A day before the CP+ Show opens in Japan, Olympus has released details of the Stylus XZ-10, a compact camera in its premium Creator series with raw file capabilities.
Angled front views of the Stylus XZ-10 in its three colour options: black, white and brown. (Source: Olympus.)
Front, back and top views of the Stylus XZ-10. (Source: Olympus.)
Equipped with a metal body and 12 Megapixel BSI-CMOS sensorplus a fast f/1.8-2.7 5x optical zoom lens,the XZ-10 introduces some new features to please family photographers, including a new Photo Story direct-montaging function that enables users to compile a collection of related pictures that tells a story of a special occasion or event as a single frame. This mode displays montage templates on the LCD screen with picture ‘frames’ that users can shoot directly into by tapping on the frame containing the composed picture. the image is saved when all frames are filled.
The template options provided for the Photo Story mode. (Source: Olympus.)
The XZ-10’s f/1.8-2.7 zoom lens covers a focal length range equivalent to 26-130mm in 35mm format and provides superior brightness throughout the zoom range. The wide apertures enable users to produce sharply focused subjects while keeping distracting backgrounds blurred. Using high-performance optics developed for Olympus interchangeable-lens cameras, the Stylus XZ-10’s i.Zuiko zoom lens includes high-refractive, high-dispersion and aspherical elements plus proprietary multi-coating (ZERO coating) to ensure high image quality. Close focusing to 30 cm in available throughout the zoom range.
The optical diagram for the XZ-10’s lens, showing the positions of theHR (High Refractive), HD (High Refraction Index & Dispersion), DSA (Dual Super Aspherical), EDA (Extra-low Dispersion Aspherical) and ZERO coatings. (Source: Olympus.)
Raw file capture is supported, along with RAW+JPEG and the camera offers wide range of shooting modes, including iAUTO, Scene Mode, Program AE, Aperture Priority, Shutter Speed Priority and Manual exposure plus11 Art Filters for photos and movies. Multiple-exposure modes include HDR backlight (high dynamic range backlight shooting for balanced exposure) and Handheld Starlight shooting (stacked noise reduction shooting). High and Shadow Tone Control are also supported, along with continuous shooting at up to 5 fps at 12MP or 60 fps at 3MP. Proprietary high-speed and high-sensitivity (iHS) technology makes use of the latest image sensor and image processor technology to provide fast autofocusing, high frame rate video for slow-motion playback and improved noise performance.
The Stylus XZ-10’s High Speed Videofeature enables super-slow motion film clips to be recorded in superb HD quality. Movies can be recorded with frame rates up to 120 frames/second (4 times faster than the normal video frame rate) at 720p for dramatic slow-motion playback or 240 fps at HVGA resolution for playback at 8ø— slow-motion. Normal movie footage is recorded in Full HD 1080p quality with stereo sound. Effective Multi-Motion Stabilisation minimises camera shake for smooth and stable video recording. A customisable front Control Ring enables easy adjustment of lens aperture and/or shutter speed in the A, S or M shooting modes, while a customisable rear function button adds further control options.
The customisable front Control Ring. (Source: Olympus.)
FlashAir card support enables the direct and wireless transfer of photographs to social mediasites through smart-phones and tablets, via the Olympus OI.Share app (available free for both iOS and Android).
SPECIFICATIONS:
Image sensor: 6.17 x 4.55 mm sensor with 12.76 million photosites (12 megapixels effective)
Lens: 4.7 to 23.5mm f/1.8-2.7 zoom lens (26mm to 130mm in 35 mm format)
Zoom ratio: 5x optical, up to 2 x digital
Image formats: Stills – JPEG (DCF / Exif 2.3) ORF.RAW (12-bit lossless compression), RAW+JPEG; Movies – MOV with WAV stereo sound
Image Sizes: Stills – RAW: 3968 x 2976; JPEG: 3968 x 2976 to 640 x 480; Movies – 1920 x 1080, 1280 x 720
Shutter speed range: 1/2000 to 30 seconds
Self-timer: 2 or 12 seconds delay
Image Stabilisation: Imager-shift type
Exposure Compensation: +/-3 EV in 1/3 EV steps
Focus system/range: 35-area multiple AF Imager AF with single AF mode; All target, Single target, Face priority AF supported; range: 10 cm to infinity; macro to 1 cm
Exposure metering/control: Digital ESP metering, Centre weighted average Spot metering modes
Shooting modes: i Auto, Programme AE, Aperture priority AE, Shutter priority AE, Manual, Photo Story, Scene select (Portrait, e-Portrait, Landscape, Sport, Hand-HeldStarlight, Night, Night + Portrait, Sunset, Documents, Panorama, Fireworks, Multiplex exposure, Beach & Snow, HDR), Art Filter
ISO range: Auto: ISO 100 – 6400 (customizable, Default 100-1600), Manual ISO 100 – 6400 in 1/3 EV steps
White balance: Auto WB, Sunny(5300K), Shadow(7500K), Cloudy(6000K), Incandescent(3000K), Fluorescent(4000K), Underwater, WB Flash(5500K), 2 Capture WBs, Custom WB (Kelvin setting)
Flash modes: Auto, Red-eye reduction, Fill-in, Off, Red-eye reduction slow sync., Slow sync, Full,1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32, 1/64
Sequence shooting: Max. 5 frames/second for up to 200 shots or 15 fps in high-speed mode
Storage Media: SD, SDHC, SDXC cards
LCD monitor: 3-inch touch-screen with 420,000 dots
Power supply: Li-50B Li-ion battery (included)
Dimensions (wxhxd): 102.4 x 61.1 x 34.3mm [CIPA guideline compliant, excluding protrusions]
Weight: 221 grams (with battery and memory card)
