For me, who will only use fixed lens cameras, and will not carry anything bigger than a jacket pocket size camera, it is definitely the best compromise. I bought the wonderful Sony RX10, found I left it home most of the time, sold it, bought the Stylus 1, absolutely no regrets.
Out of the box, it has default settings that limit it's potential (shame on Oly). After a few months, I put this setup suggestions thread together:
http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3790370?page=2#forum-post-56469086
After use, I find, in certain situations, f3.2 is a speck sharper than f2.8. I am not alone in this conclusion, however, most of the time I shoot f2.8, quite satisfactorily.
I also have the 1.7x tele conversion lens, it maintains f2.8, giving 510mm optical at f2.8, which is incredible when you think about it.
I use and like the 2X feature, so I get f2.8 to 600mm, andwith the 1.7x, 1,020mm.
gotta go now to a soccer game, Stylus 1 does fab for that.
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Elliott
I think there are 2 sets of people who are tempted by the Stylus 1:
1. those that have and use or want a dslr kit, (and or aps-c camera kit), and want something else 'good enough' for easy size and use. Stylus 1 fits that very well. People that might print large are also in this group. Those that want the capability of shallow depth of focus a larger sensor clearly gives are here also. Their larger sensor dslrs give them both.
2. those like me, fixed lens only, never had or want a dslr, nothing bigger than jacket pocket/small belt/shoulder case.
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I forgot to mention, I think anyone should have 2 cameras, especially for travel, anything can break, soooo, I say get a complimentary pair.
Stylus 1 jacket pocket size, with decent reach, PAIRED with a 2nd camera, in my case, Sony RX100 m1 and m3, less reach, larger sensor, brighter lens. In group 1, the Stylus would be paired with an even larger sensor
rx100 f1.8 with type 1 sensor, with a great lens, pants pocket size, always with you is awesome, add the Stylus 1 to that, what a combo, and, for some, not everyone, add the tele 1.7x to that for occasional use in the woods finding birds, etc., wow.
that pair gives me type 1 sensor, f1.8 24mm to f2.8 at 70mm and then the Stylus 1, 1/1.7" sensor (large for a fixed lens zoom) adds f2.8 28mm to 300/510/2X600/2X1020mm, AWESOME. To get that in a dslr kit would cost a lot, and be pretty big kit.
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I had an XZ-1 for a while, loved it, except it could not focus well for videos in music clubs, so returned it. It's a great lens, but, rx100 type 1 sensor with a great lens beats it.
I wish Oly would upgrade the XZ-2 to a type 1 sensor. If you think that would be just another 'me too' type 1 camera, so what, they are great, and Oly is missing out,
OR, take the larger jacket pocket size Stylus 1 body, put a type 1 sensor in it, and start at 24mm to _____? (whatever reach they can out of a great lens), keeping the options for filters and conversion lenses. That would be a class by itself, sandwiched between the rx100 and the RX10 which is too big for me.
IOW, forget trying for pants pocket size, take the sensor somewhere new.
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Someone asked about the size of the conversion lens. Keep in mind, you don't use it much, but when you do, it is superb, and, how big is an interchangeable zoom lens, constant f2.8 28mm to 510mm, with excellent IS? Huge, and damn pricey.
3 cases,
top black one fits Stylus 1 with the tele 1.7x (shown to the left with the adapter tube attached) attached.
middle brown one is belt loop or detachable shoulder strap for Stylus 1.
bottom nylon eyeglass case protects the rx100 from pocket lint and when out of pocket. it's tapered shape slips in/out of pants pockets with ease, you leave the wrist strap out of the case, like a mouse tail, so you do not need to jam your hand inside your pocket.
9" long (outside) case fits camera with 1.7x lens mounted on it.
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Elliott
