My sources told me that the PEN-F is indeed a competitor of the Fuji X-PRO series. Both cameras aim to attract enthusiast photogrpahers who do care about design and usability. So let’s take a closer look the to size comparison made by Camerasize. From my personal taste point of you I do like the PEN-F design more. But the Fuji has some nice tech features I would love to see on a PEN, for example the hybrid viewfinder. But I admit I am a bit a nostalgic of rangefinder cameras 馃檪
PEN-F Preorder links:
Silver PEN-F in USA/Canada at Bhphoto, Amazon, Adorama, GetOlympus, GetOlympus Canada.
Black PEN-F in USA/Canada at Bhphoto, Amazon, Adorama, GetOlympus, GetOlympus Canada.
Silver PEN-F in EU at Amazon Deutschland, FotoMundus, WexUk, ParkCameras.
Black PEN-F in EU at聽Amazon Deutschland, FotoMundus, WexUK, ParkCameras.
Olympus also announced some other stuff:
Olympus E-M10 Mark II Limited at BHphoto and Adorama.
Olympus CBG-11 PR Premium Leather Camera Bag for PEN-F (Brown/Black) at BHphoto.
Olympus CS-48 PR Premium Leather Wrapping Cloth for PEN-F (Brown/Black) at BHphoto.
Olympus ECG-4 External Metal Grip for PEN-F (Black) at BHphoto.
Olympus CSS-S120L PR Premium Leather Shoulder Strap for PEN-F (Brown/Black) at BHphoto.
Olympus CS-47B Leather Body Jacket for PEN-F (Black) at BHphoto.
61 Responses
Why do you refer to nothing but nostalgia when you talk about rangefinder cameras? Don’t you know what a rangefinder type camera is about?
This being said, I don’t see the point to compare a PEN-F to an X-Pro2.
It is about nostalgia. As I recall, guessing as to whether your photo was in focus was a dubious adventure, at best. SLRs were much more useful in the past.
Ts ts ts. Instead of trying to understand the difference between DSLR and Mirrorless Cameras, hopefully the admin will post an article one day about the difference between a rangefinder camera and a ‘normal’ viewfinder camera. I’m sure you would learn something.
You would probably learn something also.
Rangefinders were never as wonderful as people today think that they were but then, that’s nostalgia–that emotional connection that has no basis in reality.
I shoot a lot of film in manual focus rangefinders and slrs. I can tell you that while SLR’s are better for close up work, and long telephoto work, manual focus is much faster on a rangefinder in most situations. Lining up a rangefinder patch is so much easier than judging focus in a split prism.
That said, when it comes to mirror-less cameras, it doesn’t matter if the evf is on the side or in the middle, it is not really a rangefinder. I like the side placement as I would rather not have my nose smashed up against the camera screen.
Frankly most camera buyers never used a rangefinder camera, so I don’t see how nostalgia comes into play.
Most camera buyers these days have never used film or a 135 Format dSLR but they “know” that it’s the best–even better than Medium Format.
What does that have to do with nostalgia?
What about them choosing dslr because they really prefer OVF or the grip size or both? Or some other reason?
i disagree. my m6 is terribly slow to focus, especially when you have a 50mm f/2 on it and shot close range.
than you really want to make sure that the patches are aligned. and that is not very easy to do.
but then, maybe if i would train more, it would be better
I like the Fuji more because the design is more functional, less jewellery.
Regardless, the D7200 seems like a far superior crop sensor camera than both, and is significantly cheaper.
For many people, there is no nostalgic value in using a dSLR, as many first time photographers think that they have to have a dSLR to look professional.
I appreciate the X-Pro2 but it’s likely easier to work with the D7200. Mine is sufficient.
i strongly disagree. having direct control is what is “easier to work with” for me.
although it is true, the important functions have dedicated buttons on the d7200, having direct access to aperture and shutterspeed is a gem.
but than, i tend to shot rather slow, taking time. the d7200 might be a better “pro-point and shoot” than the fuji…
Explain? X-Pro2 specs are better across board compared to the the D7200.
X-Pro2 is quite different from D7200. Sensor size is not all. Personally I prefer OVF in stead of EVF, but I don’t have enough experience with hybrid range finders to range it compared to OVF and EVF. But I totally respect that personal preferences differ. The same goes for grip size, weight and ergonomy. Personally I like medium dslr sized grip (like the D7200) but I also welcome reduced weight. I doubt there will ever be a perfect camera for me, and certainly not one that are perfect for everybody.
