Noise, Resolution and Sensitivity
Noise and noise reduction becomes a problem once the ISO sensitivity is increased beyond ISO 400, causing a huge loss of detail
With a 1/1.63in, 10-million-pixel sensor, Olympus has kept the XZ-1 at a sensible resolution. When shooting our test chart the camera was able to resolve as much detail as an equivalent DSLR camera at its lowest ISO sensitivity settings. However, when taken out of the testing studio and into the real world, the noise and noise reduction starts to hinder the
resolution at around ISO 400.
By ISO 800 it is fairly obvious in most images, and beyond this point starts to seriously affect the amount of detail that can be resolved. For instance, images taken at ISO 3200 and ISO 6400 are a mushy blur. The increased sensitivity means that any bright points of light affect neighbouring photosites, giving a magenta tinge to surrounding areas.
Although it is handy to have the higher ISO settings, they should really be avoided. Olympus should have left the ISO 1600 setting as the maximum, especially as the f/1.8 aperture and image stabilisation make it possible to shoot in low light at this sensitivity.
Resolution charts:
These images show 72ppi (100% on a computer screen) sections of images of a resolution chart, captured using the kit lens set to 50mm (75mm equivalent).
We show the section of the resolution chart where the camera starts to fail to reproduce the lines separately.
The higher the number visible in these images, the better the camera’s detail resolution at the specified sensitivity setting.
Olympus XZ-1 Noise, Resolution and Sensitivity: Score – 26/30
