 |
While it doesn't have the zoom capacity of other larger cameras, I like it for its size. The image quality is every bit as good as my Olympus E-P3 and it has most of the same art effects (that I use) as that camera. Thus, I I can switch from camera to camera without any significant differences. Although it's not a pocket camera, its size does make it easier to just drop it into my shoulder bag to carry. Most often however, the strap is around my neck, ready for action. I still love my E-P3, but I find myself grabbing this handy XZ-1 more often than I ever expected.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
A large sensor pocketable camera (If you have large pockets) that is easy to use, has a fast zoom with a good range, and takes excellent photographs even by modern standards, for around $100 used. You can use it as an all-automatic point-and-shoot, or control every setting. Good for casual shooters or very advanced amateurs. I'm a retired pro photographer, and I always have an XZ-1 or an XZ-2 with me. In fact, one of them stays in my motorcycle tank bag, just in case.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I purchased the Olympus XZ-1 to compliment my E-M1. We were traveling out of the country and I wanted a small compact camera to take along when I didn't want my larger DSLR. I read some reviews and decided on this model over the XZ-2 mainly because of cost. I am not sorry I chose this camera. In fact, I used it more than the E-M1 mainly because of its portability and image quality. While it is no E-M1 and a 12-40mm pro lens, it did make some amazing photos. I used it mostly in Aperture Priority at wider apertures and got great images. My wife has a Lumix LX-7 and I think this camera is superior, but this is my opinion. I love the color, the handling and quick response. If I lost it I would buy another without question.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Did lots of research online and was nervous about buying something I'd never physically held or tried out, but from the first picture I took, I couldn't be happier. Olympus hit the sweet spot between simple point and shoot and expensive, bulky DSLR. Simply put, this camera takes gorgeous photos. The f1.8 lens is bright and sharp, and paired with a big sensor and image stabilization performs outstanding in low light conditions. The lens has an excellent range, allowing wide angle to enough zoom to take portrait shots with blurred background. The art filters let you do really cool effects without photoshoping, the auto settings perform really well and it's fully set up for more sophisticated manual users, and its ability to shoot in jpeg and raw simultaneously makes it a great stepping stone camera for a more serious enthusiast who wants to manipulate images. OR just let its fantastic lens, auto mode, and processing software do all the work for you. And the view screen is outstanding--I find myself just reviewing photos because they look great on the screen. The size is also just right--big enough that it feels solid and is packed with features, which means it's not a pocket camera [actually, does fine in cargo shorts pocket], but its compact enough to easily take with you anywhere, so I actually use it more than I did my SLR with all its heavy, bulky, and expensive lenses. Nitpicks? I wish it had grip-bump on the right side like the Lumix LX5 for one handed shooting, thought there is a $35-40 after market product that I've seen that appears to be an option, and I can't say that it feels slippery in my hand as it is.Read full review
Bought and XZ-1 a week ago. Am absolutely delighted. It is a wonderful camera that fits in my shirt pocket. Picture quality is excellent (try Natural mode, Contrast +1, Sharpness +1), ISO 100. For instant grab shots I use Aperture mode at f/4… sharp from 2’ to infinity. Took a picture of an airliner coming in, right overhead, got two sharp images real fast, there’s almost zero shutter lag time. Also bought the Olympus VF-1 optical viewfinder, which was sold for the Pen cameras, and it works perfectly… its viewing angle is about 35mm-equiv which is close enough to the XZ-1’s 28mm-equiv when wide open. A LOT less expensive than the VF-2 electronic viewfinder. The controls are easy to use. The menus are only slightly goofy; you get used to them in a few days. The lens is superb. VERY fast… lets you take handheld pictures in very low-light places. And you can always put the camera on a wall or a beanbag and use the self-timer for a good sharp picture. Image quality is great for web or enlargements to 11 x 14”. Over that, I’d get an APS-C sensor camera. But they don’t fit in your pocket! The image quality is exactly in line with what we'd expect from a camera with a sensor of this size - considerably better than most compacts other than its immediate peers. This is made all the more useable by that sensor being parked behind such a bright lens. This underlying image quality, combined with the excellent JPEG processing with which Olympus has made a name for itself, makes it easy to take impressive images every time you pick up the camera. The sensor may be a touch noisier than the one used by Canon, Nikon and Samsung but the slightly brighter lens makes up for some of that difference and it's rare to need to shoot above ISO 800 where that difference starts to become visible. The default 'Natural' setting may be hugely misleading in its name but the results are fantastic: producing bright, punchy images without ever tipping over into cartoonishly vivid. The trick appears to be which colors it emphasizes - sky blues are made to look particularly radiant but reds and skin tones remain realistic and convincing. The combination of a good sensor, sharp lens and good image processing is pretty much all you could ask for in a camera this small. Conclusion - Pros Fastest (brightest) zoom lens of any current compact Really useful 28-112mm lens range Lens impressively sharp with generally good corner sharpness at wide apertures Reliable exposure metering and great color response make it easy to get good images Good high ISO capability for a small-sensor camera (and rarely needed thanks to the bright lens) AF illuminator helps in low light Simple control system still gives high level of manual control Low light mode makes it easy to make the most of the camera's strengths, quickly Art Filters are good at encouraging creative photographic thinking Ability to control flashes wirelessly a major plus USB charging is convenient (but makes it awkward to keep a second battery charged) Conclusion - Cons Lack of AEL/AFL button rules out focus and recompose technique No ability to adjust noise reduction level No option to customize any buttons (though controls are generally very good) No direct access to ISO or White Balance Auto ISO can use long exposure times in low light Lens a little prone to flare in bright light Video not up to the standard of the stills (and in the inefficient, though convenient, M-JPEG format) XZ-1… five stars… recommended!!!Read full review
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in Digital Cameras
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on Digital Cameras
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- You may also like
