In summary
Olympus has designed the Stylus 1 for photographers who want sophisticated controls and raw file support without the bulk associated with a DSLR or a CSC with a collection of lenses. Two features are likely to have the greatest appeal for most potential purchasers: having a viewfinder on a compact, high-end digicam and the relatively long zoom range with the compact camera body.
Many buyers are likely to be travellers looking for a camera that is easy to carry and, while the Stylus 1 isn’t shirt-pocketable, it could fit easily into a large jacket or coat pocket as well as most handbags and briefcases. Interestingly, the wide end of the zoom range is a tad narrow for shooting landscapes and cityscapes, although it’s usable and the camera includes a Panorama mode that provides a partial work-around.
The opposite end of the zoom range is ideal for capturing sports action and wildlife shots. Keen bird photographers will welcome the ability to turn off the camera’s operating sounds for near-silent operation. A few other key features have also been improved, as shown in the table below, which compares key features of both cameras.
Given the relatively small size of the camera’s sensor, the review cameras turned in a good enough performance to satisfy most potential purchasers and handled most types of lighting competently. For everyday photography, the Stylus 1 provides all of the functions most photographers will want ““ as well as a number of ‘nice to have’ shooting modes like the Super-macro and 2x digital zoom options and ‘fun’ features like the Art Filters and Photo Story modes.
It’s also small enough to slip into a jacket pocket or purse and rugged enough to withstand the rigours of travel. And the automatic lens cap will make lost lens caps a worry of the past.
Newcomers to Olympus cameras and non-techie purchasers might find the complexity of the menu system daunting, although this camera provides a capable automatic shooting mode. However, leaving the camera on auto prevents you from using many functions creatively, so we urge buyers to explore the extensive range of shooting modes it offers.
The Super Control Panel provided with most Olympus cameras will help overcome most difficulties, and you should be able to access it by pressing the OK button on the arrow pad. This displays a grid containing 17 shooting settings, which are selected by toggling with the arrow pad or (if you have small enough fingers) touching the operation you want to adjust.
Full review
The Olympus Stylus 1 is an update to the popular Stylus XZ-2 with a similar body design to the OM-D E-M5/E-M10 models. Like the XZ-2, it’s designed to provide most of the features and controls that serious photographers require, including P/A/S/M shooting modes, raw file capture, a high quality electronic viewfinder, Full HD video with stereo sound, integrated Wi-Fi and a tilting 3-inch touch-screen. Add a 10.7x optical zoom lens with a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture to make a very desirable package.
Angled view of the Olympus Stylus 1 with the lens partly extended. (Source: Olympus.)
The sensor in the Stylus 1 is slightly larger than the chip in the XZ-2 which we reviewed in November 2012, but the image processor is the same. The lens is quite different, with a much longer zoom range.
Who’s it For?
Olympus has designed the Stylus 1 for photographers who want sophisticated controls and raw file support without the bulk associated with a DSLR or a CSC with a collection of lenses. Two features are likely to have the greatest appeal for most potential purchasers: having a viewfinder on a compact, high-end digicam and the relatively long zoom range with the compact camera body.
Many buyers are likely to be travellers looking for a camera that is easy to carry and, while the Stylus 1 isn’t shirt-pocketable, it could fit easily into a large jacket or coat pocket as well as most handbags and briefcases. Interestingly, the wide end of the zoom range is a tad narrow for shooting landscapes and cityscapes, although it’s usable and the camera includes a Panorama mode that provides a partial work-around.
The opposite end of the zoom range is ideal for capturing sports action and wildlife shots. Keen bird photographers will welcome the ability to turn off the camera’s operating sounds for near-silent operation. A few other key features have also been improved, as shown in the table below, which compares key features of both cameras.
