Outstanding Small Camera

I had been looking for a light, very small camera for times when the Nikon DSLR is just more than I want to carry. I took notice of the XZ2 when it first came out and was quite impressed. I have always liked Olympus cameras and have relied on them when I’ve wanted to reduce the size and weight of my film equipment (OM-2 and XA2). I bought the XZ2 a few weeks ago and, for a 1.7 sensor camera, this thing is truly impressive. In the reviews that I read high ISO noise was the most consistent negative. Frankly, I am an available light photographer and even in very dim light I haven’t seen any issue with noise at all. And, while the JPG images are outstanding for a 1.7 camera, the RAW files are marvelous for that size sensor.

Olympus’ included editing software is very good but when working with RAW files it is a little strange. When editing RAW files the images look very noisy until you click an icon to acquire a high res version of the image after every edit action. In the options you can select that this action be done automatically after every edit, but it takes considerable time and even gives you a percentage countdown window. Frankly, I use Photo Ninja for all RAW files and get spectacular results almost instantaneously.

Sadly, the XZ2 has been discontinued and it appears that Olympus has replaced it with the Stylus 1. And, while the XZ2 is suitable only for larger pockets, the Stylus 1 doesn’t appear to be pocketable at all.

My 5 Star rating is based on the XZ2 compared to other 1/1.7” sensor cameras.

WGVanDyck wrote:

I had been looking for a light, very small camera for times when the Nikon DSLR is just more than I want to carry. I took notice of the XZ2 when it first came out and was quite impressed. I have always liked Olympus cameras and have relied on them when I’ve wanted to reduce the size and weight of my film equipment (OM-2 and XA2). I bought the XZ2 a few weeks ago and, for a 1.7 sensor camera, this thing is truly impressive. In the reviews that I read high ISO noise was the most consistent negative. Frankly, I am an available light photographer and even in very dim light I haven’t seen any issue with noise at all. And, while the JPG images are outstanding for a 1.7 camera, the RAW files are marvelous for that size sensor.

Olympus’ included editing software is very good but when working with RAW files it is a little strange. When editing RAW files the images look very noisy until you click an icon to acquire a high res version of the image after every edit action. In the options you can select that this action be done automatically after every edit, but it takes considerable time and even gives you a percentage countdown window. Frankly, I use Photo Ninja for all RAW files and get spectacular results almost instantaneously.

Sadly, the XZ2 has been discontinued and it appears that Olympus has replaced it with the Stylus 1. And, while the XZ2 is suitable only for larger pockets, the Stylus 1 doesn’t appear to be pocketable at all.

My 5 Star rating is based on the XZ2 compared to other 1/1.7” sensor cameras.

The noise we are referring to at high iso is like worms crawling across the image.  Other cameras have noise but not these worms.

Here are two images taken at ISO 1600 with all noise reduction set to OFF.  Pixel peeping shows a clear difference between the images.  Although I think both images are equally sharp!

Yup, it's noisy if you turn the noise reduction to OFF or LOW. I also noticed the worms, but only when shooting with one of those settings.

I was surprised you rated it "outstanding" for kids/pets - I find the AF nothing like fast enough for these subjects unless they are static.

And I'd love to know how you feel it's "good" for sports!!

WGVanDyck wrote:

Mike, my comments are directed to 1.7 sensor cameras only. Compared to other cameras in that catagory I have used the XZ-2 seems far superior. But, if I were given a choice when shooting kids or sports there are many larger sensor cameras I would prefer. I would be interested to know if you have found a camera in that sensor size that performs better. I shoot mostly RAW so the XZ-2 has worked out quite well for me.

Hmmm, I suppose you are right, WG, that there can't be many cameras with sensors this small which have good enough AF for fast-moving subjects.

When I got my XZ-2, the AF felt snappier than that of my XZ-1 and I was hoping it might be some use in such situations, but found my hope was in vain!

Incidentally, I personally find that one of several outstanding characteristics of Olympus cameras is the quality of their JPG processing, which keeps me well free from any feeling I need to get into any of that nasty RAW business with its computer storage space and time-sapping considerations!

