Olympus XZ-2 Comparison Review
The Olympus XZ-2 is a fixed lens compact camera that was announced in September 2012 and is equipped with a 1/1.7-inch sensor. It offers a resolution of 11.8 megapixel.
Is the Olympus XZ-2 a good camera? The XZ-2 has a Camera Elo of 1531. This rating puts the XZ-2 below average of all travel zoom compact cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (small sensor cameras), the XZ-2 also ranks below average. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 2.5-star performance rating. – Well, the Olympus XZ-2 is more than 12 years old, and there have been many other good digital cameras released since 2012.
Olympus XZ-2 |
---|
Fixed lens compact camera |
28-112mm f/1.8-2.5 |
11.8 MP, 1/1.7" Sensor |
1080/30p Video |
ISO 100 - 12 800 |
Viewfinder optional |
3.0 LCD, 920k dots |
Tilting touchscreen |
5 shutter flaps per second |
In-body stabilization |
340 shots per battery charge |
113 x 65 x 48 mm, 346 g |
Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.
Body comparison with a credit card
An illustration of the physical dimensions of the Olympus XZ-2 vis-à-vis a credit card is provided in the side-by-side display below. Three consecutive perspectives from the front, the top, and the back are presented. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.
The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Olympus XZ-2 alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.
Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Olympus XZ-2 | 113 mm | 65 mm | 48 mm | 346 g | 340 | n | Sep 2012 | US$ 599 | ebay.com | |
2. | Canon G15 | 107 mm | 76 mm | 40 mm | 352 g | 350 | n | Sep 2012 | US$ 499 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon G16 | 109 mm | 76 mm | 40 mm | 356 g | 360 | n | Aug 2013 | US$ 549 | ebay.com | |
4. | Fujifilm X10 | 117 mm | 70 mm | 57 mm | 350 g | 270 | n | Sep 2011 | US$ 599 | ebay.com | |
5. | Olympus E-P3 | 122 mm | 69 mm | 34 mm | 369 g | 330 | n | Jun 2011 | US$ 799 | ebay.com | |
6. | Olympus E-PL2 | 114 mm | 72 mm | 42 mm | 362 g | 280 | n | Jan 2011 | US$ 599 | ebay.com | |
7. | Olympus E-PL3 | 110 mm | 64 mm | 37 mm | 313 g | 300 | n | Jun 2011 | US$ 599 | ebay.com | |
8. | Olympus Stylus 1 | 116 mm | 87 mm | 57 mm | 402 g | 410 | n | Oct 2013 | US$ 699 | ebay.com | |
9. | Olympus XZ-1 | 111 mm | 65 mm | 42 mm | 275 g | 320 | n | Jan 2011 | US$ 499 | ebay.com | |
10. | Panasonic LX7 | 111 mm | 68 mm | 46 mm | 298 g | 330 | n | Jul 2012 | US$ 499 | ebay.com | |
11. | Pentax MX-1 | 122 mm | 61 mm | 51 mm | 391 g | 290 | n | Jan 2013 | US$ 499 | ebay.com | |
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | |||||||||||
The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Olympus XZ-2 was launched in the US market at a price of $599. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.
Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide
The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tent to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.
The Olympus XZ-2 features a 1/1.7-inch sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 4.4. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Olympus XZ-2 among the smaller-sensor digicams that favor affordability and compact design.
Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for most cameras. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.
Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Olympus XZ-2 | 1/1.7 | 11.8 | 3968 | 2976 | 1080/30p | 20.4 | 11.3 | 216 | 49 | |
2. | Canon G15 | 1/1.7 | 12.0 | 4000 | 3000 | 1080/24p | 19.9 | 11.5 | 165 | 46 | |
3. | Canon G16 | 1/1.7 | 12.0 | 4000 | 3000 | 1080/60p | 21.0 | 11.7 | 230 | 54 | |
4. | Fujifilm X10 | 2/3 | 12.0 | 4000 | 3000 | 1080/30p | 20.5 | 11.3 | 245 | 50 | |
5. | Olympus E-P3 | Four Thirds | 12.2 | 4032 | 3024 | 1080/60i | 20.8 | 10.1 | 536 | 51 | |
6. | Olympus E-PL2 | Four Thirds | 12.2 | 4032 | 3024 | 720/30p | 21.4 | 10.2 | 573 | 55 | |
7. | Olympus E-PL3 | Four Thirds | 12.2 | 4032 | 3024 | 1080/60i | 20.9 | 10.3 | 499 | 52 | |
8. | Olympus Stylus 1 | 1/1.7 | 11.8 | 3968 | 2976 | 1080/30p | 20.7 | 11.6 | 179 | 51 | |
9. | Olympus XZ-1 | 1/1.7 | 10.1 | 3664 | 2752 | 720/30p | 18.8 | 10.4 | 117 | 34 | |
10. | Panasonic LX7 | 1/1.7 | 10.0 | 3648 | 2736 | 1080/60p | 20.7 | 11.7 | 147 | 50 | |
11. | Pentax MX-1 | 1/1.7 | 12.0 | 4000 | 3000 | 1080/30p | 20.4 | 11.3 | 208 | 49 |
Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. The XZ-2 indeed provides movie recording capabilities. The highest resolution format that the XZ-2 can use is 1080/30p.