|
|
Olympus Stylus 1 |
Olympus Stylus XZ-2 |
|
Sensor |
7.6 x 5.7 mm BSI CMOS |
7.44 x 5.58 mm BSI CMOS |
|
Effective resolution |
12 megapixels |
|
|
Image processor |
TruePic VI |
|
|
Lens zoom range (35mm equiv.) |
28-300mm (10.7x optical) |
28-112mm (4x optical) |
|
Maximum aperture |
Constant f/2.8 across zoom range |
f/1.8-2.5 |
|
Stabilisation |
Lens-shift type |
Sensor shift type |
|
Viewfinder |
EVF with 1.44 million dots |
Optional VF-2 EVF |
|
Monitor |
Tilting 3-inch LCD with 1,040,000 dots |
Tilting 3-inch LCD with 920,000 dots |
|
Touch-screen control |
Yes |
|
|
ISO range |
100 to 12800 in 1/3EV steps |
125 to 25600 in 1/3EV steps |
|
Continuous shooting |
Max. 7 frames/sec. for up to 200 JPEG shots |
Max. 5 frames/sec. for up to 200 JPEG shots |
|
Wi-Fi Connectivity |
IEEE802.11b/g/n; QR code setting; remote camera controls |
No |
|
Interface terminals |
USB 2.0, Micro HDMI, RM-UC1 remote control terminal, hot shoe for external flashgun |
USB 2.0, Micro HDMI |
|
Video |
Full HD video with stereo sound |
|
|
Battery/capacity |
BLS-5 / Approx. 410 shots |
Li-90B / Approx. 340 shots |
|
Battery charging |
Charger supplied |
In-camera via USB |
|
Dimensions (wxhxd) |
116.2 x 87 x 56.5 mm |
113 x 65.4 x 48 mm |
|
Weight |
402 grams (including battery and SD card) |
346 grams with battery and SD card |
|
RRP |
AU$799 |
AU$599 |
Photographers sho enjoy shooting close-ups are also catered for with a Super-macro focusing mode hidden away in the AF/MF sub menu. It fixes the focal length of the lens at 9mm and allows you to fill the frame with a subject measuring about 6 cm wide.
Some people will think the improvements in the new camera are worth the price differential. For others, the slightly smaller size of the XZ-2 could be as much of a drawcard as the AU$200 lower price tag.
Build and Ergonomics
Despite looking like a scaled-down OM-D model, the Stylus 1 has a smaller sensor and a non-interchangeable lens. Like the OM-Ds, its moulded grip and its EVF housing are similar in shape to a DSLR’s with a hot-shoe on top to accept accessory flashguns. A generous thumb rest on the rear panel ensures comfortable and secure handling.
Front view of the Stylus 1. (Source: Olympus.)
The lens covers roughly half of the front panel and retracts fully when power is switched off. Its optical design is a cut above the standard ‘super-zoom’ lens, with a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture and coverage equivalent to 28-300mm in 35mm format. The 12 element, 10 group lens construction includes nine aspherical elements. Proprietary ZERO (Zuiko Extra-low Reflection Optical) coating was applied to the surface of the lens to suppress unwanted reflections.
Side views of the Stylus 1 with the lens retracted and extended. (Source: Olympus.)
Built-in VCM Lens Shift image stabilisation provides a couple of f-stops of compensation against camera shake. At full optical zoom, the minimum shooting distance from the end of the lens is 80 cm, at which the f/2.8 aperture facilitates tele-macro defocusing effects. The camera’s Super Macro mode allows close-up shooting down to 5 cm. The optional TCON-17X teleconverter can be used to increase the magnification of subjects by a factor of 1.7x, extending the zoom range from 300mm to 510mm (35mm equivalent).
The Stylus 1 comes with an automatic lens cap that opens when the camera is switched on and closes when it is switched off. You can leave it in place while the camera is being used without worrying about misplacing it or having it get in the way.
Two zoom controls are available: a lever on the left hand side of the lens and another around the shutter button. The first supports two zoom speeds (low and normal) and provides greater control over zoom speed while changing focal length.
The hybrid control ring around the lens sets lens aperture by default in the A and P modes. It can also be used to set shutter speed in the S and M modes and for program switching in P mode or to change magnification in playback mode and navigate menus.
This ring is also used to adjust focus in manual focus mode in a similar way to the focusing ring on interchangeable lenses. Alternatively, it can be customised to one of nine settings to suit user preferences.
The Fn button at the lower right hand edge of the lens is one of five programmable buttons on the camera. According to the user manual, it’s supposed to be unassigned by default. However, in both cameras we received it was set to toggle the 2x digital zoom on and off and can be activated at any focal length. This can create problems if you press the button inadvertently so we recommend buyers of the camera check the setting for this button before their first shooting session.
