OM Digital Solutions debuts first PEN series camera under own brand

OM Digital Solutions Corp. announces the launch of the OM SYSTEM PEN, the first PEN series camera to bear the OM SYSTEM brand. The new PEN Micro-Four Thirds camera, scheduled to deliver in late October, features an electronic viewfinder and a dust- and splash-proof design, with a suggested retail price of $999.99. A bundled Kit with PEN (Silver or Black) and M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 III lens will be offered at a suggested retail price of $1099.99.  A bundled double Lens Kit with PEN (Silver or Black), M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 III and M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 40-150mm F4.0-5.6 R lens will be offered at a suggested retail price of $1,299.99 USD / $1,799.99 CAD

This model is also the first camera in the PEN series to feature IPX1-rated splash proof performance and a dustproof design. Sealing materials are incorporated at key points throughout the camera body, allowing photographers to shoot with confidence even when faced with sudden changes in the weather. The PEN offers a the TruePic IX image processing engine, 20.37 million effective pixel Live MOS sensor, and 5-axis image stabilization compatible with all mountable Micro Four Thirds System standard lenses, greatly enhancing hand-held shooting with up to 5.5 stops of stabilization in the center and up to 4.5 stops at the edges.

Presets can be selected such as choosing a color or black-and-white film setting, making it easy to explore different photographic styles.  Users can enjoy photographic expression with colors and textures that reflect their own preferences, whether rendering city streets with a nostalgic air, creating a soft, delicate atmosphere, or capturing striking monochrome images. Users can also check and adjust the effects of presets when shooting through the viewfinder, making it easier to create original photographic styles. The Profile Control Switch on the front of the camera offers single-press access to this function while holding the camera.

During color photography, the saturation of 12 separate colors can be adjusted in 11 levels to achieve the ideal tones. This can also be combined with Highlight & Shadow Control or shading effects for an expanded range of expression. We offer four preset types: “Film Rich Color,” for rich, deep tones, “Film Vivid,” for vivid saturation and rich colors, “Film Soft Tone,” which delivers light, soft tones, and Standard (Natural). Users can combine five effects that are essential for black and white photography, including color filter effect, Highlight & Shadow Control, shading effects, film grain effect, and tone effect for truly unique black and white images.

Four presets are available: Film B&W, which makes use of a film grain effect, Film IR, which emphasizes a red color filter effect that looks like infrared film, Film Low Contrast, which reduces the contrast for a soft impression, and Standard (Monotone).

Other Features

• 121-point all cross-type On-chip Phase Detection AF
• The PEN series’ first AI Subject Detection AF for people and animals (cats and dogs)
• Starry Sky AF
• A dust reduction system that removes dust from the image sensor, allowing lens changes without the need to worry about dust appearing in photographs
• AUTO mode, which automatically detects the scene being shot and captures images using the optimal settings
• 24 SCN modes with 6 themes which supports shooting more complex scenarios, such as starscape photography
• 16 types of Art Filters for expanded creative expression
• Pro Capture shooting (records up to 12 previous frames at a maximum of 30 fps beginning with the moment when the shutter button is fully pressed, RAW sequential shooting is compatible)
• Set custom mode name for easy recall (up to 12 alphanumeric characters)
• Easily record cinematic video in OM-Cinema or OM-Cinema picture modes specifically designed for videos
• Supports vertical video and S&Q (slow/quick motion) video shooting
• Equipped with a video recording light (tally light)

Other new products include the $349.99 M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 III zoom lens featuring eight elements in seven groups, covering everything from wide-angle to mid-range telephoto. It offers a maximum image magnification of 0.53x equivalent (35mm equivalent) for close-up photography, and newly incorporated IPX1-rated splash-proof performance and dust-proof design for excellent weather resistance, and utilizes a click-style retractable mechanism that eliminates the need for switch operation when retracting, allowing a more compact design. This lens supports the Focus Stacking computational photography shooting function.