Wonderful content Robin as always, thanks for sharing! For me the Olympus Stylus 1 was the best street photography camera. It was very light with a wonderful grip lots of buttons a sharp 28-300 2,8 Lens and a automatic lens cap. I used it over years for just everything including Street, Landscapes, Macro, Weddings, Wildlife and I'm still impressed what this small camera could do and how versatile it was. I used it also for a lot of timelapse shots and often in burst mode on weddings and on the streets. I bought my first Stylus used in 2016 and it lived till 2019 having a shutter count of more then 70000. Then I got another Stylus used but it fell apart just after 1 year. I could handle everything in this camera without even looking at the dials and Buttons which is helpful if you are in the streets. I tried different compact zoom cameras from other brands but never enjoyed shooting so much like with the Stylus. Having a lot of cameras I now added the EM10 M2 with the Olympus 17, 25 and 45mm primes and I enjoy the typical Olympus feeling again! It performs at its best and I enjoy the prime lenses a lot. Thanks to your blog I decided for the EM10 M2 because it is still capable enough for me in 2023 and you can find it used for very good prices. Thanks for your content and your help Robin Jens
I’m not much of a street photographer but lately I find it easier to use a compact camera on vacation. It’s small and mostly fits in a pocket or hand bag and means you don’t have to travel with extra lenses
I use the later version of that same camera, the XZ-2, and find it ideal for street photography for the same reasons you noted. Great camera in its day and an equally great camera in 2024.
Smaller is always better if you are wanting to take pictures without being noticed. I hardly ever got a comment when using my x100v however now shooting a g95 and hear comments from time to time
I think owning an OM1n that was all mechanical taught me all the foundational things of photography. Any other camera with automated features would have made it harder to learn the basics. Great video as always Robin.
You're pouring salt into my wounds. I sold my XZ-1 years ago, and am still getting over it. Although, at least I finally got the Oly 25 f/1.2 - the way it paints pictures is just jaw-dropping.
Hi Robin. I'm looking for one unit myself as I find myself moving from larger camera for all the points you mention in your video but finding one nowadays is so difficult and pricey. Furthermore, this is the few missing pieces of my Olympus collection. If you know anyone who wishes to sell their XZ-1, do let me know. Thanks!
Couldnt agree more! I spent last week in London keeping my iPhone in the pocket and everything outside I shot using my 15 year old Canon Ixus 100IS. I was so pleasantly surprised by the results! I hear that it can do RAW using a small mod, may have to try that next!
Having XZ-1, XZ-2 and Stylus1s my daily carry is XZ-2, for bicycle trips usually Stylus1s, for light carry Oly EPL-6 with 9mmFish, 14-42, 40-150. And Pentax DSLR for serious work .) XZ-1 shined in 2010-2015 era, especially in RAW using ISO100-400 and if you omit video, which is quite horrible. And please do not use JPGs as those have no details when compared to very detailed RAW export. Noise reduction is too aggresive in older Olympus cameras. XZ-2 has better CMOS sensor with usable ISO800 and for downsized images even ISO1600, better AF and much better FullHD video. It can do nice night cityscapes handheld too. And Stylus 1s is king, just does not have that F1.8 lens and such supermacro like XZ-2 :)
Only but huge down point of this camera is that no AEL..i have 2 of them, one black one white..but i dont really use them even if i like them...the outcome from this small camera really good...but the weight is not balanced, uncomfortable grip..still good camera but there are better ones..
Is Robin speaking Malay to people on the streets? Why does it sound like it’s mixed with English words/phrases, including ‘one more,’ ‘handsome,’ and ‘thank you’? Are they just loan words or something since English appears to be quite widespread throughout Malaysia?
I agree Robin, I found myself using a small form point and shoot camera on one of my recent city trips, instead of a full DSLR, I found it not as intrusive to just have it in my hand and walk, point and photo!. I use a Pentax MX-1 or a Pentax Q with standard prime lens. I prefer the zoom lens of the MX-1, both cameras have limits, but that is what makes it fun! That Olympus is so great! Thanks for sharing!
Great video! It is true that old cameras do have good image quality. Recently I took out old photos taken with my Lumix LX7 and GF1 and am amazed again 😊
Robin, another great video. For street I have lots of options but for non-interchangeable lens models, I have the Lumix ZS60 and an old Canon SD1200IS I got new in 2011. I am enjoying using both for street shoots when I don't want to break out the GX85, EPL1 or EM10 bodies.
LOL I bought the Olympus XZ1 exactly because of your video and onetwocamera.... bought it for rm300 for two olympus xz1 (one functional, one with faulty lens but working body).... honestly I'm a millenial(but more in the middle of millenials and gen z)... so at first i got caught up with the digicam then I thought why would I want totally old compact camera just because to get the old noisy pics trend(old canon ixus)... I adjusted my long term goals I end up with olympus xz1 instead... still a CCD!
I love your camera, but it is so expensive these days. I loved this video! I am still using an Olympus E-PL3 or E-PM1 for sstreet photography. I usually use it with the 40mm - 150mm kit zoom, or a Ricoh 50mm vintage lens. I just got a TTartisans 25mm f/2 lens, so I will be trying that soon. I wish these cameras had focus peaking!! Robin, I have watched quite a few of your videos. I love your enthusiasm and optimistic attitude. I also am a fan of your brand loyalty. I also love Olympus. Thanks for making your videos. I enjoy them.
