Olympus PEN-F review

The most advanced PEN-series camera has the features, handling and image quality to charm enthusiast photographers

Olympus PEN-F

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We carried out our usual suite of tests on the Olympus PEN-F using its innovative High Res Shot mode and compared the results with the camera's regular image capture. The results were very interesting!

Olympus PEN-F High Res Shot mode lab test charts

Olympus PEN-F High Res Shot mode lab test charts

High Res Shot mode resolution analysis: The increase in resolution yielded by the High Res Shot mode for both JPEG and raw files is dramatic. The situations where you can use this mode may be limited, but it delivers the kind of definition we've seen only rarely – from medium format cameras and the full frame Canon EOS 5DS and Sony A7R II.

Olympus PEN-F High Res Shot mode lab test charts

Olympus PEN-F High Res Shot mode lab test charts

High Res Shot mode dynamic range analysis: The dynamic range figures show that, within the limits of experimental error, the High Res Shot mode has no impact whatsoever on dynamic range.

Olympus PEN-F High Res Shot mode lab test charts

Olympus PEN-F High Res Shot mode lab test charts

High Res Shot mode signal to noise ratio analysis: There are interesting variations in the signal to noise ratio figures. With JPEGs, the High Res Shot mode produces a little more noise (the signal to noise ratio is lower), but with raw files the results are actually a little better.