The other programmable buttons are on the rear panel and include the right and down arrows on the arrow pad and the movie record button. Any one of 25 functions can be assigned to each of these buttons.
Rear view of the Stylus 1. (Source: Olympus.)
The 3-inch LCD monitor has a resolution of 1,040,000 dots plus electrostatic touch-screen controls similar to those on the latest OM-D and PEN-series cameras (including touch focusing and touch shutter). It can also be tilted upwards 80 degrees and downwards 50 degrees.
This illustration shows the adjustable monitor on the Stylus 1. (Source: Olympus.)
The EVF is the same as the OM-D E-M5’s, with 1,440,000-dot resolution and field-of-view coverage of roughly 100% plus 1.15x magnification. It provides a comfortable viewing experience with superior frame size and brightness to most entry- and mid-level DSLR finders. Its refresh rate is also very smooth and fast. A proximity sensor automatically detects the user’s eye (or any obscuring item) and automatically switches from the LCD to the EVF.
The arrow pad is pretty standard with directional buttons accessing the AF target, exposure compensation, flash and drive settings and a central OK button. The down arrow becomes an erase control in playback mode.
Playback is accessed via a button above the arrow pad. Below the arrow pad are the Menu and Info buttons. The Function button lies at the interface between the rear and top panels, directly above the playback button.
Top view of the Stylus 1. (Source: Olympus.)
Two dial controls are located on the top panel, the mode dial to the left of the EVF/flash housing and a sub dial on its right. The sub dial can be used to set the lens aperture in the manual mode or adjust exposure compensation in other shooting modes. It’s also used for toggling through frames in playback mode.
The mode dial includes two Custom settings that let users store two different control configurations to make it easy to switch between them. For example, you could store separate configurations for outdoor portraits in sun and shade or indoor portraits with flash or halogen lighting.
Other controls on the top panel are the standard shutter release button with a surrounding zoom lever and a dedicated movie button. The power on/off button sits behind the movie button with a built-in blue indicator lamp that shines briefly when the camera is switched on.
A button for controlling the eye proximity switch is located on the right hand side of EVF housing, while the dioptre adjustment dial is on the left. Single microphone orifices sit astride the EVF housing, toward the front of the camera, where they enable stereo recordings for movie soundtracks.
The interface ports are located below a lift-up cover on the right hand side panel. They include a USB/AV multi-connector and a Type D HDMI micro socket. The battery and card share a single compartment in the base panel, with a metal-lined tripod socket beside it.
Connectivity
Built-in Wi-Fi capabilities are similar to those in the PEN-EP5 and OM-D E-M1 cameras and described in our reviews, which were posted in August and October 2013, respectively. Connecting the camera to a smart-device is made quick and easy through use of a QR code scanner in the camera, which is ‘read’ by the smart-device. The Olympus Image Share 2.0 app (a free download) must be installed on the tablet or smart-phone.
Once connections have been established, you can use the smart device’s touch screen to operate the camera in Live View mode, provided the distance to the camera is within about 15 metres and there’s nothing to interfere with the signal. Functions available for remote control include adjustments to lens aperture and shutter speed, ISO and exposure compensation as well as the normal focusing and shutter triggering.
‘Creative’ Functions
The Stylus 1 comes packed with most of the special effects settings Olympus has developed over the years. These effects are only applied to JPEGs on capture, although they can be applied to raw files when they are converted with the supplied software into editable JPEG or TIFF files.
The ART setting on the mode dial accesses 11 art filters, which are the same as those in previous Olympus cameras and include Pop Art, Soft Focus, Pale & Light Colour, Light Tone, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, Gentle Sepia, Cross Process, Dramatic Tone and Key Line. (The Watercolour filter provided in the EP5 and E-M1 isn’t included). Most of them include modifiers that subtly change the basic effect.
Users can also select from six Picture Mode settings (i-Enhance, Vivid, Natural, Muted, Portrait and Monotone), which apply different processing biases, based on contrast, saturation and colour. Subsequent adjustments to contrast, sharpness and other parameters are available. The Stylus 1 also provides B&W filter simulations for yellow, orange, red and green filters as well as sepia, blue, purple and green picture tones for B&W images.
