Olympus XZ-1 Pro Reviews

The Holy Grail for serious enthusiasts shopping for a compact is for a camera that achieves the highest possible image quality, with full control, in as small a package as is practical. The Olympus XZ-1 comes as close to achieving this as any camera yet launched. It's certainly one of the smallest cameras of its type, the lens is superb, it's great fun to use and image quality at the lower ISOs is among the best, whether shooting in Raw or JPEG. Furthermore it offers the ability to add an electronic viewfinder, to use a flashgun (either on the hotshoe or wirelessly) and to shoot high speed bursts. Only a couple of niggles thwart its bid for perfection, most notably its high ISO performance and so-so movie quality. The awkward rear dial and lack of any kind of hand grip are more minor issues. On balance though the XZ-1 is an excellent camera that we can heartily recommend to anyone looking for a camera of this type.

Ultimately, the Olympus XZ-1 is a pleasant companion that behaves more like a mature offering than a maiden voyage in this tough crowd. A Dave's Pick, the Olympus XZ-1 promises to put some enthusiasm in any enthusiast photographer.

The XZ-1 offers a nice mix of creative filters, tutorial modes, and advanced settings, but it has an imposing price tag, a sometimes imposing menu system, and a very imposing field of competitors. Pocketable powerhouses such as the Canon PowerShot S95 might be a better fit for casual users, while more-advanced cameras such as the Nikon Coolpix P7000 and Canon PowerShot G12 offer better overall performance out of the box. The XZ-1 also trails the premium point-and-shoot pack in terms of video quality; you're better off with the Panasonic Lumix LX5 or the PowerShot G12 if shooting video is high on your to-do list.

When you’re ready to move past the temporary pocket digicams but not quite ready to lug around a big-bodied DSLR, it’s difficult to justify the purchase of an “in-between” camera. But in this case, it’s an easy decision. Once you’ve outgrown pocket cams that either fall apart or are outdated in a year, it’s time to invest in a machine that you can discreetly use and won’t need annual replacing. The XZ-1 is such an investment, and yes, at nearly $500 it’s a solid one – but it will keep users of various skill levels interested all while delivering impressive quality photos.

The Olympus XZ-1 would be a notable entry into the high end compact digital field if only for its fast lens, but throw in a dose of excellent still image quality and the camera commands serious consideration. It starts reasonably fast and acquires focus and shoots in similar fashion. Menus are intuitive and simple and the camera is a bit smaller and lighter than its chief competitors. The zoom range is decent, there are RAW shooting options and a handy one-touch video capture interface. If you're an Olympus fan they've given you a worthy addition to the top of the digital compact food chain, and if you're in the market for a camera in this class but haven't made up your mind, do yourself a favor and take a good look at the XZ-1 before making the purchase.

In summary the Olympus XZ-1 is a very attractive and well thought-out - if a bit expensive - digital compact camera that appeals to a wide range of users and presents a real threat to the likes of the Canon Powershot S95, Panasonic Lumix LX5 and Samsung EX1.

Olympus has managed to produce a compact camera that is a real joy to use. It's perfectly pocket sized, jumps quickly into action and has responsive controls that are sensibly laid out. The wide aperture lens also means the camera can be used handheld where some others can't and a greater degree of background blur is possible.

The XZ-1 feels like a good, solid move for its maker, and in helping the brand stay competitive and moreover relevant, it deserves to do well. Olympus has come lately to the high performance compact party, so it's just as well that its arrival is with a product that should be awarded a degree of fanfare.

Shoehorning in almost as many features as its E-PL2 bigger brother, if you don’t want to change the F/1.8, 28-112mm equivalent lens on the front, the XZ-1 is the easier to use, as well as transport. Sure, an asking price of £399 is not inconsiderable, but at least it’s comparable with its immediate rivals that are also priced at a premium. After practically holding a wake with the release of the E-5 DSLR, fortunately it’s now party hats and streamers time for Olympus in the case of the XZ-1.

The Olympus XZ-1 is a fine compact camera, offering high quality and versatility with its extensive range of features. 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.

Aside from its lack of AEL/AFL button, there's very little to criticize about the XZ-1. Not everyone will be affected by the lack of such a button but as a function available on some point-and-shoots, it's a frustrating omission from a camera people will use creatively. However, this is just about the only major cloud in a sky that's otherwise the bright, cheery blue that this camera so loves to produce. The XZ-1 is a joy to use, quick and easy to control and small enough to make sure you have it when a photographic opportunity arises. In fact, many people considering a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera may find they're better served by the XZ-1, if they're not serious about buying additional lenses.