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Mauro Eberspacher www.juzaphoto.com/p/MauroEberspacher  |
The following opinions have been automatically translated with Microsoft Translator. | Olympus XZ-2 iHS Pros: Image quality (largely due to the excellent lens), size, functional completeness Cons: Wide-angle not wider than 28mm eq.; small, but not really pocket-sized; sufficient functionality, but, today, a bit outdated; Good battery life, but not great. Opinion: After reading very happy comments about this camera I bought one and started shooting to see how it goes. Clearly, the comparison cannot be made with the latest sensor and extra bright lenses, but with a proper shot and careful post-production you can achieve results much higher than theoretical expectations; the lens is very good, extremely resolving (so, at a glance, I would say that it is the same lens that made the fortunes of the Fujifilm X20 and X30) and the sensor although small in size (but 12 mpxl in absolute are not very few) allows you to crop, adjust the tones and work on sharpness without great embarrassment, but developing with DXO anyway there isn't much of a need for it. The "creative" features (it would be more correct to say "pre-packaged" so as not to offend true creativity, but oh well) are as efficient as they could have been 12 years ago, in particular a bit outdated the Panorama which requires you to take a certain number of shots to have them glued together later on a PC by the Olympus software. The operating speed isn't great, but once you know you adjust; It would have been better if the wide-angle had reached the 24mm equivalent, but even with the 28mm you can do a lot of things; The cap that opens in a corolla shape when the lens extends outwards is very very practical and, overall, the small size compensates for many of the limitations due to the age of the project. As an owner of a Stylus 1 I also made some comparisons; well, no surprise: the higher brightness of the XZ-2's lens gives it an edge in many cases, even in bright light, while the Stylus 1's telephoto lens is an irreplaceable element. For the rest, with the same photographic characteristics, the results, of course, are superimposable. In making the Stylus 1 they have made room for a more capable battery improving the range, which in the XZ-2 is good, but not great. The XZ-2 is a hair lighter and more pocketable (but neither really is). In short, all in all a happy surprise. sent on June 27, 2024 |
 | Olympus Stylus 1 Pros: Compact, not so small that it can fit in a jeans pocket, but in a jacket pocket; very complete and equipped with a 28-300 f2.8 zoom; Typical Olympus functionality management, i.e. very complete perhaps too much, and a level of performance much higher than what the sensor measurement would lead you to believe (if you develop the raw correctly, otherwise it is still good). Cons: The passing of time, the habit of a long series of features that someone may not be able to give up and, in short, everything that is not there; For my part, only the wide-angle lens is no wider than the 28mm EQ. Opinion: I've had the Stylus 1 for a few years and I've casually used it alternating it with other machines without expecting who knows what, after all the sensor is what it is, the seniority of the project as well, etcetera etcetera, yes, complete, all in all compact, a nice zoom, but the technical limits are there... I was delighted with the results, but not surprised. For some time now, however, thanks to the adoption of DXO PureRaw in the development of raws, I have completely re-evaluated this camera (perhaps it means that my way of developing them before is not that great): shots at 1600 iso are not at all "at the limit", the level of detail of the photos is surprising (who said that with 12 megpixel you can't photograph?), the performance of the lens, in terms of vignetting and CA, is absolutely decent and, in short, the Stylus has earned a more important and less snubbed place in my bag in the field. Let's be clear: what isn't there isn't, so 1) the M43 sensor is better (the 1" one not so much), 2) a good fixed lens will always have better performance, 3) the AF is fast but not lightning fast and 3) if you need to make 4k movies it doesn't do them. Point. Everything else can be carried with you in the pocket of a jacket, sorry if it's little. In retrospect and after use in various situations I must say that I felt a bit the lack of a wide angle of at least 24mm eq., but never mind. Add to that the fact that it uses the same battery as many other M43 bodies, the BLS-5, which I find really comforting. In short, much better to have it than not to have it. sent on January 26, 2024 |