Also on the mode dial is a Photo Story icon (represented by a square divided into a three-image layout). The Photo Story shooting mode was introduced with the Stylus Creator XZ-10 at the beginning of 2013. Designed to appeal to scrapbookers and family historians, it provides an easy way to capture and combine a series of images to create a montage.
Two themes are available: ‘Standard’, which provides a variety of patterns, effects, aspect ratios and the ability to set the number of images and ‘Fun Frames’ with three variations of the shot.
To create a Photo Story, you simply select the template you wish to use and compose the first shot. A tap on the touch-screen captures the shot and places it into the selected frame. The process is repeated until all frames are filled. The end result is saved as a single file.
On a more practical front, there’s also a built-in neutral density (ND) filter that reduces the light reaching the sensor by three f-stops. It’s handy when you want slow shutter speeds to blur moving subjects (like flowing water) or enable wide apertures to be used for depth of field control.
Interestingly, in-camera HDR capture (which is provided in the E-M1) isn’t available. But the scene pre-sets include a Panorama mode. Bracketing is available for exposure, white balance, flash levels, ISO and Art Filters. An interval timer is also provided for time-lapse shooting.
The Stylus 1 also includes the standard Olympus digital tele-converter function, which magnifies the centre of the frame 2x. This enables users to capture images at the equivalent of 600mm focal length with a wide f/2.8 maximum aperture.
A Zoom Framing Assist function helps users to recapture subjects lost during telephoto shooting, by halving the zoom factor with the push of a single button to reveal more of the frame. A Time exposure setting is also included, supporting exposures of up to 15 minutes.
Sensor and Image Processing
The imager chip in the Stylus 1 is marginally larger than the sensor in the XZ-2 (INSERT LINK) which, when we reviewed it in November 2012, was the previous flagship in the company’s fixed-lens digicam line-up. It has the same 12-megapixel effective resolution as the XZ-2 and also uses BSI (back-side illuminated) CMOS technology.
The processor is unchanged from the XZ-2; it’s the same TruePic VI chip as in the OM-D E-M5. Sensitivity settings are the same as in the XZ-2, ranging between ISO 100 and ISO 12800 and they’re adjustable in 1/3EV increments.
Like the XZ-2, the Stylus 1 supports both JPEG and 12-bit ORF.RAW file capture and offers four aspect ratio settings. Raw files are always recorded with maximum resolution at the 4:3 aspect ratio, which is native to the sensor. Approximate image sizes for images recorded with the sensor’s 4:3 aspect ratio are shown in the table below.
|
Image Size |
Pixels |
File size (approx.) |
|||
|
SF |
F |
N |
B |
||
|
|
4000 x 2992 |
18.5MB |
|||
|
Large |
3968 x 2976 |
8.8MB |
6.1MB |
3.3MB |
2.3MB |
|
Medium |
3200 x 2400 |
5.9MB |
4.2MB |
2.3MB |
1.7MB |
|
2560 x 1920 |
4.0MB |
2.8MB |
1.7MB |
1.3MB |
|
|
1920x 1440 |
2.0MB |
1.4MB |
0.7MB |
0.4MB |
|
|
1600 x1200 |
1.4MB |
1.0MB |
0.5MB |
0.3MB |
|
|
Small |
1280 x 960 |
0.9MB |
0.6MB |
0.3MB |
0.3MB |
|
1024 x 768 |
0.6MB |
0.4MB |
0.2MB |
0.2MB |
|
|
640 x 480 |
0.3MB |
0.2MB |
0.1MB |
0.1MB |
|
The other aspect ratio settings are 3:2, 16:9 and 1:1. Each is achieved by cropping either the top and bottom or the sides of the frame.
The combination of the 1/1.7-inch type (7.6 x 5.7 mm) sensor and fast f/2.8 lens provides considerable potential for attractive bokeh, particularly at longer focal lengths. The sensor is just large enough to isolate subjects at wide aperture settings and just small enough to record a reasonable depth of field to produce an impression of all-over sharpness.
