Ben Herrmann
Forum Pro
Hi folks:
Hope all is well in your individual lives - no matter what part of the globe you reside at.
As a backdrop - as some of you know, I've been a long-time poster (since around 2002) and up to last year "had" acquired 71 digital cameras that I elected to keep (yes, I was a collector - but I used them all). And this is not to mention the other 20 - 30 cameras that I had at one time but subsequently sold. However, realizing that "too much was just too much," I wound up selling 80% of my cams over the past 7 - 8 months and I'm down to a comfortable 10 or so (I know, I know...don't laugh). And since that time I've hardly posted at all. It's actually healthy to stay away from the forums at times. I've posted perhaps once a month or once every few months.
What brings me to this post is that I've experimented with a wide variety of cameras (from many brands) over the years - that includes digicams, enthusiast models, and DSLR's. And although I've always preferred the "traditional" Olympus color tonality, I've also come to appreciate the advances offered by other brands. So in this sense, I've never really been a staunch fan-boy of any one brand.
Having said that, I will admit that I've been on Oly's case for some time now - in particular, my rants began after they ceased production of their beloved Camedia series of digicams (most notably the 5050, 5060, 7070 ,7000 and 8080 models). Since then nothing but an ongoing series of "me too" models were released in pretty bodies - yet seriously lacking in superb IQ (save perhaps for the SP-350 and SP-570 models - who had great IQ also).
Now that Olympus has released the XZ-1 I really am encouraged to know that they have "seen the light" and have elected to once again compete in the enthusiasts digicam market. But folks - you've got to understand that there are limitations to any digicam (not talkin' micro 4/3 or DSLR's here). When you have an advanced enthusiasts model, you will be limited in certain areas - I've always realized that and I don't fool myself into thinking that somehow I'm getting a DSLR in a very small package - that just isn't the case. So, as was the case with the many digicams that I've owned, I make the best of each model - learning their strengths and weaknesses and then using the cams in their best performance envelopes.
Now I realize everyone has their preferences and they have a right to complain about a particular model (hell, look at me over the past 4 - 5 years), but in some cases...purchasing a particular model - then using it for 30 minutes or so and then returning the camera...seems a bit - well, errrrrr premature (wouldn't ya think).
Over the past 10 years I've used some cameras that I initially assumed would wind up to be total duds - only to give them time (both for the camera and for me to fully understand all aspects of each model) and wallaaaaa....in the majority of cases, the cameras turned out to be real gems. A recent case-in-point is that 4 - 5 months ago I picked up the new Nikon P7000 (a 10 MP solid magnesium-bodied enthusiasts cam) and immediately found that it had tons of issues. It would have been easy for me to return the camera, but I took my time to learn the camera thoroughly (although I complained about some of the issues on the Nikon forum). Nikon subsequently reacted quickly and released a firmware update that took care of some of the major issues (kudo's to them for doing so in such a timely manner) and now this P7000 has become a fine photographic instrument (prerequisite photo of my cat below taken with the P7000 and SB-400 flash in bounce mode):
Now I must admit that I'm a "RAW" shooter and will only shoot JPG's if a particular model doesn't have RAW capabilities. From what I've seen this XZ-1 is capable of producing images that seriously rival many a DSLR (within it's design parameters). But what I've found really interesting here is that well-taken (notice I said well-taken here) images exhibit intangible qualities not often easy put to words. I've seen some XZ-1 images that have that "you are there" palpable image quality that is often missing with so many digicams. By "Palpable," I am saying that they have the ability to make you look right into the scenes (making you momentarily forget that you are looking at a photo). And formal review-after-review (for the most part) has given this XZ-1 very high marks.
Now as to the "JPG NR smearing issue," I don't know what to say here. There was one demo XZ-1 at a local camera store here. I brought along an SD card and fired off some 40 shots or so - took them home and was impressed (both in RAW and JPG so I could pixel peep). I guess to each their own. And yes, once a supply becomes available, I will pick up an XZ-1 - that's for sure. Not being a techno-weenie, I don't know if Oly can (would) release a firmware update that can address compression and NR levels for JPG images. Only those of you with engineering or electronics backgrounds could speculate accurately on this. The key here is to complain directly to Olympus (not just on the forum). If Oly doesn't get feedback directly, they will just react with indifference.
So for those of you who have the XZ-1 and enjoy yours - good for you! For those who got one but immediately sent it back....I would say that perhaps you (may) have reacted a bit prematurely unless there was actually something wrong with your copy(ies).
Have a great day!
--
Hope all is well in your individual lives - no matter what part of the globe you reside at.
