Olympus XZ-10

The Olympus XZ-10 is a powerful compact premium camera which offers full manual control and a very small metal body that is comfortable enough to carry in a pocket. The Olympus XZ-10 is 40% smaller than its big brother, the XZ-2, but has many of its advanced features.

The XZ-10 comes with a 12 megapixel 1/2.3″ High-Speed backside-illuminated CMOS sensor and TruePic VI image processor, to produce high resolution images with notable low-light sensitivity and quality. Also present on this camera is the built-in iZuko 5x optical zoom lens, that covers wide-angle to telephoto perspectives for working in a variety of shooting situation. This lens features a maximum aperture of f/1.8-2.7 and Dual IS image stabilization system. A Multi-Motion Movie IS, that is a dedicated image stabilization mode for use when recording videos, is also on board.

The Olympus XZ-10 also features a 3.0″ 912k-dot touchscreen LCD integrated into the design and can record Full HD 1920 x 1080p, as well as HD 720p, in the MOV format with stereo sound, via a dedicated movie button.

The XZ-10 is the first Olympus to feature “Photo Story”, a mode that creates composite images from two or three photos taken together. The Olympus XZ-10 uses a 35-point contrast detection auto focus system, with the macro-focusing performance improved compared to the XZ-2. Surprising is the inclusion of manual focus on this compact camera, that is a feature appreciated by the experienced photographers.

 

Olympus XZ-10 specifications:

• Sensor: 1/2.3″ CMOS, 12 MP
• Zoom: 5x optical zoom
• Sensitivity: ISO 100 – 6400
• Monitor: 3.0″ Touch Panel LCD, 920000 dots
• File format: still image – JPEG, RAW; movie – MOV (MPEG-4AVC/H.264)
• Storage: SD/SDXC/SDHC memory card
• Microphone: built-in, stereo
• Connectivity: USB 2.0 High Speed; HDMI Micro Connector (Type D)

 

 

Olympus XZ-10 reviews:

The Olympus XZ-10 produced images of good quality when it was tested by the experts of the photographyblog.com website. JPEGs taken at the base sensitivity of ISO 100 exhibit great colour and nice tonality, and strike a good balance between noise reduction and detail retention. This website concludes:

The Olympus XZ-10 is a competitive addition to the ever-growing numbers of “premium” compact cameras aimed at the more discerning photographer. You could certainly do a lot worse than carry an Olympus XZ-10 in your pocket…

Despite its small size, the XZ-10 is still weighty enough to give a quality feel. The grip is much less pronounced than on the Olympus XZ-2, but a rubberised texture helps to give purchase, especially when you’re shooting one-handed. You can read more about this on the techradar.com website, that concludes:

The premium compact camera market is one that is packed with some serious competition, but the Olympus XZ-10 more than holds its own against most of the competition. Images are great, and for the most part handling is also a good experience, while bonuses such as the touchscreen and art filters make it more appealing than some of its rivals.