Olympus XZ-1 with FAST f1.8 lens

[TMC]

Had a chance to play around with it ytd.

- LCD is about the same as the LX5
- AF is fast
- construction is not fantastic, lots of movement in the lens when you shake it a bit.
- AF mode is a bit troublesome to get to.
- lens cap is not the pinched type. if you leave it on and switch on the camera, the lens will just knock it out.
- lack of a grip like the S95, might be a con for some.

ISO - good up to about 800. 1600 usable. Any further and the aggressive NR will turn the pictures into a water color painting.
Sharpness - not bad for such a lens, wouldnt say it is tack sharp but acceptable.

pics are still in my SD card. will post when I have more time.

 

[dannyfoxy]

so anyone here got the XZ-1? if yes, would appreciate if can put down the cost and give a short review...

will be helpful for future buyers of this cam.

here http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=841249

 

[Image Target]

XZ-1 now available. Only black though and very limited stock. Parisilk cheaper than TK Photo.

Thanks for info

 

[henry soh]

digitalrev.com has comparison between XZ-1 and LX5

 

[auron]

have a try out at courts orchard rd...

price at courts is $748...

 

[jeremyho]

MS - $699 cash
Cathay - $720
SLF Revo- $673 Cash

Only available in Black:sticktong I'm still calling to see anyone holding white XZ

 

[auron]

digitalrev.com has comparison between XZ-1 and LX5

misleading info... they do not even have the XZ-1 cam on hand...

 

[ziggy]

After considering the S95 and LX5, I bought the ZX-1 yesterday instead because it took the most natural looking flash portraits with decent flesh tones, similar to those taken with a DSLR.

Pictures are sharp, colours natural (the Canon was too warm) as good as any of the top end compacts and even close to my GH/GF cams. The extra 1+ stop of the f1.8 lens really made a difference between a sharp pic vs a soft one, even with stabilzer.

I am still feeling my way around with this cam. There are some things I don't like e.g. the unfamiliar replay/delete photos function (I accidentally erased some pics); unable to change ISO easily and I'm sure more to come. And I wish it was as small as the S95.

Overall I am happy - this is the first time I was able to get good flash pics from a compact and exactly what I was looking for.

Built quality - metal body but on/off button and flash button easily activated. And I need a wrist strap, the neck strap is too clumsy.

 

[Oly5050]

No need wrist strap. Just use the lens cap cord. Haha.

 

[Ouverture]

Just tried out the display set at courts amk.

Though its made of metal, its still feels "plasticky" , probably its light and does not have the heft feel of lx5, seems similar to s95, esp the texture of the metal body.

Other controls and buttons are typical of pns, nothing special except that its really a handsome looking camera.

AF focusing speed is typical of pns, about same as s95, slightly slower than LX5.

Picture quality in terms of ISO is good till iso800 before noise is visible.

Lens sharpness wise is considered good for pns standards but LX5 seems sharper.

Overall i would the initial playingnfor about 15mins there was quite a good one.

Yah, one thing, i know mamy will complain about the lens cap. But i feel ita quite good as when powered on, the lens will push it away automatically without having to manually take it out.

 

[Oly5050]

I tot its heavy enuff alrdy. It is heavier than it looks.

 

[Ouverture]

I tot its heavy enuff alrdy. It is heavier than it looks.

Probably its quite slim, thus giving impression that its light as i guess most of the weight comes from the lens.

 

[weekh]

Any recommendation for a fairly heavy duty wrist strap?

 

[eel]

Had a quick play with it at Courts Toa Payoh. Initial impression is quite good. I thought I might miss the the AEL/AF lock function (I tend to lock and recompose) but using the wheel to lock focus was surprisingly usable. Its quite a big camera though. Bigger than my Fuji F200EXR and the LX5 on display. Rather disappointing that AF/MF/macro are hidden in menu. Nice to see ISO in smaller increments but again not easy to access. Macro was quite impressive though. But price at $699 is a tad too high - I might as well save up for the Fuji X100.

 

[spidey89]

Had a quick play with it at Courts Toa Payoh. Initial impression is quite good. I thought I might miss the the AEL/AF lock function (I tend to lock and recompose) but using the wheel to lock focus was surprisingly usable. Its quite a big camera though. Bigger than my Fuji F200EXR and the LX5 on display. Rather disappointing that AF/MF/macro are hidden in menu. Nice to see ISO in smaller increments but again not easy to access. Macro was quite impressive though. But price at $699 is a tad too high - I might as well save up for the Fuji X100.

How is it hard to access?

 

[Soon Ruey]

Had a quick play with it at Courts Toa Payoh. Initial impression is quite good. I thought I might miss the the AEL/AF lock function (I tend to lock and recompose) but using the wheel to lock focus was surprisingly usable. Its quite a big camera though. Bigger than my Fuji F200EXR and the LX5 on display. Rather disappointing that AF/MF/macro are hidden in menu. Nice to see ISO in smaller increments but again not easy to access. Macro was quite impressive though. But price at $699 is a tad too high - I might as well save up for the Fuji X100.

You can get to the AF/MF/Macro mode by pressing the rotating dial to the left followed by the info button.....

 

[Oly5050]

Can I request Oly to take out the video and charge me 100 bucks less for the camera?

:angel:

Actually, on that note, can I also request for Oly to take out the zoom function and give me a further $50 discount? LOL!!

 

[drakon09]

Actually, on that note, can I also request for Oly to take out the zoom function and give me a further $50 discount? LOL!!

Can. :bsmilie:

 

[weekh]

Is there an option to stop the cam from setting the orientation of the photo automatically? I do not want the cam to display any photo in portrait mode when I review the photos.

 

[Soon Ruey]

Is there an option to stop the cam from setting the orientation of the photo automatically? I do not want the cam to display any photo in portrait mode when I review the photos.

You can rotate the front dial to orientate your photo in view mode.
But I don't see a menu setting to stop the orientation