For me the XZ-2 will probably see most use as a travel camera. In 2 1/2 years of owning the XZ-1, it went on every foreign trip I made, and was definitely used more heavily than any of my other cameras. The XZ-2 will have a similar role for me, I think.

Now, if I could just work out how to avoid pressing the INF button as I pick it up...

I too find the buttons too easy to press when picking it up.  Never have been a fan of the camera's ergonomics.  I removed the sharp edges plastic grip that came with the camera and stuck on a nice soft sticky rubber grip.  Cost about $10.  Very much worth it.  One handed grip is way better.  Now if I can only find a way to git it to go to 24mm...

ChiJeff5 wrote:

I too find the buttons too easy to press when picking it up. Never have been a fan of the camera's ergonomics. I removed the sharp edges plastic grip that came with the camera and stuck on a nice soft sticky rubber grip. Cost about $10. Very much worth it. One handed grip is way better. Now if I can only find a way to git it to go to 24mm...

Yes, I agree about the hard edges. As someone else put in another forum, I feel like it wants to bite me! I keep meaning to look into the replacement grip issue...can you link to yours?

https://www.flickr.com/groups/xz1/discuss/72157647291410949/

Does that link work? Trying to do this on my cheap phone. If not, I'll try to get to it on my Chromebook tomorrow.

The link works, but I don't see a link to your actual purchased product within it.

WGVanDyck wrote:

47872Mike wrote:

Now, if I could just work out how to avoid pressing the INF button as I pick it up...

Actually Mike, my nemesis button is the Fn1. I had it set to activate the digital zoom and it became something of a pain with frequent accidental presses. But, from my experience with small cameras there just isn't enough room to make everything fool proof. I had a Sony years ago where the Power Button was indistinguishable by touch from the Shutter Release Button. You can imagine how frustrating that was.

It sounds like we have the same idea in mind for these little XZ-2s. We travel a lot too, and while I always take a film or digital SLR, I just don't want to lug around a large camera all the time. And, I completely agree about the great jpg quality out of them.

Oh, yes. I occasionally hit Fn1, too. But at least we don't end up turning this one off instead of releasing the shutter!

I've pretty much stopped using my SLRs because I find the quality gap between them and the small stuff to be decreasing so much, and I take more photos because I don't have to lug the heavy stuff around.

WGVanDyck wrote:

47872Mike wrote

I've pretty much stopped using my SLRs because I find the quality gap between them and the small stuff to be decreasing so much, and I take more photos because I don't have to lug the heavy stuff around.

I have tried to avoid making that statement about the XZ-2 to prevent a barrage of negative comments. But, I was very surprised how much that gap has closed too. Even when comparing RAW images. I guess I should qualify that: I am comparing it to an APS-C DSLR.

Your earlier comment about the XZ-2's jpgs was right on the money; they are simply great. I enjoy the RAW workflow, and the added editing ability it provides, but have been very happy with out of the camera jpgs. I even find myself bringing the XZ-2 along when I take the digital or film SLR out. Its just so easy to carry in a jacket or along with my cell in my National Geographic 1212 pouch.

Since the Stylus 1 seems to be the replacement for the XZ-2, and the XZ-2s JPEGs are "simply great," would it also apply to the OOC JPEGs of the Stylus?

I'm interested in shooting only JPEGs and find any information on this issue very important to me. Thanks.

Rod

Good question, Rod.  I hope we get some responses.

I bought a very clean used XZ-2 off eBay for $177. My intention was to use it for street photography and utilize the tilting LCD screen for waist level composing. I am a little disappointed in the focusing speed of the Olympus. My Sony RX100 is light years ahead when turning and shooting candids of moving people. I just wish the Sony had a tilting screen and am not interested in spending more $$$ to update to the RX100 II to get one.

Other than this, the XZ-2 makes a great little travel camera for most people. The colors are vibrant and it just feels solid in your hands. The image quality is a little soft for me, I guess I've gotten used to X-Trans sensor images of Fuji.