Why the Olympus XZ-1 Is the Comeback OM System Desperately Nees

Olympus has some wonderful cameras in their lineup. From the iconic GH series, to the newly launched S1 series, there is so much for users to choose from. However, the company has some fantastic cameras that were launched a decade ago, and some of them deserve a comeback. This includes the much loved Olympus XZ-1.

Olympus XZ-1 is a compact camera that comes with a 10MP CCD 1/1.63-inch sensor. It offers a TruePic V processor, a 28-112mm lens, and an 11-point AF system. The device also offers 18 scene modes and 6 Art Filters, which is helpful for those keen on getting exceptional images.

Ergonomically, the Olympus XZ-1 is quite solid in its design. It is small, compact, and it feels good in your hands. It comes with two dials, has a nice soft, velvet strap, and the menu is nearly perfect. The camera is designed for enthusiasts, has good buttons, and comes with a good positioning of the on/off switch. The LCD is good for those who want to see and compose.

The autofocus is also quite fast for a compact camera. It is accurate in good light, and one can always rely on manual focus and manual zone selection for accurate focusing. The face detection is superb, and with AF tracking, one can easily get the best result on the street. At that moment, it is also one of the best point and shoot when it comes to focusing.

The image quality is great, colorful, and has good contrast. The 10MP sensor is able to retain lots of detail, especially for the web. The RAW files are also versatile, and the dynamic range is pretty good. The color depth adds to it, too. “In fact, it beats out the Canon S95 and Leica D-LUX 5,” we added in our review. The photos are also sharp, thanks to Olympus’ lens. As we further added in the review:

So what does this all mean to you? For a professional that wants a small camera to shoot great images, the image quality is very up to par and if you accept that you’re using a point and shoot you won’t have much of a problem at all. Color accuracy is the best I’ve seen in any Olympus camera (even in low light.) For the enthusiast and hobbyist: this is a darn good choice.

As a point and a shoot, the Olympus XZ-1 is good for travel, street, and most everyday use. High ISO results are satisfactory. They are grainy, but they can further add to the beauty of the images. The art filters also help to get some fantastic results. In 2026, the camera could be ideal for Gen Z users wanting something different or millennials wanting to relive the sense of nostalgia.

In fact, since the camera has a wireless flash control, a quick lens, and overall nice feel, it is bound to be a hit in 2026.