Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic G2

The Olympus XZ-1 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in January 2011 and March 2010. The XZ-1 is a fixed lens compact, while the G2 is a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The cameras are based on a 1/1.7-inch (XZ-1) and a Four Thirds (G2) sensor. The Olympus has a resolution of 10.1 megapixels, whereas the Panasonic provides 12 MP.

Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.

Headline Specifications

Olympus XZ-1		Panasonic G2
Fixed lens compact camera		Mirrorless system camera
28-112mm f/1.8-2.5		Micro Four Thirds lenses
10.1 MP – 1/1.7" sensor		12 MP – Four Thirds sensor
720/30p Video		720/30p Video
ISO 100-6,400		ISO 100-6,400
Viewfinder optional		Electronic viewfinder (1440k dots)
3.0" LCD – 614k dots		3.0" LCD – 460k dots
Fixed screen (not touch-sensitive)		Swivel touchscreen
2 shutter flaps per second		2.6 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilization		Lens stabilization only
320 shots per battery charge		360 shots per battery charge
111 x 65 x 42 mm, 275 g		124 x 84 x 74 mm, 428 g

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Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Olympus XZ-1 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2? Which one should you buy? Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their body size, their imaging sensors, their shooting features, their input-output connections, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison

An illustration of the physical size and weight of the Olympus XZ-1 and the Panasonic G2 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three consecutive views from the front, the top, and the rear side are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

The XZ-1 can be obtained in two different colors (black, white), while the G2 is available in three color-versions (black, blue, red).

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Panasonic G2 is considerably larger (44 percent) than the Olympus XZ-1. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the XZ-1 nor the G2 are weather-sealed.

The above size and weight comparisons are to some extent incomplete and possibly misleading, as the XZ-1 has a lens built in, whereas the G2 is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup. You can compare the optics available for the G2 and their specifications in the Micro Four Thirds Lens Catalog.

The following table provides a synthesis of the main physical specifications of the two cameras and other similar ones. In case you want to display and compare another camera duo, you can use the CAM-parator app to select your camera combination among a large number of options.

Body Specifications

		Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life	Weather Sealing	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Olympus XZ-1	111 mm	65 mm	42 mm	275 g	320	n	Jan 2011	EUR 480	ebay.com
2.		Panasonic G2	124 mm	84 mm	74 mm	428 g	360	n	Mar 2010	EUR 549	ebay.com
3.		Olympus E-PL1	115 mm	72 mm	42 mm	334 g	290	n	Feb 2010	EUR 599	ebay.com
4.		Olympus E-PL3	110 mm	64 mm	37 mm	313 g	300	n	Jun 2011	EUR 549	ebay.com
5.		Olympus E-PM1	110 mm	64 mm	34 mm	265 g	330	n	Jun 2011	EUR 449	ebay.com
6.		Olympus E-PM2	110 mm	64 mm	34 mm	269 g	360	n	Sep 2012	EUR 499	ebay.com
7.		Olympus TG-5	113 mm	66 mm	32 mm	250 g	340	Y	May 2017	EUR 479	ebay.com
8.		Olympus XZ-2	113 mm	65 mm	48 mm	346 g	340	n	Sep 2012	EUR 599	ebay.com
9.		Panasonic FZ150	124 mm	82 mm	92 mm	528 g	410	n	Aug 2011	EUR 529	ebay.com
10.		Panasonic FZ200	125 mm	87 mm	110 mm	588 g	540	n	Jul 2012	EUR 599	ebay.com
11.		Panasonic G1	124 mm	84 mm	45 mm	360 g	410	n	Sep 2008	EUR 499	ebay.com
12.		Panasonic G3	115 mm	84 mm	47 mm	336 g	270	n	May 2011	EUR 579	ebay.com
13.		Panasonic G10	124 mm	84 mm	74 mm	388 g	380	n	Mar 2010	EUR 499	ebay.com
14.		Panasonic GF3	108 mm	67 mm	32 mm	264 g	300	n	Jun 2011	EUR 469	ebay.com
15.		Panasonic GH1	124 mm	90 mm	45 mm	385 g	300	n	Mar 2009	EUR 799	ebay.com
16.		Panasonic LX5	110 mm	65 mm	43 mm	271 g	400	n	Jul 2010	EUR 529	ebay.com
17.		Panasonic LX7	111 mm	68 mm	46 mm	298 g	330	n	Jul 2012	EUR 529	ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
Convert to Imperial

The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The XZ-1 was launched at a lower price than the G2, despite having a lens built in. Normally, street prices remain initially close to the MSRP, but after a couple of months, the first discounts appear. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down.

