Olympus XZ-1

Olympus XZ-1
Pro digicam Pro digicam
January, 2011

Summary Olympus XZ-1

Prices Price
Camera only $499 - $500
all XZ-1 prices
Score Snapsort rank
Within its price range #6 of 10 Among similar cameras #8 of 14
details details
Specifications Key specs
Zoom Help 4x Screen size Help 3.0"
Aperture Help f/1.8 Screen resolution Help 614k dots
Wide angle Help 28 mm Movie format Help 720p @ 30fps
see all specifications
Olympus XZ-1Olympus XZ-1

reviewsWhat are people saying about the XZ-1

"Reliable exposure metering and great color response make it easy to get good images"
dpreview.com | talking about the camera's image-quality
"Good high ISO capability for a small-sensor camera (and rarely needed thanks to the bright lens)"
dpreview.com | talking about the camera's iso-noise
"The XZ-1 combines simple direct controls with an excellent lens to create probably the best photographers' compact currently available."
dpreview.com | talking about the camera's overall-performance

Videos

Olympus XZ-1 Hands on review

Olympus XZ-1 720p Focus Test
Olympus XZ-1 Hands on review
  • Review
  • Amateur
  • Ergonomics
  • Image quality
 Olympus XZ-1 720p Focus Test
  • Sample video
  • Autofocus
  • 720p HD

Browse all Olympus XZ-1 videos

Pros

The Olympus XZ-1 vs other recent digicams

Sensor size Very large sensor Help
1/1.7" 8.3x6.2mm
Screen resolution High resolution screen Help
614k dots
Screen type OLED Screen Help
Bright and vivid
Battery life Above average battery life Help
320 shots
External flash External flash Help
Better lighting
Popularity Very popular Help
Among snapsort users
Supports RAW Shoots RAW Help
Better editing
Aperture Uniquely wide aperture Help
f/1.8
Light sensitivity Good maximum light sensitivity Help
6,400 ISO
Macro focus Good macro Help
1 cm
Longest exposure Very long exposures Help
60 seconds

The Olympus XZ-1 vs other recent pro digicams

Size Quite small Help
Mid size 110x64x42 mm

Cons

The Olympus XZ-1 vs other recent digicams

Zoom Below average zoom Help
4x
High-speed framerate High speed movies Help
Not supported
3D Doesn't take 3D photos Help
No 3d support
Lowest price Very expensive Help
$499.00
Low light performance Noisy at high ISO Help
117 ISO
Touch screen No touch screen Help
More buttons
Announced Old Help
January, 2011

The Olympus XZ-1 vs other recent pro digicams

Color depth Less color depth Help
18.8 bits
Supports 24p No 24p movies Help
Missing that film look
Sensor type Sensor type Help
CCD
Panorama Lacks in-camera panoramas Help
You could stitch photos in post
External mic jack Lacks an external mic jack Help
Limited to the in-camera mic
HDR Lacks in-camera HDR Help
You could do HDR manually
Light sensitivity (boost) Lacks boost light sensitivity Help
None
Viewfinder Can only preview photos on the screen Help
None
Overall image quality Low overall image quality Help
34.0
Movie format HD movies Help
720p @ 30fps
Wide angle Poor wide angle lens Help
28 mm
Dynamic range Narrower dynamic range Help
10.4 EV
True resolution Lower true resolution Help
10 MP
Screen flips out Fixed screen Help
Less flexible
Popularity Not so popular Help
Among snapsort users

dxomark

DXOMark

Appearance

front photo of the Olympus XZ-1back photo of the Olympus XZ-1angle photo of the Olympus XZ-1

Discussion What do you think about the Olympus XZ-1?

Speech is free, but discussion at Snapsort is moderated! Please discuss your opinion of this camera here, and discuss feedback for Snapsort at our support community.

Showing 12 comments

Kamatokh (5:04 AM, March 30, 2011)
This camera can attach Vf-2 which is one of the best electric viewfinder in market. so that this is not the weak point. This model is the first camera which is used Zuiko lenses and the lenses provide uniquely faster at entire zoom range, F1.8-F2.5.
 
newplayer (0:53 AM, March 01, 2011)
Seems kind of disappointing compared to the LX5, I mean aside from the F1.8 and cleaner design I can't see this camera being better. The Lx5 has image stabilization meaning you get better stabilization not only for stills but also for movies as well, battery that last a good 100 more pics. Also your not stuck with mjpeg which is a big difference. I thought the 610k pixel oled would've been a better screen but really I can't tell the difference when looking. Although DXOmark has some low scores... i don't know I don't find them very useful, its like benchmark for computers which isn't very "real world"
 
Alessandro Pererano (6:38 PM, February 24, 2011)
There is a "little" mistake regarding the price... please verify it (it is about € 400!!!).
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (8:12 PM, February 07, 2011)
Thanks for looking that up, we'll update it to 7fps. I take it that the camera only shoots 2pfs in RAW though.
 
Frank Wunderlich (7:32 PM, February 07, 2011)
Yes, i had a look again at their website: http://www.olympus.co.uk/consumer/xz-1/new-camera-XZ-1-specifications.htm
Olympus make adifference between JPEG and RAW modus.
It says:
Sequence Shooting
Speed
2fps
RAW Mode
8frames
Sequential shooting mode
7fps / 20 frames (approx.) in HQ JPEG mode
Sequential shooting mode (high speed)
15fps (without mechanical shutter movement
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (4:31 PM, February 02, 2011)
The Olympus XZ-1 will begin shipping February 18th but should be widely available in March. You could pre-order it now on Amazon UK.
 
Francesco Vaccaro (4:18 PM, February 02, 2011)
Hi, when do you think to test it? I've read that it should be released in january, but I can't see it anywhere yet...
any idea when it will be available in italy?
thanks
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (9:44 PM, January 18, 2011)
Thanks again Frank, we've fixed up those issues. I've left the pictures/sec at 2, because thats what I found on Olympus' website.
 
Avatar for Snapsort Snapsort (10:35 PM, January 16, 2011)
Hi Frank, thanks for pointing out those issues.

I checked out the Olympus specs page
- We'll get the external flash fixed up
- Macro, yes it looks like it will go as close as 1cm
- The continuous shooting I'm not sure about, the olympus page says "Approx. 2 frames/sec. in sequential shooting". Have you seen it quoted as 7/s somewhere?
- ISO, you're absolutely right, thx
 
Frank Wunderlich (2:55 PM, January 16, 2011)
It's me again. I also found that the number of pictures /sec. is not correct.
2/sec in RAW modus and 7/sec in Jpeg.

May be you can also have a look into the macro capability. It seems that the XZ1 has a 1cm makro as well.

Thanks
 
Frank Wunderlich (2:13 PM, January 16, 2011)
Sorry, but the mentioned light senitifity is not correct. Olympus say on their website: 100 to 6400 ISO
 
Frank Wunderlich (1:56 PM, January 16, 2011)
Sorry, but this camera has a external flash shoe.
Please make the correction.

Thanks