Feature comparison
Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. The adjacent tables list some of the other core features of the Olympus XZ-2 along with similar information for a selection of comparators.
Camera Model |
Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots) |
Control Panel (yes/no) |
LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots) |
LCD Attach- ment |
Touch Screen (yes/no) |
Max Shutter Speed * |
Max Shutter Flaps * |
Built-in Flash (yes/no) |
Built-in Image Stab |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Olympus XZ-2 | optional | n | 3.0 / 920 | tilting | Y | 1/2000s | 5.0/s | Y | Y | |
2. | Canon G15 | optical | n | 3.0 / 922 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 2.1/s | Y | Y | |
3. | Canon G16 | optical | n | 3.0 / 922 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 2.2/s | Y | Y | |
4. | Fujifilm X10 | optical | n | 2.8 / 460 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 10.0/s | Y | Y | |
5. | Olympus E-P3 | optional | n | 3.0 / 614 | fixed | Y | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | Y | Y | |
6. | Olympus E-PL2 | optional | n | 3.0 / 460 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | Y | Y | |
7. | Olympus E-PL3 | optional | n | 3.0 / 460 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 5.5/s | n | Y | |
8. | Olympus Stylus 1 | 1440 | n | 3.0 / 1040 | tilting | Y | 1/2000s | 7.0/s | Y | Y | |
9. | Olympus XZ-1 | optional | n | 3.0 / 614 | fixed | n | 1/2000s | 2.0/s | Y | Y | |
10. | Panasonic LX7 | optional | n | 3.0 / 920 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 11.0/s | Y | Y | |
11. | Pentax MX-1 | none | n | 3.0 / 920 | tilting | n | 1/8000s | 1.0/s | Y | Y | |
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one. |
The LCD screen on the Olympus XZ-2 is flexibly attached to the body. In particular, the LCD can be tilted vertically to facilitate odd-angle shots in landscape orientation. This tilting design is often preferred, for example, by street photographers to a fully articulated, swivel type of LCD attachment, as it is more unobtrusive during shooting than a screen that flips out to the side.
One convenient feature of the XZ-2 is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.
Connection comparison
For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Olympus XZ-2 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.
Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Mic / Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support |
NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Olympus XZ-2 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
2. | Canon G15 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
3. | Canon G16 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
4. | Fujifilm X10 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
5. | Olympus E-P3 | Y | stereo / - | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
6. | Olympus E-PL2 | Y | stereo / - | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
7. | Olympus E-PL3 | Y | stereo / - | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
8. | Olympus Stylus 1 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | micro | 2.0 | Y | - | - | |
9. | Olympus XZ-1 | Y | mono / - | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
10. | Panasonic LX7 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
11. | Pentax MX-1 | - | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - |
The XZ-2 has a zoom lens built in (6-24mm f/1.8-2.5), which, in full frame equivalent terms, provides a focal length range from 28 to 112mm. The camera is, hence, ready to shoot, while remaining more compact in size than an interchangeable lens camera with an optic that offers similar focal length and aperture specifications.
Further information on the features and operation of the XZ-2 can be found in the free online Olympus XZ-2 Manual or on the Olympus support site.
Expert reviews
While the specs-based evaluation of cameras is instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the handling experience and imaging performance when actually working with the XZ-2. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable. This is where reviews by experts come in. The following table reports the overall rankings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).
Camera Model |
AP score |
CL score |
DCW score |
DPR score |
EPZ score |
PB score |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price |
Street Price |
||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Olympus XZ-2 | 4/5 | + | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2012 | US$ 599 | ebay.com | |
2. | Canon G15 | 4/5 | + | .. | 76/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2012 | US$ 499 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon G16 | 4/5 | + | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Aug 2013 | US$ 549 | ebay.com | |
4. | Fujifilm X10 | .. | .. | .. | 76/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2011 | US$ 599 | ebay.com | |
5. | Olympus E-P3 | .. | 83/100 | .. | 74/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jun 2011 | US$ 799 | ebay.com | |
6. | Olympus E-PL2 | 3/5 | 83/100 | .. | 71/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jan 2011 | US$ 599 | ebay.com | |
7. | Olympus E-PL3 | 3/5 | + + | .. | 72/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Jun 2011 | US$ 599 | ebay.com | |
8. | Olympus Stylus 1 | .. | + + | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Oct 2013 | US$ 699 | ebay.com | |
9. | Olympus XZ-1 | 4/5 | .. | .. | 74/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jan 2011 | US$ 499 | ebay.com | |
10. | Panasonic LX7 | 3/5 | + + | .. | 75/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Jul 2012 | US$ 499 | ebay.com | |
11. | Pentax MX-1 | 3/5 | .. | .. | 74/100 | 4/5 | 4/5 | Jan 2013 | US$ 499 | ebay.com | |
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available. |
The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Thus, a score needs to be put into the context of the launch date and the launch price of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.
