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Now reading: Olympus brings PEN style and 5-axis IS to Stylus SH-1 travel zoom 143 comments

143

Olympus brings PEN style and 5-axis IS to Stylus SH-1 travel zoom

Published Mar 31, 2014 | dpreview staff

The Olympus Stylus SH-1 may look like a PEN mirrorless camera, but it's actually a compact travel zoom. But it has inherited a pretty big feature from the PEN: 5-axis image stabilization. Other features of note include a 16MP BSI-CMOS sensor, 25-600mm equiv. F3.0-6.9 lens, touchscreen 3" LCD, limited manual control, 1080/60p video, and built-in Wi-Fi. It will be available in May in black, white, and silver for under $400.

SMART, SLEEK AND STEADY: OLYMPUS STYLUS SH-1 IS WORLD’S FIRST^*1 COMPACT WITH MECHANICAL 5-AXIS STABILIZATION

Advanced Image Stabilization, Powerful Zoom and Wi-FiSharing in a Sophisticated Design

CENTER VALLEY, P.A., March 31, 2014 – Olympus introduces a breakthrough in the long zoom category, the STYLUS SH-1, the first compact camera equipped with optical^*2 5-axis image stabilization for both still images and videos. The STYLUS SH-1’s 5-axis mechanical image stabilization, originally developed for the Olympus OM-D E-M5 interchangeable lens camera, combined with a powerful 24x, high-powered optical zoom lens, full 1080 60p HD video and built-in Wi-Fi^*3, delivers outstanding performance in a body with an elegant look and feel.

Advanced technology, including a 16-megapixel backlit CMOS sensor and the TruePic VII image processor, the same found in Olympus’ award-winning OM-D series of interchangeable lens cameras, work in connection with the Olympus STYLUS SH-1’s impressive 24x optical long zoom lens, (48x^*4 super-resolution zoom) which covers 25mm to 600mm^*5 telephoto. This combination delivers beautiful image quality with high resolution, superior color reproduction and high sensitivity.

The in-body 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization, now enhanced to support still images, corrects for various types of camera shake to deliver crisp images and video even when shooting in dark locations without a flash or tripod. The Olympus STYLUS SH-1 also incorporates a new hybrid image stabilization that electronically stabilizes movie shooting to easily create natural-looking recordings of children and other active subjects, even when the user is walking.

The design of the Olympus STYLUS SH-1 is inherited from the popular Olympus PEN interchangeable lens system cameras. The top and main controls are built with aluminum alloy, and superior craftsmanship extends to every detail of the camera components, including the lens barrel, dials and grip.

Built-in Wi-Fi is easy to set up. Sync with the Wi-Fi network created by the camera by quickly scanning the QR code displayed on the camera’s 3-inch, high-resolution 460,000-dot rear touch LCD monitor with a smart device. The complimentary Olympus Image Share app synchronizes a user’s iOS or Android mobile device and the Olympus STYLUS SH-1 so the camera’s Live View is displayed on the phone. The camera can be fully controlled remotely by touching the Smartphone display, as if it were the camera itself, and users can send selected images directly to websites and social media.

The Olympus STYLUS SH-1 is equipped with an updated Advanced Movie Mode for powerful video recording functions, including fast 240 fps^*6 (or 120 fps in 720p) High-Speed Movie, which allows users to capture subjects that move at split-second speeds, and 60-frames-per-second HD recording^*7 for smoother images of moving subjects. Photo & Movie Capture allows users to simultaneously capture full-res still photos while recording Full HD video. The Time-Lapse Movie^*8 feature compresses up to five hours of action into a 20-second time-lapse video.

Expanded creative capabilities include an Interval Shooting function for a maximum of 99 shots; High-speed burst shooting for capturing up to 11 fps in full resolution; Manual Mode for adjusting exposure parameters; Live Guide for adjusting color and brightness via touch sliders; an electronic Level Gauge for perfectly aligned photos; Touch screen controls for selecting the autofocus area and tripping the shutter and multiple Art Filters and Photo Story.

*1: Among cameras that carry out optical image stabilization on both still images and movies, as of March 31, 2014, according to Olympus research
*2: Optical image stabilization is defined by the Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) guidelines and includes sensor-shift image stabilization
*3: “Wi-Fi” is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance
*4: Zoom magnification ratio from the wide-angle setting (including the optical zoom)
*5: 35mm equivalent
*6: The recording time for a single movie clip is limited to 20 seconds
*7: The maximum recording time for a single movie clip is limited to 29 minutes. Recording will automatically stop once the file size has reached 4GB
*8: Select from 1080p, 720p and VGA

U.S. Pricing and Availability
The Olympus STYLUS SH-1 will be available in May at an estimated street price of $399.99 (available in Black, White and Silver).

For a complete list of specifications, visit the Olympus website: http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/digitalcameras/long-zoom/sh-1.html.

