Olympus PEN F
The Olympus PEN F is a half-frame 35mm SLR introduced in 1963, designed by Yoshihisa Maitani as part of the PEN system. It used interchangeable lenses and a compact body without a conventional prism hump, positioned when new as a smaller, lighter alternative to full-frame 35mm SLRs.
At recent UK auction, hammer prices for the PEN F have ranged from about £69 to £650, with a median near £270 across the sales on record. Cleaner, fully working bodies have fetched the upper end — two examples hammered at £630 and £650 in 2022 and 2025 — while rougher or untested bodies have sold for under £100, so in 2026 condition remains the dominant driver of what a PEN F is worth in the saleroom.
Variants
Select a variant to filter the sales history below.
| Variant | Years | Edition | Sales | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endoscope | — | — | 1 | £69 – £69 |
| Microscope | — | — | 0 | — |
Sales History
Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.
Prices updated: October 2025
| Date | Price | Source | Variant | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | £630 | Chiswick Auctions | — | |
|
Auction: Photographica (Lot 282) Title: A Olympus Pen-F Digital Compact Camera Outfit
Description:
A Olympus Pen-F Digital Compact Camera Outfit Serial No: BHQA02011 Body: VG Shutter: untested Lenses: Olympus M.Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 (ABGA23041) (Qty: 1) ... read more |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Jul 2025 | £262 | Flints Auctions | — | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 117) Title: An Olympus Pen-F Half Frame 35mm Camera
Description:
silver, serial number 203581, body G, shutter works, has the accessory exposure meter attachement, with a Zuiko Auto-W f/4 25mm lens, barrel G, |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Jul 2025 | £100 | Special Auction Services | — | |
|
Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 15) Title: An Olympus Pen-F Half Frame Camera Body
Description:
An Olympus Pen-F Half Frame Camera Body, serial no 140853, shutter working, body G-VG, some light marks to base plate |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Jul 2025 | £164 | Chiswick Auctions | — | |
|
Auction: Photographica (Lot 286) Title: Chrome "Gothic" Olympus Pen F Half Frame SLR.
Description:
Chrome "Gothic" Olympus Pen F Half Frame SLR. #163348. Shutter firing, speeds sound OK but not tested for accuracy (signs of normal+ use). With a ... read more |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Aug 2024 | £212 | Flints Auctions | — | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 137) Title: An Olympus PEN-F Half Frame Camera
Description:
silver, serial number 133733, body VG, shutter works, iris works, blades are slightly slow to return to open, with a Zuiko auto-S f/1.4 40mm lens, |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Aug 2024 | £238 | Flints Auctions | — | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Auction (Lot 125) Title: An Olympus PEN-F 35mm Camera
Description:
ailver, black leatherette, serial number 138611, body G, shutter working, iris working with f/1.8 38mm lens, optics G, with ERC. |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Aug 2024 | £150 | Special Auction Services | — | |
|
Auction: TWO DAY: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 183) Title: An Olympus Pen F Half Frame Camera Body
Description:
An Olympus Pen F Half Frame Camera Body, black, shutter working, meter responsive, self timer working, body G, some brassing to top edges, light |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Oct 2023 | £50 | Special Auction Services | — | |
|
Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 430) Title: An Olympus PEN F Half Frame Camera
Description:
An Olympus PEN F Half Frame Camera, mirror, film advance lever jammed, body G, some heavy scratches to top plate, with F Zuiko 38mm f/1.8 lens, |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Jun 2023 | £225 | Flints Auctions | — | |
|
Auction: Cameras & Scientific Instruments (Lot 178) Title: An Olympus Pen F Camera
Description:
with Olympus E.Zuiko Auto-S f/2.8 38mm lens, body, P-F, shutter working, lens, P-F, some haze and marks |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Apr 2023 | £110 | Special Auction Services | — | |
|
Auction: Photographica & Cameras Auction (Lot 183) Title: An Olympus Pen F Half Frame Camera
Description:
An Olympus Pen F Half Frame Camera, serial no 131091, shutter working, body G, light wear, with F Zuiko 38mm f/1.8 lens, barrel G, elements F, fungus, |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Jan 2023 | £150 | Flints Auctions | — | |
|
Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 168) Title: An Olympus Pen F 35mm Half Frame SLR Camera
Description:
chrome, body G-VG, shutter jammed, together with an F. Zuiko Auto-S f/1.8 38mm lens, optics G, some light haze present, with untested exposure meter (Qty: 1) |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Dec 2022 | £650 | David Duggleby | — | |
|
Auction: Musical & Scientific Instruments, Cameras & Maritime (Lot 3132) Title: Olympus PEN-F camera body, with 'Olympus M- Zuiko Digital 25mm 1: 1.8' lens, 'Olympus M- ...
