A new PEN model may finally be released in 2026.
The OLYMPUS PEN series symbolizes the idea of ​​a "camera you can carry around like a pen," and is a prime example of Olympus's lineage of compact, lightweight cameras that have expanded the culture of everyday photography. The PEN's history can be best understood by dividing it into the half-format PEN of the film era and its revival as a digital mirrorless camera since 2009.
The PEN first attracted much attention with the original OLYMPUS PEN in 1959, which was revolutionary in that it used a smaller half-format (18 x 24 mm) 35mm film than usual, effectively doubling the number of shots taken with the same number of rolls of film. The increased number of shots was a huge benefit for travel and everyday recording, and the camera itself was small and light, which led to an expanded base of photographers who could take photos without having to carry around a large, expensive camera. Subsequent models like the PEN S and PEN D featured brighter lenses, superior build quality, and enhanced exposure functions, winning popularity as half-format cameras that were not only convenient but also focused on image quality.

The PEN F, released in 1963, is particularly iconic in PEN history, notable for realizing a SLR system despite being half-format. While offering a wide range of expression thanks to its interchangeable lenses, its unique mechanism contributed to its slim design, and it was highly praised for its intricate mechanical construction and sophisticated design. This series, including its successors, the PEN FT and PEN FV, strongly emphasized the PEN's appeal as a "compact yet professional" camera. Meanwhile, models like the PEN EE and EF moved in a direction that made it more foolproof with features like fixed focus, autoexposure, and simplified flash, further promoting the PEN as a tool ideal for everyday snapshots and family photos. To summarize the PEN series during the film era, it was a series that expanded the enjoyment of photography with the economy and portability of half-format cameras, as well as a "suitable for everyday use" philosophy.

The PEN made a symbolic comeback in the digital era with the OLYMPUS PEN E-P1 in 2009. This Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera maintained image quality and the joy of interchangeable lenses while achieving "portable high-quality imagery" through a modern solution: eliminating the mirror for compact size. Subsequent PEN models were divided into the E-P series, which emphasized texture and operability, the E-PL (Lite) series, which offered a good balance between price and performance, and the E-PM (Mini) series, which was simply compact and simple, creating a lineup that appealed to a wide range of users. Furthermore, the enjoyment of "shoot-and-go" photography, exemplified by Art Filters, and Olympus' signature JPEG color creation, allowed users to enjoy creative expression without the complex process of developing photos, further strengthening the PEN's appeal as a snapshot camera. In terms of functionality, cameras like the E-P5 (2013) offered improved image stabilization and operability, and their flexibility to be expanded to suit different shooting styles with features like an external EVF was also highly praised. A representative example from recent years is the PEN E-P7 (2021), a model focused on casual yet atmospheric city and everyday capture, rather than powerful competition or ultra-telephoto lenses. It offers a wide range of functions, including color and monochrome profiles, that allow users to select colors and tones for photographic expression. It represents a modern take on the PEN's long-cherished philosophy of "portability, everyday use, and the joy of photography itself." While Olympus's camera business was transferred in 2020 and is now owned by OM Digital Solutions, the PEN name and its philosophy remain a part of its history, dating back to the Olympus era.

Ultimately, the PEN's defining feature is that in the film era, it offered convenience and economy by doubling the number of shots in a half-frame format, and in the digital era, it brought back portability by combining high image quality with compact size through mirrorless technology. Furthermore, through its beauty as a tool, its ease of integration into everyday life, and its ability to produce images that are pleasing to the eye, the series can be summed up as a series that "elevates photography from a special occasion to an everyday habit."

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