Great Travel Camera: The Olympus PEN

Last Updated on January 22, 2014 by Jody Halsted

It’s been nearly 6 weeks since I received my Olympus PEN E-PL1 camera for Christmas and I can honestly say it is the nicest camera I’ve used as a travel blogger. You can find the Olympus PEN E-PL1 and other cameras with this Promotional Code and receive great discounts.

Size Matters

Everyone wants to take amazing pictures when they travel but, let’s be honest, a full size DSLR is big and heavy. Even my last camera, a Canon PowerShot SX10 IS, was large enough that I didn’t carry it often and relied on the camera on my phone. The Olympus PEN is only a tiny bit larger than a point & shoot camera (with the lens off) and weighs just over 1 pound (with the lens on).

The amazing part is that the sensor inside this small camera is the same as you will find in a full size DSLR, putting the ability to take incredible photos, quite literally, in the palm of your hand. 

Interchangeable Lenses

The ability to change camera lenses is something every point & shoot owner wishes for- at least once in a while.  I currently have the “standard lens”, a 14-42mm and the 40-150mm zoom lens.  These lenses came with the camera kit I purchased and should be great for most shots, though I do have my eye on a digital 45mm lens specifically for shots with a shallow depth and blurred background.

Incredible Features

As I have been learning this camera I have been incredibly impressed with everything I have been able to do – the features are amazing!.  I adore that I can shoot in automatic modes, as well as completely manual settings.  There is a setting for practically every situation you will find yourself in, including candle light, night portrait and documents, as well as 6 art settings.  The art settings are especially fun as you can also shoot video from these settings; the grainy film is especially fun for street scenes.

The ‘live guide’ is helpful if you need a little coaching, and the ability to take multiple exposure shots just blows me away.  Photo editing and slideshows can even be done right on the camera. 

Final Thoughts on the Olympus PEN E-PL1

While the Olympus PEN isn’t as powerful as a DSLR, I’ve been incredibly impressed with its versatility.  The small size means I carry it with me more often, and the interchangeable lenses give me more range than my previous camera.  I believe this is the perfect camera for a traveler.