Description:
Olympus PEN-F camera body, with 'Olympus M- Zuiko Digital 25mm 1: 1.8' lens, 'Olympus M- ... |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Feb 2022 | £69 | Flints Auctions | Endoscope | |
|
Auction: The Collectors Sale (Lot 99) Title: An Olympus GF Type B2 Gastrofibrescope Pen-F Outfit
Description:
in makers case, with control dial to move optical end whilst performing a gastro-intestinal biopsy, an image can be seen through the scope with the (Qty: 1) |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Jan 2021 | £149 | Flints Auctions | — | |
|
Auction: Cameras, Scientific & Collectables (Lot 262) Title: An Olympus Pen F SLR Camera
Description:
Gothic 'F', chrome, serial no. 134390, body, G-VG, shutter working, complete with Olympus-Oen F light meter, (a lot) (Qty: 1) |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Jan 2021 | £236 | Flints Auctions | — | |
|
Auction: Cameras, Scientific & Collectables (Lot 268) Title: An Olympus Pen F SLR Camera
Description:
chrome, serial no. 159128, with F.Zuiko Auto-S f/1.8 38mm lens, black, serial no. 290154, body, G-VG, shutter working, lens, G-VG, some very light (Qty: 1) |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Nov 2019 | USD 350 | pedia_sales_tamarkin | — | |
|
Auction: November 2019 Auction Results (Lot 25) Title: Olympus Pen-F camera set
Description:
Olympus Pen-F camera set |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Oct 2017 | £168 | Flints Auctions | — | |
|
Auction: Fine Photographica (Lot 69) Title: An Olympus Pen F SLR Camera
Description:
Gothic 'F', chrome, serial no. 283061, with F.Zuiko Auto-S f/1.8 38mm lens, black, serial no. 226430, body, G-VG, shutter working, lens, G-VG, some |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Nov 2006 | EUR 205 | Leitz Auction | — | |
|
Auction: Leitz Auction 10 (Lot AI_10_15616) Title: Olympus Pen F chrome
Description:
18x24mm half-frame, in good condition with F.Zuiko Auto-S 1.8/38mm no.233971, cap, Zuiko Auto-Zoom 3.5/50-90mm no.105475, cap, filter, case, Pen F light meter in case Estimate: EUR 300 - EUR 400 |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Nov 2005 | £192 | Christie's | — | |
|
Auction: CAMERAS, MAGIC LANTERNS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 246) Title: Pen F no. 290911
Description:
Pen F no. 290911 Estimate: £100 - £150 |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Nov 2004 | £418 | Christie's | — | |
|
Auction: CAMERAS, MAGIC LANTERNS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 227) Title: Olympus Pen F no. 337346
Description:
Olympus Pen F no. 337346 Estimate: £120 - £180 |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| May 2004 | £143 | Christie's | — | |
|
Auction: CAMERAS, MAGIC LANTERNS AND OPTICAL TOYS (Lot 206) Title: Pen-F no. 114053
Description:
Pen-F no. 114053 Estimate: £100 - £150 |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Mar 2003 | £176 | Christie's | — | |
|
Auction: CAMERAS AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 181) Title: Pen-F no. 277962
Description:
Pen-F no. 277962 Estimate: £100 - £150 |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Nov 2001 | £117 | Christie's | — | |
|
Auction: MAGIC LANTERNS, OPTICAL TOYS AND CAMERAS (Lot 377) Title: Olympus Pen F no. 147116
Description:
Olympus Pen F no. 147116 Estimate: £100 - £150 |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Jul 2001 | £152 | Christie's | — | |
|
Auction: CAMERAS & PHOTOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT (Lot 256) Title: Pen-F no. 151633
Description:
Pen-F no. 151633 Estimate: £100 - £140 |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
| Sep 1998 | £299 | Christie's | — | |
|
Auction: COLLECTABLE CAMERAS FROM CLASSIC COLLECTION (Lot 160) Title: Olympus Pen-F no. 570776
Description:
Olympus Pen-F no. 570776 Estimate: £20 - £100 |
||||
|
Loading...
|
||||
Frequently asked questions
What is an Olympus PEN F worth today?
Based on recent UK auction hammer results, a PEN F body is typically worth between about £230 and £650 depending on cosmetic and mechanical condition, with the median price sitting near £270.
How much does an Olympus PEN F sell for at auction?
Recorded UK hammer prices range from £69 for a rough example up to £650 for a clean, working body, so the price a PEN F sells for is heavily condition-dependent.
Why are some PEN F bodies priced so differently?
Condition, shutter accuracy and viewfinder clarity drive most of the value spread; specialist Endoscope and Microscope variants also exist and trade on a different basis to the standard photographic model.