Olympus Pen E-P5 review – VF-4 EVF
A key difference between the OM-D E-M5 and the Pen E-P5 is that the former has a built-in viewfinder, yet while the new camera does not, it does feature a hotshoe port via which an optional unit – the new VF-4 (around £250) – can be attached. It is interesting to see just what difference using this viewfinder makes when compared to the E-P5‘s rear LCD screen, and also how the VF-4 fares against the OM-D’s built-in unit.
The optional VF-4 unit compatible with the E-P5 offers a resolution of 2.36 million dots and can be angled up to 90°, while the built-in unit in the OM-D is fixed and has a lower resolution of 1.44 million dots. The lack of a built-in viewfinder means the E-P5 is a more compact model, although the viewfinder of the OM-D gives the camera a distinct style. One gripe with the optional VF-4 EVF is that although it can angle up to 90°, the hinge is so loose that pressing the eye against it usually causes it to shift downwards, which can be frustrating.
Having compared the two displays, I am hard-pressed to identify any real differences in clarity and contrast. In bright light, both are preferable to using the rear screen, as the finder display can be seen more clearly. Having used the E-P5 with and without the VF-4 unit, I would recommend adding the EVF to the shopping list.
