Olympus XZ-1

450 reviews

Jun, 2013

Positive
Performance (85)
Low-light (65)
Image quality (58)
Responsiveness (46)
Screen (33)

Negative
Viewfinder (10)
Features (5)
Memory (1)

General overview
Price comparison
Product Specifications

alaTest has collected and analyzed 450 reviews from magazines and websites. Reviewers really like the screen and responsiveness. The image quality and low light performance also get good feedback. Many are less positive about the memory and features. There are some mixed opinions about the energy efficiency and value for money.

performance, low-light, image quality, responsiveness, screen

viewfinder, shutter, features, memory

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Olympus XZ-1 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 94/100 = Excellent quality.

See all Olympus Digital Compact Cameras

Review analysis

(Based on 450 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(45% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews (43% of reviews)
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Features

Performance
Show positive (92%)Show negative (8%)(Show all)

Low-light
Show positive (55%)Show negative (14%)(Show all)

Image quality
Show positive (61%)Show negative (7%)(Show all)

Responsiveness
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Screen
Show positive (65%)Show negative (4%)(Show all)

More features

Showing 221 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

Showing 1 - 10 of 221 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (234)

Consumer review by: Mauricio Cardoso (alaTest.com)

It compacts with quality of professional.

Taste very: Excellent to travel, but a luggage, size of the camera, to photograph at night, priority of opening, priority speed, manual M, Arts, Long exposures, easiness of use. It is not good: Panoramic slow delay to process the image and the cover.

3D, Battery, Connectivity, Build quality, Black level, Color

Sep, 2011

Expert review by: Anand Tuliani (tech2.in.com)

Olympus XZ-1 Review

The existence of enthusiast class compact digital cameras, such as the Canon PowerShot S100 and the newly launched G1X clearly shows that there is an audience for such models. And note that this is despite DSLRs and compact mirrorless cameras being in...

The Olympus is priced at Rs. 25,999, which is almost at par with the pricing of the Canon PowerShot S95 and S100, which offer similar features and deliver similar results. The biggest advantages you get with the XZ-1 are bright F1.8 lens, OLED display...

Mar, 2012

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Expert review by: Lori Grunin (cnet.com)

Olympus XZ-1

Though ILCs may be the more interesting enthusiast cameras, the more popular market seems to be compact, fixed-lens models, such as the Canon PowerShot S95 and Nikon Coolpix P7000. Olympus forges into that market with its XZ-1, a promising-looking...

The Olympus XZ-1 is nicely designed with a solid user interface and very good performance for its cohort

The XZ-1's image quality is good, but even shooting raw it's not quite up to the level of its better competitors

Enjoyable to shoot and relatively fast, the Olympus XZ-1 only stumbles when it comes to photo quality, which is very good, but not uniformly excellent as one would expect from this class of camera.

Aug, 2011

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Expert review by: Tim Moynihan (pcworld.com)

Olympus XZ-1

When you compare the Olympus XZ-1's features with those of the vast majority of point-and-shoot cameras, it absolutely blows them out of the water. We're talking about things like an F1.8 lens, full manual controls and manual focus, RAW shooting, a...

Unique scene modes and art filters ; F1.8 aperture at wide-angle end; F2.5 at telephoto ; Control ring provides quick manual adjustments

Lacks a hand grip ; Underexposed images in iAuto mode ; Autofocus struggles in low-light and macro modes ; A lot of menu-diving required

The Olympus XZ-1 is a manual-minded camera with great optics, but its autofocus and exposure levels are weak spots, and it's not entirely novice-friendly.

Apr, 2011

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EDITORS' CHOICE

Expert review by: Molly McHugh (digitaltrends.com)

Olympus XZ-1

Unlike some Micro-Four-Thirds or even beginner DSLRs, there's nothing intimidating about the make and mold of the XZ-1. That said, novices might find themselves relying on its iAuto settings before rushing into any of its manual capabilities. But once...

