The OM System PEN has made a strong start in Japan. In its first appearance on the chart, the retro-styled compact system camera took second place in Kitamura Camera’s September 2026 mirrorless best-sellers list. Kitamura is one of Japan’s biggest camera retailers, and only the Sony A7C II sold better.
The PEN was announced on 9 September and charted in its 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 III lens kit form. It finished ahead of the Sony A6700 kit, the newly launched Canon EOS R8 Mark II and the Sony A7 IV.
Interestingly, the PEN effect seems to have spread to lenses as well. Mirrorless Camera Info notes that the M.Zuiko 17mm f/1.8 II sold strongly in Kitamura’s lens chart over the same period, a natural partner for a small street camera.
Our take
Of the three new mirrorless cameras that arrived in September, the compact, characterful option is the one buyers went for. That matches what we’ve seen over the last couple of years with the Fujifilm X100VI, X-M5 and Nikon Zf. Many photographers want a camera that’s small, good-looking and enjoyable to carry, rather than the highest spec sheet.
Japan’s market doesn’t always predict the UK, and one month’s chart from one retailer is only a snapshot. Even so, it’s an encouraging start for OM Digital Solutions and for the PEN name. We’ll be watching to see whether it holds its position in October.
Kitamura mirrorless top 10, September 2026
- Sony A7C II
- OM System PEN 14-42mm III lens kit
- Sony A6700 high-magnification zoom kit
- Canon EOS R8 Mark II
- Sony A7 IV zoom kit
- Fujifilm X-M5 XC15-45mm kit
- Sony ZV-E10 II double zoom kit
- Sony A7 V
- Sony A6400 double zoom kit
- Canon EOS R6 Mark II
Source: Kitamura Camera, via Mirrorless Camera Info.