Olympus Stylus SH-1 specifications

Price
MSRP	$399
Body type
Body type	Compact
Sensor
Max resolution	4608 x 3456
Image ratio w:h	3:2
Effective pixels	16 megapixels
Sensor size	1/2.3" (6.17 x 4.55 mm)
Sensor type	BSI-CMOS
Processor	TruePic VII
Color space	sRGB
Color filter array	Primary color filter
Image
ISO	Auto, 125-6400
Boosted ISO (maximum)	12800
White balance presets	4
Custom white balance	Yes
Image stabilization	Sensor-shift
Image stabilization notes	5-axis (yaw, pitch, roll, up/down, left/right)
Uncompressed format	Unknown
Optics & Focus
Focal length (equiv.)	25–600 mm
Optical zoom	24×
Maximum aperture	F3–6.9
Autofocus	Contrast Detect (sensor) Multi-area Center Selective single-point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection Live View
Autofocus assist lamp	Yes
Digital zoom	Yes (4x)
Normal focus range	10 cm (3.94″)
Macro focus range	3 cm (1.18″)
Screen / viewfinder
Articulated LCD	Fixed
Screen size	3″
Screen dots	460,000
Touch screen	Yes
Live view	Yes
Viewfinder type	None
Photography features
Minimum shutter speed	30 sec
Maximum shutter speed	1/2000 sec
Exposure modes	iAuto Program Auto Manual
Scene modes	Portrait, e-Portrait, Landscape, Interval Shooting, Night Scene, Night + Portrait, Sport, Indoor, Self Portrait, Sunset, Fireworks, Cuisine, Documents, Beach & Snow, Super Macro, Backlight HDR
Built-in flash	Yes
External flash	No
Continuous drive	11.5 fps
Self-timer	Yes (2 or 12 sec, custom)
Metering modes	Multi Center-weighted Spot
Videography features
Resolutions	1920 x 1080 (60p, 30p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30 fps)
Format	H.264
Microphone	Stereo
Speaker	Mono
Storage
Storage types	SD, SDHC, SDXC, Internal Memory
Storage included	37MB
Connectivity
USB	USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
HDMI	Yes (micro-HDMI)
Microphone port	No
Headphone port	No
Wireless	Built-In
Wireless notes	802.11b/g/n with smartphone app
Remote control	Yes (via smartphone)
Physical
Environmentally sealed	No
Battery	Battery Pack
Battery description	LI-92B lithium-ion battery & USB charger
Battery Life (CIPA)	380
Weight (inc. batteries)	271 g (0.60 lb / 9.56 oz)
Dimensions	109 x 63 x 42 mm (4.29 x 2.48 x 1.65″)
Other features
Orientation sensor	Yes
Timelapse recording	Yes
GPS	None

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View Comments (152)

Comments

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Oldest first

BarnET

Why 16mp on a sensor this small with a lens so dim.
It will look as crappy or worse as a good cellphone.

Olympus has the best sensor and lens combo in house. The stylus 1 would make an excellent travelzoom. Just knock the viewfinder off lower the price and everyone is happy.

Apr 3, 2014permalink

Marty4650

Why?

Because this is a $400 camera and not a $700 camera like the Styus One. "Knocking off the EVF" wouldn't reduce the price by $300, especially if you want a faster lens too.

Just wait around six months, and you can probably have a Stylus One for a little over $500.

Apr 7, 2014permalink

DStudio

I hope they have the sense not to follow this up with a -1T model.

I think they've already come too close for their own good.

Apr 1, 2014*permalink

JABB66

" the first compact camera equipped with optical*2 5-axis image stabilization for both still images and videos."

All the latest High Speed Casio's have 5 axis IS (and are compact cameras)... not sure if it works for video too, so Olympus can be still right.

These Casio models are EX-ZR800, EX-ZR1200, EX-ZR500, EX-10 and EX-100 (The two lasts are premium compacts with 1/1.7" sensor and bright lenses).

With respect to the EX-100, http://www.dpreview.com/products/casio/compacts/casio_ex100 , it has apparently the same optics than the Stylus 1 (28 – 300 mm , f2.8 constant aperture)

and the same sensor size, 1/1.7", but without EVF, so is pocketable (in jacket pockets or similarly sized ones) being its dimensions: 119.9 x 67.9 x 50.5 mm, against 109 x 63 x 42 mm of this new Olympus.

And with all the goodies of the Casio High Speed cameras:
High Speed stills and movies (without 20 s limit in HS movies),
- Burst rate: 30 fps at full resolution
( Continues in next post)

Apr 1, 2014permalink

JABB66

- Take the shot before you press the shutter: until 25 pre-record still images.

Quick response :

Start-up time: Approx. 1.40 second
AF time: Approx. 0.17 second
Release time lag: Approx. 0.014 second
Shooting interval: Approx. 0.25 second

Shocked to know that the Stylus 1 don't do Auto HDR and panorama stitch, the Casio has those and multitude of multishot in camera options, and improved dual bracketing, unique to Casio.

Almost forget the shutter speed: between 1/20,000 and 250 s ;)

Apr 1, 2014permalink

BarnET

That Casio ex-100 looks impressive.
However it's more expensive as the stylus which has great ergonomics and a great viewfinder.

Still it's THE best travelzoom on the market.

Apr 3, 2014permalink

chillgreg

Billy: "Ooh look it has a built-in ND filter!"
Bobby: "No it doesn't - where?"
Billy: "F3.0 - F6.9 - the lens hahahaha!!!"

