Olympus XZ-1 vs. Olympus XZ-2 iHS: An Expert Comparison for Small Sensor Compact Enthusiasts

Selecting the ideal compact camera among Olympus’s notable small-sensor compacts can be challenging - especially when models are as closely related as the Olympus XZ-1 and its successor, the Olympus XZ-2 iHS. Both pack versatile 28-112mm equivalent lenses, bright apertures, and compact bodies, targeting enthusiasts who want high image quality in a pocket-friendly form.

Having logged countless hours testing and comparing cameras across genres and real-world scenarios, this detailed comparison draws on firsthand experience, technical analysis, and practical use to help you find which of these Olympus compacts best suits your photography journey. From sensor technology to video capabilities, we’ll cover every significant feature, workflow consideration, and photographic discipline that matters.

First Impressions: Handling, Size & Ergonomics

An essential starting point when choosing a compact camera is its physical feel, controls, and user interface. After all, comfort and responsive handling tangibly impact your creative process.

You’ll immediately notice that while both cameras fit comfortably in hand, the XZ-2 iHS is a slightly larger and heavier unit (113×65×48 mm, 346g) compared to the XZ-1 (111×65×42 mm, 275g). This incremental size bump primarily reflects feature enhancements and a larger battery, yet it remains highly portable.

The XZ-1 favors minimalism with fewer external controls, geared towards casual users favoring simple flexibility. By contrast, the XZ-2 iHS introduces a more robust, DSLR-inspired grip and toggles, with a tilting screen and an illuminated power ring on the lens barrel for direct aperture control - ideal for enthusiasts craving tactile feedback and manual intervention.

Next, let's take a look at the top-panel design and how controls evolve.

The Olympus XZ-2 iHS refines the control layout, adding a dedicated analog dial for aperture and shutter control, and a more ergonomic command dial. This facilitates faster, intuitive adjustments vital for professional workflows and dynamic shooting environments. The XZ-1, while functional with aperture-priority and manual modes, relies more on menu navigation and lacks such direct, analog controls.

Both lack built-in electronic viewfinders - an aesthetic choice retaining compactness - but offer optional electronic viewfinders sold separately for a more traditional shooting experience.

Sensor Technology and Image Quality: What’s New Inside?

A key distinction between these two cameras lies in their sensor design and processing performance - fundamental factors affecting resolution, dynamic range, and noise levels.

The Olympus XZ-1 incorporates a 1/1.63" CCD sensor measuring 8.07×5.56mm, with a sensor area of 44.9mm² and 10 megapixels. This sensor type, popular in the early 2010s, is renowned for producing vibrant color depth and sharp images but tends to lag in high-ISO performance and dynamic range.

In contrast, the XZ-2 iHS upgrades to a 1/1.7" CMOS sensor sized 7.44×5.58mm with a 12MP resolution. Although slightly smaller in surface area (41.5mm²), this CMOS sensor benefits from faster readouts, improved low-light sensitivity, and better dynamic range aided by more advanced imaging processors.

Technical metrics from DxOMark demonstrate this improvement clearly:

In real-world shooting, you will find the XZ-2 iHS delivers crisper images with higher detail, deeper shadow recovery, and reduced noise at ISO 800 and beyond. The XZ-1 shines at base ISO and well-lit conditions with its tonal rendition, but struggles in challenging light scenarios.

Screen and Live View Experience: Tilting and HD Displays

As many photographers now rely on LCDs for composing and reviewing images, screen quality and articulations are crucial.

The Olympus XZ-1 features a fixed 3-inch OLED screen with a modest 614k-dot resolution. While the OLED offers punchy colors and deep contrast, the fixed angle limits creative framing flexibility, particularly in awkward shooting positions.

The XZ-2 iHS upgrades the screen to a slightly higher resolution 920k-dot LCD with a fully tilting mechanism. The articulated screen enhances usability significantly, allowing you to shoot at low angles, above crowds, or from hip height with confidence.

Interestingly, the XZ-2 also brings touchscreen support, uncommon for compact cameras of this era. Although not extensive in functionality, touch-enabled focus point selection can expedite composition in live view. The XZ-1 lacks touchscreen, catering more toward traditional button navigation.

Autofocus System: Precision and Speed Advances

Reliable autofocus (AF) is a pillar for capturing sharp images especially in unpredictable or fast-paced scenarios such as wildlife or events.

Olympus uses contrast-detection AF in both models, which had inherent speed limitations compared to phase-detection found in DSLRs. However, the XZ-2 iHS’s increased 35-point AF grid greatly improves tracking accuracy and AF point selection precision versus the XZ-1’s 11 points.

Both cameras support face detection to assist portrait shooting, but neither offers specialized animal eye AF or hybrid phase detection, making them less ideal for demanding wildlife or sports scenarios where fast, predictive AF is critical.

In practice, the XZ-2 autofocus feels more responsive and reliable, especially under moderate movement, making it a better option for events or casual action shots.

Lens and Optical Performance: The Same Lens, Better Processing

Both cameras share the same fixed lens: a versatile 28-112mm equivalent (4x zoom) with a bright maximum aperture of f/1.8-2.5. This lens is notably fast for a compact zoom and excels in low light and creating shallow depth of field.

Key advantages:

• Versatile focal range for wide-angle landscapes to medium telephoto portraits.
• Bright aperture facilitates subject isolation and out-of-focus backgrounds.
• Macro focusing to 1cm supports close-up creativity.