 | Panasonic Lumix LF1 Pros: Small, lightweight, extremely precise and functional; the small electronic viewfinder is a very useful accessory, even if... (see "Cons") Cons: The small electronic viewfinder is enough just to take aim, but at least... (see "Pro") Opinion: I came across this compact in a second-hand market and, given the very reasonable figure, I decided to take it and see how it goes. First of all: it's very good; when you use it in favorable situations or at least not entirely unfavorable, it provides very detailed images and with well-balanced colors, even the stabilization works well. The white balance does a good job and the very small sensor is not so, combined with a very bright wide angle and a beautiful long canvas (not as bright, but oh well, give ...) it makes available to the traveling photographer all the desirable options in a camera. Limits, of course, there are: the sensor is not comparable either with those from an inch, nor, let alone with those microQuattroTerzi (to name a few used in more recent compacts) so it can suffer at medium-high ISOs, the monitor does not tilt, the viewfinder is good for framing and very little more (but, hell, at least there is and thank goodness that there is!), there are few keys, given the dimansions, and the accessory functions are quite sparse. With all this I find it an excellent pocket machine that gets by in almost all situations; I wouldn't take it as the only car on a trip, but if so it probably wouldn't make me regret it that much. Ah, I forgot: for situations of lower brightness, if you want to avoid pulling your neck to the ISO, there is the scene mode "Night playback by hand" which is a multi-shot (very "multi"; in some cases you no longer know if it will finish shooting), very effective. sent on April 28, 2022 |
 | Fujifilm X-M1 Pros: X-trans 1st generation, small and lightweight, tilting monitor and (for those who use them) Scene Cons: No level, no noisy shutter, no electronic shutter. Opinion: A machine from which you get everything you want from an X-Trans sensor, closed in a body reduced to the essentials (from which the X-A1 and all subsequent Bayer models later departed), very light. If desired, they can also add the heaviest lenses, but of course its best use is with light and, if possible, small optics. The sensor of the X-M1, if I am not mistaken, unlike that of the X-E1, is already an evolution of that of the X-pro1 with the inclusion of pixels dedicated to phase detection autofocus, anticipating in this the development of the subsequent X-T1; unlike the latter, raw files fully maintain the qualities of the first generation of X-Trans sensors. For those who love the Biancoenero a bit '"strong", mount the 27mm and set the machine on the Monochrome with a little' contrast means creating a small street monster. The preparation of a machine with the specifications of the X-M1 meant having the tilting monitor and, above all, the Scenes that, although far from the purist philosophy of the first Fuji, represent a nice curiosity. The complete package has unfortunately provided for the elimination of the Level, which especially with machines of casual use I consider necessary, and the adoption of a shutter with a dry and evident sound; nothing scandalous, but in machines that make their elegance and discretion an important component it seems inappropriate to me, given, among other things, that the X-M1 does not even have the electronic shot. Having said all this, I had it, sold and bought it again recently and in double version, too, because the silver & leather one, with the 27 silver, is really too much, too beautiful. sent on September 20, 2021 |
 | Olympus PEN E-P5 Pros: Very high level of implementation, effectiveness of stabilization, image quality Cons: Design limits: there is no viewfinder (but one can be applied to it as an accessory), it does not have electronic shooting, it does not have HDR. Opinion: An exceptionally built machine. Found new at an affordable price, as is right given the time after the presentation, I was able to extract it from the packaging and admire it calmly that a first contact, a few years ago, had not granted me. I'm just saying this: it feels like you're holding one of those high-class rangefinders that were once designed and built with the care of high craftsmanship. In some machines the technological advancement is combined with the aesthetic impact in such a complete way that you like to go around it and you also seem to photograph us better. Of course the technical contents are well known, they are those of the same Omd e-m1 minus the viewfinder, grip and electronic shutter (and, yes, also hdr, for those who use it); if you consider them outdated you can consider them a "con", but for my way of photographing they are still superior to the usual needs. For everything else it is a shiny metal block, at least in the silver version that I have, with very high performance and minimal footprint. It is not very light because the metal weighs more than plastic and in the pocket of the jacket pulls down a little, but in your hand it balances very well. Stabilization is effective and once the machine is updated to the last firmware, the only photographic defect that was recognized is eliminated, namely the creation of micromosso in some shooting times. What can I say? I may be a bit gerontophile, but I really like it. sent on February 17, 2021 |
