Contax N Digital vs Olympus XZ-1
The Contax N Digital and the Olympus XZ-1 are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in February 2002 and January 2011. The N Digital is a DSLR, while the XZ-1 is a fixed lens compact. The cameras are based on a full frame (N Digital) and a 1/1.7-inch (XZ-1) sensor. The Contax has a resolution of 6.1 megapixels, whereas the Olympus provides 10.1 MP.
Below is an overview of the main specs of the two cameras as a starting point for the comparison.
Going beyond this snapshot of core features and characteristics, what are the differences between the Contax N Digital and the Olympus XZ-1? 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 Contax N Digital and the Olympus XZ-1 is provided in the side-by-side display below. The two cameras are presented according to their relative size. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter.
The XZ-1 can be obtained in two different colors (black, white), while the N Digital is only available in black.
If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Olympus XZ-1 is considerably smaller (66 percent) than the Contax N Digital. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the N Digital nor the XZ-1 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 N Digital is an interchangeable lens camera that requires a separate lens. Attaching the latter will add extra weight and bulk to the setup.
As can be seen in the images above, the N Digital has a battery grip built in. This facilitates image-taking in portrait orientation and gives it additional battery power.
The adjacent table lists the principal physical characteristics of the two cameras alongside a wider set of alternatives. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, you can move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.
# | Camera Model |
Camera Width |
Camera Height |
Camera Depth |
Camera Weight |
Battery Life |
Weather Sealing |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Contax N Digital | 152 mm | 138 mm | 80 mm | 990 g | 100 | n | Feb 2002 | 7,399 | ebay.com | |
2. | Olympus XZ-1 | 111 mm | 65 mm | 42 mm | 275 g | 320 | n | Jan 2011 | 499 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon 10D | 150 mm | 107 mm | 75 mm | 850 g | 500 | n | Feb 2003 | 1,999 | ebay.com | |
4. | Canon Rebel | 142 mm | 99 mm | 72 mm | 649 g | 400 | n | Aug 2003 | 899 | ebay.com | |
5. | Canon 1Ds | 156 mm | 158 mm | 80 mm | 1265 g | 600 | Y | Sep 2002 | 8,999 | ebay.com | |
6. | Canon D60 | 150 mm | 107 mm | 75 mm | 855 g | 620 | n | Feb 2002 | 2,999 | ebay.com | |
7. | Leica M10-P | 139 mm | 80 mm | 39 mm | 660 g | 210 | Y | Aug 2018 | 7,995 | ebay.com | |
8. | Leica M10 | 139 mm | 80 mm | 39 mm | 660 g | 210 | Y | Jan 2017 | 6,595 | ebay.com | |
9. | Leica SL | 147 mm | 104 mm | 39 mm | 847 g | 400 | