Olympus XZ-1 Digital Camera
The Olympus XZ-1 is a camera I have been meaning to write about for a while, and a recent column I submitted reminded me of it. It definitely belongs on your shopping list if you are looking for a well-built compact camera that can produce truly outstanding images. Introduced at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show and quickly racking up lots of awards and great reviews, it is one of the most highly acclaimed cameras of the year and one of the best compact cameras ever made.
The Olympus XZ-1 combines an optically outstanding, fast Zuiko* lens that works well in low-light, a 10-megapixel sensor, and Olympus’ typically excellent jpg image processing. It is compatible with some accessories from the PEN system, like the Macro Arm Light and external flash units. The ring around lens makes adjustments quick and easy, and not only does it shoot 720p high-def video, it even has an HDMI port for use directly with your TV.
At $550 retail and $475 street price it isn’t cheap, but it is easily worth every penny. The exquisite lens, solid body, outstanding OLED display, and cutting-edge design and controls all scream quality. Fortunately the images it creates match the expectations set by the camera itself. See more about what makes it special on the pages below.
See the XZ-1 on Olympus America’s website.
*Trivia tidbit: Zuiko means “light of the gods” in Japanese and was chosen years ago as the name to grace Olympus’ finest optics. Not all Olympus lenses bear the Zuiko name- only their best.
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