 | Fujifilm X-S1 Pros: Very robust body with excellent grip, very valid optics for the entire extension, except for the canvas extremes a little less incisive (as is logical to expect). Good stabilization, some features useful to compensate for the limits of the sensor ("Pro little light"). Central shutter that then allows flash synchronization on all times. Metal lampshed (just to emphasize the care of the realization). Cons: Fujifilm did not consider evolving the camera as it did with the X10, creating the X20 equipped with an X-trans sensor; an X-S2, with this hardware and the insertion of a sharper sensor and the most usable ISOs, would have defeated the competition. One consequence of the central shutter is that at larger diaphragms the minimum shutter time is less rapid than narrower ones, which can cause surprises. The machine does not have the Q-menu, which instead had been implemented in the X10 with firmware update, and this nowadays can annoy. In some configurations the photos produced are half resolution, i.e. 6 mpx; to some they may seem a little. Opinion: A safe, solid, very versatile machine, of very high quality. When you don't know how to compose your photo bag, you stick your X-S1 in and you don't feel like you need anything anymore. Of course we are talking about a bridge and with the same light conditions an X-H1 with the right lens will give better results, this is obvious, as is the fact that a FF sensor, APS-C (better if X-Trans), or m4/3 is better than the 2/3 inch Bayer that equips the X-S1. However, it is often a question of balance and in X-S1 colour, sensitivity, autofocus and practicality of use are balanced extremely well; the photos have a unique color paste and detail, which in many cases I do not know how else you could get, merit in equal parts of the sensor, which is the same as the X10 and XF1 and the same generation as the X100 with which it shares the battery, and the optics that is a mixture of resolvency and versatility. Once you reach the ISO limits of the sensor you can rely on electronic options including "Pro little light", of the Advanced section, which stacks 4 shots (or less, if the light is not poor) with results that exceed expectations. The shutter is central, so not being a curtain like most other machines means that it has particular characteristics, which I expressed between the PRO and CON, not because they are real advantages or disadvantages, but to point out that these are peculiarities that can be felt as limitations or as splendid opportunities (being able to use the flash with any shooting time is no small matter). Of course, given the seniority of the project, some technical contents are somewhat outdated: the electronic viewfinder and the monitor have fewer pixels than the most recent ones and the controls are grouped according to a somewhat outdated logic. Fujifilm also soon forgot this model during its updates and did not feature the very comfortable Q-menu, as it did for sister X10. This is a real shame. Despite its limitations it is a real camera, equipped with a strong personality and able to support (and endure) for a long time the photographic manias of anyone. sent on October 16, 2020 |
 | Fujifilm X30 Pros: Robustness, lens, sensor, image quality, battery life and (for those who appreciate it) aesthetics Cons: Addictive Opinion: Found at a "human" price I bought this machine for the second time, this time hoping not to stumble and fall on it; Note that last time the display had broken, in addition to a hand, but the viewfinder and all the rest of the machine continued to work regularly-to say how solid. Even in this "Second Life" the X30 is taking over, causing me to leave home any other equipment, because for 90% of the opportunities is more than enough, just know the limits, which are the same as the X20 from which mutual Sensor and basic electronics. This is to say that those who know and appreciated the X20 will find in this machine the same characteristics; On the other hand, those who had heard limiting the Galilean viewfinder, the fixed display and the absence of WiFi, in this will be happy to find more updated solutions, more "performing", as the USA say. Features: The sensor is an X-trans, like that of the CSC sisters APS-C, but it is quite smaller, though not lowercase; This brings with it obvious consequences, type that if, to say, in the Sorellone with APS sensor for us the limit of the ISO without noise is 1600, here will be 800, or even 640; The sharpness is remarkable thanks also to the excellent lens, but certainly a 35mm f1.4, also mounted on an X-M1, will always do better. "Then Why don't