• 1/1.63 inch 46.2mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1.5 inch 261.8mm2
  • 14.3 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus XZ-1 advantages over Canon G1X

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $800 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/2.8
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 320 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Thinner
    42 mm vs 64 mm
    Thinner
  • Lighter weight
    274g vs 543g
    Lighter weight
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    14 vs 6 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Canon G1X advantages over Olympus XZ-1

  • Larger sensor
    1.5 inch vs 1/1.63 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Tilt-swivel vs none
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 4.30 vs 2.15 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Better color depth
    21.7 vs 18.8 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    644 vs 117 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • More dots on screen
    922k vs 614k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    14.3 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    4.5 fps vs 2.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Both provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

  • Large-sensor image quality. Sharp lens with useful zoom range. Tilt/swivel LCD. Twin dials. Smaller than competing interchangeable-lens cameras with a similar lens. Lots of photographer-friendly features.

  • Not as small as you might hope. Mediocre burst shooting and autofocus speed. Far too easy to accidentally change exposure compensation. Viewfinder is of surprisingly little use. Battery life could be better.

The Competition

Compared to Samsung TL500

Olympus XZ-1
Samsung TL500
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO
Canon G1X
Samsung TL500
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Larger lens aperture

Compared to Sigma DP1 Merrill

Olympus XZ-1
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Canon G1X
Sigma DP1 Merrill
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $849
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Olympus XZ-2

Olympus XZ-1
Olympus XZ-2
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
Canon G1X
Olympus XZ-2
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Canon N100

Olympus XZ-1
Canon N100
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Manual focus
  • $349
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Canon G1X
Canon N100
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Tilt-swivel screen
  • Larger sensor
  • $349
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compared to Canon G1X Mark III

Olympus XZ-1
Canon G1X Mark III
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Larger lens aperture
  • Fast startup
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
Canon G1X
Canon G1X Mark III
  • $576
  • 1.5 inch
  • Bigger pixels
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $999
  • APS-C
  • Focus peaking
  • Larger sensor
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