• 1/1.63 inch 46.2mm2
  • 10.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 120.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus XZ-1 advantages over Canon S100

  • Fast startup
    ~1.50 vs 2.4 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 320 vs 200 shots
    Capture more photos
  • More dots on screen
    614k vs 461k dots
    Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 15 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    14 vs 8 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Canon S100 advantages over Olympus XZ-1

  • Less expensive
    $430 vs $500 (MSRP)
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • Better color depth
    20.7 vs 18.8 bits
    Capture richer, more accurate colors
  • Higher effective ISO
    153 vs 117 iso
    Take photos in low light with less noise
  • More dynamic range
    11.6 vs 10.3 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • Built-in GPS
    GPS vs None
    Geotag your photos
  • Thinner
    26 mm vs 42 mm
    Thinner
  • Shoots 24p video
    Yes vs No
    Gives your movies a big-screen feel
  • Lighter weight
    192g vs 274g
    Lighter weight
  • Shoots 1080p video
    Yes vs No
    You'll want this if you shoot video
  • More pixels
    12.1 vs 10.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    9.2 fps vs 2.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • 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.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Both provide
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • Focus peaking
    Neither provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Neither provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • 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
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

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Review Excerpt

  • Slimmer than past models; 12-megapixel resolution sensor improves on image quality across ISO range; Video includes 1080p, autofocus, and zoom during recording; HDR mode works well.

  • Costs $30 more; Slight buzz when zooming while recording video; Grip isn't as useful as it could be; Slow autofocus.

The Competition

Compared to 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
Canon S100
Samsung TL500
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • Higher effective ISO
  • $450
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Tiltable Screen
  • More dots on screen

Compared to Canon S95

Olympus XZ-1
Canon S95
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $428
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Higher effective ISO
Canon S100
Canon S95
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • Manual focus
  • $428
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
  • Higher extended ISO

Compared to Olympus XZ-2

Olympus XZ-1
Olympus XZ-2
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Lighter weight
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
Canon S100
Olympus XZ-2
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Built-in GPS
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Canon S110

Olympus XZ-1
Canon S110
  • $500
  • 1/1.63 inch
  • Fast startup
  • Longer stills battery life
  • $249
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
Canon S100
Canon S110
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Built-in GPS
  • $249
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compared to 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
Canon S100
Canon N100
  • $429
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • RAW file ability
  • Built-in GPS
  • $349
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Touchscreen
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