Why Micro Four Thirds? Reasons to get Olympus PEN as secondary camera (+ first impressions)

I have no regrets getting into the Micro Four Thirds system! I use a full-frame DSLR and mirrorless. They are big and bulky. Sometimes they scare people. I am happy I started using something smaller!

Olympus PEN, by no means, replaces my existing cameras, but it is an outstanding and affordable addition. It is not a post about Full-frame vs Micro 4/3 or Olympus vs. Canon. It is more about how these systems work together. 

In this first post, I will tell you why I decided to start using Micro 4/3 and tell you about my first impressions. There is a comparison to other models and sample images.

Disclaimer: This post has affiliate links at the very end. Buying from those doesn’t cost you extra, but gives me a small % from the sale. It helps me keep running this blog.

Why did I choose Olympus?

I do travel photography for my blog, I shoot events and portraits commercially. For this, I use Canon’s full-frame cameras. I have chosen Olympus to take advantage of the things that Canon’s DSLR and mirrorless miss. 

Here are my reasons why:

Community

Ok, before I go technical, I’d like to tell: I love the Micro 4/3 community! People are super helpful. It has many hobbyists who are not afraid of experimenting with images and adapted lenses, as well as professionals who understand the system really well and ready to share knowledge. 

(Canon community, in my opinion, is a bit too big for people to notice each other. And unfortunately, many members get hysterical about missing features, instead of discussing benefits.)

A crucial part of a photo blogger’s work is feedback and in the Micro 4/3 community, I often get this much needed, meaningful feedback. I am happy that I am now a part of the family. 

Design

I love the cameras that take inspiration from the film era! In my opinion, models by Olympus and Fujifilm are the sexiest. I already have a DSLR, which has a fully functional design. I want my secondary camera to be beautiful.

Size 

Obviously, many choose the Micro 4/3 system for its compact size, and I am not an exception. Olympus PEN PL9 with 14-42 EZ kit lens fits into my coat’s pocket (not in jeans’ though). This means I can travel light and access the camera faster. 

Image stabilization

I bought Olympus PEN before image-stabilized Canon R6. This section is only relevant in comparison to DSLR.

For most of the work I use my DSLR, in-body image stabilization isn’t that important for the type of photography I do. I often freeze motion and capture candid portraits, I rarely use low shutter speeds. 

With Olympus, I hope to re-think. It is famous for image stabilization, and I think I can start taking new kinds of pictures. For instance, picking up light trails from fast-moving cars.

“Advanced photo modes”

Minor thing, but I like to play with them. I especially value the Live Composite mode and silent shooting. They are not exclusive to Olympus, however, I don’t have them in my DSLR. 

Smaller lenses

And last, but not least. The lenses. Olympus has a pancake zoom lens, which makes the whole kit very compact. There are other lenses I would like to try, but would never buy them for full-frame because of the size and price tag. For instance, a fish-eye or super-telephoto. 

Olympus vs. other camera systems

So, how Olympus PEN PL9 compares to other camera systems? Here, I will try to explain the basics, that made me decide to buy Olympus.  

And… just a side note. I think all camera systems on the market are competitive, but some are a better fit for a specific photography style. 

Olympus vs. Fuji

I love Fuji cameras for their film profiles, design, and image quality! I think if I didn’t work so much in low light – Fuji would be my primary camera. 

However, for Fuji’s compact cameras, the price is relatively high, there is no image stabilization and no compact zooms.

Olympus vs. Canon

I was seriously considering the Canon Powershot series, it is more compact than Olympus. The G7 Mark III has an attractive build-in compact zoom with 1.8-2.8 apertures. But the sensor is smaller (1-inch), there is no image stabilization, no interchangeable optics and it costs more. 

Canon’s APS-C M system cameras don’t fit into my pocket, they don’t have IS (except M5) and, in my opinion, lose in design. Also, there is a limited number of native lenses.

Otherwise, I would be happy to have another Canon camera. It would simplify my editing workflow (I can use the same Lightroom presets as my full-frame).

Olympus vs. Sony

Similar to Canon, Sony’s 1-inch compacts have no IS, no interchangeable lenses. The elegant classic design also isn’t there and the price is relatively high. 

The a5000 series is a bit too large (no IS, no classic design, no compact zoom)

Olympus vs. Panasonic

That was the most difficult choice! Many Panasonic cameras have very similar features to Olympus. I spent the longest time deciding between Olympus PEN PL9 and Panasonic GX85. The model by Panasonic looks better on a spec sheet and has a viewfinder. But eventually, I decided to go with Olympus’s superior (in my opinion) design. 

Olympus PEN PL9 vs Olympus OMD M10 III

I do believe that M10 is better. There is a viewfinder, better (on a spec sheet, at least) stabilization, and a second dial. M10’s design looks as attractive as the PEN series and costs just a little more. 

But I still decided to go with PEN for the following reasons:

• PEN is a bit more compact and slim
• I don’t need a second dial on a secondary camera since I mostly shoot shutter or aperture priority
• I use the viewfinder on my DSLR most of the time, on a secondary camera, I want to be forced to use the live-view, so my images would look a bit different 
• And eventually, at the moment I was buying, there was a good deal (Olympus PEN PL9: Body + EZ 14-42mm + 45mm 1.8 for 500 Eur)

If it was my main camera, I would go for M10

First impressions

Here my very first impressions, in no particular order. More details are coming in the next post.

Design

My god, this camera is beautiful! Why is it important? Well, during my travels, I like taking pictures of people. Most of the time, I have to interact with them. When I walked around with Olympus, people even asked if I can take a picture of them with this beautiful camera. I am glad I prioritized design over specs!

Heavy!

Olympus PEN PL9 is surprisingly heavy for its size. The body is out of plastic, but weights more than my made-of-steel old film camera of similar size. (I guess weight has to do with stabilizer).

Blur-free

It is easy to shoot blur-free if you need to. When talking about cameras and lenses, everyone is discussing bokeh. Many tell it is harder to get on Micro 4/3, but what if you actually want the whole image to be in focus? 

Kinda Macro

With the Olympus kit lens, I can focus pretty close. Which is a good thing, because I won’t buy a macro lens. With the little macro I do, close focus and macro rings on DSLR are enough. 

Other things

• 4:3 crop factor is close to a square, easy to crop for Instagram. 
• I love Live Composition! 
• I can put on Canon lenses with a tilt adapter, wooow
• Images have monstrous noise at high ISO (but that’s to be expected)
• It is easy to get dust on the sensor

A detailed camera review is coming in Part 2 (soon)

Affiliate links

Here I have provided the links for purchasing the camera. Buying from those doesn’t cost you extra, but it gives me a small % of the sale.

I am using the Olympus PEN PL9, however, the new PL10 model is now available. The updates in PL10 are very minor and are related to the filters. You can fine-tune their intensity. If there is a good deal for PL9, I would recommend getting it over PL10. As now (March 2019) prices are

Olympus PEN PL9 Body on EBAY
Olympus PEN PL9 with 14-42 EZ kit lens on EBAY

Olympus PEN PL10 Body on EBAY
Olympus PEN PL10 with 14-42 EZ kit lens on EBAY

Few more examples (first shots)

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