Olympus compact camera reviews

Concentrating on mirrorless cameras, Olympus seems to have completely abandoned the segment of classical high end compacts, and its indispensable representative for two years now is the XZ-2. The inherent ingenuity of Olympus designers in solving the problem of managing a large number of parameters in cameras is also affected by the Stylus 1.

Olympus XZ-2

Olympus XZ-2

12 mP 28-112 mm 4x 3″ 13 000 rub.

Concentrating on mirror-less cameras, Olympus seems to have neglected the old-school compact segment, where the XZ-2 has been a constant presence for over two years. The camera looks a bit pale against the general background. With wireless data transfer it is familiar only through third-party card Eye-Fi or FlashAir SD format with built-in Wi-Fi. It came out before Olympus first implemented its remarkable five-axis stabilization system. Nor can it boast hybrid autofocus.

The camera retains its relevance thanks to its high-quality technical equipment. Photographically, the XZ-2 has almost everything on the list of requirements for a serious compact from the experienced amateur. A four-fold zoom lens with high variable aperture ratio demonstrates very good image quality. A processor with algorithms borrowed from the Olympus OM-D E-M5 system, handles graphic information pretty neatly and achieves a respectable contrast sharpening speed. Even capable of applying sophisticated artistic effects to your movies in real time. Their resolution corresponds to the Full HD format. Frame rate is limited to 30 frames per second, but you can use an external microphone to record sound when filming.

The TruePic VI processor in combination with a 1/1.7 inch sensor makes for great images in almost any situation with great details and color reproduction. A special tonal curve tool achieves the desired contrast distribution by separately correcting the brightness of highlights and shadows during the shooting process. The XZ-2 has one of the most user-friendly control systems that can be modified extensively to match photographers’ preferences. Tiltable screen has a touch panel. This makes working with the many available settings much easier. The hardware interface offers a wheel on the lens, among other controls. Next to it is a programmable lever that allows you to choose one of two settings, which you can change with the wheel. Rotation of the click wheel changes from discrete to smooth. The first mode is convenient for trying out fixed settings, while the second mode is perfect for making smooth changes to the zoom or focus distance. A function key for setting additional parameters nestles in the middle of the lever. A second customizable key is provided on the rear panel. The tiltable touch screen offers another level of interaction with the XZ-2 interface.

No viewfinder is built in, but the optional hot shoe accessory port lets you attach one of two optional electronic viewfinders: an easier, cheaper one, or a really good one that costs more. High-speed sync with compact external flashes. You can also use the built-in blitz to control compatible flash units remotely without the need for cables. If the shutter speed range is tight, a pluggable ND filter can be used to reduce exposure by 3 stops.

Specifications:

Olympus Stylus 1

Olympus Stylus 1

16 MP 28-300 mm 10.7x 3″ 28,000 Dollars.

While it’s hard to call the XZ-2 an outstanding camera these days, the Stylus 1 could easily live up to that title. The compact not in appearance, of course, but in definition model closely resembles the “system” OM-D cameras and most of all the E-M10 in design, high level of performance, dimensions and some structural elements. Developers especially emphasize that the camera has borrowed from mirrorless cameras, not only external signs, but also part of the most important hardware. Individuality of the camera is provided by its lens. The almost 10.7x zoom offers a constant maximum aperture of F2.8. You can’t get a shallow depth of field like with an interchangeable lens camera, because the 1/1.7-inch sensor is too small for poetic bokeh. But when it comes to low light, you couldn’t ask for a better camera – no other compact has such a large relative aperture at an equivalent focal length of over 200mm.

Olympus’ trademark ingenuity in dealing with the challenges of managing a large number of camera settings also applies to the Stylus 1. No buttons and wheels abound here like on the OM-D E-M1, but the functionality is well thought out. Creators of the camera partly used existing solutions, partly added new. For example, the dual lever control ring on the lens, which has already been described how it works, comes from the XZ-2. There are two levers for changing the focal length: the first is traditionally combined with the shutter button, the second is on the left side of the lens. For the last lever, you can adjust the sensitivity and therefore change the speed of the zoom drive. This makes it extremely well suited to zooming while recording video. If the owner of the Stylus 1 isn’t interested in shooting movies at all, the additional lever is useful for taking pictures from a lower angle. The highlighted movie-record button can be reconfigured to control some useful photo settings.

Large, bright, high-resolution viewfinder is complemented by a tilting touch screen. Duplication of hardware and touch interface controls gives the user the ability to situationally choose the right style of operation. Manual controls, RAW and RAW+JPEG, Olympus System Flash compatibility, the flexibility that the PEN and OM-D are famous for, the high-speed, high-quality video mode – all make the Stylus 1 a real bargain for the experienced and demanding amateur. The camera can even remotely trigger external flashes with its built-in blitz. The range of possible uses for this camera is truly vast. The model is already universal in its basic configuration, but with add-ons, such as the optional converter, which increases the equivalent focal length to 510 mm while maintaining the same aperture, the Stylus 1 can be adapted to specific tasks.

Specifications: