Are you searching for the best travel blogging camera? Here’s my take along with a rundown of my new camera kit lenses and accessories.
With hopes of international trips starting up again (including my updated non-Africa trip 🤞) I thought I would circle back and look at my camera kit. It has largely stayed stagnant the past few years as I have not been travelling much. With that in mind, I updated a few items and will break down what camera, lenses, and accessories I plan to take with me this year and beyond.
Camera System – Olympus Mirorless Micro Four Thirds
For those following along, you know that Olympus has long been my camera brand of choice. I was first attracted by the retro look and came to love their compact size and massive catalogue of lenses. Since they use Mirco Four Thirds tech, Olympus Mirrorless Cameras can pair with both Olympus and Panasonic lenses. This all makes them the perfect travel companion.
I started with the Olympus Pen E-PL-5 before I upgraded to the E-PL-7 for a much-improved sensor. I then graduated to the OM-D line, Olympus’s advanced offering for beginners to pros. I’ve been very happy with the OM-D E-M10 Mark II for several years now and have avoided upgrading up until now.
Camera Body – Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV
My main reason for not upgrading to the Mark III is because Olympus shifted to a plastic body and made the camera feel cheap. They also removed some function buttons which was odd. With internals largely the same as the OMD E-M5 and the top-of-the-line E-M1, it makes sense they would differentiate somewhere.
I considered upgrading to the E-M5 model for its build quality and weather seal but I just can’t get used to the articulating screen. I took an E-M5 with me on a trip to Ireland a few years ago and, although I enjoyed the camera, I couldn’t get used to the screen. The flip-down screen that comes on the OM-D and E-PL lines are much better for photographers in my opinion. I like to shoot low and the added time to flip and rotate the E-M5 screen just feels cumbersome.
So why did I upgrade to the Mark IV then? The Mark IV has a 20M sensor (same as the E-M1!) and has much better autofocus capabilities. I also took the shift to plastic as a plus as the Mark IV is lighter and easier to travel with. On top of that, it has an improved grip. For the Mark II, I had to purchase a battery grip which added weight.
Last, some of the features in Mark IV make connectivity much easier. This includes Bluetooth wireless connections (the Mark II has wifi but is bulky to use) and USB charging.
Camera Lenses
Along with my new Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV camera came a couple of new pro lenses. I’ve been looking to consolidate my collection into 3 to 4 lenses for some time and am happy to have finally done just that.
Day-to-Day Lens and Astrophotography
I have long been looking to upgrade my lens for day-to-day shooting. I was reluctantly using the kit lens that came with the camera up to this point and was fine for daytime shots but falls short in low light. The OLYMPUS M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 Pro Lens fits those needs and I love it so far.
Although it’s bigger, it provides crisp images with a nice zoom. At F2.8, it’s also great for low light shots and I plan to utilize it for Astrophotography and star trails, something the E-M10 Mark IV makes easy.
Day-to-Day Lens Alternative
Olympus recently released a much lighter Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-45mm F4.0 PRO Lens that is very close to the 12-40 mm F2.8 lens and is cheaper. It’s a great alternative for those less interested in the low light capabilities of the F2.8.
Telephoto Lens
For my telephoto lens, I am using the OLYMPUS M.Zuiko Digital ED 75 to 300mm II F4.8-6.7 Zoom Lens. This is what I used on safari in Africa on my last trip with the E-PL-5. I look forward to the results paired with the OM-D E-M10 Mark IV this time around.
Telephoto Lens Alternative
If you don’t take a ton of long-range photos and are looking for a cheaper option, the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm F4.0-5.6 R Zoom Lens is surprisingly decent. It’s super compact and often on sale for under $200.
Wide Angle Lens
For my wide-angle lens, I have the OLYMPUS M.Zuiko Digital ED 7-14mm F2.8 Pro Lens. This provides great shots of landscape and sky. I also use this for my hotel reviews where space is tight.
Wide Angle Alternative
For years I used the Rokinon FE75MFT-B 7.5mm F3.5 UMC Fisheye Lens. You can see it through my LifeinDrinks photos and it was my favourite lens for a long time. It’s pocketable and well priced at under $300.
Street Photography Prime Lens
Although the above three lenses are my go-to, I do keep a couple of speciality lenses nearby. The first one I bought years ago was a Panasonic LUMIX G II Lens, 14mm, F2.5 ASPH pancake lens. It’s still one of my favourites today. Thanks to its small size, it’s what I take with me if I’m just walking around town and don’t need any zoom functions.
Portrait Lens
I don’t take a lot of portrait photos but I have held onto this Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 45mm F1.8 Lens. It provides incredible detail and beautiful bokeh.
Camera Accessories
Although I did trim down my camera kit lenses, I do carry a few accessories with me on the go.
Battery Charger
The battery charger that comes with Olympus cameras are overly large and requires a dedicated power cord. It just seems bizarre in this day and age of USB-C charging everything but there you have it. Even though the OM-D EM-10 mark IV charges with a mini USB now, I do take this compact wall charger with me. Why? because you can’t use the camera while USB charging. This makes little sense as you should be able to review and delete photos while plugged in.
Extra Batteries
Along with the extra charger, I have two extra batteries with me at all times. I have numbered them so I can rotate them through and charge as needed. This ensures I’m never scrambling through dead batteries.
Kit Bag
Although I use a cheap messenger bag I picked up in Thailand years ago for my day-to-day use, I keep a Timbuk2 Snoop bag for larger trips. You can find my full review of that bag here.
Camera Strap
What’s a camera without a great strap? For my travel blogging camera setup, I use a Hawkesmill England strap. This leather strap has held up over four trips around the globe. The vintage look also pairs nicely with the OM-D line.
I also use Gordy’s wrist straps. You can see my full review on those here.
My Travel Blogging Camera Kit – Conclusion
There you have it, my up-to-date camera kit and take on the best travel blogging camera for 20222. What’s your travel blogging camera kit look like? Any suggestions on what I should be swapping out or getting rid of? Let me know in the comments below!
What say you?
Thoughts on this Travel Blogging Camera Kit?
Let’s hear it!
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NOTE: I was not sponsored or provided complimentary gear for this travel blogging camerarReview. I do use affiliate links for the products listed in this post. This helps me fund this site and continue to provide travel content.
As always the experience, opinions, and photos are my own.
Hi, thanks for sharing this article because I got the idea of various camera kits. I was confused earlier about the items but now I am sure which one to pick for travel blogging.