Does the PEN (and GF) for take-along camera

That comes with the Olympus PEN kit lens (also applies to the Panasonic GF) projects quite far out of the camera, especially when it is zoomed. A pancake lens is against extra-flat (26 mm according to data sheet) and hardly noticeable when worn. This affects the PEN transformed: from a camera to the camera bag is a camera for the cladding or (large) pocket. Even the strap around your neck, you can wear under the jacket, which in winter is convenient to keep the battery alive. Finally, I can use the PEN for what it is intended, in my opinion: as full take-along camera.

The second transformation is experienced in low light: with a maximum aperture of F1.7 it is about two stops better than virtually any other MFT lens with autofocus (the Olympus 20mm f2.8 is a stop worse and less spicy). Suddenly the pens and JRC, which indeed caused by the sensor can not be as noise-free as cameras are APS-C or full-frame sensor, also for available light shots. Snapshots at a party without a flash? Street photography at night? everything possible.

The autofocus is quick, no comparison with the lame kit lens from Olympus (which is Panasonic better) and fairly quiet, but not silent. In a quiet environment you can hear interestingly, the aperture (!) Work when the camera pans, while the light changes.

An image stabilizer does not exist, which is no problem for the Olympus, because the stabilizer is built into the housing of the camera. With Panasonic you have to hold the camera steady, but not a real problem is at the focal length: the old rule of thumb "shutter speed> = 1 / focal length in seconds" gives 1 / 30s out of the hands. Who wants to expose more slowly perhaps should use a tripod (with stabilizer), and to worry about the movement of the subject in any case.

The front lens element is curved slightly outwards. This (and by the low height of the lens), it is the only one of my lenses, in which I have fingerprints on the glass regularly. I will assemble a lens hood, this type Fotodiox Pro angle lens hood, sun visor for RF Rangefinder rangefinder camera 46mm should work quite well and can be had in the bay for about 10. Another option is a high-quality UV filter, as this B + W UV filter F-Pro MRC 010M SH 46mm.

The lens is the sharpest yet consistently, that I know for MFT previously. Yes, it has small weaknesses, but to the vignetting at full aperture, which can be easily corrected on the computer, you really have to look for it. The Voigtlander Nokton 0.95 / 25mm MFT is probably even better, but currently costs more than double, is almost three times as long, weighs four times and is exclusively focused manually (the latter need not be a disadvantage).

The focal length is a matter of taste: formerly were in 50mm Film Cameras as "normal lens", with 40mm miniature equivalent one is just a bit of wide-angle. What bothers me is something that I have to be very close for photos of people, otherwise I get along well, although I tend rather to longer focal lengths.

The lack of a zoom is a relief - I love the purist of a fixed focal length and the challenge of finding by moving a suitable image. If that does not work times, the image can be indeed curtail the computer.

When I look at 50mm lenses from Canon or Nikon, then I get for the same money a stop more light, or pay only a third of the price of Panasonic for the same light intensity. With lenses, a large part of the price by the amount of (high precision) glass is conditioned. Due to the significantly smaller opening MFT here has a huge advantage over the KB formats while the latter are much cheaper? I can only suspect that Panasonic has the fact that this objective is unrivaled priced vigorously for MFT. The price is, in short, a lot of nerve and leads to the withdrawal of a star.

As mentioned earlier, I bought the PEN than ever-this camera. With the kit lens that was possible, but has never made me really fun. Since I have the Panasonic 20mm screwed, I let the other lenses at home and just take the PEN with the 20mm. This is hardly visible and is great fun!

My recommendation: if an Olympus PEN or Panasonic GF buys, the Panasonic 20mm F1.7 worth a closer look. It is high speed, sharply and compact but relatively expensive. Nevertheless, I think it is currently the best MFT lens for under 500 and would, if I could have only one lens, any other prefer.