If you are a fellow blogger, then I am sure you have heard about the new blogger ‘it camera’ My dad who is also a keen photographer, has always enjoyed my passion for photography, he very kindly treated me to a white Olympus Pen for Christmas. I have received a few comments asking for a review, so I thought I would share my thoughts on this camera, as I was worried I would be ‘downgrading from my Dslr’
Model: Olmypus Pen E PL7 | Colour: White | Lens: 14-42mm zoom | Price: £349 – £425
Design.
This is a lot smaller than my Dslr, it is a lot easier to fit in my handbag, and is a lot more inconspicuous when it comes to taking photos out and about in public. Although looks are not important when it comes to a camera, it is just a bonus that this one is so aesthetically pleasing, available in white, black and silver, and all black designs. So there’s something for everyone, whatever your style.
Wi-fi and Remote shooting.
This feature got me so excited about this camera, it is fantastic. After downloading the Olympus share app to my iPhone and a quick play around with settings, I could snap away on my Olympus and share it straight to my iPhone within seconds. No more fiddly cable to upload or using a card reader, this really changed the game. I can instagram high quality images instantly, straight from the camera to my iPhone. Another insanely cool feature is the ‘remote’ function, I can tap the screen on my iPhone and it controls the shutter on the camera and takes a photo. These are not just gimmicks, they are super useful and exciting
features.
Picture Quality.
I was impressed with the picture quality from the word go, although the white balance indoors is yellow toned, that’s easily fixed in post process editing that I would normally do anyways. The colours are bright and vivid, imagery is sharp and clear. It is worth noting that there is no viewfinder, all images are taken through the screen.
Lenses and selfie screen.
The Olympus pen has interchangeable lenses, which is great for a camera of its size and weight. If you like Bokeh (that infamous blurred background look) then you may want to purchase the 42mm lens or the 17mm lens. I just wish the lenses were that little bit cheaper. If you are an avid selfie taker, this camera is for you, there is a flip down screen, perfect for taking selfies, so you can look directly at the screen without it looking like you are looking at yourself / the viewfinder. Whilst I wouldn’t miss this feature on a camera, in day to day life, I think this will 100% be useful on our America trip, all of the selfies!
Ease of use.
I find this camera very easy to use right out of the box, I liked that the shutter speed is fast, focusing speed is very quiet, it’s small, light, has a good battery life. I enjoy using the touch screen menus, the screen flips up or down, perfect…whether you are taking a selfie or a flat lay.
Overall thoughts
This camera has gotten me SO excited about going out and about and photographing on the go, I really cannot wait for Spring to hurry up and arrive, so I can get out there and take photos, something I haven’t felt able to do for a long time with my Dslr. Will it replace my Dslr? In a sense… no, at least not when it comes to indoor shooting. But I don’t think it ever claimed too or nor did I expect it too. I prefer to use my Dslr indoors, however when it comes to outdoors the Olympus pen wins time and time again. If you want high quality photos, a practical, light weight camera for on the go, which allows you to swap and change lenses, and upload directly to your smart phone then the Olympus pen E PL7 is for you. I love it and cannot wait to get out there and snap away. What do you think of this camera? Small yet mighty.
I intend on uploading a post on what settings I use for this camera and photos that I have taken if anyone would be interested in reading that in the future, I just wanted to keep this post focused on a review.
Very thorough and useful review, thank you. I have been considering getting this camera for well over a year. I know it’s not as good a camera as my dslr in terms of image taking but, like you said, the pros are that it’s light weight and can be synced with your smart phone.
thanks Ruth 🙂 Its a perfect companion alongside my Dslr, like I said it is perfect for giving the freedom for effortless big quality outdoor shooting on the go 🙂 something my Dslr struggles to allow me to do with ease.
I’ve been thinking of investing in a new lightweight camera and was looking at this one. This review was super helpful! It’s definitely risen to the top of my camera list 🙂 x
Ive recentlt brought this camera after having a Canon 600D. I am loving it sooo much. This is a great post on how amazing this camera is.
Leonie ♥ Lo On The Go
Great review, it looks amazing! I love the colour, very pretty! I have a bulky Canon camera at the moment and it’s so inconspicuous!! x
Thanks for the review Becky, I was curious when you were going to post this. I couldn’t agree more about spring time! This camera is going to be perfect for that hence the mobility!!!
