New Olympus XZ-1 reviews!
We have found so many new reviews today! Now it’s time for the Olympus XZ-1 which is not a m43 camera but definitely something we are interested to hear about!
1) ePhotozine tested the XZ-1: “The lens is an excellent performer that breaks new ground for a compact camera and offers unique benefits of its own. Although not perfect in terms of its handling the results are worth it and the XZ-1 is Highly Recommended.”
2) Photographyblog posted a set of image samples.
3) There is one more review at iantan.org The author makes an interesting statement and I would love to hear from you what you think about: “Now you can see why that I think the XZ-1 might actually cannibalize the Pen camera range, especially at the EPL-2 range (sub S$1,000). It shares similar color rendition, similarly restrictive manual exposure controls (you need to upgrade to the Pen EP2 for better manual use), and most potential buyers will be happier with the XZ-1′s solid zoom range and “fast” apertures.”
Note: Adorama (Click here) now added the white XZ-1 preorder option.
Olympus XZ-1 direct shop links: Amazon US, Adorama, BHphoto, Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR
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Recent comments
Comment from Boss: This combo works awesome, and something ...
Comment from dCap: exactly what I did in the film days ... ...
Comment from Gino: Why would it cannibalize exactly EPL2? T...- Comment from Boss: Instead of buying a wide angle lens for ...
munio
2 years ago |I agree with iantan.org, because I’m going to buy an XZ-1 as a second body. I don’t mean a backup body but a small camera to bring always with me. Previously I thought about a EPLx + Panasonic 1.7/20 but now I’ll go for the XZ-1.
Boss
2 years ago |These premium compacts make a great backup. I personally prefer the Panasonic LX5, as the Leica lens is superb and the overall handling is hard to beat. I even got two photos I took with this published in a print magazine ( or will be in February).
I’m hoping to replace my E-620 this week with an E-5, then I’ll have the best of both worlds with the LX5 and E-5 combo.
Definitely look at the LX5, the real world results I think are quite good.
cL
2 years ago |I’ve not used LX-5, but I have an LX-3. If XZ-1′s sample images are representational of typical result from XZ-1, then I can safely say Leica Summicron is not even close. The main problem of LX-3 is actually chromatic aberration, and you can only fix them with Lightroom up to a certain degree, because it’s just too much. Try 24mm on a high dynamic range situation (i.e., light coming through trees in a shaded forest) and you’ll see what I mean. I do like LX-3 though, for its 24mm wide angle and f2, but my favorite part is that aspect ratio dial on the lens.
John Krumm
2 years ago |I’m sure Olympus will welcome those cannibals, and just sell them a more expensive m43 later on.
cL
2 years ago |Timing of the release is wrong though…. E-PL2′s sale will be less than expected, unless they didn’t have high hope in the first place (then there is nothing wrong with that).
XZ-1 is pretty solid. I think Olympus’s worse enemy this time is actually themselves….
Mr Hipsta
2 years ago |Must say I am very impressed by the image quality of the XZ-1. The bright lens which is unique for a compact camera also seem very sharp, even at full aperture, and results in a reduced need for high ISOs.
Mr. Reeee
2 years ago |I sort of agree with iantan.org, but the XZ-1 and EPL2 are quite different. I see three possible scenarios…
1. If you don’t already have a M4/3 camera, it makes perfect sense as a backup.
2. If you already own a M4/3 camera, the EPL2 makes more sense as a true second body.
3. The XZ-1 seems like a very nice carry-always camera. (I’d want to compare it to the LX5)
I have a GH2 on order and might consider an EPL2 as a possible second body to share it’s lenses (20mm and 7-14mm. It’s too small for the 14-140mm).
Boss
2 years ago |Yeah, from the images, I personally feel that the LX5 is better. Dpreview rates the ZX-1 in first place and the LX5 is second place, but considering the LX line has been around for a while, and considering a nearly identical Leica version costs hundred more….the LX5 should not be overlooked. For wide angles, the LX5′s 24 mm is hard to beat. I mainly use the LX5 for three purposes: 1- travel anywhere/party/events/family cam, 2- backup to my DSLR 3- wide angle camera (the wide angles are superb with this camera – not as good as a 7-14mm, 11-22mm, etc…. but very acceptable quality.)
I think the 28mm of the ZX-1 falls short of what I would want, and the extra range at the tele end is nice on the Olympus, but honestly the tele range is not what these cameras are about, in fact the long end of these premium compacts is maybe their worst attribute (once you go long the aperture is darker and the IQ drop significantly – therefore making the 24mm a setting which I almost always keep it on – and usually f2.0 aperture as well.)
dCap
2 years ago |so … perhaps the XZ-1 is the fast standard lens that some have been waiting for (instead of an m43 lens get the compact!)
I’d love to see what Oly could do with the XZ-1 ideas with a standard lens … something like the Fuji x100 but small with a 35mm f1.something equivalent lens – slightly different idea, but you can see this XZ-1 competing with the Fuji X100 in some settings.
Boss
2 years ago |Instead of buying a wide angle lens for my FT DSLR, I chose a high-end compact, as to me, it is more versatile, and more portable of course.
dCap
2 years ago |exactly what I did in the film days … the ricoh gr1 was my 28mm lens, it beat anything else
Boss
2 years ago |This combo works awesome, and something about the images from the LX5 I just really like (I’m assuming it is the Leica lens/glow and Leica processing).
Gino
2 years ago |Why would it cannibalize exactly EPL2? There are LX5, S95, TL500 and partially G12 with GXR that XZ1 will go after first and foremost, imo.