The PEN-F is a Competitor to the X-E2
Correct.
I thought so too until I saw the price of the PEN-F… I suspect it will drop in price quite rapidly.
in nyc b and h has the updated xe2s for 699 body
the pen f is almost twice as much ….. not cool
Professional photographers are using the Fuji X-Pro for their work, you believe it will be the case for the Pen-F? They are not even in the same class…
Correct.
I can’t stop being overwhelmed by the wisdom of amateurs who think they know everything, and most prominently everything about “professional photographers”, what they do and use and whatnot, and what not…
But, just for the humble not-so-knowing forum user, what “class” would that be the one camera is supposed to be in but the other out?
I had heard that professional photographers only use Canon or Nikon equipment. 馃榾
5D Mark III only.. everything else is just a gimmick 馃槈
Pretty much, from what I’ve heard, except that the D810 is occasionally useful. If Nikon would produce lens casings that weren’t black, they would be so much better.
Tell that to the laundry list of professionals using X equipment.
No no, If you haven’t pre ordered a Nikon D5 yet, you are a newbie :p
I know, because a pro said so :p
the Canon 1DX Mark II was announced.. i am happy to be a newby and don’t have to make that decision.. 馃檪
be sure and pick up the new dual battery charger from canon…
im pretty sure its made in china out of the same shitty black plastic all battery chargers seem to be made of same too long plug cord …
oh, ….and its 399.00 frickin us dollars … so all you canon shooters out there , daddy canon would you all to bend over just a bit more , so it can more easily……………….
i think based on the specs of these two cameras, the Pen-F is an entry level camera and for enthusiasts. Someone owning a Olympus OM-D M5mark2 or M1 won’t consider the Pen-F for their professional work. Maybe as a backup camera.
The XPro2 is a big upgrade from the XPro1 or X-T1 .. professional Fuji shooters will upgrade to this or the next X-T2 which will have similar specs in a dslr like body.
The X-Pro2 seems as though it is the first X-Mount camera to be viable for work that requires a quick response. Every previous model seems to lag far too long, which goes back to the days of their studio dSLRs.
The X-T10 and the X-T1 with the Firmware Update 4.0 which came out in June or July would be the first XMount Camera suitable for photography. Now the FW update reached out to the X-E2. That makes these cameras comparable cameras for fast shooting situations..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXAzUsvCmZY
the X-Pro2 beats them and maked it a serious competer to pansonic, sony, olympus for AF speed.
I’m glad that FujiFilm is making progress. I just don’t think they’ll ever be responsive enough for my work at skate parks. Panasonic and Olympus take care of that so well.
I really liked the X-T1, for the sake of nostalgia, but it didn’t work for me. It’s good that FujiFilm has so many dedicated users.
I wish Tony would pick some other subject matter. It’s the same for every review but really…there is more to photograph then the same person over and over again.
Pen-F entry Level backup for E-M5II owners? You now that the PEN–F is placed above Omd E-M5II ?!! 馃槈
in what? in price and resolution.
smaller viewfinder and the lack of weather sealing position it under the m5ii
Once you need a bag for either cameras, in my opinion it maters less which one is slightly bigger or smaller.
More important is, if the camera has a decent grip fitting their size and weight. The Pen-F has a nice thumb grip, but without the front grip i imagine it a bit uncomfortable.. the xpro2 is bigger, but has a comfortable grip on front.
Size comparison could also look like this with 50 mm equivalent lens 馃槈
Except those are not equivalent lenses, just like in the post’s size comparison. In the post you’re comparing cameras equivalent to 34mm f/3.6 and 35mm f/2.13 and in this comment you’re comparing 50mm f/3.6 to 53mm f/3.04.
If the cameras were actually equivalent, the lenses would most likely be about the same size as is generally the case when comparing things like Fuji’s f/2.8 zooms to Sony’s f/4 zooms. I’d say to make that comparison to Oly’s “Pro” zooms but they are f/5.6 equivalent which isn’t even close.
Camera equivalence may not matter to you, which is fine, but it’s a real matter of physics. And it’s nice because at that point, assuming concurrent tech, you can ignore the sensor differences and just compare size/cost/etc. as the low light performance after compensating for camera equivalence becomes insignificantly different on match tech.
I think at this point that most m43 shooters have already decided they don’t care about equivalence, but, for size comparisons, it’s really just foolish looking to ignore it.
Even though the focal lengths differ it’s probably more fair to compare the 17/1.8 to the fuji 27/2.8. It’s only slightly longer effective FL and only slightly less light (~f/4 vs. f/3.6 on the oly)
You’re right, it is a matter of physics and you’re physics are not entirely accurate.
