![]() ![]() More on the XZ-2’s articulated screen later. This is a good thing, although it does make the XZ-2 significantly chunkier than its predecessor. The most obvious difference between the builds of the XZ-2 and XZ-1 is that the rear screen on the new camera has a tilting mechanism. The video-record button has been repositioned, and it now sits on a ridge between the rear and top of the camera, at a 45° angle, which is a better position. On the rear of the camera the button layout remains largely the same, except for the addition of a second function button, which I assigned to the camera’s metering mode. There is no such concern with the XZ-2.Īlso on the top-plate is a standard flash hotshoe, which, when combined with the camera’s accessory port, will allow the XZ-2 to use the Olympus VF-2 EVF. The mode dial is also firmer than the same dial on the XZ’s previous incarnation, which could sometimes change modes if it were knocked while being carried around the neck or if loose in a bag. The shutter button, power button, zoom rocker switch and mode dial have all been made larger, and they now protrude further out from the top of the camera. The camera’s top-plate has the same selection of buttons as on the XZ-1, but with a few slight changes. This can be set to a variety of functions. On top of this, there is a function button set into the centre of the lever switch. The inclusion of this lever is a nice touch, and it will no doubt be used to provide quick access to the camera’s manual lens focusing feature rather than the zoom control. Flick the switch in the other direction and the lens ring controls either the zoom control or manual focusing of the lens, with the lens having a smooth motion rather than clicking. The ring will click when it is rotated, so you know exactly how many steps of adjustment have been added. Flick it in one direction and the barrel controls the shutter speed, aperture size or EV compensation. The lever switch next to the lens is an interesting new feature, as it actually controls the function of the ring around the lens barrel. Removing the grip goes some way towards restoring the look of the previous model, but as slight as the grip is, it makes a difference when holding the camera. In fact, the new appearance is only really due to the addition of a two new features: a lever/button next to the lens, and a screw-on handgrip. ![]() Build and handlingĪt first glance, the XZ-2 looks to be a vastly different camera from its predecessor, with a more workmanlike appearance than the slick style of the original XZ-1. Most of the other major new features of the XZ-2 are to do with the camera’s build and handling, and the LCD screen, so more on these later. Sadly, the XZ-2 suffers identically, and JPEG files aren’t corrected for this in-camera. ![]() On the XZ-1, this lens has proven to be very sharp, although it does suffer from curvilinear distortion. One feature that has remained the same is the 6-24mm (28-112mm equivalent) f/1.8-2.5mm lens. When combined, the new sensor and processor provide a sensitivity range of ISO 100-12,800, which is 1EV greater than the ISO 100-6400 range of the XZ-1. This newer processor should help to reduce image noise, while speeding up the camera’s functions. Powering the XZ-2 is a version of the TruePic VI processing system found in Olympus’s OM-D E-M5. ![]() The sensors in most other high-end compacts all seem somewhat underwhelming compared to the size and resolution of the RX100. However, like all other high-end compact cameras, the XZ-2 will face stiff competition from the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 and its large, 1in-type, 20.2-million-pixel sensor. Given the size of the sensor, this is a wise decision from Olympus, and one that bodes well when we look at image quality more closely later. The 12.76-million-pixel, 1/1.7in (7.6×5.7mm) back-illuminated CMOS sensor should offer improvements in image quality, rather than big increases in detail resolution. Thankfully, Olympus has been sensible with the improved resolution of the new XZ-2, increasing it by around 1.5 million pixels. Image: Noise reduction is very obvious in this ISO 400 image With this in mind, the XZ-2 has undergone a redesign and received a range of new features that should, once again, see Olympus challenge the likes of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 and the Canon PowerShot G15 for the compact crown. Announced in September at the photokina trade show, the new Olympus Stylus XZ-2 will have to strike the right chord to exceed the popularity of its predecessor. ![]()
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