Olympus Stylus 1 hands-on preview

[Digital Photography Now]

Olympus had a massive success with the OM-D E-M5, a Micro Four Thirds mirrorless interchangeable lens system camera, thanks in large part to its unapologetically OM film SLR-styling that dates back to the 1970s. With its new premium bridge camera, the Stylus 1, Olympus hopes that OM magic will work again, but as with the E-M5 the the Stylus 1 is more than a looker. Although not as outrageously long range by some contemporary bridge camera standards, the 10.7x (28-300 equivalent) zoom lens boasts a very bright f/2.8 maximum aperture throughout the zoom range. The lens also collapses down so efficiently when not in use that the Stylus 1 is almost like a compact camera rather than a bridge camera in terms of pocketability, being just 52mm from front to back.

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[Ross the fiddler]

Re: Olympus Stylus 1 hands-on preview

Thanks for the review Ian. I have ordered one of these Stylist 1 cameras as a light & compact alternative to carrying my E-M5 kit around & after looking at some sample images (whether they were supposed to be shown or not), I am reasonably impressed with what this camera is capable of.
http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/re...review-samples
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PROD...stylus-1A7.HTM (includes RAW)

I have seen a visual comparison of the E-M5 with the 14-150 lens to it (can't remember where now, but I thought it was a post from you Ian) & I would be interested in seeing some photos taken with the E-M5 & 14-150 lens wide open at ISO's from 200 to 6400 at 14mm, 50mm, 100mm & 150mm & the Stylist 1 (wide open) at ISO's from 100 to 3200 at equivalent field of views to the above 14-150 lens intervals. The constant f/2.8 lens advantage of the Stylist 1 lens can help make up for the larger & better performing sensor in the E-M5 with the darker 14-150 f4.0-5.6 lens. I realise you won't have another Stylist 1 in your hands at this point but you might get it before we receive stock here (maybe). It would be great if this was possible as I believe the Stylist 1 camera will fill a useful role for some of us wanting to stay compact on certain occasions.

Thanks very much, in advance.

[Ian]

Re: Olympus Stylus 1 hands-on preview

Yes - this shot is in the product gallery in my article:



My example was pre-production so no permission to take test shots.

Ian

[Ross the fiddler]

Re: Olympus Stylus 1 hands-on preview

Yes - this shot is in the product gallery in my article:



My example was pre-production so no permission to take test shots.

Ian

Thanks Ian. It was a case of 'I couldn't see for looking'.

So when (or if) you do get a Stylist 1 it would be great to see some comparison photos from the two of them.

[Ross the fiddler]

Re: Olympus Stylus 1 hands-on preview

Thanks Ian. It was a case of 'I couldn't see for looking'.

So when (or if) you do get a Stylist 1 it would be great to see some comparison photos from the two of them.

I really must get my spelling correct & keep telling myself it is Stylus (not stylist).

[Wally]

Re: Olympus Stylus 1 hands-on preview

Like Ross, I too am looking at this as I may end up practically one handed. Changing a lens, especially on µ 4/3 has become a real challenge. With an effective range from 28 - 300 it could just fit the bill especially with f2.8 being constant overall. Just a pity it doesn't sport an articulated screen like the e-3?

[Ian]

Re: Olympus Stylus 1 hands-on preview

It's like the OM-Ds in respect of tilting LCD (touch screen):



Ian

[Wally]

Re: Olympus Stylus 1 hands-on preview

It's like the OM-Ds in respect of tilting LCD (touch screen):
Ian

A huge mechanical improvement over my e-20?

[Ross the fiddler]

Re: Olympus Stylus 1 hands-on preview

I like the feature where the WiFi controls the zoom as well as everything else like the E-M1. I notice not much is said of this feature in the product information except for seeing it in the screen image on the smart phone as it is another plus for this camera. I don't suppose the E-M1 can do that unless there are lenses that can be zoomed from the body controls.

[Ross the fiddler]

Re: Olympus Stylus 1 hands-on preview

I've now downloaded the User Manual for the Stylus 1 from the Oly Asia site, here (all 120 pages of it). - http://www.olympus.co.jp/en/support/...ual/stylus.cfm

Some good bedtime reading now!

[1948Kustom]

Re: Olympus Stylus 1 hands-on preview

Hi everyone,
I too am looking at this camera as a contender for my 'everyday & everywhere' camera but does anyone know if there is a way to fit an add-on filter system to it ?
It's not a deal breaker for me but if I could fit a filter system threaded ring adapter to the lens it would be useful to know this can be done, or not, and have to be achieved in another way, 'magnetic' or stick-on possible as with some other serious compacts.

Hope you can help me out with my query & also maybe do a follow up extended field test on this new model !

Many thanks.

[Ross the fiddler]

Re: Olympus Stylus 1 hands-on preview

Hi everyone,
I too am looking at this camera as a contender for my 'everyday & everywhere' camera but does anyone know if there is a way to fit an add-on filter system to it ?
It's not a deal breaker for me but if I could fit a filter system threaded ring adapter to the lens it would be useful to know this can be done, or not, and have to be achieved in another way, 'magnetic' or stick-on possible as with some other serious compacts.

Hope you can help me out with my query & also maybe do a follow up extended field test on this new model !

Many thanks.

You can use the CLA‑13 Conversion Lens Adapter (even linked to UK for you) that will take 55mm filters. If you're using filters you don't want to load the lens zoom movement & by using this, sure the lens tube will stick out, but with a filter the lens will become an internal zoom. You probably should then get a 55mm lens cap to go with it too.

[1948Kustom]

Re: Olympus Stylus 1 hands-on preview

Many thanks for this info, Ross.

So it works like the screw on ring for the Panasonic LX5 that allows the mounting of a converter lens or filter system close to the body / base of the lens where they meet, to provide a more solid connection.

Another 'box' ticked !