• 1/1.7 inch 43.3mm2
  • 12.0 megapixels
  • 28.00mm - 112.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • 1/2.3 inch 28.1mm2
  • 16.0 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 840.00mm (35mm eq.)

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Differences

Olympus XZ-2 advantages over Nikon A1000

  • Larger sensor
    1/1.7 inch vs 1/2.3 inch
    More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 1.92 vs 1.34 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Larger lens aperture
    f/1.8 vs f/3.4
    Take photos in low-light or isolate your subject
  • Longer stills battery life
    More info 310 vs 250 shots
    Capture more photos
  • Manual focus
    Yes vs No
    AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
  • Integrated ND filter
    Yes vs No
    Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter
  • Hot shoe
    Hot shoe vs None
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Longer exposure
    60 vs 8 sec
    Long exposures for night shots
  • Bulb shutter
    Bulb vs No bulb
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Higher extended ISO
    12800 vs 6400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Nikon A1000 advantages over Olympus XZ-2

  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Eye-level vs Rear display only
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • Shoot 4K video
    4K (UHD) vs 1080p
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Wi-Fi vs None
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Yes vs No
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • More telephoto lens reach
    840 mm vs 112 mm
    Capture objects farther away
  • Newer
    6 years vs 12 years old
    Newer cameras often support more advanced features
  • More pixels
    16.0 vs 12.0 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Shoots 60p video
    Yes vs No
    A faster framerate can give you more editing options
  • Wider angle lens
    24 mm vs 28 mm
    Capture more of the scene
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    10.0 fps vs 5.0 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    10 vs 4 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Slow-motion videos
    Yes vs No
    Shoot slow-motion videos
  • Faster shutter
    1/4000 vs 1/2000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • In-camera panoramas
    Both provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • 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
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video

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
  • NFC
    Neither provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • 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
  • Headphone jack
    Neither provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video

User reviews

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Buy the Olympus XZ-2
Olympus XZ-2

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Buy the Nikon A1000
Nikon A1000 (Black)
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Review Excerpt

  • Good image quality for its class; Fast, bright f/1.8-2.5 i.ZUIKO 4x zoom lens; Dual-purpose front Control Ring lets you select aperture or focus manually; three-inch articulating LCD touch-screen monitor.

  • Pricier than many enthusiast compacts; Image detail starts dropping off at ISO 800 and noise becomes problematic at ISO 3200; Lens cover pops off as zoom lens extends, when you turn the camera on.

  • Read our Olympus XZ-2 Express Review

The Competition

Compared to Canon G15

Olympus XZ-2
Canon G15
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Canon G15

Nikon A1000
Canon G15
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $650
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon A1000 vs Canon G15

Compared to Pentax MX-1

Olympus XZ-2
Pentax MX-1
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • Hot shoe
  • $399
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Shoots 60p video

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Pentax MX-1

Nikon A1000
Pentax MX-1
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Shoot 4K video
  • $399
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels

Compare Nikon A1000 vs Pentax MX-1

Compared to Canon G16

Olympus XZ-2
Canon G16
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Touchscreen
  • In-camera panoramas
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Canon G16

Nikon A1000
Canon G16
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Touchscreen
  • $499
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Slower slow-motion
  • Focus peaking

Compare Nikon A1000 vs Canon G16

Compared to Canon SX740 HS

Olympus XZ-2
Canon SX740 HS
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $502
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Shoot 4K video
  • Built-in Wi-Fi

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Canon SX740 HS

Nikon A1000
Canon SX740 HS
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Eye-level viewfinder
  • Touchscreen
  • $502
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Manual focus

Compare Nikon A1000 vs Canon SX740 HS

Compared to Panasonic ZS80

Olympus XZ-2
Panasonic ZS80
  • $470
  • 1/1.7 inch
  • Larger sensor
  • Bigger pixels
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Focus peaking
  • Eye-level viewfinder

Compare Olympus XZ-2 vs Panasonic ZS80

Nikon A1000
Panasonic ZS80
  • $477
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • More telephoto lens reach
  • $398
  • 1/2.3 inch
  • Less expensive
  • Slower slow-motion

Compare Nikon A1000 vs Panasonic ZS80

Compare Other Cameras?