Apr 1, 2014permalink

yabokkie

f-number has no photographic meaning by itself,
and it's not invented or used for photograph in the first place.
so there is no need we talk f-number for photography,
using of which is a source of misunderstanding.

Apr 1, 2014*permalink

chillgreg

It's a joke yabokkie. Do you have to correct EVERY comment? Go outside and see the sun mate ffs.

Apr 1, 2014permalink

yabokkie

whatever

Apr 1, 2014permalink

Denis 007

I love you Yabokkie! Your comments are always a good laugh.

Apr 1, 2014permalink

yabokkie

you are welcome.

Apr 1, 2014permalink

chillgreg

David your guide dog needs a drink.. :p

Apr 3, 2014permalink

Len_Gee

DF. :)

Apr 3, 2014permalink

tarsus

One inch is the new 30.

Apr 1, 2014permalink

captura

It's strongest competition in the travel-cam market is the Sony Cyber-shot HX20V which has a software-boosted maximum sensitivity of ISO 12800. The maximum ISO of this new Olympus is only 6400.

Apr 1, 2014permalink

leno

But would you ever use ISO so high. Just because you can does not mean you ever should.

Apr 1, 2014permalink

peevee1

On the sensor this small, even 6400 is ugly. 12800? Really?

Apr 1, 2014permalink

yabokkie

> software-boosted maximum sensitivity

I don't know this sensor but I guess all ISOs above ISO200 something are simple multiplications.

Apr 1, 2014permalink

Alexis D

People need to realize that this is a take anywhere travelzooom and so a small size is more important than a big sensor.

A 5-axis IBIS that works with 60p video is nice.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Alexis D

Next time, let's have a more advanced one, ie a fixed lens camera with 1 inch or M43 size sensor, EVF, and also this IBIS, 20MP, 12-45mm f/2 lens. It will be quite a bit bigger though, like a G1X or G16.

Mar 31, 2014*permalink

IEBA1

They have that already, it's called the OM-D. Sure, you can take the lens off, but you can also treat it like a fixed lens camera.

Apr 1, 2014permalink

nathondetroit

I'm completely with you on the need for more 1" fixed lens compacts. Since the RX100, that should be the new standard. Maybe not for super zooms, but everything else in the "compact" sector.

Apr 1, 2014permalink

(unknown member)

IEBA1- the OMD doesn't count that way. You can make a camera with a fixed lens smaller even. Compare Fuji X100S vs Fuji X system.

Apr 1, 2014permalink

Shamael

With the smallest pancake, the new Samsung NX mini is also a good travel camera, and it has a 1" sensor, the price is almost the same. Who needs a zoom for travel, a lens that has 24mm FF angle of view is all you need, even a 35mm equivalent is ok. A camera, same style as Sony RX1, with a fixed 35mm lens, or a fixed 24/28 mm equivalent is all one needs. The Sony RX100/2 is the ideal thing, only it's price is too high. At 450$ it would be correctly priced and here, no need for a zoom. I use the NEX with the 20mm pancake, and I carry with me an adapter, and a 28mm/2.8 Minolta for manual work. Travel shots fast made is the only occasion where I use AF, and even then, not all the time. With the pancake the NEX-7 fits in my pocket as well.

Apr 1, 2014*permalink

Cane

If a nex 7 fits in your pocket, we need to discuss your fashion sense. And just because that setup works for your travel doesn't mean it does for anyone else.

Apr 1, 2014permalink

Sergey Borachev

The real questions to me are, compared to the TZ60 and FZ200:

1. How well does this new in-lens 5-axis IBIS work in stills and video?

2. How good is its 1/2.3 sensor IQ?

Nothing else is really important. If it has better image stabilisation and also better IQ than other cameras with the same size sensors, then it will be a great pocketable camera. All the fancy specs and design mean nothing unless they can produce the desired results. We need to see the test results.

Mar 31, 2014*permalink

(unknown member)

True.

Apr 1, 2014permalink

chillgreg

No no no no NO!!!

The primary reason for purchasing such cameras is the lens reach.

At F6.9 this thing is crippled compared with the (made in Japan) FZ200 with its massive (Leica) F2.8 lens.

Sensor shmensor. Chalk and cheese bro.

Apr 1, 2014permalink

Piggy the bad

What a lost opportunity ?? All Olympus had to do was put a small viewfinder on this like panny LF-1 ,call it Trip digital and you've got a sure fire winner.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

BarnET

Uh no the lf1 has a larger sensor and brighter lens.
They should've used the stylus 1 sensor +lens with no finder to keep it smaller.

Apr 3, 2014permalink

Juck

Seems to be the answer to a question that noone asked.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

yabokkie

similar to Canon SX700 or Sony HX50V,　
or a low cost version of Pana FZ200 and the likes.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

captura

Looking at this will deceive you to believe that it is something that it isn't. It's really just another P&S, with a tiny sensor. But 24x is an ambitious zoom if only the IQ is reasonable at ISO's up to 1600, and noise is effectively controlled. How good is 'mechanical' 5-axis IBIS....is it marketing hype or does that really work? Because Olympus' EM-1 type of 5-axis IBIS involves gyroscopic action, and surely there's no room for that in this tiny camera.

