My equipment: become small camera Sammellleidenschaft and a bit Olympus lovers
Olympus OM-D EM5, Olympus E-PL1 / PL2 / E-P1 / P2 / P3, E1, E3
Nikon D1
Fuji FinePix S2 / S3 / S5 Pro
Canon 1D MkII
Olympus XZ-2
Now I've done it and bought the XZ-2.
Why the XZ-2, after which I indeed plenty of other cameras in the cabinet have?
Quite simply, once the joy of camera technology and specifically to Olympus (since ca.2008).
Secondly, I am over the years by all providers durchgewurschtelt purchased, tested, sold etc ....
But always wanted something compact to always have but as little as possible without image quality.
Not so easy for the smaller sensors and the pixel (sizes) -Wahn the manufacturer.
Compromises you have to make in compact cameras but with the XZ-2, you can live with it.
Not rated, the video feature of the camera, I use this not. I am still of the opinion of either camera or video camera, each device for its specially developed area usage.
Also, I do not need a function to remotely control the camera from a mobile phone or immediately around the world to show my photographed results, all properties need some where for ever;)
I was looking for a compact camera that delivers excellent image results, a camera is and does not ring when someone calls me.
Plus = +
Minus = -
Neutral = + -
+ Before you look at the good piece At length you should advance to take the camera once in the hand, it is quite small but still enough and hard thanks to the metal housing, ca.350gr Ready.
+ Small but nice handle, for small to medium sized hands, color replaceable.
+ The camera is still well in hand and is good to keep, whether you photograph with a display or a viewfinder.
+ For large hands, I would not recommend the camera, it is quite small and then is somehow lost in the huge paws, you have to try halt before.
+ In size very close to the Pen`s of Olympus, also acts as a PEN with permanently installed lens.
+ Zuiko lens Olympus typically at its best, 1.8-2.5 aperture and focal length of 28-112 are a house number and the most used in the focal length range.
+ The LCD folding screen is, for these small camera very well when viewing the paintings.
But * A (Shell) viewfinder is still the optimum sunlight and for optimal viewing motif.
* Since I had the VF4 already, this use in the OM-D E-M5 and the PEN`s as Angle Finder, you get the best of viewing with its increased Darsstellung in small picture format.
* The finder of the stylus 1 is the same as in the OM-D E-M5
+ The folding screen is processed very stable and reminds me of my Olympus E-20N of of 2003.
* Also the folding screen is the same size as the new Stylus 1 and only minimally smaller resolution 920,000 in the XZ-2 and 1,040,000 in the Stylus 1
+ Touchscreen display
* I do not use it to trigger, as I am still old-fashioned and press onto the knobs.
* But I am thrilled when I completely did the function overview on the screen and can change a value as quickly without pressing long or rumzuscrollen, zB.Ändern the focal point or ISO value
+ Sensor 1 / 1.7 "with 12MP perfectly adequate and also the same with the new Stylus 1
+ The built-in flash has surprised me and is very good, sufficient and great if you have no other case for this type of camera.
* Extended, he looks a bit like a black chimney on white model.
+ -Why Not know how the camera.
* I use otherwise the Olympus FL-300R, this one can always have this, fits perfectly in size and weight to the XZ-2.
* This can be operated via the hot shoe.
+ The configurable selection lever F2 next to the lens and thus to the lens rotation ring for zoom, aperture / exposure time change, or otherwise.
+ The menu is very extensive, Olympus typically, but not incomprehensible. Even without a manual (CD), you can set the most important functions.
* For the depths of the menu, I recommend to print out the manual and make the individual fine tuning.
+ Settings are on high level with this camera, all the photographer's heart needs or not.
+ -The Image stabilization is very good but not as good as with the OM-D E-M5 with the 5-way stabilizer.
+ The picture quality is, who needs to print on non-meter screens or wants or is 200 x its pixels, impressive and absolutely groundbreaking.
* Wer`s not believe, try it!
* But you should limit the ISO of 100-400, which are the optimum conditions for the small sensor in this camera.
* Aperture 1.8-2.5 make it possible that you in most situations so that gets along.
* Optimal Bilqualität brings the lens to maximum aperture 5, this will inevitably lead to image distortion.
+ The XZ-2 has a very natural and balanced color reproduction, exactly as you see the subject, neutral in attitude and Olympus typically a very good JEPG issue.
* No oversharpening, no garish colors, leaves plenty of room open at the top.
* This is already a very high level and provides some DSLR with Kitzoom in the entrance area, there is the ever or is marketing posturing, in the shadows.
* RAW and often called "allegedly" always used unnecessary in most situations in very good Olympus JEPG edition
* Compact cameras are mainly used to easily take pictures and not thereafter to edit RAW forever
* I therefore speak RAW not have permission from whoever wants to tease out the "last" of his photos, which do also but only with my OM-D E-M5 if I really need.
2 custom programs for shooting situations with the infinite menu settings can be saved.
* Programmed with me for landscape & SW.
+ - If you have done this once you should write it down, because unfortunately you can not rename the programs and even 2 C settings can forget;)
+ The supplied lens cover.
* In addition one can argue well. I like the bound part better than the comic Automatikgetöns.
+ The adapter, regardless of manufacturer, in addition to order for applying filters and other accessories!
* Use the "Kiwi" adapter, 52mm filter thread at the same time as the lens hood, without shading in all focal areas
+ Switchable ND filters, with me set to F1, you need / use it more often than you think.
+ ISO at 100 already beginning, I miss often in PEN`s or O-MD E-M5, here until ISO200.
- Really misserable battery life of 100-150Bildern although even now and is to be flashed.
* VF4 with attached viewfinder there is even less
* Without flash and viewfinder about 150-200 images
*'m Doing a total of 4 batteries
- Battery just goes in camera to load with supplied charger
* This makes the additional purchase of an external charger necessary.
* Want to, for example, when I'm at the hotel, but an empty Charging the camera will continue with a replacement battery use
I have to step away from DSLR to system camera no regrets and am since long again very pleased with the results and now more than ever with the "little ones" Olympus XZ-2.
Many will now say a comparison with system camera and DSLR does not work, but, going, courage to leave gaps and time to look objectively at the image quality.
For a compact full 5 stars to the present time.
There is always something to improve, to find fault, other manufacturers with Fan`s etc., but it is a very good camera for many applications, no ifs or buts.
Special designs require specialized equipment, which can not and will not solve a compact camera.
From me a strong buy recommendation and who an Olympus Viewfinder already calls his own, or even not at all these needs and can do without some new "ingredients" of the stylus 1 is an absolute buy recommendation, so can save a lot of money and dispense with the stylus 1.
The can a little more, but you always need so much more ?!
Why do I now have the XZ-2 and not 1 Stylus bought, which I was allowed to test in advance?
~ The smaller the focal length and the associated improved imaging performance over the entire range.
~ 28-112 of the most frequently used focal range.
~ The more intense lens 1.8-2.5 2.8 instead of 1 Stylus
~ The smaller camera wherever you go.
~ Essentially the stylus 1 is much closer to the XZ-2 as the OM-D E-M5.
~ Both use the same sensor and True Pic VI image processor
~ The XZ 2 has the Olympus accessory port (system connection) which inexplicably absent in the Stylus 1, so you can not connect as the small Macro lighting arms or the Olympus Microphone adapter, also no VF viewfinder could be the use of an angle viewfinder
~ Use PEN`s and the OM-D E-M5 as "more professional" cameras
