Capture Your World: Olympus Stylus XZ-10 Review

Dive into the world of photography with the Olympus Stylus XZ-10, a compact and feature-packed camera that delivers exceptional image quality. In this review, we'll explore the camera's technical specifications, features, and performance in real-world scenarios. Discover why the Olympus Stylus XZ-10 stands out in the crowded space of compact cameras, and how it can help you capture stunning images of your world.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Olympus Stylus XZ-10 article cover photo

Key Features

Jan 30 2013

Announced

12 megapixels

Resolution

BrandOlympus
Sensor Type1/2.3-inch
SensorBSI-CMOS
Weight221g
MSRP$400USD

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Overview of the Stylus XZ-10

As photography becomes an increasingly popular hobby, the demand for high-quality yet compact cameras is on the rise. The Olympus Stylus XZ-10 caters to both amateur and professional photographers who want a camera that is versatile, easy to use, and capable of producing beautiful, high-resolution images. With its built-in Wi-Fi, touch-screen interface, and fast autofocus, the Olympus Stylus XZ-10 presents an excellent option for capturing stunning images on the go. Join us as we explore the features and capabilities of the Olympus Stylus XZ-10 and discover how it can elevate your photography game.

Olympus Stylus XZ-10 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Olympus Stylus XZ-10 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

Fast lens (f/1.8-2.7)
Compact size
High image quality
Good low light performance
Built-in image stabilization
RAW shooting capability
Manual controls
Fast autofocus
Wi-Fi compatible
Good video quality

Cons

Limited zoom range
Small sensor
No viewfinder
No hot shoe for external flash
Limited battery life
Small buttons and controls
Not weather-sealed
No touch screen
Limited ISO range

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Olympus Stylus XZ-10

Weather sealed
Dimensions102 x 61 x 34mm
Weight221g
Thickness34mm
Weight
Min
Avg
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Max
Thickness
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Weather Sealing

The Olympus Stylus XZ-10 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 FinderNone
Screen TypeFixed Type
Screen Resolution920k dots
Body typeCompact

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a fixed type 3.00" screen, with a display resolution of 920k dots. This makes the Olympus Stylus XZ-10 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

Olympus Stylus XZ-10 does not include a viewfinder. The lack of a viewfinder on the Stylus XZ-10 camera may make it less suitable for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Olympus Stylus XZ-10 has a 12MP sized BSI-CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 12 pixels. Olympus Stylus XZ-10 has a native ISO range of 100 - 6400 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

Jan 30 2013

Announced

100 - 6400

ISO Range

Sensor1/2.3-inch
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 XZ-10 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 XZ-10 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: 1/2.3-inch

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageSD/SDHC/SDXC
Battery Life240 shots
Battery ModelLi-50B
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Olympus Stylus XZ-10 supports SD/SDHC/SDXC 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 XZ-10 uses the Li-50B model of battery pack. This is rated for 240 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 XZ-10 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 XZ-10 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 XZ-10 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.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Olympus Stylus XZ-10?

The Olympus Stylus XZ-10 features a BSI-CMOS sensor

Is the Olympus Stylus XZ-10 weather sealed?

No the Stylus XZ-10 does not have weather sealing.

When was the Olympus Stylus XZ-10 announced?

The Olympus Stylus XZ-10 was announced on Jan 30 2013

Does the Olympus Stylus XZ-10 have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the Stylus XZ-10 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 XZ-10?

The Stylus XZ-10 has a native ISO range of 100-6400, which can be expanded to ISO null-null for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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