Mar 31, 2014*permalink

ThePhilips

"It's really just another P&S, with a tiny sensor."

OMG! Really! For a moment I thought Oly has announced a competitor to Sony A7!! /s

Apr 1, 2014permalink

Charlieangel

I like the styling. We'll have to wait for testing to see if the image stabilization is better than other brand compact travel zooms. If so, then the SH-1 could well be the best option for this type camera. But the new Panasonic ZS40 has 40x zoom in roughly the same size camera, with hybrid optical and sensor shift image stabilization, so the Oly SH-1 has some tough competition.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

IEBA1

Hey, summer is coming and it's time DPreview gave Jeff Keller some more work putting together a compact travel zoom shootout!

I would love to see a bunch of the 10x + COMPACT travel zooms go head to head with the best image quality coming out on top.

Apr 1, 2014permalink

captura

But the Panasonic model costs $50 more.

Apr 1, 2014permalink

BarnET

Ieba that would be the Casio ex-100 by an big margin.

Apr 3, 2014permalink

Marty4650

The new Olympus marketing strategy is now clear.

They are moving to the high end of each market segment. OM-Ds rather than Pens.... Stylus cameras rather than cheap P&S models. They are doing exactly what they need to do to survive in a mass market that is being eaten alive by smart phones.

I think they are making good chioices.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

justmeMN

My understanding is that both travelzoom/superzoom and toughcam compacts sell well, so this dual announcement makes sense. (You can't superzoom your cellphone, and cellphones aren't tough.)

Mar 31, 2014*permalink

Craig from Nevada

Now all they have to do is stop losing money.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

captura

DPR is, unless I am mistaken, all about finding out what are the best choices for the consumers. So maybe the best choice right now is to purchase the Pens instead. The Olympus PEN E-PL5 and the E-PM2 are remarkable bargains right now, and the PM2 is tiny and yet far more capable than these travel-cams.
We need to say so.

Apr 1, 2014permalink

Shamael

And, as I read your claims, it is highly evident that any newbie who never made a shot, and even a long time P&S user, knows that Ibis, BSI C-Mos, is the must and high level outfit.

I bet all you want that 95% of all people who buy a P&S in this style or another one know nuts about cameras and there technology. High end of segment, you say? This might work in high tech cameras like OMD, but please, do not include the P&S market

Those of us who know, know also exactly what P&S could fit them and be a good complement to there better gear, but here, myself never found the real deal, since if I compare prices and add a few peanuts, I can buy a second better body once more. A Sony RX100 with a fixed lens 24 or 35 mm FF equivalent at a 400$ price tag would be the deal. So, lets keep dreaming.

A Ricoh GR or Nikon A, are still much too expensive, specially when I can get a NEX3N for 300$, and for the moment on some NEX I get the 20mm pancake for free with it.

Apr 1, 2014permalink

yabokkie

> all they have to do is stop losing money.

why a maker should want to rip off customers.

Apr 1, 2014permalink

Tony Northrup

Perhaps you guys could start providing the full-frame equivalent apertures if you provide the full-frame equivalent focal lengths? This video explains why. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5zN6NVx-hY

The SH-1 has about a 5.5x crop factor. The lens is physically 4.5-108mm f/3.0-6.9, so the 35mm equivalent is 25-600mm f/16-38 in terms of total light gathered by the sensor, light gathered by each pixel, and depth-of-field... all the factors that impact final image quality.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

yabokkie

equivalent in every and all photographic effects.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Edgar Matias

Equivalence arguments aside, I think it's useful to know the FF-equivalent aperture on these smaller sensor cameras for two reasons...

1) It makes it easier to understand the degree of DoF control you have.

2) You can tell if there are any diffraction effects at the fastest apertures available.

In the the case of this particular camera, I would suggest adding something like (5.5x crop) or (DoF/16-38) to the lens description. That provides enough info to know (or easily calculate) the above two points.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Andy Crowe

Except that will then confuse as to what ISO will be required for a given exposure, so when you go to the Studio scene and compare against other cameras with larger sensors which ISO do you estimate you'll need?

The whole "equivalent aperture" thing is far less useful than doing an actual side by side ISO comparison - if you know what kind of ISO you get shooting at f3.5 on a DSLR you can look at the same ISO on this camera and know how that scene will come out.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

yabokkie

equivalence is important for it's the equivalence, and not actual focal length or f-number or ISO value, that has photographic meaning. so it's natural to always express equivalent values for photographic equipment.

many people think focal length or f-number or ISO are photographic measurements, but they are not. these are no photographic concepts but things we happen to use for some historical reasons (like chemical film).

Mar 31, 2014*permalink

(unknown member)

>>...so the 35mm equivalent is 25-600mm f/16-38
>>in terms of total light gathered by the sensor...

It does not make sense at all, I mean F/16-38 numbers, because you need to "scale" the lens ( a clear aperture in mm ) as well and if you do that you'll get F/3.0-6.9!

What I'm really puzzled is why DpReview continues to use 35mm equivalent numbers in specs without indicating the lens real focal length numbers and in that case these are 4.5-108.0mm.