Video
Like the PEN E-P5 the Stylus 1 uses the MPEG-4AVC/H.264 recording format for its movie mode. Although it supports both Full HD 1080p and HD 720p recording, the frame rate is restricted to 30 frames/second. However, there are also two high-speed movie modes that record at 120 fps and 240 fps at reduced resolutions. The table below shows the four settings available.
|
Recording mode |
Pixels |
Frame rate |
Max. clip length |
|
Full HD |
1920 x 1080 |
30 fps |
29 minutes |
|
HD |
1280 x 720 |
||
|
HS 120 |
640 x 480 |
120 fps |
20 seconds |
|
HS 240 |
320 x 240 |
240 fps |
The high-speed settings are only available in the P, A, S and M shooting modes. Soundtracks are recorded in stereo by the built-in microphones and the menu contains settings for wind noise suppression and adjusting the recording volume. There’s no way to attach an accessory microphone but you can add up to 30 seconds of audio to still pictures using the built-in mics.
Playback and Software
All the standard playback settings are provided, including single playback with or without shooting data, thumbnail plus detailed data and RGB histograms and multi-image thumbnails. The updated Olympus Viewer 3 application (Windows and Mac) is the standard software for copying images and movies to a computer and converting ORF.RAW files into editable formats. Its capabilities are limited but most third party raw converters are compatible with the new camera.
Performance
Equipping a small-sensor digicam with a very long range zoom lens is a difficult challenge for a camera manufacturer but one most of them are rising to with varying degrees of success in the current marketplace. Olympus has introduced further complications by providing the lens on the Stylus 1 with a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture ““ all the way from the shortest focal length of 6.0mm to the 64.2mm end of the optical zoom range.
This has quantifiable benefits for users. Not only does it extend their reach; it also also allows them to create a shallower depth of field and isolate the subjects from the background. But something is always sacrificed on the altar of these gains; in the case of the Stylus 1 it appears to be resolution.
Superficial comparisons of images from the Stylus 1 and XZ-2 showed them to be quite similar in colour rendition and the clarity of details, particularly at low sensitivity settings. Both contrast and saturation were slightly lower in our Stylus 1 test shots than in similar shots from the XZ-2.
However, technical testing showed up the problems associated with lenses that have very long zoom ranges when we processed the results from the two Stylus 1 cameras we tested. Both failed to reach expectations for its resolution, although the second test camera came quite close ““ and almost got there with raw files.
We obtained our best results a couple of stops down from maximum aperture and at middle-range focal lengths. Edge softening was noticeable at the widest aperture settings, but less so with longer focal lengths than at the 6mm setting. The graph below shows the results of our Imatest tests across the focal length range we could evaluate.
Lateral chromatic aberration was similar to the XZ-2 and skirted around the border between negligible and low CA, which is acceptable for a lens of this type. In the graph of our Imatest result, below, the red line separates negligible and low CA, while the green line marks the border between Low and moderate CA.
The relationship between resolution and sensitivity setting was clearly demonstrated in our Imatest tests, which showed a gradual decline accelerating from ISO 800 on, as shown in the graph of our Imatest results, below. Image noise could be clearly seen in long exposures at ISO 3200 and higher, while flash exposures at ISO 6400 remained acceptably sharp. Interestingly JPEG files were good enough to print at snapshot size at ISO 6400 with an exposure of 3.2 seconds, indicating the effectiveness of the TruePic VI processor.
The flash wasn’t powerful enough to illuminate subjects effectively at longer focal lengths and our test shots at 51mm were under-exposed by a couple of stops at ISO 100 and only received adequate light by ISO 800. Flash shots taken at ISO 12800 were slightly over-exposed and also visibly softened.
Backlit subjects were generally handled well and we found little evidence of flare. Close-ups could also be effectively recorded, although if you want to get really close to small subjects you must select the macro mode in the AF/MF section on the custom settings menu. The zoom control is disabled in this setting but bokeh at wide apertures can be attractive for the sensor size.
For larger subjects, the zoom lens can enable close shooting at longer focal length settings. However, you can’t obtain similar shallow depths of field to a DSLR with the Stylus 1’s 7.6 x 5.7 mm sensor, although you can achieve some degree of background de-focusing at f/2.8 with the longest focal lengths.
In the auto white balance mode, the review camera failed to totally remove the colour casts of incandescent lighting but came very close for fluorescent lights. The pre-sets over-corrected slightly but manual measurement delivered natural colours under both types of lighting and the camera’s menu system provides plenty of scope to adjust colours as you shoot.
