This works the small PEN only with a maximum of 3.7 frames per second in burst mode but with considerable 8fps still image shooting.
As well as the large E-M1 the PEN E-PL7 comes with various shooting modes that can automatically handle any conceivable exposure situation and help photography beginners, can not manually make the appropriate settings.
More experienced photographers whose mode dial is rooted in "M", may be assisted by an ISO-automatic and manual mode - always traverse a good feature for a race situation and nature photographer whose objects changing light and shadow areas.
Adventurous photographers find many Artfiltern and effects such as partial color a vast playground in front of the example of the friends just trendy vintage look but also Colorkey fans spared the time-consuming post and the photos the same OOC stylt.
Disadvantage for newcomers is therefore also the most comprehensive yet in comparison to the E-M1 slimmed user menu that allows the photographer to adjust its PEN individually according to his needs but initially seems a bit confusing. Who is already familiar with Olympus MFT cameras here but no problems have to find your way.
Practical photography and image quality:
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As already described, the PEN has an excellent image quality. However, I want to recommend to the noise reduction "low" to put on or off because it dissolves easily to fine structures. A tip can also be useful for other Oly cameras. The exposure I find very balanced, the dynamic range is impressive - also in comparison to DSLR cameras in upscale APS-C segment.
Advantage of Olympus cameras is the wide lens range, which is well stocked with high light-strong fixed focal lengths that are simultaneously very affordable. Where other photographers have already revving up the ISO, I put on a bright fixed focal length or one of the excellent Pro f2.8 optics, resulting in very beautiful image results. The exemption with harmonious verlaufendem image background is not a problem with these lenses.
On-site 16 Megapixel I like to use for aluminum Dibond prints to 80x60mm, larger prints are lt. Lab problem and not connected to texture losses. As nature photographer I know the Crop appreciate very factor 2, at the 300mm focal length of the lens the same image section brings me like a 600mm lens on a film camera.
The flexibility of the hinged display that sits exactly in the optical axis allows me to shoot photos almost at ground level - are in demand with great results for example when small dogs are photographed or special effects with wide-angle lenses. Lifestyle fans will particularly appreciate why the folding monitor because Selfies thus are possible without a tripod to use.
Buy recommendation?
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Yes, absolutely - a so chic and high-quality piece of technology is actually incredible for this price and deserves the entire starry sky. The chic PEN toppt problems far more expensive precious Compact and not catch up in terms of their performance and image quality of APS-C digital SLR cameras in the amateur field. I would buy it immediately.
As a small impression of sharpness and accuracy of autofocus without viewfinder I attach a photo of my little dog 25cm.