Full-Frame equivalent numbers are applicable to sensors only. Period.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

yabokkie

it'll be a neat solution to use all equivalent values then all are directly comparable for photographic effects.

a mixed expression is misleading which is a trick played by f-number cheater companies.

or if one has to do it (copy those makers' spec), s/he should make it clear that same f-number won't get any photographic effect the same on a different sensor format, it has no photographic meaning, and it's not comparable for photographic results.

after all f-number or ISO are really meaningless other than for chemical films.

Mar 31, 2014*permalink

Vlad S

This is a pretty lame way to drive the traffic to your youtube channel.

Mar 31, 2014*permalink

xMichaelx

" f/16-38 in terms of total light gathered by the sensor"

Didn't you get enough of a smackdown on the 4/3 Rumors site when you posted the exact same incorrect statement?

Mar 31, 2014permalink

bobbarber

Depth of field is an imprecise measurement. Only one plane of an image is ever in focus, and from there on we are attempting to estimate how much of the image is "acceptably" out of focus.

If you think from a chart that you should have 1.5-6m DOF for a certain sensor size, aperture, focus distance, and focal length combination, I highly encourage you to try to produce those results in real life and report back. You will feel a little silly, or even stupid, that you were arguing for certain language around apertures to help you exactly determine DOF.

Any description more precise than "lots", "some", or "a little" DOF is a waste of time. And if you don't understand that small-sensor cameras have "lots and lots" of DOF, at all aperture and focal length combinations, with respect to larger sensor cameras, you are wasting everybody's time by posting here.

Mar 31, 2014*permalink

gloaming

Holy smoke!! From near death to "Yeah, we'd like to be taken a bit more seriously suddenly," Olympus is starting to fight for some market. This is a really good start.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

peevee1

This is not a start. This camera is no more than a slightly updated SH-50 from a little more than a year ago.
Their real restart was 2 years ago with the release of OM-D E-M5 (DPR best camera of the year) and TG-1 (much better underwater/tough camera which is not just "sunlight only" like the rest of them).

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Joseph Mama

I guess I dont understand how this IS is new and different. For a long zoom camera, it already has to have a pretty decent stabilization system, or you'd have huge jitter and need to take 1/500 shuter speed shots at the long end to meet the Rule of Whatever.
My SX260 at 500mm does a fine job and I can pull off decent 1/60 shots. It does drift around a fair amount but its doable.

What does the fancy sounding 5x actually buy you? Most people shake the camera up down, left, right, in out which is 3 axis. Im pretty sure I dont rotate the camera while camera-shaking.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Gunzorro

No RAW files = loser. Limited manual control = loser.

Far better off buying a used Canon G-series camera.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

bobbarber

Suggesting G-series = you don't get it

Did you mean to say Canon SX-*** series?

Mar 31, 2014permalink

yabokkie

RAW can provide a bit more image quality,
that the users don't care,
why they decide to buy such a compact.

Mar 31, 2014*permalink

Denis 007

What exactly are you trying to say here yabbokie?

Apr 1, 2014permalink

BarnET

For once yabokkie has a good point.
He is saying why raw if people that are gonna buy this are not interested in image quality anyway.

Apr 3, 2014permalink

Cane

Why can't they just give an equivalent zoom range instead of saying 24x zoom, or whatever? That marketing drives me insane.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

jkoch2

What does "600mm equivalent" mean to the average buyer? Do you rank students or employees by raw scores or by percentile rankings?

Mar 31, 2014permalink

splendic

To be fair though what does "24x zoom" really mean to anyone?

Mar 31, 2014permalink

mpgxsvcd

If this was a Canon or Sony camera I would say that it would sell pretty well. However, it is an Olympus camera and their marketing isn’t nearly what their competitors is. This is just another run of the mill small sensor compact with an unreasonably long telephoto lens.

Sure it has some great features like the 5-axis IS, 120 FPS 720p, and Pen style design. However, its lens is just too slow at the long end. In all likelihood this won’t improve a novice users images over what they have right now.

I am still waiting for a better compact camera than the LX7 and RX100 II.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

jkoch2

5-axis IBIS will help more than you think, and a long lens that works in good light sells beter than a fast-short one that will be bulky and still yield blur in low light. Any successors to the the LX7 nor the RX100 will either trade-off lens speed for length, or be like the RX10, which is much bigger and heavier. If all you want is a big sensor in a small body, you have the RX1.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Naveed Akhtar

this is not an rx100 ii or lx7 competitor ..

Mar 31, 2014permalink

bobbarber

Naveed,

True, but I would prefer this camera over an rx100ii or lx7 for many (most?) situations.

I currently own an Olympus C8080, Olympus C7070, and Canon SX230HS, with the quality of the images also in that order. However, the SX230HS has taken many of the best images. It is small, and it frames things that the other cameras can not. When you are traveling, and want to shoot a close-up of a gargoyle on a church or something like that, this kind of camera is perfect. I learned this in Quito, Ecuador, when I couldn't frame a distant monument with my C7070, but my wife's crappy (I thought) Canon compact with a good zoom nailed it perfectly.

Superzooms are too big, but travel zooms are a VERY useful class of camera in my experience.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

mpgxsvcd

The problem is that consumers think they need a super zoom and what they actually need is a fast mid range telephoto.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

bobbarber

@mpgxsvcd

Sometimes you DO need a travel zoom (this is not a superzoom, like FZ200, etc.).

