Olympus Stylus XZ-2 Digital Camera: Another Excellent Choice in the “Enthusiast Compact” Category

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The Olympus Stylus XZ-2 is one of the digital cameras in a relatively new category known as “enthusiast compacts.” Most of these have been released from mid-2012 through early 2013. You’ll find articles in PhotographyTalk’s Review section for each of them. The camera manufacturers have recognized that the “traditional” point-and-shoot compacts are continuing to be squeezed from the marketplace by the photography capabilities of smartphones. Those casual photographers who want to take pictures primarily to share with family members and friends via social media are increasingly less willing to carry a smartphone and a pocket-sized compact.

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The camera manufacturers have redirected their R&D and marketing efforts to develop this new class of enthusiast compacts to appeal to more serious photographers who aren’t ready to jump to a DSLR (and may never do so), but want more of a camera. The Olympus XZ-2 and its competitors feature faster lenses for more quality, low-light images and faster shutter speeds to compensate for camera shake, especially at the longest focal lengths. Another major distinction of these cameras is that all of them have a much larger sensor than the standard 1/2.3” sensor found on consumer/casual compacts.

The Olympus Stylus XZ-2 brings its own list of features and capabilities to the enthusiastic compact roundup that requires equal consideration of this camera if you are thinking of moving from a point-and-shoot or looking for a quality second-camera option.

A Larger Sensor

A major characteristic of the new enthusiast compacts is a sensor that is larger than the standard 1 2/3” chip found on point-and-shoots. The Olympus XZ-2 follows this trend with a 1/1.7” sensor. Not as big as the 1” on the Sony Cyber-Shot RX 100, but right in the range of the cameras in this group, such as the Canon Powershot G15, Nikon Coolpix P7700 and Samsung EX2F. Olympus has built image stabilization into the sensor with a sensor shift system instead of within the more conventional lens optics. You have a choice of 3 stabilization modes: dual axis for normal use, single axis (horizontal or vertical) for panning and disengaged.

A Fast Aperture Lens

Olympus didn’t give the XZ-2 a newer lens, retaining the one found on the predecessor model, the XZ-1. It’s still highly versatile at 6–24mm, or 28–112mm in 35mm equivalent format. The f/1.8–2.5 zoom means you have more flexibility when it comes to shooting under low-light conditions and there is less visible digital noise.

Upgraded LCD and Viewfinder Option

The Olympus XZ-2 sports a more pro-like LCD at 3” and 920,000 dots. It also tilts upward to 90 degrees and downward 45 degrees. The upward tilt puts the LCD in a “tabletop” position for easy use of the menu and the downward tilt gives you a good view when the camera is over your head. Third party tests have revealed that the screen is very visible even when viewed at obtuse angles.

Olympus has given its entry in the enthusiast compact competition touchscreen controlling that has the familiarity of smartphones. It’s quite easy to choose a focus point or trip the shutter with a simple screen touch. The electronic viewfinder found on Olympus’ Pen series of cameras mounts to the XZ-2’s hot shoe if you want EVF functionality.

First-Rate Focusing

Olympus appears to have done a very good job providing the Stylus XZ-2 with a quite extensive focusing system. The number of AF zones has jumped from 11 on its predecessor to 35 on the XZ-2…and they are controlled manually or automatically. The AF system also has two continuous focus-adjustment modes. Press the shutter half way and C-AF maintains a focus on your subject or use C-AF+TR mode to track your subject after an initial focus. This mode adjusts to the changing focus of the subject as it moves across the frame.

Versatile Video

Although 1080p Full-HD video is quite common in many digital cameras, these enthusiast compacts, such as the Olympus XZ-2, have given photographers, ready to spread their wings, the video capabilities to create in video and not just record random video segments. The 1080p/30fps Full-HD on the XZ-2 is nicely complemented by stereo sound recording. An external microphone can be mounted on the hot shoe and full optical zoom operates during video recording if you choose.

It’s safe to say that the Olympus Stylus XZ-2 does the other enthusiast compacts proud by comparing very favorably with any of them. Obviously, each has upsides and downsides, but the XZ-2 is a great choice if you’re eager to explore a higher level of photography and want manual control and RAW shooting that will give you more creative freedom.

The Olympus Stylus XZ-2 Compact Camera is available from Amazon for $549.00.

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Photo copyright Olympus Corporation

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