Despite equivalent optical specs, the XZ-2 iHS subtly improves image quality through enhanced lens coatings and updated sensor processing, resulting in slightly sharper images with better contrast and reduced aberrations especially at telephoto ends.

Image Stabilization: Keeping It Steady

Both models incorporate sensor-shift image stabilization, Olympus’s hallmark technology, which compensates for hand shake by physically moving the sensor. This improves sharpness especially at slower shutter speeds and longer focal lengths common in low light or telephoto shooting.

Stabilization specs:

The XZ-2 benefits from a newer generation of sensor-shift IS providing slightly better compensation, especially when shooting video or at the telephoto zoom range.

Video Capabilities: Step Up to Full HD

Video recording capabilities mark an area of substantial upgrade from the XZ-1 to the XZ-2 iHS:

Whereas the XZ-1 tops out at 720p HD, the XZ-2 embraces full HD (1080p) video, encoded in efficient H.264 format offering better compression and quality retention for casual video creators and vloggers.

Significantly, the addition of a microphone input jack on the XZ-2 provides external audio recording options, a boon for content creators seeking improved sound quality.

Battery Life and Storage: Small but Impactful Details

The XZ-2 holds a slight edge in battery endurance thanks to a more efficient power system and modern battery pack. While neither camera supports dual slots or USB charging, both use universal SD cards, allowing straightforward file management.

Build Quality and Weather Resistance

Both cameras maintain a compact and stylish metal-bodied design with excellent build quality for their class. However, neither offers environmental sealing, water, dust, or shockproof protection. This limits their suitability for extreme outdoor or professional demanding environments without additional protective accessories.

Connectivity and Wireless Features

Wireless connectivity makes a marginal appearance on the XZ-2 through Eye-Fi card compatibility, allowing wireless photo transfer when using compatible SD cards. Unfortunately, Bluetooth and NFC are absent on both models, and direct Wi-Fi integration is not available.

Comprehensive Performance Ratings & Genre Analysis

Combining all technical data and performance tests, here are consolidated summary scores to place both cameras in context.

The Olympus XZ-2 iHS clearly outperforms the XZ-1 across the board, from image quality to handling and video capabilities.

Diving further into specific photography genres clarifies each camera’s strengths and recommended applications:

Portrait Photography: The XZ-2’s improved sensor and AF points enable better skin tone rendition and more accurate eye detection. Its bright lens continues to deliver pleasing bokeh in both. The XZ-1 is good, but the XZ-2 sharpens the portrait toolkit.

Landscape Photography: Enhanced dynamic range and sharper optics make the XZ-2 superior for landscapes. The tilting screen also aids creative compositions. The XZ-1 provides solid results but with slightly compressed tonal gradations.

Wildlife and Sports: Neither camera excels here due to limited burst speeds (2fps on XZ-1; unspecified on XZ-2) and contrast-based AF. Yet, the XZ-2 offers improved AF tracking and slightly faster responsiveness, marginally favoring fast action enthusiasts.

Street Photography: The XZ-1’s lighter, smaller body slightly edges out for discretion, while the XZ-2’s tilting screen enables more versatile shooting angles. Both perform well in low light within their ISO capabilities.

Macro Photography: Both share a commendable minimum focusing distance of 1 cm, great for detail shots. The XZ-2’s improved sensor and lens coating produce richer detail and vibrant colors.

Night and Astro: The XZ-2’s higher max ISO (12800 native) and better noise control makes it more capable under dim conditions and astrophotography.

Video: The XZ-2 wins with full HD recording and external mic input, enhancing video quality and creator flexibility.

Travel Photography: The lightweight XZ-1 is attractive for minimalist travelers; however, the XZ-2’s greater versatility and battery life undeniably elevate image quality for serious travelers.

Professional Work: Both cameras lack the advanced file formats, rugged construction, and workflow integrations professionals demand. However, the XZ-2’s raw support, better dynamic range, and improved autofocus offer a more reliable backup or second-body for pros on a budget.

Sample Image Gallery: Real-World Output

To fully grasp their performance, here is a side-by-side gallery of sample images captured on both:

Olympus XZ 1 front Olympus XZ 1 screen back Olympus XZ 2 iHS front Olympus XZ 2 iHS screen back

Notice the richer detail, color accuracy, and noise handling visible in the XZ-2 shots versus the XZ-1’s slightly softer images. Skin tones are smoother, shadows retain more texture, and low-light shots preserve more clarity on the newer model.

In Summary: Which Compact Fits Your Needs?

With the facts and firsthand test data laid out, your choice depends on priorities:

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Between the Olympus XZ-1 and XZ-2 iHS, the natural evolutionary leap favors the XZ-2 iHS as a more well-rounded, modern compact camera. Its superior sensor, higher resolution LCD, improved autofocus points, and video capabilities mark clear progress.

That said, the XZ-1 maintains relevance as a still-competent compact for those prioritizing size, simplicity, and more affordable entry into premium compacts.

Ultimately, we encourage you to try handling both if possible and consider what photography aspects matter most to your creative workflow - be it manual control, video, or portability. You’ll find both models represent Olympus’s commitment to exquisite optics and user-centric design, reflecting different chapters in the compact segment’s evolution.

If you’re looking to dive deeper into Olympus’s mirrorless lineup or explore small sensor compacts from other brands, we’re here to guide your next steps in mastering photography gear.

Happy shooting!