Om system PEN E-P7

If cameras were judged on style alone, the OM System PEN E-P7 would already have a trophy cabinet. With its retro inspired design and understated elegance certainly has its appeal and thankfully it also has the photographic skills to back up the good looks.

The E-P7 holds a 20.3 megapixel Live MOS Micro Four Thirds sensor paired with the TruePic VIII image processor, delivering crisp, colourful images with plenty of detail. The camera features 5 axis in body image stabilisation rated up to 4.5 stops, making handheld shooting remarkably forgiving, particularly in lower light or when using slower shutter speeds. Continuous shooting reaches 15fps with the electronic shutter or 8.7fps mechanically, ensuring you won’t miss fast moving subjects.

The PEN E-P7 also records 4K UHD video at 30fps and Full HD at up to 60fps, offering respectable video performance for casual creators. A 3 inch, 1.04 million dot flip down touchscreen makes framing selfies and vlogs straightforward, while built in WiFi and Bluetooth allow quick image transfers and remote shooting through the OM Image Share app. Weighing just 337g including battery and memory card, it’s the sort of camera you’ll happily carry all day without needing a visit to the chiropractor. However, this is due to a lot of the body being made from plastic which does make it feel less premium.

The dedicated Profile Control switch on the front gives instant access to colour and monochrome profiles. Which lets you play with some creative experimentation without diving into endless menus.
The trade off for the compact design is the absence of a built-in electronic viewfinder, meaning you’re limited to composing shots on the rear screen unless you purchase the optional external EVF. The screen can be flipped and rotated to help with difficult angles. Autofocus is generally fast and reliable with its 121 point contrast detect AF system, although it can’t quite match the subject tracking abilities of the latest hybrid autofocus rivals.

The PEN E-P7 is a camera that places equal emphasis on style and substance. It produces excellent stills, offers genuinely useful creative controls and remains wonderfully portable. For street photographers, travellers and anyone looking to step up from a smartphone without lugging around a hefty DSLR, it’s a charming little camera that’s difficult not to like. RRP £649

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