you bring a Fuji body with two-three fixed vouchers?", I will wonder, but the answer is simple!: "Because within the range 28-112mm it has and in conditions of light not extreme, the results of this machine are much more than sufficient . And I bring a body only, compact and not heavy. " Yes, the body: it's a little bit larger than the X20, in a light but substantial way; Where that could fit into the pocket of a jacket, this... Perhaps not, and his weight is more perceptible; On the other hand, the adoption of a larger battery (that of the X100) involves a series of changes, also positive because autonomy is abruptly increased. The controls are all in the right place for a compact and after a short time you learn to work it with extreme naturalness. I can't comment on autofocus and video shooting because my photographic style rarely requires rapidity and video I don't. The photographic qualities, for those who did not know the previous model to which I called, are very noticeable for the class of apparatus: High ISO seal, chromatic range, sharpness, completeness of functions, dynamic range. On This last point I want to emphasize that the machine does not have HDR, but it is sufficient to bring to-2 the two contrasts, high and low lights, bring the DR (Dinamic range) on dr400, make a prudent choice in the exposure and the choice of film emulation and here is that It becomes almost impossible to leave out range something. In any case the raw file is perfectly workable, even in the car. On The used market maintains a high price, which indicates how the value of the machine is higher than the passage of time. sent on April 02, 2019 |
 | Olympus PEN E-PM1 Pros: Small, light; Equipped with a Micro Four Thirds sensor, therefore very different from that of a compact, even evolved, of similar dimensions; The same battery as the successive pens and, for one, of the Om-D e-M10 II, resulting in overall economies; On the market of the used costs very little (for me it is a Pro too); The "Shockproof" shot combined with the stabilizer can make it also possible to use rather long shutter speeds that the size and lightness of the machine would otherwise be impracticable Cons: The size of the camera and the keys can create some problems to the larger hands and the sensor produces a stop noise before the one adopted by the successive models. Opinion: The e-PM1 is very small and light as a Compattina, but equipped with a "true" sensor, the ability to shoot in Jpeg and raw, to develop in camera the raw and to do a little ' everything you can do with the older sisters. Coupled with a small, light and versatile lens such as the Olympus 14-42 EZ or the Panasonic 12-32 it becomes a kind of "phantom weapon", ready to be pulled out of the pocket and to produce high quality images. After having already had it I bought it just to achieve this union between portability and quality. The dimensions have forced Olympus to some somersaults in the distribution of keys and functions, including menus, but after a while it falls into the custom of use Olympus. The 12 MPX sensor of the first series of pens is certainly less elastic than the next 16 mpx, but if used carefully-and not demanding what it can not do-can give better results than they believe the size of the machine. Much much better than a compact, indeed: a real machine sent on December 05, 2018 |
 | Fujifilm X-A2 Pros: lightweight performance at high ISO (detail and seal against noise), film simulation "Classic Chrome", cost Cons: Raw less valid machine X-trans, firmware limitations similar to other machines XA and XM Opinion: Purchased in a kit with the Fujinon XC II 16-50 and 50-230 II for the sole purpose of replacing the similar goals of the first series, this car surprised me and has carved out its own specific space thanks to its characteristics distinct from other X-Trans machines I have. The technicians Fuji, having to propose to the public for strictly economic reasons a machine equipped with a normal Bayer sensor, worked in order to avoid that the buyer complained an excessive detachment from the other qualitative Fujifilm; in this context they have equipped the car with an engine Jpeg even more interesting than the other machines on board, getting a Raw noisier and less detailed (just open it in Camera Lucida to note it) to produce JPEG images natively even more clean and rich details of the sisters. RNLA machine itself retains the mix of equipment suitable for an audience "approach" to photography, in addition to the usual adjustments, and renunciation, I think to avoid overlaps with other models of the house, some evenUseful features ellettroniche (one of all: the level) .rnNell'insieme I find a car recommendable thousand times if you do not plan to work on raw, and, if not, I suggest you try, also used, any other model with X-Trans sensor sent on October 03, 2015 |
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