Olympus XZ-1 Underwater Video (Pool)

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rusti999

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On youtube, there's an underwater video taken with the Olympus XZ-1, albeit in a relatively shallow pool. Can't post URLs yet, so just search for "Olympus XZ-1 goes underwater" on youtube. Can't wait to see more reviews with this camera and its underwater setup.
 
Anxiously waiting for the release...can't find any info on the exact date other than late Jan.
 
Anxiously waiting for the release...can't find any info on the exact date other than late Jan.

I heard it was coming out on Feb 28th. Blue Water Photo has already charged my cc for the housing and the camera but has not returned my message about an update on the release date........:no:
 
I do like this camera, but it seems overpriced at $600. For that money, I can buy a much more versatile used Olympus E-PL1s ($375, add housing about $500). After you add a housing and strobes, does it really have a size advantage? I guess I'm just being a contrarian, trying to resist another incursion to my bank account.
 
I do like this camera, but it seems overpriced at $600. For that money, I can buy a much more versatile used Olympus E-PL1s ($375, add housing about $500). After you add a housing and strobes, does it really have a size advantage? I guess I'm just being a contrarian, trying to resist another incursion to my bank account.

The XZ-1 has a list price of 499 but I'm already seeing places that are selling then at 460.00
 
I do like this camera, but it seems overpriced at $600. For that money, I can buy a much more versatile used Olympus E-PL1s ($375, add housing about $500). After you add a housing and strobes, does it really have a size advantage? I guess I'm just being a contrarian, trying to resist another incursion to my bank account.

Humm, huge diffences, but as already posted, expect the street price to be similar to the other camera's in that group.. or around $400 (or about the same as a used E-PL1, but with a far better lens).

As the case would be cheaper for the XZ-1, it would actually be a total lower cost.

However, there are a huge number of differences here, and most favor the XZ-1:

1. Interchangeable lens cameras typically come with a short range zoom. It does not focus close, it has less depth of field and the range is usually way to limited.

2. Image quality is not that much different, although the pen series should have a better dynamic range, which normally is not an issue underwater.

3. The XZ-1 will have advantages in macro, zoom range and depth of field, and as long as one is shooting with a flat port, should be a far more usable camera.

4. Add a dome port and and a wide angle lens to the pen and you can take amazing images. If, however, you dive in less than clear water (like I normally do), that is not very useful. But doing that will more than double the cost.

5. You can add a wide angle wet lens to the XZ-1, but the image quality will never be as good.

So if you only dive in clear water, like wide angle images, and you can afford a couple of thousand, then get the pen...if you want to take a large variety of images, and/or on a budget, then the XZ-1 will be a better deal.
 
Look out for a review on dpreview.com, gives a good break down on the camera with pro's and cons. As an SLR shooter I would love a housing for my camera but I dont want the added bulk when travelling. The XZ-1 is on my list along with the housing and a subsee 10x macromate. This is the beginning of things to come with compact cameras rocking bigger sensors and producing better quality pictures that will closely resemble their SLR bigger brothers.
 
... However, there are a huge number of differences here, and most favor the XZ-1:
Hi Puffer, I respect your great photos and informed opinion, but I do feel a need to disagree on a few assertions.

1. Interchangeable lens cameras typically come with a short range zoom. It does not focus close, it has less depth of field and the range is usually way too limited.
I haven't seen this be the case with either the 14-42 or the 9-18mm lenses. If you are using a setup with strobes and focus light, the lens will probably not be the factor in how close you get.
(added- this picture was shot with 9mm-18mm lens and zen dome.)
1920-Cayman-2011-2041271-1.jpg


2. Image quality is not that much different, although the pen series should have a better dynamic range, which normally is not an issue underwater.

Sorry. I have to disagree here. The sensor used in the pro line of Oly cameras (including the Pens) does indeed create superior images to the much smaller P&S sensor. Higher dynamic range is your friend underwater as it gives you the latitude to get detail in the highlights and shadows. I don't see why you think this wouldn"t be important underwater.

3. The XZ-1 will have advantages in macro, zoom range and depth of field, and as long as one is shooting with a flat port, should be a far more usable camera.

Yes the smaller sensor will, by default, translate into a larger DOF for any given aperture, but that can be offset by the Pens' higher sensitivity if that is an issue. It should not make the XZ-1 a "far more usable camera".


4. Add a dome port and and a wide angle lens to the pen and you can take amazing images. If, however, you dive in less than clear water (like I normally do), that is not very useful. But doing that will more than double the cost.
Adding a dome and WA will also allow you to get closer to minimize the distance to your subject and minimize the effect of poor viz. They aren't just for the 'big' shots, but they are pretty good for those too.

1920-Cayman-2011-2020399.jpg


5. You can add a wide angle wet lens to the XZ-1, but the image quality will never be as good.

I think you just disagreed with your first point ??:wink:


800-Cayman-2011-2020666.jpg


So if you only dive in clear water, like wide angle images, and you can afford a couple of thousand, then get the pen...if you want to take a large variety of images, and/or on a budget, then the XZ-1 will be a better deal.

If you are going to get strobes, tray, etc, the difference in camera price is not that big of a factor. Whichever way one goes you should get great pictures, but I think the Pen offers the best path. I bought the E-PL1 before the XZ-1 was available, but if I was deciding today, the availability of the XZ-1 wouldn't affect my decision in any way.

GC_SunsetHouse1920-03437.jpg

BTW, the E-PL1 can be a one handed camera if you want.
A few recent pix with the E-PL1 - Grand Cayman 2011 and Sipadan
 
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The sensor on the XZ-1 is .63 inches (1/1.6) across measured diagonally, the Canon G and S series sensor is .59 inches (1/1.7) across diagonally. Please look at this diagram relating camera sensor size:

300px-Sensor_sizes_overlaid_insidesvg.png


Thus I would expect minor improvements over the Canon G/S series all other things being equal but none of them could compare with a much larger M4/3 sensor much less an APS sensor. Don't get carried away thinking the XZ-1 has a huge sensor, it does not. I have to put on my "thick" glasses to see a size difference in 1/1.7 and 1/1.6 sensors and I doubt there is any real quality difference to be achieved between them.


As to generic fit wet install lenses, certainly the quality of an image cannot be as good as if the camera were using a dedicated lens behind a dry port but I have had excellent luck with wet lenses even in dirty water where I consider them an advantage, not a disadvantage. As to dirty or cloudy water getting between the lens and the port, the film of water at that scale is so thin that it has to be awfully dirty to create an issue. The real issue is dirt, debris, floaties in front of the lens and there any wide angle lens, wet or dry, will be an advantage as it allows the photographer to get much closer and that makes a huge difference.

N
 
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Dear Frank,

Thank's for posting your pics. Did you use the Macroadapter with a closeup lens for the first pic or is that a normal closeup picture with the kit lens?

Daniel
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/swift/

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