I traveled in South America where I could not have a conspicuous camera (had 2 GH-2s stolen there), and needed a long reach. I took pictures during good weather conditions mostly, sunny and daylight. Do you have a better suggestion than this type of camera? I used a Canon SX230HS, that fit into my pocket. It seemed ideal to me.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

mpgxsvcd

I have an 800mm telescope that works just fine for my astro photographs. You don’t need almost the same focal length for terrestrial. Use lossless sensor crop modes. These cameras have plenty of resolution for that to be a suitable alternative to a ridiculous super zoom.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

peevee1

Did not SH-50 claim 5-axis stabilization too? Seems SH-1 is SH-50 in new body with TruePic VII processor...

Mar 31, 2014permalink

jkoch2

The SH-50 also has 5-axis stabilization. The question is whether the newer processor yields better results.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

peevee1

The new processor probably gives a little better JPEGs... At least in E-M1, it is able to correct CA and have variable sharpening across the frame (and depending on aperture), AFAIR.
It also might provide longer buffer for sequential shooting. 12 fps is nothing to sneeze at.
If only there were a site which was made to test such things instead of publishing old prison pictures.... oh well.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

PON307G

It's not really clear in the Specification listed here, but the SH-50, and SH-1 5-axis stabilization is for move mode only.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Ron Linz

and the SH-50 has a 16mb CMOS backlit sensor. Are we sure it is going to be a new sensor in the SH-1?

Mar 31, 2014permalink

peevee1

Yeah, looks like now 5-axis is for stills too, in SH-50 it was only for video (I guess mechanical part of translational stabilizer was lacking). From their press-release:
"the first compact camera equipped with optical*2 5-axis image stabilization for both still images and videos."

And I am pretty sure it is NOT the new sensor, same 16 mpix Sony unit - just a new processor.

Apr 1, 2014permalink

mpgxsvcd

I would like to know more about the 120 FPS and 240 FPS modes.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

jkoch2

My hunch is that they work OK if you have very good light and shoot without shaking or panning the camera a lot. The image stabilization probably can't function at such high frame rates.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

peevee1

Mechanical IBIS does not care about frame rates.

Apr 1, 2014permalink

Bluewave

Their SZ-31MR model can shoot 720p "high speed" in a limited way - it locks the exposure & focus (which can be useful), shoots for 20 secs at 60 fps and then slows this down to 30 fps / 40 sec clip in-camera.

120 fps is restricted to VGA (640 x 480) and 30 secs long.

The image stabilisation doesn't work in these high speed modes.

Therefore, I suspect the SH-1 to have similar restrictions in its 120 and 240 fps modes, specifically the time limit and locked exposure/focus.

Apr 2, 2014permalink

skogredd

So why not in the E-M10 then if mechanical 5-axis really is superior? Why did they develop a specially made crippled version for the E-M10?

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Grobb

If it came with 5-axis IBIS, it would have issues with Shutter Shock, like the Pen E-P5, OMD-M1/M5. I have not read any issues with SS on the E-M10 so maybe 5-axis is not so great after all.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Markol

These comments sound like those from 2009, except that now we do have several larger sensor compacts, so why complain? The target audience won't care and there is a large crowd wanting these travel zooms, believe it or not.
And people should start understanding that with these dimensions and focal lengths, a large sensor is not yet possible.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

leno

And unless the laws of physics change never will.

Mar 31, 2014*permalink

jkoch2

An unless smart phones suddenly gain weight and get big bulges, most travelers will not buy or use any larger sensor products.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

AbrasiveReducer

Exactly. Convenience always wins and that means small, whatever the compromise. Besides, small sensors will get better long before large sensors fit in cameras that are too small for large sensors.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

stevez

Not sure what Olympus is thinking here. Everything I read lately indicates that the compact camera market is dying. Perhaps super zooms are excluded from that? On the plus side, it might be a good camera for someone graduating from a phone camera.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Valiant Thor

Maybe they're trying to revive a lagging market by releasing some high-quality, compelling cameras.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Jim in Hudson

Yes, I think it's perceived by the camera industry that superzooms are the one segment of the small sensor market that has some sustainability.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

jkoch2

Zoom and good image stabilization are the two areas where phone cameras lag. There is no certainty, however, that enough consumers will know or care. What is certain, however, is that sales of system cameras will never offset the loss of the P&S or compact markets. Can one fault Olympus for making a rear-guard effort to stave off complete shut-down of compact business?

Mar 31, 2014permalink

bobbarber

Guys-

I guess this is a "superzoom", in a way, but I normally see the terminology used like this:

SUPER ZOOMS are FZ-150, etc. type cameras, that are BIG, with zooms out to 600mm (minimum) and sometimes 1000mm or more.

TRAVEL ZOOMS are this camera, Canon SX230HS, etc., that are SMALL, with zooms out to 480mm (or a little more) and are pocketable (or close).

I find that travel zooms are incredibly useful. I'm less enthusiastic about super zooms.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

captura

Maybe they are thinking that the mini-PEN styling will attract some buyers. It does not resemble traditional travel-cams.

