Upgrade Guide
OM System OM-1→OM System PEN
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Strong upgrade
The PEN improves across 3 key areas at a reasonable price gap. Most OM-1 owners will notice the difference.
What's new in the PEN
-
StabilisationImproved — 5.5-stop IBIS
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Burst rate30fps electronic vs 10fps mechanical, 50fps electronic, 120fps Pro Capture
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Generation4 years newer (2026 vs 2022)
Unchanged or similar
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ResolutionSimilar (20MP)
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | OM-1 | PEN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | -0.3 | ||
| Street | +1.3 | ||
| Travel | +0.9 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -1.3 | ||
| Vlogging & Video | +0.2 | ||
| Filmmaking | -1.4 | ||
| Documentary | -0.6 | ||
| Sports & Action | -1.5 | ||
| Landscape | +0.1 | ||
| Wildlife | -0.9 | ||
| Casual | +0.7 | ||
| Food | -0.2 | ||
| Macro | -1.3 | ||
| Architecture | — | ||
| Astrophotography | — | ||
| Fun & simple | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | OM-1 | PEN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,299 | £849 | |
| Released | 2022 | 2026 | ↑ |
| Sensor | Micro Four Thirds Live MOS stacked BSI | 20.4MP Four Thirds Live MOS | |
| Resolution | 20MP | 20MP | |
| Video | 4K 60fps 10-bit | 4K/C4K, OM-Log400, vertical video support | |
| Autofocus | 1053-point cross-type phase-detect, AI subject recognition | Phase-hybrid AF (121 points) with subject detection (people, cats, dogs) | |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 7.0 stops (8 stops with sync IS) | 5.5-stop IBIS | |
| Burst Rate | 10fps mechanical, 50fps electronic, 120fps Pro Capture | 30fps electronic | ↑ |
| Battery Life | 520 shots (CIPA) | 410 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 599g (body only) | 393g (with battery and card) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | |
| Viewfinder | EVF 0.83× 5.76M-dot | EVF, 2.36M dots | |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 1.62M-dot | Tilting touchscreen | |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds | |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Single SD (UHS-I) |
Compare side-by-side
⚖️ Compare these cameras
See OM-1 and PEN next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.
Get a personalised upgrade score
Run the upgrade checker →
Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the PEN against your specific genres — not just specs.
Other upgrades from the OM-1
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Camera family history