Sensor comparison

The size of the imaging sensor is a crucial determinant of image quality. A large sensor will tend to have larger individual pixels that provide better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixel-units in a sensor of the same technological generation. Moreover, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more control over depth-of-field in the image and, thus, the ability to better isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors are more costly to manufacture and tend to lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Olympus XZ-1 features a 1/1.7-inch sensor and the Panasonic G2 a Four Thirds sensor. The sensor area in the G2 is 389 percent bigger. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 4.4 and 2.0. Both cameras feature a native aspect ratio (sensor width to sensor height) of 4:3.

With 12MP, the G2 offers a higher resolution than the XZ-1 (10.1MP), but the G2 nevertheless has larger individual pixels (pixel pitch of 4.33μm versus 2.13μm for the XZ-1) due to its larger sensor. However, the XZ-1 is a somewhat more recent model (by 10 months) than the G2, and its sensor might have benefitted from technological advances during this time that enhance the light gathering capacity of its pixel-units.

The resolution advantage of the Panasonic G2 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the G2 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 20 x 15 inches or 50.8 x 38.1 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 16 x 12 inches or 40.6 x 30.5 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 13.3 x 10 inches or 33.9 x 25.4 cm. The corresponding values for the Olympus XZ-1 are 18.3 x 13.8 inches or 46.5 x 35 cm for good quality, 14.7 x 11 inches or 37.2 x 28 cm for very good quality, and 12.2 x 9.2 inches or 31 x 23.3 cm for excellent quality prints.

The Olympus XZ-1 has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 6400. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 offers exactly the same ISO settings.

In terms of underlying technology, the XZ-1 is build around a CCD sensor, while the G2 uses a CMOS imager. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). Of the two cameras under consideration, the G2 offers substantially better image quality than the XZ-1 (overall score 19 points higher). The advantage is based on 2.4 bits higher color depth, 0.1 EV of lower dynamic range, and 2.1 stops in additional low light sensitivity. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Sensor Characteristics

		Camera Model	Sensor Class	Resolution (MP)	Horiz. Pixels	Vert. Pixels	Video Format	DXO Portrait	DXO Landscape	DXO Sports	DXO Overall
1.		Olympus XZ-1	1/1.7	10.1	3664	2752	720/30p	18.8	10.4	117	34
2.		Panasonic G2	Four Thirds	12.0	4000	3000	720/30p	21.2	10.3	493	53
3.		Olympus E-PL1	Four Thirds	12.2	4032	3024	720/30p	21.5	10.1	487	54
4.		Olympus E-PL3	Four Thirds	12.2	4032	3024	1080/60i	20.9	10.3	499	52
5.		Olympus E-PM1	Four Thirds	12.2	4032	3024	1080/60i	21.0	10.3	499	52
6.		Olympus E-PM2	Four Thirds	15.9	4608	3456	1080/30p	22.7	12.2	932	72
7.		Olympus TG-5	1/2.3	12.0	4000	3000	4K/30p	20.5	11.9	934	50
8.		Olympus XZ-2	1/1.7	11.8	3968	2976	1080/30p	20.4	11.3	216	49
9.		Panasonic FZ150	1/2.3	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	19.4	10.9	132	40
10.		Panasonic FZ200	1/2.3	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60p	19.1	10.8	114	37
11.		Panasonic G1	Four Thirds	12.0	4000	3000	none	21.1	10.3	463	53
12.		Panasonic G3	Four Thirds	15.8	4592	3448	1080/60i	21.0	10.6	667	56
13.		Panasonic G10	Four Thirds	12.0	4000	3000	720/30p	21.2	10.1	411	52
14.		Panasonic GF3	Four Thirds	12.0	4000	3000	1080/60i	20.6	10.1	459	50
15.		Panasonic GH1	Four Thirds	12.0	4000	3000	1080/24p	21.6	11.6	772	64
16.		Panasonic LX5	1/1.7	10.0	3648	2736	720/60p	19.6	10.8	132	41
17.		Panasonic LX7	1/1.7	10.0	3648	2736	1080/60p	20.7	11.7	147	50
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but also of capturing video footage. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, and both provide the same movie specifications (720/30p).

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the G2 has an electronic viewfinder (1440k dots), which can be very helpful when shooting in bright sunlight. In contrast, the XZ-1 relies on live view and the rear LCD for framing. That said, the XZ-1 can be equipped with an optional viewfinder – the VF-2. The table below summarizes some of the other core capabilities of the Olympus XZ-1 and Panasonic G2 in connection with corresponding information for a sample of similar cameras.