Apr 1, 2014permalink

Grobb

Just another pinhead 1/2.3", 16 MP sensor superzoom, next :/
I would not trade my XZ-2 for it!
Bring on a 1" sensor semi compact camera to compete with Sony and Canon!
Give us a 24-120mm f2-4.0, very sharp lens, 3-axis IBIS, tilting touch screen and weather seal it. I'm looking forward to the rumored Fuji X30 or Nikon P8000.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

jkoch2

You'd still stay with your XZ-2, unless the price for what you want were so low that Oly or the others could not make any money.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Baxter Bad

An extra $50 for the ZS40 nets you 24-720mm, raw, evf, 920k lcd, gps and an all-black color option (as well as panda).

But can Panasonic's OIS keep up with 5-axis Jesus? I don't know, but I have hundreds of sharp photos taken handheld at 1200mm equivalent with my $279 FZ70 that tell me I don't care.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

leno

My GF has just bought a ZT40 and it has 5 way.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Cane

Leno, what does a 5 way, the camera or the girlfriend?

Mar 31, 2014permalink

peevee1

Good point about ZS40 (TZ-60 in the States AFAIR). It is also smaller and lighter despite having EVF.
Panasonic started this superzoom compact category, and seem to be the leader still.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

marc petzold

Oly should have put at least on a 1/1.7" BSI sensor, but than it would compete with the Stylus-1 i guess...sad, such a small sensor into a cute package.

camera brands nowadays should use at least a 1" sensor, we've seen onto the new samsung nx mini that it's possible to put that sensor on a very small body.

Mar 31, 2014*permalink

Naveed Akhtar

and then you would miss 24x zoom :))

Mar 31, 2014permalink

BarnET

I wouldn't miss it if it was the stylus f2.8 zoom. Which is remarkably small for it's performance.

Apr 3, 2014permalink

duartix

Interval shooting limited to 99 shots?
Am I reading it wrong?

Mar 31, 2014permalink

MrTaikitso

No articulating display! Why? Such a good spec.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Naveed Akhtar

to keep it slim

Mar 31, 2014permalink

IEBA1

I'd take a bit more bulk for incredible usefulness of a tilt-swivel display.
Like the Nikon P7700, if it were actually decently fast, and had a longer "travel zoom" in it. I had the 7700 and had zero issue with the additional bulk for the screen.

Apr 1, 2014permalink

Chaitanya S

larger sensor would have been appreciated.

Mar 31, 2014*permalink

Naveed Akhtar

yeap .. 12x optical would suffice .. but they do what they can possibly provide in that package and available tech. bigger aperture and sensor would make it significantly larger.

i would say its a good mix with 5x-image stab

Mar 31, 2014permalink

burnin

Actually, it reveals Olympus as being dickheads for leaving out 5-axis image stabilization in the OM-D E-M10.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Oli4D

Yeah maybe...
On the other hand: The sensor is much smaller... so there is more room for the IBIS.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

(unknown member)

Probably shrewd marketing and cost management. You do not put all the good things in everything and the EM-10 is an entry level product.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Stu 5

Hello read the spec! It uses a optical*5 axis image stabilisation system, i.e. in the lens. The OM-D E-M10 uses sensor image stabilisation.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

ironcam

This one has optical 5 axis ibis.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Andy Crowe

Purely optical 5-axis IBIS is impossible; There's no way to correct roll (Z axis) optically. Plus if you read the footnotes:

* Optical image stabilization is defined by the Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) guidelines and includes sensor-shift image stabilization

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Mike99999

That's just marketing. I wouldn't care to much about it. There's probably almost no difference between the 3-axis of the E-M10 and the 5-axis of the E-M5. They just need to differentiate the products...

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Artistico

@Stu 5 The optical stabiliser is most likely a sensor-shift - or a combination of sensor-shift and optical shift. It's only for interchangeable lens cameras that separating lens or in-body stabilising is significant. For fixed lens cameras, it's whether it's optical (sensor and/or lens) or digital (ie increasing ISO or downsampling the image etc - as some compact camera manufacturers tout as stabilising).

Mar 31, 2014permalink

backayonder

I still have great fun with my Olympus XZ1 but in Australia in bright sunlight the screen is useless so I purchased a viewfinder for it. Alas this camera does not give that option

Mar 31, 2014permalink

completelyrandomstuff

This should have been called Olympus MX1

Mar 31, 2014permalink

(unknown member)

Well, that is weird.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

M0P03

At first glance I thought Olympus managed to create Canon G1 X Mark II competitor. m34 24-120 fixed lens semicompact. One more 1/2.3" is disappointing.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Naveed Akhtar

no thanks .. no need for g1x competitor ..
this camera is a good mix of feature as it is ..
take it or pass it!!

Mar 31, 2014permalink

sailorboy414

What is funny is that the predecessor (Olympus SZ-31MR) has the same lens and same size sensor (possibly older one). Only 3 axis stabilisation, but The LCD on the SZ31 is 920k on the this new one 460k... what gives?

