Olympus XZ-1 Compact Digital Camera Reviewed
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The Olympus XZ-1 camera is a compact, point-and-shoot camera that acts more like an easy to use DSLR! The feature set designed into the XZ-1 includes the Zuiko lens that is typically used in the DSLR's that Olympus sells. The CCD sensor is designed to provide the optimum performance in any setting, but especially in low light. The controls are not only available to the photographer as a control on the back, but also as a control ring around the lens itself, leading the owner to have a more sensitive photographic experience. Top those features with one of the brightest LED displays on the market, and you've got yourself one heck of a compact camera! But even with that said, is the XZ-1 worth the money, or should you just move on up to a DSLR? Our review will hopefully help you find out.
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Olympus XZ-1 10 MP Digital Camera with f1.8 Lens and 3-Inch OLED Monitor (Black)
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Olympus XZ-1 10 MP Digital Camera with f1.8 Lens and 3-inch OLED Monitor (White)
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The Olympus XZ-1 camera is a 10 megapixel compact camera, but with a difference. The sensor is relatively huge for comparable cameras at 1" by 1.63", which allows the camera to gather even more information, creating a higher quality photo with very smooth movement throughout. Photos are very clear and crisp outside of using zoom, with a bit of softness as more zoom is used.
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The iZuiko lens designed for the Olympus XZ-1 is the same lens used in the typical Olympus E-system cameras like the E-5, E-30, and E-620. It is a more compact lens at the 28mm-112mm equivalent size to a 35 millimeter, but only because we are dealing with a compact camera. The quality is still the same, and with an aperture range of f/1.8 to f/2.5, the iZuiko lens helps the XZ-1 camera create crisp photos quickly with the absolute minimum ghosting.
One extra highlight of the Zuiko lens is the ability to focus just on your main subject, while taking the background out of focus. Known as bokeh, It's rare of a compact camera to have this blurred background feature, and the Olympus XZ-1 only has it available due to the Zuiko.
With the addition of an extra control wheel around the Zuiko lens, Olympus has designed the XZ-1 to be a more manual camera than typically found in a point-and-shoot camera. While true that one can still just let the camera auto adjust, the extra controls provide a way to manually adjust the camera's shutter, ISO, and aperture with just a touch from the photographer.
Olympus XZ-1 Compact Camera Photos
What we really like is the included Live Guide feature. By setting the camera to automatic before you take your shot, you can scroll through different settings chosen by the camera to see just what type of setting looks best to you at the LED monitor. It's a manual choosing of automatic settings, but it works. This Live Guide also includes the six art settings (pinhole, grainy film, diorama, etc.) to let you preview your shots in a funky style beforehand. You can easily switch back to the original settings by pressing the iAuto button again, and it's always available whatever you feel like shooting.
The Olympus XZ-1 camera features a typically-sized 3" monitor, as do most comparable compact cameras. However, this is an OLED, not the typical LCD. With 610k dots, the XZ-1's OLED monitor is very bright, and very detailed, allowing for playback of your HD Movies in 720p format. Since it's an OLED, it is less of a power drain than a typical LED, so you can shoot longer without needing a recharge.
The XZ-1 compact has the standard ability of recording HD Movies in 720p format. Frame rate is also standard at 30 frames per second. HDMI is built into the camera so that the video, along with all of your stills can be played back immediately on any HDMI-ready HDTV or Blu-ray player at full 720p resolution.
Because the XZ-1 wants to be a DSLR or micro four thirds camera, Olympus designed the camera to be able to use accessories from its upper class. Attachable accessories include the electronic viewfinder (typically used on the PEN cameras). A macro arm light is also attachable, giving excellent light when shooting extreme close-ups. An external microphone can also be attached to the hot shoe for sound that rivals the excellent video being captured. Of course, the hot shoe can be used to attach external flash units, like the FL-14 and FL-36R.
As with most compact cameras, Olympus may have done too good a job on noise reduction with the XZ-1. There seems to be a little too much softness in the photos, especially when using all of the 4x zoom. If the photos taken with your XZ-1 are too soft for your liking, try shooting in RAW+JPEG and decreasing the ISO. This typically works, although won't work in all settings, especially when you need to increase the ISO.
The Olympus XZ-1 digital compact camera is yet another great choice for those looking for a camera that rivals a DSLR (or micro four thirds), but without the effort of manually adjusting each and every setting. While you can adjust as you see fit, it's more likely that you can let the Olympus XZ-1 do the work for you, while you enjoy finding subjects and scenes to photograph!
Olympus XZ-1 Compact Camera Specs
* Model / ASIN:
* Colors Available: Black or White
* Resolution: 10 megapixels resolution using a CCD sensor
* Lens: iZuiko 6mm to 24mm lens with 4x optical zoom; 28mm to 112mm in 35mm technology
* Digital Zoom: 4x digital zoom
* Video Recording: Records HD movies in 720p resolution
* Minimum Focus Range: 10 centimeters in macro; 60 centimeters in normal; 1 centimeter in super macro
* Shutter Speed: Minimum of 1/2000 of a second to a maximum of 60 seconds
* Aperture: f/1.8 to f/2.5 aperture
* ISO: 100 to 800 in Auto mode; 100 to 6400 in manual mode; low light ISO is 100 to 3200; Movie from 200 to 1600 ISO
* Monitor: 3" OLED monitor with 630k dots resolution
* Viewfinder: externally attachable viewfinder (not included typically)
* Flash: Built-in flash but compatible with E-system flash units which can be attached to the hot shoe
* File Format: RAW, RAW+JPEG, or JPEG for still photos; AVI Motion JPEG for HD Movies
* File Storage: 54.6 Megabytes of internal memory; compatible with SD, SDHC, or SDXC memory cards (up to 64Gb)
* Outputs: HDMI (x1); USB (x1); A/V (x1)
* Power: Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery (model #LI-50B); Battery will shoot up to 310 shots on one charge
* Dimensions: 4 2/5" x 2 3/5" 1 7/10" (W x H x D) and weighs just 9.1 ounces (with Battery included)
* Release Date: January 2011
Reference
Olympus XZ-1 Review & Rating | PCMag.com - Technology Product ...
Olympus XZ-1. editor rating good; user ratings (2) good; Write a Review ...
Olympus XZ-1 Review | Digital Camera Resource Page
An unbiased, in-depth review of the Olympus XZ-1 compact digital camera,...
Olympus XZ-1 Compact Camera - Youtube Video Review
Olympus XZ1
20 May 2012 at 8:51am
B. Daniels is the lead review expert with Find Cheap Bargains. B. was more than likely the person responsible for the hands-on review of every product on the site. He also spends time searching for sale bargains when not conducting and writing the reviews.
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