Thread: Fuji X10 or Oly XZ1?

I'm trying to give my brother some advice. He's got a Nikon D7000 and full kit. But now, he's looking for a compact, fixed-lens camera for travel with the family. He's currently considering both the Nikon P7100 and the Canon G12.

I've brought both the Olympus XZ-1 and Fujifilm X10 to his attention. Now, at first glance, the Oly might seem like the value proposition here. But let me ask this of the Serious Compacts best and brightest: What would you choose - the XZ-1 with optional VF-2 electronic viewfinder, or the X10 with its built-in optical viewfinder?

Inquiring minds want to know!

I currently own both :-)

They are both wonderful cameras in their own way and it depends on weather you like the form factor style of each as they both take great photos.

Flickr is a great place to see what can be done with these little beauties.

Hi thekeddi, may I request a side-by-side comparison if the size of XZ-1 and the X-10, and maybe just a common point of reference, say a regular paperback? Thank you!

Here's a link to a side by side photo:

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/fuj...debySideFr.jpg

I had the XZ1 for about a week. I returned it primarily for two reasons. First, in aperture priority, the auto ISO refused to go beyond 400. Or maybe it was 200. Second, the noise reduction in JPG was very strong even at low ISO. So JPG's looked a little smeared at times. I'm typically a RAW guy. But on point and shoot cameras, I'll typically just stay with JPG's.

I got the X10 two weeks ago. So far, I absolutely love it. Great JPG's, great low light performance (for a point and shoot), and lots of cool features like a very easy to use sweep panorama and the pro focus mode (which creates a fake bokeh). I took the X10 and X100 to a recent vacation trip, and I ended up using the X10 much more than the X100.

Originally Posted by Armanius

I had the XZ1 for about a week. I returned it primarily for two reasons. First, in aperture priority, the auto ISO refused to go beyond 400. Or maybe it was 200.

200

Originally Posted by Armanius

Second, the noise reduction in JPG was very strong even at low ISO. So JPG's looked a little smeared at times.

The XZ-1 JPGs sucked. But the RAW files are nice.

I sold my XZ-1 to get the X10. So far it was the right move.

I adore my XZ-1, but in RAW only

I think the XZ1 is nice and compact. Buy it if you want a very usable P&S with wonderful IQ.
But I would recommend a X10 if you are going to use the viewfinder on a regular base.
Unless you already own an Olympus M43 or you are going to buy one soon., in that case go for the Xz1 and share the electronic VF.

Originally Posted by andy_g

I think the XZ1 is nice and compact. Buy it if you want a very usable P&S with wonderful IQ.
But I would recommend a X10 if you are going to use the viewfinder on a regular base.
Unless you already own an Olympus M43 or you are going to buy one soon., in that case go for the Xz1 and share the electronic VF.

My wife has an E-PL1, so I can use its EVF (amazing, but nothing compared to the NEX-5N's!), for my XZ-1 - very, very nice!

The wife's NEX-5N with the E18-200 is an amazing piece of camera, far beyond my XZ-1, and even past my K-5!

No experience with the X10, nor the X100, sorry!

Originally Posted by Tord S Eriksson

The wife's NEX-5N with the E18-200 is an amazing piece of camera, far beyond my XZ-1, and even past my K-5!

No no no way!
NEX-5N even with the standard kit lens is no more compact. You can only place 16mm prime on it to call it in that category.

And with 18-200mm massive lens!

I beleive the Camera itself is good but without any sensible lens option the excellent IQ is pale in-front of any M4/3 or DSLR from Canikon or Pentax banks.

Oh and your K5 is lovely, try 16-50 and 50-135mm both at f2.8, or any of the excellent primes from Pentax. The IQ on K5 is better than NEX as they got the same sensor chip from Sony, but K5 still get better underlying assembly so better readouts.