Kitamura tested the Olympus PEN-F with the VF-1 optical viewfinder. The article is an ode to the PEN‑F artistic design and emotional resonance.
The PEN‑F is celebrated for meticulous craftsmanship and tactile beauty:
• Silver body option, leather-wrapped surfaces, and a distinctive control dial all echo the film-era design with functional flair.
• The EVF is seamlessly integrated, optimized to avoid blocking the flip-screen hinge, while the negligible “half-moon” cut-out at the eyepiece shows craft attention.
• The unique Creative Dial enables quick film-like monochrome or color recipe adjustment and adds charm even for those primarily shooting RAW. 
Emotional & Aesthetic Joy
The author values the PEN‑F for its “analog soul in a digital body”:
• The tactile engagement of film-inspired controls, the shutter’s click, and the warm display all evoke nostalgia.
• It’s portrayed as an excellent “personal camera”—a device to savor photography for pleasure, not just utility.