• 1/1.63 inch 46.2mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.2 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 384.00mm (35mm eq.)

Buy From

Differences

Olympus XZ-1 advantages over Sony DSC-HX9V

  • Larger sensor
    1/1.63 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 2.15 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/3.3
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • RAW file ability
    Yes vs No
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Fast startup
    ~1.50 vs 2.1 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 3200 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony DSC-HX9V advantages over Olympus XZ-1

  • Less expensive
    $350 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • More telephoto lens reach
    384 mm vs 112 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • 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
  • Less shutter lag
    0.15 vs 0.52 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • More pixels
    16.2 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 2.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

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
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • 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

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Your purchases support this site

Review Excerpt

  • Excellent optical quality; High resolution; High-resolution Panorama mode; Good video quality; Good grip; Fast autofocus.

  • Sluggish user interface and Full HD video mode; Heavy noise suppression; GPS is sometimes slow to sync.

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
Sony DSC-HX9V
Samsung TL500
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compared to Sony HX10V

Olympus XZ-1
Sony HX10V
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $375
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
Sony DSC-HX9V
Sony HX10V
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Manual focus
  • $375
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Higher extended ISO

Compared to Sony H90

Olympus XZ-1
Sony H90
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
Sony DSC-HX9V
Sony H90
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Manual focus
  • $223
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger JPEG buffer

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
Sony DSC-HX9V
Olympus XZ-2
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

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
Sony DSC-HX9V
Canon N100
  • $329
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Built-in GPS
  • $349
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
Compare Other Cameras?