Just about perfect!

After having the G15 and the S110 (still have it) I decided to get the XZ2 (purely due to the gorgeous design and great price, down from Euro 599 to Euro 279), I had the XZ1 and loved it but the low light IQ was only average, the video quality was poor, and the AF was only ok i.t.o speed and accuracy in low light conditions.

The XZ2 is a different animal though, I've had it 2 weeks now and thought I should give a quick review. Its very well built as are more high end compacts, but the XZ2 is just a touch better imho, the ergonomics are brilliant, without a doubt the best I've encountered in a compact. The G15 is good too but that useless OV is just a waste of space seriously, you cannot use it for composing as the view is just to small and a skewed one to, it shows no info at all either, nope a waste, glad its been dropped on the G1X mark II. I use the G15 as a comparison as its probably the most known and respected high end compact from 2013.

So, I prefer the body and ergonomics on the XZ2 vs the G15, both have a plethora of buttons but the XZ2 has more customization options especially with its 2 Fn buttons, the lens ring switch is also nifty feature, speed wise i.t.o of operation and AF accuracy I think they are about the same.

The touch screen is a nice addition and its very responsive, and for some functioning it is just easier than diving into menu's.

in times of IQ the 2 are quite similar, in good light both are similar, XZ2 is maybe a bit sharper especially towards the edges, in low light (800 & 1600 iso) mmm, tough, the G15 has less noise (not by much) but also less detail, whereas the XZ2 has slightly more noise but better detail... so again pretty similar depending on which you prefer.

The bright lens really offers versatility in lower light situations, especially with the F2.5 at 4x optical, G15 has F2.8 at 5x optical but there is so little difference in practice, plus I can walk a few steps closer (or away) as needs be. Only thing I'd change is that instead of 28mm I'd like to have seen 24mm, makes more sense these days. Flash is a bit weak, but at least there's no red eye... and the camera tends to keep iso as low as possible at the expense of speed (in low light the camera will keep iso at say 800 but the speed will be 1/8, which is a bit slow for handheld generally speaking, instead of pushing the iso to about 1200 and the speed to 1/15 or so which is better). These minor quibbles aside, the XZ2 in near perfect.And I've had no problems taken day to day action shots (dogs/cats etc.)

Mmm, what else, love the art filters, one can really have fun with them, and with the easy access super control panel, all settings are available to change very quickly.

So yes, am lovin' it>