Core Features

		Camera Model	Viewfinder (Type or 000 dots)	Control Panel (yes/no)	LCD Specifications (inch/000 dots)	LCD Attach- ment	Touch Screen (yes/no)	Max Shutter Speed *	Max Shutter Flaps *	Built-in Flash (yes/no)	Built-in Image Stab
1.		Olympus XZ-1	optional	n	3.0 / 614	fixed	n	1/2000s	2.0/s	Y	Y
2.		Panasonic G2	1440	n	3.0 / 460	swivel	Y	1/4000s	2.6/s	Y	n
3.		Olympus E-PL1	optional	n	2.7 / 230	fixed	n	1/2000s	3.0/s	Y	Y
4.		Olympus E-PL3	optional	n	3.0 / 460	tilting	n	1/4000s	5.5/s	n	Y
5.		Olympus E-PM1	optional	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	n	1/4000s	5.5/s	n	Y
6.		Olympus E-PM2	optional	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	Y	1/4000s	8.0/s	n	Y
7.		Olympus TG-5	none	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	n	1/2000s	20.0/s	Y	Y
8.		Olympus XZ-2	optional	n	3.0 / 920	tilting	Y	1/2000s	5.0/s	Y	Y
9.		Panasonic FZ150	202	n	3.0 / 460	swivel	n	1/2000s	12.0/s	Y	Y
10.		Panasonic FZ200	1312	n	3.0 / 460	swivel	n	1/4000s	12.0/s	Y	Y
11.		Panasonic G1	1440	n	3.0 / 460	swivel	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
12.		Panasonic G3	1440	n	3.0 / 460	swivel	Y	1/4000s	4.0/s	Y	n
13.		Panasonic G10	202	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.6/s	Y	n
14.		Panasonic GF3	none	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	Y	1/4000s	3.2/s	Y	n
15.		Panasonic GH1	1440	n	3.0 / 460	swivel	n	1/4000s	3.0/s	Y	n
16.		Panasonic LX5	optional	n	3.0 / 460	fixed	n	1/4000s	2.5/s	Y	Y
17.		Panasonic LX7	optional	n	3.0 / 920	fixed	n	1/4000s	11.0/s	Y	Y
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.

One differentiating feature between the two cameras concerns the touch sensitivity of the rear screen. The G2 has a touchscreen, while the XZ-1 has a conventional panel. Touch control can be particularly helpful, for example, for setting the focus point.

The Olympus XZ-1 has an intervalometer built-in. This enables the photographer to capture time lapse sequences, such as flower blooming, a sunset or moon rise, without purchasing an external camera trigger and related software.

Concerning the storage of imaging data, both the XZ-1 and the G2 write their files to SDXC cards.

Connectivity comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Olympus XZ-1 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

Input-Output Connections

		Camera Model	Hotshoe Port	Internal Mic / Speaker	Microphone Port	Headphone Port	HDMI Port	USB Port	WiFi Support	NFC Support	Bluetooth Support
1.		Olympus XZ-1	Y	mono / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
2.		Panasonic G2	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
3.		Olympus E-PL1	Y	stereo / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
4.		Olympus E-PL3	Y	stereo / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
5.		Olympus E-PM1	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
6.		Olympus E-PM2	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
7.		Olympus TG-5	-	stereo / mono	-	-	micro	2.0	Y	-	-
8.		Olympus XZ-2	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
9.		Panasonic FZ150	Y	stereo / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
10.		Panasonic FZ200	Y	stereo / mono	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
11.		Panasonic G1	Y	- / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
12.		Panasonic G3	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
13.		Panasonic G10	Y	mono / -	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
14.		Panasonic GF3	-	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
15.		Panasonic GH1	Y	stereo / -	Y	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
16.		Panasonic LX5	Y	mono / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-
17.		Panasonic LX7	Y	stereo / mono	-	-	mini	2.0	-	-	-

Both the XZ-1 and the G2 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The G2 was replaced by the Panasonic G3, while the XZ-1 was followed by the Olympus XZ-2. Further information on the features and operation of the XZ-1 and G2 can be found, respectively, in the Olympus XZ-1 Manual (free pdf) or the online Panasonic G2 Manual.

Review summary

So how do things add up? Is the Olympus XZ-1 better than the Panasonic G2 or vice versa? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.

Advantages of the Olympus XZ-1:

• More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (614k vs 460k dots).
• Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
• Ready to shoot: Has a lens built-in, whereas the G2 requires a separate lens.
• More compact: Is smaller (111x65mm vs 124x84mm) and thus needs less room in the bag.
• Less heavy: Is lighter even though it comes with a built-in lens (unlike the G2).
• Sharper images: Has hand-shake reducing image stabilization built-in.
• More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
• More modern: Is somewhat more recent (announced 10 months after the G2).