I use a big bulky dslr! Quality is worth it but it’s def not selfie worthy! I’ll be looking into this and thanks for answering our review request!!
-Shannon♡
http://www.onthelists.com
Oh my goodness! I did not know that you could share photo’s straight to your iPhone! This has made me want this camera even more…definitely going to save up for one
Katie xo | http://www.ktmy.co.uk
I’d love to know a bit more about this camera in the future although this review was super helpful too! I’ve not seen anyone else do one. I like all of the functions it has!
Thanks Becky! I’ve been considering getting one to take on Honeymoon next year, my current smaller camera is a Panasonic Lumix and I’ve really fallen out of love with it, I need something small that takes great photos as there’s no way I’m lugging my DSLR round on Honeymoon!
Just realised I said my Honeymoon is next year – it’s this year! Ahhhh!!!
Chloe x
newgirlintoon.co.uk
This is a lovely review and I’ve been thinking of a smaller camera and this has been on my list for a while. Maybe this 2016 will be the year I get one for myself.
Jackie | fashionxfairytale |
I bought myself this in black and silver with my Christmas money over and above investing in a Canon 600d because it’s just so transportable. I hate travelling with a DSLR and always felt guilty when I left it sitting at home!
The quality of the image has amazed me – no noise and the art filters are actually really beautiful and usable where I thought they might be silly and gimmicky.
I went directly via Olympus to buy as I found a 25% off discount code (not sure if this has now expired) so got a kit with the zoom lens included for £450. They are definitely worth the investment 🙂
I found some of the art filters helped with off-setting the white balance in-shoot btw!
Look forward to seeing more from yours!!
Kelly – tea books eyeliner xx
I have been hardcore considering this camera for a while now- thanks for sharing your thoughts! I think I’ve decided to take the plunge and start saving up!
I always want to try a Olympus camera, thanks for the review
I like cameras with lens on, however, it is kind of difficult to put in a small bag, when I want to go out, I need an extra cotton bag to carry it..
Akane
http://www.humancat.co
This is a great review! I’ve been looking for a dslr alternative and there are so many confusing options out there… Plus this is a very pretty camera 😉 would love to see some photo examples and settings – interested in how yellow the indoor photos come out as most of my photos are indoor (I’m a baker so I want my cake photos to look nice and clear), close up food photography etc and I’d like it to translate the good lighting I have onto the camera!
It’s a beautiful camera- I love that it comes in white! I recently purchased a Canon dslr so I won’t be changing cameras anytime soon but I’d love to see the photos you’ve taken with this camera! 🙂
http://www.simplynancyblog.com
I love my Olympus Pen! It is so fantastic for travelling and I don’t know what I did before the wifi sharing function. There is a great tips post by Style On Nylon which I used when I first got mine, it shows you how to change your settings and shortcuts so it’s really intuitive.
Looking forward to seeing what you photograph!
Cx
charliedistracted.com
Nice review! Can’t wait to see your photos from it. I’m personally a fan of the Sony mirrorless DSLRs, they’re so tiny and portable and quality is amazing. I’ll be checking out this Olympus for sure!
xo, Alice || Miss Inconnue
Great review, I am happy with my camera but it is very very bulky so can really only be used for indoor and not on the go. xx
http://www.franklyflawless.com
Thanks so much for this helpful review! 🙂
I am still on the hunt for the right camera for me, so this will for sure be noted down on my list! I thought your review was so helpful as you didn’t bombard us with loads of technical stuff of which I won’t understand most which would leave me hanging wondering if it might be the one for me
Love,
Jenny
Jenny Side Up
This post is perfect timing as I’m really considering getting this! I only have a bridge camera right now but I really want something with SLR/similar capabilities that isn’t too bulky xx
Jasmine Talks Beauty
Ahhh I got the exact same camera for Christmas!! It’s my first… ‘proper’ camera shall I say (as opposed to my not-so-trusty digital camera that I’ve had for years!) and I’m so excited about it, reading the comments, I’m glad others are too!! Such a lovely post, made me all the more excited to keep on with blogging! xxx
Thanks for the review! I had been looking into getting this camera so i wouldn’t have to lug the DSLR around all the time. It made me really excited to see everyone agrees this is the camera to get! Time to save up xx
Brittny | http://www.brittnykindred.com
you have no idea how badly i want this camera now!!
http://art-love-fashion.blogspot.com.au/
I bought a DSLR in June but discovered this camera fairly recently as well. Might need to start saving up for this one!
