• APS-C 328.6mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • 1/1.63 inch 46.2mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Canon XS advantages over Olympus XZ-1

  • Larger sensor
    APS-C vs 1/1.63 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.71 vs 2.15 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~0.30 vs 1.5 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 500 vs 320 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Less shutter lag
    0.16 vs 0.52 sec
    Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    2.9 fps vs 2.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Olympus XZ-1 advantages over Canon XS

  • Less expensive
    $500 vs $700 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Yes vs No
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Thinner
    42 mm vs 61 mm
    Thinner
  • HDMI out
    HDMI out vs None
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • More dots on screen
    614k vs 230k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 30 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    14 vs 7 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Higher extended ISO
    6400 vs 1600 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Rear display
    Both provide
    Review photos on the back of the camera
  • RAW file ability
    Both provide
    Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
  • Internal flash
    Both provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Manual focus
    Both provide
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Touchscreen
    Neither provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Neither provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Neither provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Neither provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Neither provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • Dual card slots
    Neither provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Slow-motion videos
    Neither provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

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Review Excerpt

The Competition

Compared to Pentax K200D

Canon XS
Pentax K200D
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon XS vs Pentax K200D

Olympus XZ-1
Pentax K200D
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $800
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax K200D

Compared to Sony DSLR-A230

Canon XS
Sony DSLR-A230
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Lens selection
  • Fast startup
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon XS vs Sony DSLR-A230

Olympus XZ-1
Sony DSLR-A230
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Integrated ND filter
  • Thinner
  • $549
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus XZ-1 vs Sony DSLR-A230

Compared to Nikon D3000

Canon XS
Nikon D3000
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Fast startup
  • Less shutter lag
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Less expensive
  • Larger sensor

Compare Canon XS vs Nikon D3000

Olympus XZ-1
Nikon D3000
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $450
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus XZ-1 vs Nikon D3000

Compared to Samsung TL500

Canon XS
Samsung TL500
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon XS vs Samsung TL500

Olympus XZ-1
Samsung TL500
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Integrated ND filter
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • Higher effective ISO

Compare Olympus XZ-1 vs Samsung TL500

Compared to Canon N100

Canon XS
Canon N100
  • $440
  • APS-C
  • Larger sensor
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • $349
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Canon XS vs Canon N100

Olympus XZ-1
Canon N100
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Manual focus
  • $349
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen

Compare Olympus XZ-1 vs Canon N100

Compare Other Cameras?