Olympus Stylus 1 Image Quality

We don't generally post side-by-side crop comparison tables for fixed lens cameras except in special cases, and the Stylus 1 is certainly one of those. Below are crops comparing the Olympus Stylus 1's test images against those taken with the Olympus E-PL5, Panasonic FZ200 and Sony RX10.

The E-PL5 is a Micro Four Thirds camera who's sensor has five times the surface area of the Stylus 1 and yet costs less (and doesn't come equipped with a long constant aperture zoom), while the Panasonic FZ200 is a bridge camera with a constant aperture zoom and smaller (1/2.3") sensor and the RX10 is a bridge camera with a constant aperture zoom and a larger (1" type) sensor.

NOTE: These images are best quality JPEGs straight out of the camera, at default settings including noise reduction and using the camera's actual base ISO (not extended ISO settings). The E-PL5 was shot with our sharp lab reference test lens, and the other three are fixed lens cameras.

Olympus Stylus 1 versus Olympus E-PL5 at Base ISO

Olympus Stylus 1 versus Panasonic FZ200 at Base ISO

Olympus Stylus 1 versus Sony RX10 at Base ISO

Most digital SLRs and CSCs will produce an excellent ISO 100 shot, so we like to push them and see what they can do compared to other cameras at ISO 1600 and 3200. Recent advances in sensor technology have made ISO 1600 look a lot more like ISO 100, but there are still cameras whose quality starts to fall apart at this setting, especially those with smaller sensors, so this is where the real fun begins.

Olympus Stylus 1 versus Olympus E-PL5 at ISO 1600

Olympus Stylus 1 versus Panasonic FZ200 at ISO 1600

Olympus Stylus 1 versus Sony RX10 at ISO 1600

Compact cameras rarely deliver the goods at ISO 3200 and above, so let's take a quick look.

Olympus Stylus 1 versus Olympus E-PL5 at ISO 3200

Olympus Stylus 1 versus Panasonic FZ200 at ISO 3200

Olympus Stylus 1 versus Sony RX10 at ISO 3200

Olympus Stylus 1 Review -- Print Quality

Good 20 x 30 inch prints at ISO 100; a nice 8 x 10 at ISO 800; a good 4 x 6 at ISO 3200.

ISO 100 prints are good at 20 x 30 inches, which is on the larger size for this type sensor. There is mild softness in our target red-leaf swatch, typical for most smaller sensors, but the prints are otherwise nice and crisp with good detail and color.

ISO 200 images look good at 16 x 20 inches, with only minor noise in a few flatter areas and the previously mentioned softness in our tricky red swatch.

ISO 400 shots are fairly good at 13 x 19 inches, with minor issues similar to the 16 x 20 at ISO 200.

ISO 800 prints an 11 x 14 that almost passes our "good" standard, and will be more than adequate for less critical applications, but there's a bit too much noise overall to merit our good rating. A reduction in size to 8 x 10 inches resolves most of the issues.

ISO 1600 yields a nice 5 x 7 inch print. 8 x 10's are too noisy in some areas and too soft in others to call good.

ISO 3200 produces a 5 x 7 inch print that will pass for most situations, but we'll reserve our "good" ranking for the 4 x 6 inch print here.

ISOs 6400 and 12,800 do not make good prints and are best avoided.

For a camera with a 1/1.7"-type sensor, the Olympus Stylus 1 does a good job in the print quality department. 20 x 30 inches at base ISO is great for this sensor, as many other cameras we've tested with a 1/1.7 sensor (the Olympus XZ-2 and Canon G16 for example) remain at 16 x 20 inches, and you can print a good 8 x 10 all the way to ISO 800. After that, the adverse effects at higher ISOs from smaller sensors takes its usual toll, so if you can remain at ISO 800 and below you will be in better shape if you intend to enlarge your prints.