Most importantly, you want the whole world to bend to your definition of “what matters” but what really, actually does matter is the photographer. Don’t inflate the importance of your equivalence dogma. After all, if you really don’t want to be foolish by ignoring equivalence, you should shoot medium format… You really shoot large format… You really should shoot………
And around and around and around we go.
You are right about that, even though I would turn that around and argue for Nikon 1 since the quality difference to mFT is so small.
Not true. Oh so not true. Stabilization, handling and lenses. And price!
I was talking about the physics of sensor size and what that does to photon noise. None of the features you mention are related to the sensor size.
I absolutely agree. Emphasising on size difference without comparing physical differences will eventually end up in a low quality phone.
In addition to the optical differences and sensor differences, the X-Pro 2 also offers weather sealing and hybrid view finder, while Pen-F don’t.
The size differences have an explanation of course. Just like choosing between Nikon 1 and mFT is a matter of personal taste, what is enough image quality and functionality.
why no photo of the cute small sensor in the PEN F?
This is the comparison you should make, since it’s both cameras with EVF only:
the X-E2 is sexy
well done makes alot more sense
And here is the back view:
And the top view ( (with 25 mm f/1.4 and 35 mm f/2):
Both good looking cameras – I just think the XPRO is just a bit to large – it has a very small grip – both will produce nice images – I prefer the Pen F dials – a Mode Dial – I think that a shutter speed dial is just not so practical as such – as it is very hard to fit all shutter speeds on a dial so one will be looking at a display for it –
I think the Pen F offers more in the way of image processing – but of course the XPRO2 has a larger sensor so I suspect low light performance will be a tiny bit better –
Fuji has had problems with focusing in low light – hopefully that will be fixed as their grain looks nice – also the Pen F will be lighter in most cases as their lenses will be smaller and lighter if compared to equivalent lens from Fuji –
Also for me a big thing is the IBIS in the Pen F – allowing all Primes to be stabilized – so although the sensor size is larger on the Fuji that advantage will be minimized or lost as the Pen F can be shot at very low shutter speeds –
at $1699 without lens – I think the XPRO2 will still have the die hard followers – the Purists – and Fuji folks – but for new buyers I think the Pen F will do much better in sales –
After all this wait the XPRO2 does not have 4K – and surprisingly the Pen F does not either –
but I suspect it will not be a show stopper as the buyers of either camera will give more for the looks etc over 4k –
This pen-f is almost the same size as the x-e2 but with smaller sensor and an expensive price.
The good thing is, companies are starting to wake up and produce cameras that look like cameras and not like bricks. The bad thing is, their sensors still lack in aesthetic quality compared to film.
Define aesthetically pleasing!
As a film and digital user I think both types of photography are aesthetically pleasing, but in different ways. I can’t place one of them above the other because its different. It would be like defining strawberry to be better then raspberry.
hi simenO, i’m an amateur photographer and I like more the tonal and color response of 135 color film. That’s just a personal preference.
To my eyes, the blue & green color is not very pleasing in digital. I really dislike how digital cameras render grass & sky. The reds and yellows are pretty good usually though.
For b/w photography i think digital is perfect and you gain more resolution too. But color…that’s another story.
i am a big fan or fuji having owned or owning an x10 x 20 x 30 xe1 xe2 x100 x100s
ive never been a fan of the x pros size or looks …i find the sloped top where the dials are unattractive….. the size is also an issue, its just a bit too big and unwieldy, xe2 is a great size and the x100 as well
about as big as ill tolerate
langweile?
huh excuse me?
biggest differences: direct control of aperture and shutter speed on the fuji. ISO now as well.
so in terms of classic rangefinders, the olympus is miles away, because it handles like a SLR.
plus focus point joystick, if you shoot in AF mode. so much more direct control.
the Pen F looks like a classic, but still seems like a em5 (which is also a classic, just not a rangefinder)
LOL
No one is slaughtering anyone.
Style: very debatable. Personally, the xpro is much cleaner on the eye
Control: kidding, right? Xpro, hands down
Speed: didn’t shoot either, but xpro2 is reported to be phenomenal
Lenses: m43, although fuji offers splendid 24mm, 35mm, 50mm and 85mm
Price: m43 can be expensive, body and glass
Art modes: now I get it. You are trolling?
I don’t care, both of these cameras are gorgeous, and I’m loving the aesthetics and function and performance.