Olympus XZ-2 FAQ
Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the XZ-2.
What type of imaging sensor is used in the Olympus XZ-2?
The camera has a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor at its core.
Which image processing chip is used in the Olympus XZ-2 to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?
Olympus equipped the XZ-2 with the TruePic VI image processor.
What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Olympus XZ-2?
The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 12800.
Can the Olympus XZ-2 be equipped with an optional viewfinder?
Yes, Olympus provides the VF-2 as an accessory (here on amazon) that can be mounted on the hotshoe.
Do I need to purchase an external camera trigger to shoot time-lapse sequences with the Olympus XZ-2?
No, the Olympus XZ-2 has an intervalometer built-in, so that low frequency shooting (for example, flower blooming, sunset, moon rise) can be undertaken without the need to purchase a separate external intervalometer and related software.
Does the Olympus XZ-2 feature an autofocus assist light?
Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.
Which battery does the Olympus XZ-2 use?
The camera gets its power from the Olympus Li-90B, which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.
Camera to camera comparisons
If you would like to see a side-by-side review with another camera, just make your choice using the following search menu. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.
- Canon M vs Olympus XZ-2
- Canon SL3 vs Olympus XZ-2
- Canon XS vs Olympus XZ-2
- Contax N Digital vs Olympus XZ-2
- Nikon D300 vs Olympus XZ-2
- Nikon D3100 vs Olympus XZ-2
- Nikon D5600 vs Olympus XZ-2
- Olympus E-M10 vs Olympus XZ-2
- Olympus TG-6 vs Olympus XZ-2
- Olympus XZ-2 vs Pentax K-3 II
- Olympus XZ-2 vs Sony A6600
- Olympus XZ-2 vs Sony A7R IV
Camera Model | Olympus XZ-2 | |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Fixed lens compact camera | |
Camera Lens | 28-112mm f/1.8-2.5 | |
Launch Date | September 2012 | |
Launch Price | USD 599 | |
Sensor Specs | ||
Sensor Technology | CMOS | |
Sensor Format | 1/1.7" Sensor | |
Sensor Size | 7.6 x 5.7 mm | |
Sensor Area | 43 mm2 | |
Sensor Diagonal | 9.5 mm | |
Crop Factor | 4.4x | |
Sensor Resolution | 11.8 Megapixels | |
Image Resolution | 3 968 x 2 976 pixels | |
Pixel Pitch | 1.91 μm | |
Pixel Density | 27.26 MP/cm2 | |
Moiré control | Anti-Alias filter | |
Movie Capability | 1080/30p Video | |
ISO Setting | 100 - 12 800 ISO | |
Image Processor | TruePic VI | |
DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 49 | |
DXO Color Depth (bits) | 20.4 | |
DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 11.3 | |
DXO Low Light (ISO) | 216 | |
Screen Specs | ||
Viewfinder Type | Viewfinder optional | |
Top-Level Screen | no Top Display | |
LCD Framing | Live View | |
LCD Size | 3.0 inch | |
LCD Resolution | 920k dots | |
LCD Attachment | Tilting screen | |
V-logging Friendliness | No front-flip | |
Touch Input | Touchscreen | |
Shooting Specs | ||
Focus System | Contrast-detect AF | |
Manual Focusing Aid | no Peaking Feature | |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/2000s | |
Continuous Shooting | 5 shutter flaps/s | |
Silent Shooting | no E-Shutter | |
Time Lapse Photography | Intervalometer Built-in | |
Image Stabilization | In-body stabilization | |
Fill Flash | Built-in Flash | |
Storage Medium | SDXC cards | |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | |
UHS card support | no | |
Connectivity Specs | ||
External Flash | Hotshoe | |
USB Connector | USB 2.0 | |
HDMI Port | mini HDMI | |
Wifi Support | no Wifi | |
Body Specs | ||
Battery Type | Olympus Li-90B power pack | |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 340 shots per charge | |
Body Dimensions |
113 x 65 x 48 mm (4.4 x 2.6 x 1.9 in) |
|
Camera Weight | 346 g (12.2 oz) |
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