Video quality was better than the XZ-2’s and blown-out highlights were more common in contrasty subjects with movies than still shots. Contrast and saturation were also slightly higher in movie clips than in still shots. Autofocusing was relatively fast in movie mode and the camera handled transitions between near and distant subjects, moving objects and panning well when the long zoom range is taken into account.
Audio quality was acceptable, but not brilliant, largely because the stereo microphones are too small to provide good separation of the sound channels. You can’t adjust the audio levels for movie recordings, although volume levels are adjustable during playback. The in-camera wind filter could suppress wind noise in outdoor recordings but not eliminate it totally.
Our timing tests were conducted with a Panasonic 8GB SDHC U1 Class 10 card. The review camera powered-up in just over a second but took almost two seconds to shut down because of the time needed to collapse the automatic lens cap. Average capture lag was0.15 seconds, which was eliminated by pre-focusing.
Shot-to-shot times averaged 0.6 seconds without flash and 1.3 seconds with. It took 1.9 seconds to process each Large/Fine JPEG file, 2.3 seconds for each ORF.RAW file and 2.6 seconds for each RAW+JPEG pair.
Unlike the XZ-2, the Stylus 1 only provides one continuous shooting mode. The review camera slightly exceeded the specified frame rate of seven frames/second, recording nine frames in 1.0 seconds. Processing times ranged from 6.6 seconds for a burst of 10 JPEGs to 9.9 seconds for 10 RAW+JPEG pairs.
Conclusion
Given the relatively small size of the camera’s sensor, the review cameras turned in a good enough performance to satisfy most potential purchasers and handled most types of lighting competently. For everyday photography, the Stylus 1 provides all of the functions most photographers will want ““ as well as a number of ‘nice to have’ shooting modes like the Super-macro and 2x digital zoom options and ‘fun’ features like the Art Filters and Photo Story modes.
It’s also small enough to slip into a jacket pocket or purse and rugged enough to withstand the rigours of travel. And the automatic lens cap will make lost lens caps a worry of the past.
Newcomers to Olympus cameras and non-techie purchasers might find the complexity of the menu system daunting, although this camera provides a capable automatic shooting mode. However, leaving the camera on auto prevents you from using many functions creatively, so we urge buyers to explore the extensive range of shooting modes it offers.
The Super Control Panel provided with most Olympus cameras will help overcome most difficulties, and you should be able to access it by pressing the OK button on the arrow pad. This displays a grid containing 17 shooting settings, which are selected by toggling with the arrow pad or (if you have small enough fingers) touching the operation you want to adjust.
SPECS
Image sensor: 7.6 x 5.7 mm BSI CMOS sensor with 13 million photosites (12 megapixels effective)
Image processor: TruePic V1
Lens: i.Zuiko6.0-64.2mm f/2.8 (28-300mm in 35 mm format)
Zoom ratio: 10.7x optical, up to 2x digital
Image formats: Stills – JPEG (DCF / Exif 2.3), raw (12-bit lossless), RAW+JPEG; Movies – MPEG-4/H.264
Image Sizes: Stills – ORF.RAW: 4000 x 2992; JPEG 4:3 – 3968 x 2976, 3200 x 2400, 2560 x 1920, 1920x 1440, 1600 x1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480; 3:2 – Movies – 1920 x 1080 at 30 fps, 1280 x 720 at 30 fps, 640 x 480 at 12- fps, 320 x 240 at 240 fps
Shutter speed range: 1/2000 to 60 seconds plus Bulb (max. 30 minutes)
Self-timer: 2 or 12 seconds delay
Image Stabilisation: Lens-shift type
Exposure Compensation: +/- 3EV in 1/3EV steps
Focus system/range: 35-area Imager AF (contrast-based) with S-AF, C-AF, Tracking AF and Manual modes; range: 10 cm to infinity; macro 5 cm to 10 cm
