Olympus Pen E-P7 Review
- Olympus Pen E-P7: Overview
- Olympus Pen E-P7: Design & Handling
- Olympus Pen E-P7: Imaging Capabilities
- Olympus Pen E-P7: Video Capabilities
- Recommended Lenses for the Olympus Pen E-P7
- Final Thoughts on the Olympus Pen E-P7
- Camera Type: Mirrorless
- Sensor: 20.3MP Live MOS Micro Four Thirds CMOS Sensor
- ISO: 200 - 25,600 (expandable to 100 - 25,600)
- Lens Mount: Micro Four Thirds Mount
- Speed: 8.7 fps
- Autofocus: 121 focus points
- Video: 4K/30p & 1080p/60p
- Size/Weight: 118 x 69 x 38 mm / 337 grams
- Battery Life: 360 shots
- Stabilization: Yes
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Weather-Sealed: No
- Used Olympus Pen E-P7 Price: $754 - $859
- Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ
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- Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 II
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- Expert Tips to Upgrade Your Camera Gear With Used Equipment
In this Olympus Pen E-P7 review, we’ll examine the good, the bad, and the ugly of the Olympus Pen E-P7. We’ll review its build quality, photo/video performance, price, recommend our favorite MFT lenses, and more. Additionally, thanks to websites like MPB, buying a used mirrorless camera has never been cheaper and easier.
Who is MPB? It’s a trustworthy and innovative photography company that offers high-quality used photo and video gear at affordable prices. Better yet, every camera and lens it sells is hand-inspected by knowledgeable product specialists with years of experience and backed by a six-month warranty, allowing you to make your purchases confidently and worry-free.
What truly separates MPB from other retailers, though, is its state-of-the-art online platform. It’s a one-of-a-kind tool that has helped us save thousands of dollars buying, selling, and trading photography equipment over the years, and we believe it can do the same for you. Now, it’s time to determine whether or not the Olympus Pen E-P7 is a good match for you and your needs!
Check out the video above by Camera Zone to learn more about the Olympus Pen E-P7 and why it’s an awesome camera for travelers.
Table of Contents
Olympus Pen E-P7: Overview
The Olympus Pen E-P7 is a small and affordable entry-level mirrorless camera that came out at the end of 2021. It was the first camera released since Olympus and OM System merged at the beginning of 2021 and the first PEN-model camera to debut since the Olympus Pen-F back in 2016.
Internally, the Pen E-P7 is powered by a 20.3-megapixel micro four thirds sensor and a TruePic VIII image processor. The combo delivers solid photos and videos for a camera in its price range, but the quality is behind other cameras like the Sony Alpha a6700 and Fujifilm X-S20.
Now, here’s a closer look at the Olympus Pen E-P7 specs and key features:
Olympus Pen E-P7: Design & Handling
Like all PEN model cameras, the Olympus Pen E-P7 boasts a sleek and compact design. Photographers upgrading from point-and-shoot cameras will love the design, but people used to larger DSLR and mirrorless cameras may find the hand grip too small.
The slim design makes it a good choice for photographers with small hands, like children and women. Furthermore, its portability makes it a popular choice for hobbyists primarily using their cameras for street and travel photography. You can even store the camera in your pocket when paired with a pancake lens, such as the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 EZ.
One super unique design feature is the profile control dial on the front of the camera. It allows you to quickly and easily switch between standard and creative photo modes using only one hand. Another thing to note is that the Pen E-P7 comes in two color options: black and silver/black. Style-conscious photographers will prefer the retro look of the silver/black camera.
Learn More:
Olympus Pen E-P7: Imaging Capabilities
Producing 20.3MP photos, the Olympus Pen E-P7 has a lower resolution than the majority of modern digital cameras. Don’t let that scare you away, though. The image quality of both JPEG and RAW images is better than that of most smartphone cameras. The quality is more than sufficient if you only take photos for personal use and social media.
However, if you plan to print or enlarge your images regularly or take photos for professional use, we suggest a higher-resolution camera like the Canon EOS R5. Another notable feature is the camera's 8.7 fps maximum burst shooting. While that number won’t win any awards, it’s good enough to capture clear images of slow-moving subjects (people walking, on a bike, etc.).
Without a doubt, our favorite thing about the Pen PE-7 is its art filters. It has 14 different built-in filter modes that make it easy to shoot fun pictures that stand out from the crowd. While we recommend experimenting with all of the filters to discover your personal favorites, the two that have received the best feedback over the years are the “Vintage” and “Partial Color” filters.
Olympus Pen E-P7: Video Capabilities
For such a small and affordable camera, the Olympus Pen E-P7’s video specs and quality pleasantly surprised us. It has 4K/30p video capabilities and can record 1080p/60p Full HD video footage. Unfortunately, you can’t record slow-motion video directly in-camera, but you can manually slow down clips in post-production to create slow-motion movies.
Another important video-friendly feature to highlight is the camera’s 5-axis in-body image stabilization technology. It adds up to 4.5 stops of exposure compensation to your content and significantly boosts the video quality of handheld video by reducing camera shake. The stabilization also improves the quality of videos (and photos) shot in low-light conditions.
Recommended Lenses for the Olympus Pen E-P7
Here’s a quick list of some of the best micro four thirds lenses for photos and video that you can use with the Olympus Pen E-P7.
Final Thoughts on the Olympus Pen E-P7
Although we wouldn’t suggest buying a new Olympus Pen E-P7 in 2024, a used Olympus Pen E-P7 will provide a ton of value, especially if you are a beginner photographer upgrading from a smartphone or point-and-shoot camera!
Do you want to compare and contrast the Olympus Pen E-PL7 with more used Micro Four Thirds cameras? If so, check out the list below of other popular OM System and Olympus mirrorless cameras currently in stock at MPB.
Just so you know, some of the cool stuff we mention comes with affiliate links, meaning we earn a commission if you buy (no extra charge to you!). Plus, we occasionally feature sponsored content, but rest assured, we only shout out products we genuinely stand behind.