Hello Robin, Your video pushed me to give a new try to my Canon S90 that was sleeping from 10+ year in a drawer. From a few reviews I have read, the oly ZX-1 sports a better optic, but the S90 is significantly smaller, a true pocket camera. I made some test shots outside in RAW+JPEG and the result in LRC was what I expected: good to very good colors, but noisy even at 100 iso and sharpness so-so. But then I used the DXOpureraw on the raw files and all of a sudden, the sharpness was much improved and the noise was much reduced, without any visible artefact. At 400-800 iso, the pictures look really great. To me,this software could provide a new life to these CCD cameras whose colors are very pleasing. I guess the S90 will now stay in my pocket for a good while. Thanks for quite instructive videos Francis
I just bought a very cheap used Sony A6000 with 16-50 lens - (almost) all the advantages of a modern camera wit APS-C sensor, in a compact size and without worrying about an expensive camera.
I use a Canon SD790IS and Samsung EX2F as my digicam compacts. The Canon us literally a point and shoot with little manual control at all. I only change the ISO. The Samsung is a hidden gem with an f1.4 max aperture and full manual controls.
Robin, thank you very much! I always watch your movies. I am writing for the first time. I'm from Russia. To date, I have 3 Olympus cameras. Please tell me about Olympus TG-6. It's also a compact camera. There is not much information and impressions about.
My current compact is a Canon S95, it works well for street photos, but I also like my little Canon EOS M and my old Canon EOS 40d that I got new in about 2008. The 40d can focus and fire much faster than the smaller beasts, but they all have their advantages. I have a lot of film cameras also, both point and shoot and others.
Yes Robin, I do use old CCD and SUPER CCD (Fuji) compact cameras and they are astounding. (I also saw a spread of a fashion photographer who makes her colorful and detailed compositions with small-sensor cameras. "I don't need stupid bokeh," she said.) Question for Robin: did you use any sharpening in post for these great photos? Because they are awfully sharp!
Couldn't agree more, i've also been using and enjoying an even cheaper Oly XZ10 that i bought for about $20, 2nd best EDC camera after my smartphone i guess 😁
I fully agree on your thoughts in this video Robin. I do have a question though: Where do you buy those camera's? I have the XZ-2 for instance. OK, it is newer and it has a tilting screen but I paid four times as much as you. Also I bought the E-620. It came with two lenses and is in mint condition with very little clicks, but it wasn't very cheap for sure. So, I am very curious how you manage to get these very good deals. (The E-620 is absolutely gorgeous!)
Hi Robin, I have a Panasonic LX7 and it has similarities to your compact Olympus camera. While it has a small 1/7 inch sensor, it can take great photos of 10 megapixels in good light with a f1.4-f2.3 Lumix lens and also records HD video. It has an ND filter, image stabilisation and more. Can’t get myself to sell it as it is so compact and convenient for street and general photography. I like the B&W photos from this camera too. Enjoying your videos.
The future might be small full-frame cameras line Sony A7C or Sigma FP for street photography. You don't even need an EVF anymore as people are used to smartphones.
Thank you for this Robin. I’ve been using my Sony RX100M4 lately. It was a hit when it came out. I found myself complaining about it recently, but your video is making me reconsider and trying again with its limitations, rather than search and search for a newer street camera. I love the small compact size. It the Sony’s boxiness and sharp edges aren’t my favorite. Maybe an older Olympus? The problem is there are so many to choose from!
Hah! good stuff Robin! I use the Olympus EP-1 as my walk around cam. Sometimes I set it to the maximum ISO B/w and use a pinhole body cap lens. Cheers!
The xz-1 has an excellent fast lens. Add a VF-2 EVF and a Flipbak grip and the camera is an even better tool. It's programmed to keep the ISO low, so if shooting in P or A mode, you have to be mindful of shutter speed as light diminishes. I'll increase the ISO manually if I have to, but no higher than 400, 800 tops. With the small sensor, depth of field is never an issue for me.
Hi Robin, my contribution to the walkabout camera is my old Lumix LX7 10mp which I purchased new in 2014 . I bought it to replace an ageing Lumix TZ8 as it had more ‘manual’ features and a 1.4f Leica lens. I also bought the detachable EVF unit for it which was a godsend in bright sunshine. It has had a lot of use before I got bitten by the MFT bug starting with the Oly E-P1.
Great video thank you Robin, I have been shooting with older cameras for a couple of years now, including a Lumix LX5 and a canon S100. They have brought even more enjoyment to my shutter therapy sessions as they are always in either a pocket or rucksack on the days I do not want to take a bigger camera.
Hi Robin, nice video. Please make a tutorial of your editing workflow.. I love the colors and the look of your pictures, would love to see how you achieve it 😁
I have to say the advantaqge of using an older camera not only gives you a bit of piece of mind (so if it's lost or stolen it's not usually a big deal) but also street photography is more about capturing a moment or a feeling (just like most genres) but even less about things like dynamic range and such, so these are perfect cameras because you aren't so obsessed with the camera or lenses (or rather, trying to protect them as much as you would a $3,000 camera) and you can focus on shooting.
I struggle a bit with compact old cameras: the electronic zoom and the brightness of the lens are difficult to judge for me compared to a simple bright prime, where aperture is all I need to control, especially in high dynamic range situation, where old small sensors tend to burn out highlights pretty fast. May be I should work more on my skills.
I’m not really a street photographer but I definitely see how sometimes simplifying your process with one of these would free your attention to focus on what you’re shooting rather than how or what with!
Unfortunately the great time for compact cams is approx min. 5 years ago. Today people love their smart phone... But for me compact cams like Canon G-series is perfect. When I look through the pics, best shots are made by my old Canon G12. Why? Because the cam is always with me and I master that old thing. I also tried different MFT but at the end the old G12 feels best in my hand.
Totally agree. Due to better ergonomics and other factors photographers still rely on premium compact cameras (Canon G / Sonx RX100 / Ricoh GR ...). A smartphone is the better option for everyone else that isn't a "photographer".