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Bluewave

I have the SZ-31MR and I like the quality of its screen. The sensor isn't so good though and it struggles to focus at the tele end. I wonder if this SH-1 will make as much focusing noise while taking videos as the SZ-31MR does - a pity as it does shoot nice 60p footage.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Hubertus Bigend

A camera with a 600mm (eq.) super telephoto lens but no viewfinder (and no connector to attach one of the existing external viewfinders) is like a gun without a sighting device. With none of them you'll manage to even aim at what you want to shoot.

Mar 31, 2014*permalink

PatsyK

Have you really tried? I had a panasonic tz 30. 24-480 with "power IOS" worked pretty well, of course you need ok lightning, but rearly difficult to aim at things, exept single birds in the sky ;)

Mar 31, 2014*permalink

Hubertus Bigend

Birds in the sky, or in trees, which are not that much easier to aim at, are one of my favourite subjects, so that's probably where my judgement comes from ;-)

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Mike99999

This type of camera is aimed at the kind of people that don't care about that.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

bobbarber

Hubertus, the way to aim at something small with zoom is to find the target first with wide angle, then zoom while keeping the target in the screen. This is true of all optical equipment. It is the same way you zoom in on a small area in a microscope slide, etc.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Prairie Pal

small sensor maybe buuuuut... the improved shake reduction translates into slower shutter speeds when shooting in low light or extended zoom, rather than bumping up the ISO. To a certain degree of course.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

wansai

i'm pretty sure a travel camera is not aimed at ppl like us. it's no point comparing stats and specs since this is for vacationers, moms, pops etc...

Mar 31, 2014permalink

PatsyK

"people like us"... i had the pan tz 30, and for its use its pretty good. You cant blow things up very large and its not sharp as f#¤# but to have "480mm" in your pocketpants when you are in a country its forbidden to photograph, say police-military-innstalations-or just on the street (hungary lol) it's a good thing. Even for me- as I see as one of us..

Mar 31, 2014permalink

btwango

@By wansai
My apologies. I didn't realise one had to own a SLR to visit this site.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Valiant Thor

You don't. You just have to imagine what it would be like to have one.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Naveed Akhtar

+ it looks good compare to other super compact travel zoom

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Rob Sims

Using every trick to distract away from that 1/2.3" sensor in your spec sheet, nice try Olympus! You may trick the everyday man on the street, but won't fool these crafty DPR forum commentators!

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Andy Crowe

Is there a compact travel zoom camera that /doesn't/ have a 1/2.3" sensor?

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Naveed Akhtar

stylus 1

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Andy Crowe

The Stylus 1 is a bit bigger than what you'd generally call a "travel zoom", but then it is smaller than most superzooms...

Mar 31, 2014permalink

h2k

I think you should mention the sensor size clearly in the news text on the front page.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

PatsyK

"A new small sensor camera, let the rambling begin!"
On the other side, had it been a bigger sensor, it surely would have been mentioned in the headline.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Jeff Keller

Unfortunately there's only enough space on the homepage. The specs are on this page though, with the sensor size.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

JKP

Interesting. The Z-axis stabilization would be really handy in macro shots.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Andy Crowe

5-axis IBIS only corrects for z roll, not z shift unfortunately.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Franka T.L.

am not sure after the like of RX100, or even simply the older XZ series, not to mention their own M4/3 or any of the large sensor mirrorless / compacts that I can tolerate the limited performance the 1/2.3" sensor impose.

I would rather accept the burden of a less compact setup for the long term benefit of it bringing back better captures

Mar 31, 2014permalink

ironcam

With small sensors, you can have a 24x zoom. People love big zooms.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Andy Crowe

The point of this camera is to have a pocketable 25-600mm lens, not to have the best high-iso image quality.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

Naveed Akhtar

stylus 1

Mar 31, 2014permalink

AbrasiveReducer

They can aim for the enthusiast's market and sell a handful of cameras to people who are willing to carry some size and weight to get a really good image, or they can sell to the convenience minded customer who feels $400 is a lot of money but worth it if it's better than a phone.

The Pen name is appropriate because the original Pen was half frame and the idea was to give up some quality in exchange for a smaller camera.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

dornie

I AM SATISFIED WITH IT. I BOUGHT IT FOR TRAVEL, ZOOM AND STABILITY AND HAS WORKED FINE EVEN AT 96X, SURPRISINGLY.
EVEN SURPRISED AT DECENT MACRO. PICS FINE. FOR ITS PRICE ITS A GOOD PURCHASE. I HAVE OTHER CAMERAS AND EACH SERVERS A DIFFERENT PURPOSE. I HAD THE ORIG. PEN HALF FRAME.

May 13, 2014permalink

Ben O Connor

The user experience was very satisfied by SH-50 owners.

And this PEN looks... Very nice honey addition to existing cream.

Mar 31, 2014permalink

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Olympus brings PEN style and 5-axis IS to Stylus SH-1 travel zoom

SMART, SLEEK AND STEADY: OLYMPUS STYLUS SH-1 IS WORLD’S FIRST*1 COMPACT WITH MECHANICAL 5-AXIS STABILIZATION

Olympus Stylus SH-1 specifications

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SMART, SLEEK AND STEADY: OLYMPUS STYLUS SH-1 IS WORLD’S FIRST^*1 COMPACT WITH MECHANICAL 5-AXIS STABILIZATION