Quality feel, comfortable size and weight ; Lens capabilities are impressive ; Does well in low light ; Fast, responsive shutter ; Custom save option

Interface might throw off even some experienced digital photographers ; No view finder

The Olympus XZ-1 is a solid investment for those looking to move beyond point-and-shoots and will keep users of various skill levels interested while delivering impressive results.

Mar, 2011

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Expert review by: Dan Havlik (wired.com)

Olympus XZ-1 Compact Camera Shines, But Only in Decent ...

Olympus' latest point-and-shoot with an impressive f/1.8 lens performs like gangbusters, but stumbles when the lights grow dim.

Elegant, portable camera body would fit right in at your next high-society party. Fast overall speed — you'll never miss a shot of your friends acting like idiots. Image quality in good light rivals a digital SLR. Fun Art filters put Instagram to shame

Vaunted f/1.8 lens not as effective in low light as we expected. Images are noisy at ISO 1600 and above. Anti-noise processing in JPEGs at high ISOs smoothes out detail. Clumsy lens cap configuration will drive you batty. Confusing menu system. Tiny...

Mar, 2011

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Expert review by: (pcmag.com)

Olympus XZ-1

Beautiful images even in low light. Extremely bright lens. Large image sensor. Fast captures. Gorgeous display. Camcorder-like video recording

Pricey. Bulky for a compact camera. Lens cap is a nuisance

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Expert review by: (dpreview.com)

Olympus XZ-1 Review

The XZ-1 combines simple direct controls with an excellent lens to create probably the best photographers' compact currently available. The output JPEGs are great and the balance of lens range, brightness and compactness make it a really appealing...

Fastest (brightest) zoom lens of any current compact ; Really useful 28-112mm lens range ; Lens impressively sharp with generally good corner sharpness at wide apertures ; Reliable exposure metering and great color response make it easy to get good...

Lack of AEL/AFL button rules out focus and recompose technique ; No ability to adjust noise reduction level ; No option to customize any buttons (though controls are generally very good) ; No direct access to ISO or White Balance ; Auto ISO can use...

The XZ-1 is a rather late addition to the burgeoning enthusiast compact sector and, in some respects, a surprising one - the XZ-1's potential market can't help but overlap with the E-PL2's, to an extent. But it's a very welcome addition to what's...

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Expert review by: Jeff Keller (dcresource.com)

XZ-1

($499) marks the Japanese camera giant's entry into the compact prosumer market. The XZ-1 is a cross between the Canon PowerShot S95 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5, featuring such things as a fast and wide lens, a high sensitivity 10 Megapixel CCD,...

Very good photo quality (though see issues below) ; Super-fast F1.8-2.5 lens offers sharpness across the frame, no vignetting, low distortion ; Solid, well-designed body, with handy control ring around lens ; Sensor-shift image stabilization ; Gorgeous...

Lots of highlight clipping ; Noise reduction gives photos a soft appearance and smudges fine details, even at ISO 100 ; Redeye a problem, though it can be removed in playback mode ; OLED display can be hard to see outdoors ; Missing manual features:...

As I said earlier, the the XZ-1 is Olympus' best compact camera in many years. It offers a good design, super-fast lens, beautiful OLED display, manual controls, and plenty of point-and-shoot toys. It does have its share of annoyances -- perhaps more...

Jan, 2013

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Expert review by: Eric Reagan (photographybay.com)

Olympus XZ-1

When I first picked up the XZ-1, I immediately noticed that it felt like a higher quality camera than most other point and shoot models on the market. As it should though, since it is aimed at the more experienced shooter with it's advanced features...

Overall, the Olympus XZ-1 is a great little compact camera. I find it to be right up there with the Canon G12 as a serious compact shooter.

Aug, 2011

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Expert review by: Steve Morgenstern (techlicious.com)

Review of the Olympus XZ-1 Digital Camera

The Olympus XZ-1 is a compact camera that sells for $500. Is that completely insane? Maybe not, if you value the ability to take indoor photos without firing off a harsh, intrusive, skin-tone-unfriendly flash. The XZ-1 has a full range of sophisticated...

May, 2011