Olympus Stylus 1s Review: Exploring the Best Features of This High-End Camera

The Olympus Stylus 1s is a powerful camera that boasts a range of advanced features including a 12-megapixel sensor, high-speed AF, and a high-resolution electronic viewfinder. If you are a professional photographer or an enthusiast who loves to capture high-quality images and precision, the Olympus Stylus 1s might be just what you're looking for. In this article, we'll dive deep into the features and explore why it's such a top-notch camera.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Olympus Stylus 1s article cover photo

Key Features

Apr 13 2015

Announced

12 megapixels

Resolution

BrandOlympus
Sensor Type1/1.7'
SensorBSI-CMOS
Weight402g
MSRP$699USD

Other similar cameras

Olympus Stylus 1 thumbnail

Olympus Stylus 1

Released Nov 25 2013 | 12MP resolution

Olympus Stylus SH-2 thumbnail

Olympus Stylus SH-2

Released Mar 11 2015 | 16MP resolution

Olympus Stylus 5010 thumbnail

Olympus Stylus 5010

Released Jan 07 2010 | 14MP resolution

Overview of the Stylus 1s

If you're hunting for a new high-end camera, the Olympus Stylus 1s might be at the top of your list. This innovative device is perfect for professional photographers looking for a camera with a variety of advanced features. The device comes equipped with a 12-megapixel sensor, high-speed AF, and a high-resolution electronic viewfinder, which makes it an excellent choice if you love to capture stunning images and prefer precision photography. But what makes this camera so special, and is it worth the cost? In this article, we'll answer these questions and explore the best features of the Olympus Stylus 1s, so keep reading!

Olympus Stylus 1s Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Olympus Stylus 1s camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

Excellent Image Quality
Fast AutoFocus System
Versatile Zoom Lens
Great Ergonomics
Wi-Fi Connectivity
Impressive Low Light Performance
Built-in Viewfinder
High-Resolution LCD Screen

Cons

Expensive
Limited Manual Control
Small Sensor Size
No 4K Video Recording
Limited Battery Life
No Touch Screen
Bulky Design
No Interchangeable Lenses

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Olympus Stylus 1s

Weather sealed
Dimensions116 x 87 x 57mm
Weight402g
Thickness57mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
Avg
This
Max

Weather Sealing

The Olympus Stylus 1s is not sealed against water and dust, so it's important to be careful when using it in such conditions. If you often shoot in environments with water or dust, it's recommended to check out another camera with weather sealing.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderElectronic
Screen TypeTilting
Screen Resolution1,040k dots
Body typeSLR-like (bridge)

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a tilting 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 1,040k dots. This makes the Olympus Stylus 1s not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. The camera also features a touch screen, which adds to its ease of use.

Viewfinder

Stylus 1s includes a electronic viewfinder with 1,440k dots of resolution with a coverage of 100% and a magnification of n/a. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Olympus Stylus 1s has a 12MP sized BSI-CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 12 pixels. Olympus Stylus 1s has a native ISO range of 100 - 12800 which can be boosted to null - null. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Apr 13 2015

Announced

100 - 12800

ISO Range

Sensor1/1.7'
Extended ISOnull - null
Max resolution3968 x 2976 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

not tested

Color Depth

not tested

Dynamic Range

not tested

Low Light ISO

not tested

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Olympus Stylus 1s camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain high amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is excellent, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the Stylus 1s is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: 1/1.7'

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC card
Battery Life450 shots
Battery ModelBLS-50
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Olympus Stylus 1s supports SD/SDHC/SDXC card with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Olympus Stylus 1s uses the BLS-50 model of battery pack. This is rated for 450 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Olympus Stylus 1s has built in flash which is great for event photography and in low light situations. It also offers a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Olympus Stylus 1s boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/2000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Olympus Stylus 1s includes contrast detection autofocus (AF), with 35 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

View on Amazon

FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Olympus Stylus 1s?

The Olympus Stylus 1s features a BSI-CMOS sensor

Is the Olympus Stylus 1s weather sealed?

No the Stylus 1s does not have weather sealing.

When was the Olympus Stylus 1s announced?

The Olympus Stylus 1s was announced on Apr 13 2015

Does the Olympus Stylus 1s have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the Stylus 1s does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Olympus Stylus 1s?

The Stylus 1s has a native ISO range of 100-12800, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

View on Amazon

Similar Camera Reviews

Olympus Stylus SH-2 article cover photo

Olympus Stylus SH-2: Capture Stunning Shots with Ease

Looking for a camera that combines high-quality images with easy-to-use features? The Olympus Stylus SH-2 might just be what you need. This compact camera boasts a range of advanced functions and a striking design for an effortless shooting experience.

Olympus Stylus 5010 article cover photo

Olympus Stylus 5010: A Compact Camera Packed with Powerful Features

Looking for a compact camera that can capture stunning photos and videos? Olympus Stylus 5010 might be the perfect choice for you. This camera is equipped with powerful features that can produce high-quality images and videos in any situation. From its impressive zoom range to its user-friendly interface, the Olympus Stylus 5010 is definitely worth checking out.