4 Lightweight Lenses for the Olympus PEN EP7

Maximizing Your Travel Photography Gear: 4 Lightweight Lenses for the Olympus PEN EP-7

Travel photography is all about capturing the moments that make a trip unforgettable. But as many photographers know, gear plays a huge role in what you can capture and how easily you can carry it all. If you’re anything like me, you want a setup that’s as light as it is powerful—especially when you’re exploring new places and can’t afford to be weighed down. That’s why I’m all about my Olympus PEN EP-7 paired with these four lenses. Remember the EP-7 weighs only 380 grams! These lenses are lightweight, portable, and provide great quality without taking up much space in my bag.

Let’s dive into why these lenses are my go-to choices when I’m on the move.

1. Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 – A Street Photography Favorite

First up is the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7. This lens is perfect for street photography and general travel shots. I love how sharp it is, and that f/1.7 aperture really helps in low light while creating beautiful bokeh when I want to isolate my subject.

Why I Love It:

• Small but Mighty: At just 95 grams, it’s almost like it’s not there—perfect for days when I’m roaming around and want to keep my kit light.
• Low Light Performance: f/1.7 is a game-changer when the light starts to dip. You can capture more with less, and it gives the photos a nice, warm feel.
• Street Photography: It’s wide enough to capture urban landscapes, but not so wide that it distorts faces or other details. Plus, it’s sharp—really sharp.

If I had to pick just one lens for an entire trip, this would be it. It’s the kind of lens you can just leave on your camera and forget about—until you need it.

2. Olympus 14-42mm EZ f/3.5-5.6 – My Go-To Pancake Zoom Lens

Next, I’ll talk about the Olympus 14-42mm EZ f/3.5-5.6. This pancake zoom lens is my favorite for when I need flexibility without carrying around too much weight. It covers a solid focal length range, from wide-angle to mid-range, and it does so in a very compact, lightweight package.

Why I Love It:

• Zooming without the Bulk: It’s perfect for when you don’t know what kind of shot you’ll need next, and it’s so small that it fits in my bag without taking up too much space.
• Great for Landscapes and Street Photography: Whether I’m snapping wide cityscapes or isolating elements on the street, it’s always there when I need it.
• Affordable, but Solid Quality: It’s a kit lens, but it punches way above its weight. The image quality is impressive for the price.

If I want to quickly switch between wide and mid-range shots without switching lenses, this is the one I grab.

3. Olympus 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 – For Those Distant Shots

When I’m traveling and I want to get close to something far away—whether it’s wildlife or a distant scene—the Olympus 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 is my telephoto lens of choice. It’s got an incredible zoom range, giving you the reach of a 150-600mm full-frame equivalent, but in a surprisingly lightweight package for a lens of this zoom power.

Why I Love It:

• Reach without the Weight: I never expected a super-telephoto lens to be this light. It’s not going to weigh you down like other long lenses. It weighs just 425 grams!
• Perfect for Wildlife: Whether it’s birds, animals, or nature shots, this lens lets you get close even when you’re far away.
• Stabilized Zoom: It’s great for handheld shots, especially when you’re zoomed in all the way. The built-in stabilization helps smooth out any shakes.

I always have this lens with me if I know I’ll be around nature or need that extra reach. It’s also fantastic for shooting distant landmarks or details in the distance.

4. Olympus 75mm f/1.8 – Portraits and Bokeh Heaven

Finally, the Olympus 75mm f/1.8 is my go-to portrait lens. This lens is just incredible for creating that perfect blurry background—especially when you’re isolating your subject. With its f/1.8 aperture, it really stands out for portraits or any shot where you want to get a beautifully soft, shallow depth of field.

Why I Love It:

• Sharp and Detailed: This lens is razor-sharp, and the image quality is fantastic. It doesn’t get the credit it deserves sometimes.
• Beautiful Bokeh: That creamy blur you get in the background is just gorgeous. It makes the subject pop in a way that few lenses can achieve.
• Compact Portrait Lens: Despite being a longer prime lens, this one’s still small enough that it doesn’t feel like a burden to carry around.

If I’m doing portrait work or want that smooth, shallow focus for any subject, this lens is perfect. It’s always on hand when I need it.

Why I Choose These Lenses

When I’m traveling, I don’t want to carry a ton of gear. I need a setup that can do it all: landscape, street, portrait, wildlife, you name it. These lenses fit the bill. They’re all lightweight, compact, and versatile enough to tackle just about any scene. Whether I’m out exploring a new city or capturing distant wildlife, I know these lenses will have me covered.

The Olympus PEN EP-7 pairs perfectly with them—small enough to take everywhere without drawing attention, but powerful enough to deliver high-quality images. With this setup, I can stay agile, shoot fast, and keep my kit light.

Final Thoughts

There’s something special about traveling with just the essentials—lightweight, versatile gear that lets you focus on the shot, not on how much weight you’re carrying. These four lenses—Panasonic 20mm f/1.7, Olympus 14-42mm EZ, Olympus 75-300mm, and Olympus 75mm f/1.8—give me exactly that. Each one has its place in my kit, and together, they cover just about every situation I could face while traveling.

If you’re looking for a travel kit that’s easy to carry, versatile, and doesn’t skimp on quality, these lenses are a solid choice. Get out there, shoot, and enjoy the journey.

Lens Specifications

Supporting the Site

I write these blogs in my part-time, sharing my passion for photography and helping you find the best gear for your adventures. If you’ve found this article helpful and want to support the site, the best way is by purchasing the products through the links provided below. This doesn’t cost you anything extra, but it helps keep the site running and allows me to continue creating valuable content for you. Thank you for your support!

Here are the links to the lenses mentioned in the article:

• Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 on Amazon
• Olympus 14-42mm EZ on Amazon
• Olympus 75-300mm f/4.8-6.7 on Amazon
• Olympus 75mm f/1.8 on Amazon

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