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my Olympus Stylus 1

Started Jun 12, 2016 | User reviews
User5086462119
User5086462119 New Member • Posts: 4
my Olympus Stylus 1

I wanted a "Travel" camera and the Stylus 1 has answered my expectations

I wanted to get away from carrying a heap of lenses which I previously did when I owned Nikon F3s

The "macro" facility is good enough for what I require as my main interest is wild flowers and insects. The folding LCD screen and also the viewfinder make this ideal for both low light and bright sunlight

I would also have liked something better than f8 but one has to accept some limitations with this type of camera

Would I recommend it to others? As a general use camera that is not going to break the Bank, is not too bulky and still has a traditional feel to it, I think that this Olympus would be pretty hard to beat.

If I have any criticism it is that the camera is far more capable than I am.

 User5086462119's gear list:User5086462119's gear list
Olympus Stylus 1
Olympus Stylus 1
12 megapixels • 3 screen • 28 – 300 mm (10.7×)
Announced: Oct 29, 2013
User5086462119's score
4.5
Average community score
4.2
bad for good for
Kids / pets
good
Action / sports
okay
Landscapes / scenery
good
Portraits
good
Low light (without flash)
okay
Flash photography (social)
mediocre
Studio / still life
okay
= community average
morepix
morepix Veteran Member • Posts: 9,753
Re: my Olympus Stylus 1

User5086462119 wrote:

If I have any criticism it is that the camera is far more capable than I am.

"The best photographer in the world is not as good as the worst camera in the world."  -- Henri Cartier Bresson

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David
pbase.com/morepix

 morepix's gear list:morepix's gear list
Sony RX100 VA Ricoh GR III
elliottnewcomb Forum Pro • Posts: 18,223
Re: my Olympus Stylus 1

1st post, welcome to the forum, glad to see you have the Stylus 1. Look forward to seeing more of your photos.

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Elliott

 elliottnewcomb's gear list:elliottnewcomb's gear list
Sony RX1R Sony RX100 III Olympus Stylus 1s Sony RX100 VI Sony Xperia XZ +1 more
Widdldo Forum Member • Posts: 64
Re: my Olympus Stylus 1

I own a Stylus 1s and I love it. Sure one of the most underrated cameras. It's versatile, fast, not too bulky and generally a joy to use. And the results are good enough in all but the most extreme photographic situations. A true carry anywhere camera. The only thing that bugs me a little is the notorious flash underexposure. Seems to be an issue in many Olympus cameras though.

 Widdldo's gear list:Widdldo's gear list
Olympus Stylus 1s Panasonic ZS200 Sony RX100 VA Olympus E-M1 Olympus E-M1 II
User5086462119
OP User5086462119 New Member • Posts: 4
Re: my Olympus Stylus 1

Hi Elliot

Thank you for the "welcome"

I printed out the manual for the Stylus 1 and still don't understand half of it

Fortunately, my neighbour lectures on Photography at the University of East Anglia.

Yours aye

Philip

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Olympus Stylus 1
User5086462119
OP User5086462119 New Member • Posts: 4
Re: my Olympus Stylus 1

I agree about the Flash; but I suppose if it was bigger then the camera would be unbalenced

I've had better results using it as a "fill in" flash

Philip

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Olympus Stylus 1
User5086462119
OP User5086462119 New Member • Posts: 4
Re: my Olympus Stylus 1

morepix wrote:

User5086462119 wrote:

If I have any criticism it is that the camera is far more capable than I am.

"The best photographer in the world is not as good as the worst camera in the world." -- Henri Cartier Bresson

Hi David

I was talking to a Rep from Canon once. He was a very charming chap and I learnt a lot from him. I said that I expected he had the latest EOS 1 and all the bits.

He replied "Actually, I use a Leica"

Philip

 User5086462119's gear list:User5086462119's gear list
Olympus Stylus 1
elliottnewcomb Forum Pro • Posts: 18,223
Re: my Olympus Stylus 1

Widdldo wrote:

I own a Stylus 1s and I love it. Sure one of the most underrated cameras. It's versatile, fast, not too bulky and generally a joy to use. And the results are good enough in all but the most extreme photographic situations. A true carry anywhere camera. The only thing that bugs me a little is the notorious flash underexposure. Seems to be an issue in many Olympus cameras though.

SCP may help you with the flash.

I have adjusted flash strength, +/- shot to shot, with all my cameras that allow it for many years.

My Stylus 1 is not with me, but, if you have SCP super control panel active, I think flash strength is there, so, one button press, SCP presents 21 settings to change, by touch or rockers.

Mostly, I shoot with flash strength cut back, to avoid too much shine on foreheads, or avoid making music club shots look too bright, like a practice session. Various complexions, various clothing, hats, varying lighting, you boost or cut as needed. Always let a flash fully charge, even when using it cut back, so you get consistent output.

Stylus 1 lets you have flash strength automatically follow any exposure adjustments you make, not default, optional. I explain it in my setup suggestions, as well as setting up SCP.

Because I have other cameras with larger sensors and brighter lenses for close range, Stylus 1 gets more use for reach when you would never use flash anyway.

Stylus 1 bright and plentiful zoom, in it's jacket pocket size is what is both unique and wonderful about it. I love mine too.

