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Olympus XZ-1 photo samples

These photos were taken with the Olympus XZ-1.

Lori Grunin
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
Lori Grunin
34469429_SIC1_540.jpg
1 of 9 Matthew Fitzgerald/CNET

Noise

The highest clean ISO sensitivity the XZ-1 produces is really ISO 100; ISO 200 is still quite usable, but you can start to see some noise suppression artifacts. By ISO 400, details begin to smear. Processing raw can help somewhat, but I was unable to produce an artifact-free version of an ISO 400 shot.
34469429_SIC3_540-800jpegraw.jpg
2 of 9 Lori Grunin/CNET

Noise, raw vs. JPEG

At midrange ISO sensitivities you can get cleaner shots, but the tradeoff is some lost detail.

(1/30 sec, f2.2, ESP metering, AWB, ISO 800, 28mm equivalent)
34469429_SIC2_540-800.jpg
3 of 9 Lori Grunin/CNET

Low-light white balance

The XZ-1's white balance in low light (mixed incandescent and halogen here) is unusually warm.

(1/30 sec, f2.2, ESP metering, AWB, ISO 800, 28mm equivalent)
34469429_SIC4_540.jpg
4 of 9 Lori Grunin/CNET

Sharpness

In its default settings, Olympus applies a little too much sharpening to its JPEGs. While it doesn't look too bad here, in more natural shots it adds a bit of crunchiness. Also, note the fringing on the highlights.

(1/50 sec, f21.8, ESP metering, AWB, ISO 100, 28mm equivalent)
34469429_SIC10_540.jpg
5 of 9 Lori Grunin/CNET

Sharpness, raw vs. JPEG

As you can see, there's a huge detail difference between shooting JPEG and raw.

(1/200 sec, f3.5, spot metering, AWB, ISO 100, 41mm equivalent)
34469429_SIC8_540-red.jpg
6 of 9 Lori Grunin/CNET

Color and dynamic range, saturated reds

The camera's generally cool white balance shifts the hue in this red a bit (a common problem with digital cameras). While there's some loss of detail in the brightest areas, the camera does a reasonable job.

(1/125 sec, f2.2, spot metering, AWB, ISO 100, 65mm equivalent)
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7 of 9 Lori Grunin/CNET

Color

Overall, the camera renders reasonably accurate colors; they're certainly saturated.
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8 of 9 Lori Grunin/CNET

Distortion

At its widest angle of view, 28mm-equivalent, the XZ-1's lens shows a little barrel distortion. But it's symmetrical (and therefore easier to correct) and not bad for a fixed lens.

(1/100 sec, f5, spot metering, AWB, ISO 100, 28mm equivalent, +0.7 exposure compensation)
34469429_SIC6_540-bokeh.jpg
9 of 9 Lori Grunin/CNET

Lens bokeh

The lens' six-bladed iris produces disappointingly polygonal, out-of-focus highlights.

(1/200 sec, f4, spot metering, AWB, ISO 100, 92mm equivalent)

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