Exposure metering/control: Digital ESP metering with Centre weighted average and Spot metering; highlight / shadow bias spot metering are available
Shooting modes: iAuto, Program AE, Aperture priority AE, Shutter priority AE, Manual, Custom (x2), Photo Story, Scene select AE (Portrait, e-Portrait, Landscape, Sport, Night, Night + Portrait, Sunset, Documents, Panorama, Fireworks, Beach & Snow, Multiple exposure), Art Filter
ISO range: Auto, ISO 100-12800 in 1/3EV steps
White balance: Auto plus 6 pre-sets: Sunny, Shadow, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash. Two Custom measurement settings provided. Kelvin (3000K – 7500K); WB bracketing 3 frames in 2, 4, 6 steps selectable in each A-B/G-M axis
Flash modes/range (ISO auto): Auto, red-eye reduction. fill-in, off, red-eye reduction slow sync, slow sync; up to +/- 3EV adjustment in 1/3EV steps; external flash control (TTL Auto, Auto, Manual); range: 0.1 to 10.3 metres
Sequence shooting: Max. 7 frames/second for up to 70 JPEG shots or 25 ORF.RAW frames
Storage Media: Single slot forSD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards; UHS-1 and Eye-Fi compatible
Viewfinder: Eye-level EVF with 1.44 million dots; +/- 7 levels each brightness and colour temperature adjustment
LCD monitor: 3-inch tilting monitor with 1,040,000 dots and electrostatic touch-screen control, +/- 7 levels each brightness and colour temperature adjustment, Vivid/Natural colour settings
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi (IEEE802.11b/g/n, QR code setting; remote shooting controls: Live View, Power off, Rec View, Self timer, Touch AF & Shutter, P/A/S/M exposure modes, Bulb mode, Zoom
Power supply: BLS-5 lithium-ion battery pack; ; CIPA rated for 410 shots/charge
Dimensions (wxhxd): 116.2 x 87 x 56.5 mm (with Automatic lens cap attached, without protrusions)
Weight: 402 grams (including battery and SD card)
TESTS
Based on JPEG files:
Based on ORF.RAW files converted with Adobe Camera Raw 8.3.
SAMPLES
Auto white balance with incandescent lighting.
Auto white balance with fluorescent lighting.
6mm focal length, ISO 100, 1/640 second at f/3.5.
64mm focal length, ISO 100, 1/500 second at f/2.8.
2x digital zoom, 64mm focal length, ISO 100, 1/500 second at f/2.8.
Close-up in normal shooting mode at 6mm focal length; ISO 100, 1/400 second at f/3.5.
Close-up in normal shooting mode at 64mm focal length; ISO 100, 1/500 second at f/2.8.
Close-up in macro focus mode with ND filter; 9mm focal length, ISO 100, 1/800 second at f/2.8.
30-second exposure at ISO 100, 9mm focal length, f/4.5.
10-second exposure at ISO 800, 9mm focal length, f/5.
6-second exposure at ISO 3200, 9mm focal length, f/6.3
3.2-second exposure at ISO 6400, 9mm focal length, f/8.
2-second exposure at ISO 12800, 9mm focal length, f/8.
Flash exposure at ISO 100, 51mm focal length, 1/125 second at f/2.8.
Flash exposure at ISO 800, 51mm focal length, 1/125 second at f/2.8.
Flash exposure at ISO 2300, 51mm focal length, 1/125 second at f/2.8.
Flash exposure at ISO 6400, 51mm focal length, 1/160 second at f/2.8.
Flash exposure at ISO 12800, 51mm focal length, 1/500 second at f/2.8.
16:9 aspect ratio; 64mm focal length, ISO 100, 1/1000 second at f/4.5.
64mm focal length, ISO 100, 1/1000 second at f/4.
Portrait; 64mm focal length, ISO 1250, 1/80 second at f/2.8.
64mm focal length, ISO 200, 1/400 second at f/2.8.
16mm focal length, ISO 1600, 1/20 second at f/2.8.
Stabilisation test; 6mm focal length, ISO 3200, 1/5 second at f/3.5.
Still frame from Full HD 1080p video clip recorded at 30 fps.
Still frame from HD 720p video clip recorded at 30 fps.
Still frame from HS120 (640 x 480 pixels) video clip recorded at 120 fps.
Still frame from HS240 (320 x 240 pixels) video clip recorded at 240 fps.
Rating
RRP: AU$799; US$700
- Build: 9.0
- Ease of use: 8.5
- Autofocusing: 8.8
- Image quality JPEG: 8.3
- Image quality RAW: 8.0
- Video quality: 8.3
