Olympus PEN-F

The PEN-F is a compact mirrorless camera that Olympus released in 2016. It is built around the Micro Four Thirds system, so any Micro 4/3 lens fits without an adapter.

At 427 g and 37 mm deep, the body is light and slim, which suits photographers who want a camera present in daily life rather than one reserved for planned shoots.

The electronic viewfinder and the flip-out touchscreen give you two ways to frame, at eye level or with the camera held away from your body. It is a camera designed around carrying comfort and flexible shooting positions.

The Optics score of 65 is a good result, and it places the camera around the middle of cameras in our database for Optics. Stabilisation and the 1/16000 top shutter speed earn close to full credit, while the ISO range and sensor format are where more points are lost.

A 20.3-megapixel CMOS sensor in the Micro Four Thirds format, handled by the TruePic VII processor, produces files with ample resolution for printing and cropping.

In-body stabilisation counteracts camera shake, so you can use slower shutter speeds handheld in dim interiors or evening light. The ISO 200 base sensitivity pairs with a 1/16000 top shutter speed, which helps when you want a wide aperture in bright conditions.

The ISO range extends to 25600 when light gets poor. For movement, bursts run up to 10 fps, and 81 autofocus points give you many positions for placing focus, which adds flexibility for varied subjects.

The Video score of 70 is good, reflecting solid if straightforward recording abilities. Movies top out at Full HD resolution, and the fastest frame rate on offer is 60 fps.

There is no 4K mode here. Full HD still serves web video and social clips well, but projects destined for large 4K screens are beyond what this camera records.

A built-in timelapse function handles the interval timing for sequences such as drifting clouds or a busy street, so no separate trigger is needed. Mount the camera on a tripod or other support, compose the scene, and let it record frame by frame.

Recordings are saved as MOV or AVI files, giving a choice of two formats depending on how you plan to use the footage.

The Features score of 57 is modest, and it reflects what the camera leaves out more than anything it does badly.

The 3-inch touchscreen carries 1,037,000 dots, enough to keep focusing and menu screens clear. It flips out from the body, and with live view that makes waist-level and low-angle work straightforward instead of a crouch on the ground.

Wi-Fi is built in, while Bluetooth is absent, so the camera's wireless capability rests on Wi-Fi.

There is no weather sealing, no GPS and no built-in flash, though the camera does support an external flash. In practice this is a camera best kept sheltered and used with available light or a mounted flash.

The Storage & Battery score of 21 is limited, and the practical effects are easy to plan around once you know them.

There is a single card slot, taking SD, SDHC or SDXC cards. With no second slot, files are written to one card only, so there is no in-camera backup as you shoot, and a spare card is worth carrying for shoots you cannot repeat.

The BLN-1 battery is rated at 330 shots per charge. Treat that as a baseline rather than a promise of real-world endurance, so a spare battery is worth packing for longer days out.

There is no USB charging, so the battery is charged in a dedicated charger rather than over a cable. If you travel with this camera, plan for regular access to a power outlet.