I love the Olympus micro four-thirds cameras. The first one I bought is the tiny EPM-1 – the mini-Pen, also in white, like yours. So tiny and portable, and good picture quality.
Last year I bought the OMD EM-10, and after my husband had used it for a day, he bought one too, and his DSLR hasn’t been out of the camera bag since. We took them on our trip to Kenya last year, perfect for travelling and spending long days photographing without ending up with DSL-ARM like our travelling companions. 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE-tGdAKCZo
I’ve heard so many amazing things about this camera and your blog post confirmed it x
chapter-fifty-nine.blogspot.co.uk
I have this camera and absolutely love it! Everything about it just seems so spot on, although I would like another lense for it as although the one it comes with is good enough I agree that the 42mm or 17mm would be a good addition to have for it. I absolutely adored carrying it around on my recent trip to Barcelona it was just perfect!
http://www.elzbthchlmrspps.blogspot.co.uk
Thanks so much for a great review! I have a DSLR also and I had wondered about getting another camera for more “on the go shoots” like when I am capturing street style. I am definitely adding this Olympus to my wish-list!
Suzi xx
http://www.suzistyles.co.uk
Hi Becky, I am very new to the blogging world and absolutely love reading your posts. Please can you recommend a first camera for me? Thank you and please let me know if you manage to look at my blog ??
I love love love my E PL7 I’ve had it a few months now and I really don’t know how I managed without it before! I love using it to shoot on the go and even indoor shooting with the right lense is a joy. I also love the wifi function as it’s so handy. Love you blog by the way ?
Eme x
This is a really helpful review! I have a DSLR and was also worried that it would feel like a step back from that, as I had a bridge camera I never used as I didn’t like the image quality as much. Is it hard to shoot without a viewfinder? That would be my only worry I think. It’s such a beautiful camera overall, and the features sound fabulous.
XO Amie
Credit Crunch Chic
I’ve just been looking at this camera today, but couldn’t decide. After reading this I’m going to go back and buy it tomorrow! Thank you. X
I really love your blog. But I have to say I don’t like your blog design at all. It takes so long time to read your blog because I have to click on each post to read it. And you only have four posts on each page which means I need to click on next page very often. Reading blogs on a laptop I really prefer just to scroll down and be able to read every post for the starting page. Just wanted to let you know that it might keep readers away.
Thank you so much, I have been searching for a good, honest and easy to read review for ages. I have read many reviews on this camera but they were very technical and hard to understand.
Thank you for the review. I want to get an Olympus pen, probably the PL6 though since I currently can’t afford the PL7. I heard that the PL7 has 81 focus points, while the PL6 has 35, and that’s the only thing that seems to be tripping me up =/
Great review, thanks 🙂 xx Sofie
This looks and sounds like such a lovely camera, so thank you for doing such a great first impressions review. I’d definitely love to hear about the settings you use for specific photos, so can’t wait to read future posts about this 🙂
Jenny xx
http://www.ramblingsofajaffacat.blogspot.co.uk
I am crazy for a camera and your review help me so much
thanks
radior7.wordpress.com
Thanks for the review! I’ve been obsessing over this camera for a while now. I want to start taking pictures and blogging I think I’m going to go ahead and just but it. How long is the battery life? I can’t wait to see the rest of your reviews on this camera.
I’ve been tossing up about whether or not to get this camera for an upcoming trip of mine for a while now. I think this review has probably convinced me that I should take the plunge and get it! Looks like all the hype around this camera is actually worth it 🙂
http://www.thesundaymode.blogspot.com.au
Just purchased this baby as my first ever camera for my travel blog! Read one blog post about it and literally fell in love with it! Went out and got it the same day! xx
http://www.whereonearthissarah.com
Thinking about getting a new (smaller) camera…and have been eyeing this one for a bit. I adore your blog and the fact that you have this camera makes me want to get it! Plus, I love it’s gorgeous white body. So chic.
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