• 1/1.63 inch 46.2mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Olympus XZ-1 advantages over Olympus XZ-2

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $600 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Lighter weight
    274g vs 357g
    Lighter weight
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    14 vs 4 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Olympus XZ-2 advantages over Olympus XZ-1

  • Touchscreen
    Touch vs No touch
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Yes vs No
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Tiltable vs Fixed
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Higher effective ISO
    216 vs 117 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dots on screen
    920k 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
  • Less shutter lag
    0.12 vs 0.52 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    12.0 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    5.0 fps vs 2.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • 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
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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

User reviews

Buy From

Review Excerpt

  • Good image quality for its class; Fast, bright f/1.8-2.5 i.ZUIKO 4x zoom lens; Dual-purpose front Control Ring lets you select aperture or focus manually; three-inch articulating LCD touch-screen monitor.

  • Pricier than many enthusiast compacts; Image detail starts dropping off at ISO 800 and noise becomes problematic at ISO 3200; Lens cover pops off as zoom lens extends, when you turn the camera on.

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
Olympus XZ-2
Samsung TL500
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Thinner

Compared to Canon G15

Olympus XZ-1
Canon G15
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Longer exposure
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • More telephoto lens reach
Olympus XZ-2
Canon G15
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compared to Pentax MX-1

Olympus XZ-1
Pentax MX-1
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Lighter weight
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • Tiltable Screen
Olympus XZ-2
Pentax MX-1
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Hot shoe
  • $400
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 60p video

Compared to Canon G16

Olympus XZ-1
Canon G16
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Bulb shutter
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder
Olympus XZ-2
Canon G16
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

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
Olympus XZ-2
Canon N100
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • In-camera panoramas
  • RAW file ability
  • $349
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
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