Reasons to prefer the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (12 vs 10.1MP), which boosts linear resolution by 9%.
• Better image quality: Scores substantially higher (19 points) in the DXO overall evaluation.
• Richer colors: Generates noticeably more natural colors (2.4 bits more color depth).
• Better low-light sensitivity: Can shoot in dim conditions (2.1 stops ISO advantage).
• Easier framing: Has an electronic viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
• More flexible LCD: Has a swivel screen for odd-angle shots in portrait or landscape orientation.
• Fewer buttons to press: Has a touchscreen to facilitate handling and shooting adjustments.
• More selfie-friendly: Has an articulated screen that can be turned to be front-facing.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/4000s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (2.6 vs 2 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• More flexible: Takes interchangeable lenses and can thus be used with specialty optics.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (360 versus 320) out of a single battery charge.
• More heavily discounted: Has been on the market for longer (launched in March 2010).

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the G2 is the clear winner of the contest (13 : 8 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision. A professional wildlife photographer will view the differences between cameras in a way that diverges from the perspective of a family photog, and a person interested in architecture has distinct needs from a sports shooter. Hence, the decision which camera is best and worth buying is often a very personal one.

How about other alternatives? Do the specifications of the Olympus XZ-1 and the Panasonic G2 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best Travel-Zoom Camera and Best Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.

In any case, while the specs-based evaluation of cameras can be instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains partial and cannot reveal, for example, the shooting experience and imaging performance when actually working with the XZ-1 or the G2. At times, user reviews, such as those published at amazon, address these issues in a useful manner, but such feedback is on many occasions incomplete, inconsistent, and unreliable.

Expert reviews

This is why expert reviews are important. The table below provides a synthesis of the camera assessments of some of the best known photo-gear review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]). As can be seen, the professional reviewers agree in many cases on the quality of different cameras, but sometimes their assessments diverge, reinforcing the earlier point that a camera decision is often a very personal choice.

Expert Camera Reviews

		Camera   Model	AP   score	CL   score	DCW   score	DPR   score	EPZ   score	PB   score	Camera Launch	Launch Price	Street Price
1.		Olympus XZ-1	4/5	..	..	74/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2011	EUR 480	ebay.com
2.		Panasonic G2	..	..	..	72/100	4/5	4.5/5	Mar 2010	EUR 549	ebay.com
3.		Olympus E-PL1	..	86/100	..	69/100	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2010	EUR 599	ebay.com
4.		Olympus E-PL3	3/5	+ +	..	72/100	4.5/5	4/5	Jun 2011	EUR 549	ebay.com
5.		Olympus E-PM1	..	86/100	..	71/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jun 2011	EUR 449	ebay.com
6.		Olympus E-PM2	3/5	..	..	77/100	5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2012	EUR 499	ebay.com
7.		Olympus TG-5	..	+ +	4.5/5	..	4/5	4/5	May 2017	EUR 479	ebay.com
8.		Olympus XZ-2	4/5	+	..	..	4.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2012	EUR 599	ebay.com
9.		Panasonic FZ150	3/5	+ +	..	76/100	4/5	4.5/5	Aug 2011	EUR 529	ebay.com
10.		Panasonic FZ200	3/5	+ +	..	80/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jul 2012	EUR 599	ebay.com
11.		Panasonic G1	..	+ +	..	70/100	4/5	4.5/5	Sep 2008	EUR 499	ebay.com
12.		Panasonic G3	3/5	+ +	..	75/100	4.5/5	5/5	May 2011	EUR 579	ebay.com
13.		Panasonic G10	3/5	..	..	70/100	4/5	4/5	Mar 2010	EUR 499	ebay.com
14.		Panasonic GF3	3/5	82/100	..	71/100	4.5/5	4/5	Jun 2011	EUR 469	ebay.com
15.		Panasonic GH1	..	+ +	..	72/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2009	EUR 799	ebay.com
16.		Panasonic LX5	4/5	+	..	73/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	Jul 2010	EUR 529	ebay.com
17.		Panasonic LX7	3/5	+ +	..	75/100	4/5	4.5/5	Jul 2012	EUR 529	ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.

The review scores listed above should be treated with care, though. The assessments were made in relation to similar cameras of the same technological generation. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. It should also be noted that some of the review sites have over time altered the way they render their verdicts.

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Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? In case you are interested in seeing how other cameras pair up, just make your choice using the following search menu. As an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.

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