Often, for various reasons, I shoot a bit under-exposed and boost shadows later, works better than cutting highlights later.

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Elliott

 elliottnewcomb's gear list:elliottnewcomb's gear list
Sony RX1R Sony RX100 III Olympus Stylus 1s Sony RX100 VI Sony Xperia XZ +1 more
Peter in Canberra Senior Member • Posts: 1,346
Re: my Olympus Stylus 1

User5086462119 wrote:

4 year old thread but wanted to say "nice Australian Cattle Dog / Blue Heeler"

as well as thanks for your review - researching this old camera.

elliottnewcomb Forum Pro • Posts: 18,223
Re: my Olympus Stylus 1
1

I love when old threads pop up,

It's a great camera, I worked really hard to master Oly's menu, finally put this setup suggestions thread together

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4432542

there's still nothing like it, if mine breaks, I'll buy another spare.

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Elliott

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Sony RX1R Sony RX100 III Olympus Stylus 1s Sony RX100 VI Sony Xperia XZ +1 more
(unknown member) Senior Member • Posts: 1,455
Re: my Olympus Stylus 1

elliottnewcomb wrote:

I love when old threads pop up,

It's a great camera, I worked really hard to master Oly's menu, finally put this setup suggestions thread together

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4432542

there's still nothing like it, if mine breaks, I'll buy another spare.

Its 28mm wide angle probably was not right for when it came out and Olympus in ILC and compacts seems to struggle to get wider than this. The affordable kit lens is 14mm and the new 12-45mm is a pro lens with the price that entails. Olympus seem to struggle to cover the popular spectrum of what people want to this day.

The Stylus 1 has a core enthusiast group now but probably never took off when it came out and I remember a negative response to the 28mm when it appeared.

elliottnewcomb Forum Pro • Posts: 18,223
Re: my Olympus Stylus 1

I would much prefer 24-250mm,

especially considering excellent 2X to 500mm, and threads for conversion lens, 1.7x would give 24-425mm f2.8.

another thing, it wasn't even reviewed, for a very long time.

And, the default Jpeg Compression was N, not even Fine, default, WTH????

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Elliott

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Sony RX1R Sony RX100 III Olympus Stylus 1s Sony RX100 VI Sony Xperia XZ +1 more
(unknown member) Senior Member • Posts: 1,455
Re: my Olympus Stylus 1

elliottnewcomb wrote:

I would much prefer 24-250mm,

especially considering excellent 2X to 500mm, and threads for conversion lens, 1.7x would give 24-425mm f2.8.

another thing, it wasn't even reviewed, for a very long time.

And, the default Jpeg Compression was N, not even Fine, default, WTH????

A pity in a way and the reviewers never were enthusiastic but their's are often just a snap judgement without deep knowledge of the kit and Olympus defaults were always a mystery. The way they hid the SCP menu was always a strange thing. It fooled me as i went searching for it on the XZ10 and but it was not there even though the menus seemed similar in most ways!

elliottnewcomb Forum Pro • Posts: 18,223
Re: my Olympus Stylus 1

I took my rx100m1 1" sensor to a real camera store. the slesman said he knew ALL about the Stylus 1, as a matter of fact, his Oly rep had just gone thru it with him.

I took some in store photos. No way. I zoomed the rx100 to it's darkest f4.9 at 100mm, tried a comparison shot with f2.8 oly, no way, horrible, I walked away.

robin wong's review and samples are what convinced me to get a second one and try again.

https://robinwong.blogspot.com/2014/01/olympus-stylus-1-review.html

and even robin didn't mention default N quality jpeg compression.

a long time after it was out, dpreview finally did a review (I don't see the date the review was written). there was nothing here when I was considering it.

https://www.dpreview.com/products/olympus/compacts/oly_stylus1/specifications

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Elliott

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Sony RX1R Sony RX100 III Olympus Stylus 1s Sony RX100 VI Sony Xperia XZ +1 more
John McCormack
John McCormack Veteran Member • Posts: 7,098
Re: my Olympus Stylus 1

elliottnewcomb wrote:

I took my rx100m1 1" sensor to a real camera store. the slesman said he knew ALL about the Stylus 1, as a matter of fact, his Oly rep had just gone thru it with him.

I took some in store photos. No way. I zoomed the rx100 to it's darkest f4.9 at 100mm, tried a comparison shot with f2.8 oly, no way, horrible, I walked away.

robin wong's review and samples are what convinced me to get a second one and try again.

https://robinwong.blogspot.com/2014/01/olympus-stylus-1-review.html

and even robin didn't mention default N quality jpeg compression.

a long time after it was out, dpreview finally did a review (I don't see the date the review was written). there was nothing here when I was considering it.

https://www.dpreview.com/products/olympus/compacts/oly_stylus1/specifications

One of the best reviews of the Stylus 1 was done on YouTube by Ralf's Photo Bude. I don't think he does reviews of cameras any longer. His tricks and tips review is one I have bookmarked: https://youtu.be/lfahYbbvsGE

elliottnewcomb Forum Pro • Posts: 18,223
Re: my Olympus Stylus 1

good one, thanks.

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Elliott

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Sony RX1R Sony RX100 III Olympus Stylus 1s Sony RX100 VI Sony Xperia XZ +1 more
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