As a backdrop - as some of you know, I've been a long-time poster (since around 2002) and up to last year "had" acquired 71 digital cameras that I elected to keep (yes, I was a collector - but I used them all). And this is not to mention the other 20 - 30 cameras that I had at one time but subsequently sold. However, realizing that "too much was just too much," I wound up selling 80% of my cams over the past 7 - 8 months and I'm down to a comfortable 10 or so (I know, I know...don't laugh). And since that time I've hardly posted at all. It's actually healthy to stay away from the forums at times. I've posted perhaps once a month or once every few months.
What brings me to this post is that I've experimented with a wide variety of cameras (from many brands) over the years - that includes digicams, enthusiast models, and DSLR's. And although I've always preferred the "traditional" Olympus color tonality, I've also come to appreciate the advances offered by other brands. So in this sense, I've never really been a staunch fan-boy of any one brand.
Having said that, I will admit that I've been on Oly's case for some time now - in particular, my rants began after they ceased production of their beloved Camedia series of digicams (most notably the 5050, 5060, 7070 ,7000 and 8080 models). Since then nothing but an ongoing series of "me too" models were released in pretty bodies - yet seriously lacking in superb IQ (save perhaps for the SP-350 and SP-570 models - who had great IQ also).
Now that Olympus has released the XZ-1 I really am encouraged to know that they have "seen the light" and have elected to once again compete in the enthusiasts digicam market. But folks - you've got to understand that there are limitations to any digicam (not talkin' micro 4/3 or DSLR's here). When you have an advanced enthusiasts model, you will be limited in certain areas - I've always realized that and I don't fool myself into thinking that somehow I'm getting a DSLR in a very small package - that just isn't the case. So, as was the case with the many digicams that I've owned, I make the best of each model - learning their strengths and weaknesses and then using the cams in their best performance envelopes.
Now I realize everyone has their preferences and they have a right to complain about a particular model (hell, look at me over the past 4 - 5 years), but in some cases...purchasing a particular model - then using it for 30 minutes or so and then returning the camera...seems a bit - well, errrrrr premature (wouldn't ya think).
Over the past 10 years I've used some cameras that I initially assumed would wind up to be total duds - only to give them time (both for the camera and for me to fully understand all aspects of each model) and wallaaaaa....in the majority of cases, the cameras turned out to be real gems. A recent case-in-point is that 4 - 5 months ago I picked up the new Nikon P7000 (a 10 MP solid magnesium-bodied enthusiasts cam) and immediately found that it had tons of issues. It would have been easy for me to return the camera, but I took my time to learn the camera thoroughly (although I complained about some of the issues on the Nikon forum). Nikon subsequently reacted quickly and released a firmware update that took care of some of the major issues (kudo's to them for doing so in such a timely manner) and now this P7000 has become a fine photographic instrument (prerequisite photo of my cat below taken with the P7000 and SB-400 flash in bounce mode):
Now I must admit that I'm a "RAW" shooter and will only shoot JPG's if a particular model doesn't have RAW capabilities. From what I've seen this XZ-1 is capable of producing images that seriously rival many a DSLR (within it's design parameters). But what I've found really interesting here is that well-taken (notice I said well-taken here) images exhibit intangible qualities not often easy put to words. I've seen some XZ-1 images that have that "you are there" palpable image quality that is often missing with so many digicams. By "Palpable," I am saying that they have the ability to make you look right into the scenes (making you momentarily forget that you are looking at a photo). And formal review-after-review (for the most part) has given this XZ-1 very high marks.
Now as to the "JPG NR smearing issue," I don't know what to say here. There was one demo XZ-1 at a local camera store here. I brought along an SD card and fired off some 40 shots or so - took them home and was impressed (both in RAW and JPG so I could pixel peep). I guess to each their own. And yes, once a supply becomes available, I will pick up an XZ-1 - that's for sure. Not being a techno-weenie, I don't know if Oly can (would) release a firmware update that can address compression and NR levels for JPG images. Only those of you with engineering or electronics backgrounds could speculate accurately on this. The key here is to complain directly to Olympus (not just on the forum). If Oly doesn't get feedback directly, they will just react with indifference.
So for those of you who have the XZ-1 and enjoy yours - good for you! For those who got one but immediately sent it back....I would say that perhaps you (may) have reacted a bit prematurely unless there was actually something wrong with your copy(ies).
Have a great day!
--
and the ones I have are only Olympus (E-30, E-500, E-PL1, C-8080) but I have fun shooting with all of them and there's no doubt I would appreciate several cameras of other brands too...
), I would have missed what I consider now as my most enjoyable camera ever.