Olympus XZ-1 review - Mixed Emotions!

[FlamingJune1967]

I noticed that the XZ-1 does an in-camera stitched panoramic. B&H's site shows this feature as allowing you to stitch up to 10 images, but the online manual is not clear on this and implies 3 images. It also doesn't specify what the final size of the resulting, in-camera stitched panoramic image is. Or, at least I haven't been able to find it. Have you tried that feature? If so, what is your impression of it's function and what is the maximum final size of the stitched image?

I don't have the XZ-1 yet, but I do know that the in-camera stitching is limited to 3 images. You can also use the panorama assist for up to 10 frames to be stitched together later in PP. Here is a link to the in-camera pano in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWQa_rB1tBI

And a link to a thread that may answer some of your questions about panorama:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1008&message=37719171

--
Flaming June from Georgia

"She glances at the photo, and the pilot light of memory flickers in her eyes." Frank Deford

 

[skiphunt13]

Thanks! That was very helpful regarding the pano stuff. Almost enough to put me over the edge and order one. Only thing holding me back is the LX5's better use of the sensor for 16:9 and I'm guessing it's video is better with more control, but I don't know for sure yet. The XZ-1's video sizes appear to be HUGE. I could live with that if the level of manual control and sensitivity was at least the same as the LX5. Anyone know?

I noticed that the XZ-1 does an in-camera stitched panoramic. B&H's site shows this feature as allowing you to stitch up to 10 images, but the online manual is not clear on this and implies 3 images. It also doesn't specify what the final size of the resulting, in-camera stitched panoramic image is. Or, at least I haven't been able to find it. Have you tried that feature? If so, what is your impression of it's function and what is the maximum final size of the stitched image?

I don't have the XZ-1 yet, but I do know that the in-camera stitching is limited to 3 images. You can also use the panorama assist for up to 10 frames to be stitched together later in PP. Here is a link to the in-camera pano in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWQa_rB1tBI

And a link to a thread that may answer some of your questions about panorama:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1008&message=37719171

--
Flaming June from Georgia

"She glances at the photo, and the pilot light of memory flickers in her eyes." Frank Deford

--
Skip Hunt
Austin, Texas

http://kaleidoscopeofcolor.com
http://skiphuntphotography.com

 

[FlamingJune1967]

I'm pretty sure that the LX-5 offers much more control over the video. Based on all I have read, I would definitely get the LX-5 over the XZ-1 if I planned on using the video function a lot.

check out this LX-5 review for more on it's video quality:

http://www.infosyncworld.com/reviews/digital-cameras/panasonic-lumix-dmc-lx5/11484.html

Flaming June from Georgia

"She glances at the photo, and the pilot light of memory flickers in her eyes." Frank Deford

 

[skiphunt13]

Thanks again! Hadn't been to that site before but that video has me undecided again. Man! I want both of these cams equally. But, don't want to carry two systems.

Back on the fence I go. Thanks again for the info.

I'm pretty sure that the LX-5 offers much more control over the video. Based on all I have read, I would definitely get the LX-5 over the XZ-1 if I planned on using the video function a lot.

check out this LX-5 review for more on it's video quality:

http://www.infosyncworld.com/reviews/digital-cameras/panasonic-lumix-dmc-lx5/11484.html

Flaming June from Georgia

"She glances at the photo, and the pilot light of memory flickers in her eyes." Frank Deford

--
Skip Hunt
Austin, Texas

http://kaleidoscopeofcolor.com
http://skiphuntphotography.com

 

[reginalddwight]

Many thanks for the informative review. I have contemplated for a while a lighter alternative to my DSLR gear. Too cumbersome to carry with me everyday, and sometimes even while vacationing and hiking.

Your impressions, along with the accompanying photos, have given me pause with respect to purchasing the XZ-1. I am a bit wary of the heavy-handed NR and the resultant detail smearing. Not what I wanted to see from the JPGs, though shooting RAW will likely obviate this issue. I will look also at the Canon S95, Panny LX5, and the MFT cameras as my other viable options.

Keep up the good work. Cheers.

 

[irm]

Hi Nelson,
thank you for the comprehensive reviews and updates.

Those high ISO shots are lot better than I expected having read a number of reviews.

What alot of people tend ot forget when questioning high ISO, is what did they shoot with film. In my case it was ISO 400 so I wild be limiting the camera to a max of ISO 400.

This camera will be primarily used by my wife to replace her FZ-8 and a video camera.

Thank you once again for ajob well done.
--
my 2 exposed flashcubes worth.

Ian the pbase supporter.
http://pbase.com/ianm_au

Please check my profile for equipment list.
An amateur with dreams of being a good to excellent photographer.

 

[BellaBull8]

I appreciate your in-depth review & the time invested. I do wonder (if I missed it) - did you shoot raw at all? I'm looking for something I can carry with me all the time, since I can't do that with my DSLR. I'm not interested in JPEG at all, so RAW quality is the most important factor for me. I don't expect performance of an interchangeable lens system, just the best I can get in a tiny package.
--
Don't assume. It makes an a** out of you and me. ;-)
http://www.molimophoto.com

 

[Nelson Tan]

Yes, I do shoot RAW most of the time. It's a great way to ensure that I can get the best image out of the camera. With memory prices so affordable nowadays, I try to shoot in both RAW and JPG simultaneously for quality and convenience at the same time.

--
Photo website @ http://www.nelsontan.com

Photo blog @ http://photographyhappenings.blogspot.com/