Olympus Stylus XZ-2

Fast lens. Excellent control layout. Tilting touch-screen LCD. EVF option. Hot shoe. Raw shooting support

Expensive. No Wi-Fi or GPS. Noisy images at high ISOs

The Olympus XZ-2 has a bright lens and captures sharp photos, but it's too expensive and photos start to show some noise as you notch up the ISO.

The touchscreen interface is simple and there when you want it, but you’ve got all the physical buttons and controls you could possibly want or need if you’re not all about the touch. The user interface is simple the understand, adjustments are simple,...

Responsive vari-angle touchscreen ; Fast, bright, versatile lens ; Customization options to spare ; Full manual control

No dedicated ISO control ; Low-light capability could be better ; iAuto is disappointing

If you plan on using your smartphone for most on-the-go capture, but want something to create higher quality images with, consider the XZ-2. It won’t break the bank or weigh you down, but it will absolutely outperform your iPhone.

Fast, accurate AF ; Versatile three-mode lens ring ; Flip-out 3in 920k dot LCD touch-screen ; Accessory port for optional EVF

Poor high ISO noise performance ; Average continous shooting performance ; Touch-sceen inactive for movie recording ; Only 2 video modes

The Stylus XZ-2 provides a great balance between advanced control, capable handling, and ease of use that few of its competitors have achieved with equal success. In part, this is due to the way that they've cleverly limited the influence of the...

Excellent still image quality ; Fast maximum lens apertures ; Very good overall lens performance ; Removable/Interchangeable grips

Less than stellar zoom length ; High ISO pixel smudging ; Lengthy delay in image playback feature

Impressive hardware with a bright lens and innovative control ring; A nice tilting LCD with a solid touchscreen implementation

Still and video image quality can’t quite keep up with class leaders; Overwhelming, inscrutable, and occasionally confusing menus

It’s hard not to root for the scrappy little XZ-2. It packs a lot of desirable features into a compact package, and does it with a sense of style that’s distinctly Olympus (Olympian?). The XZ-2’s build quality and design are virtually unimpeachable,...

For a while there, Olympus branded its cameras solely by model number but since the launch of the PEN line it seems the company needed a more visible delineation, so it has engraved ‘STYLUS’ very faintly on the flash housing of this new camera.

Excellent lens, sensor, large LCD, great build quality, looks and performance, convenient to hold

Not compact, filter adapter sold separately, expensive

The Olympus XZ-2 is an excellent, albeit expensive, camera. Although it is not pocket-able, it is still more compact than an SLR...

Dual-function lens ring, f/1.8-2.5 maximum aperture is great for dramatic shots, hotshoe and accessory port expansion possibilities, wireless flash options, tilt-angle LCD screen versatile for shooting, improved image quality despite slightly smaller...

Pricey, we'd like a wider-angle lens, slightly larger than predecessor and on the chunky side, plastic components to the built less luxury than an all-metal construction, rear d-pad easily knocked which throws exposure compensation out by default, did...

Well, well, if it isn't one of the best high-end compact cameras we've seen. The XZ-2 white looks gorgeous, takes equally lovely pictures and its dual function lens ring is a joy to use. But boy is it pricey. The £479 RRP is touching upon Olympus Pen...

Bright, fast lens, close focus ; Generally good image quality ; Packed with controls

High price ; No Wi-Fi or GPS ; Loss of detail at high ISOs

Olympus’ Stylus XZ-2 compact is about as advanced as a small-sensor compact camera can get. It’s great for enthusiast photographers who want to muck around with settings. Novice users might be daunted, but the XZ-2 is at the top of its class.