Everybody desires to purchase a Fujifilm X100VI – however there’s one digicam that could be a significantly better retro selection

I can nonetheless keep in mind the primary time I noticed the digicam, with its stylishly modern traces, reassuringly chunky construct and retro design that referenced its maker’s distinguished heritage. Classic seems have been again – and I knew this digicam could be an on the spot hellot.

No, I’m not speaking concerning the viral success that’s accompanied the Fujifilm X100V and its VI successor. I’m speaking concerning the ‘OG’, a digicam with all of the above attributes that debuted a decade in the past: the Olympus PEN-F. 

This was 2016’s digital re-imagining of 1963’s movie period Pen F, the world’s first half body 35mm SLR. And if I used to be fortunate sufficient to nonetheless personal one in 2026, I wouldn’t be promoting it on.

No mere fastened lens compact, the digital period Olympus PEN-F is a Micro Four Thirds mirrorless mannequin on which I can swap the optic to greatest go well with whichever topic I’m capturing. Unlike the Fujifilm X100V/VI, I’m not restricted to a 23mm f/2 lens. Sure, such limitations can encourage their very own inventive workarounds, however why prohibit ourselves? 

Plus, should you’ve been eyeing up the Fujifilm for its tactile buttons, controls and reassuring dealing with, the digital PEN-F can present all this in spades, letting you are feeling such as you’re in charge of the result.

Its producer’s first digital rangefinder model digicam on the time (with built-in viewfinder), certainly one of its chief appeals for me is the PEN-F options high and entrance plate dials and knobs aplenty. Its milled aluminium building ensures it feels sturdy but manageably moveable.

The ‘write’ stuff

Described in AP’s evaluation on the time as ‘a beautiful design capable of beautiful images’, the PEN-F’s headline options embody a modest sounding 20MP, which in reality again then was the best sensor decision in Olympus’ line-up, with the additional choice of a 50MP composite photos. Completing the package deal are five-axis picture stabilisation plus tilting LCD and 2.36 million dot eye-level OLED viewfinder.

Yes, the Fujifilm X100VI could boast a bigger APS-C sensor and a 40MP decision, however in all honesty for normal on a regular basis capturing I don’t want that variety of pixels. It’s additional price noting that a pre-owned digital PEN-F, though having held its worth properly, might be bought for half the worth of a brand new X100VI.

The PEN-F would be the resurrection of a basic from the Cold War, however in 2026 it’s nonetheless sizzling stuff. In reality, it’s a little bit of a head scratcher why we haven’t seen a PEN-F II successor by now. 

But with 2026 marking the tenth anniversary of the digital PEN-F’s launch, now’s the proper event to deliver this contemporary basic again in some form or type; an additional incentive being so as to add within the computational pictures options seen in newer OM System choices.

Plus, with the Fujifilm X100VI proving exhausting to pay money for, and Olympus beneath ‘new’ OM Digital Solutions administration, it very a lot looks like there’s nonetheless a chapter for the PEN-F to put in writing.

Do AP readers personal an Olympus PEN-F from 2016, or a good older movie Pen F from 1963, and really feel they nonetheless maintain up in opposition to the perfect of 2026? Get in contact and share your expertise.

The views expressed on this column aren’t essentially these of Amateur Photographer journal or Kelsey Media Limited. If you’ve gotten an opinion you’d wish to share on this subject, or every other pictures associated topic, e mail: [email protected]

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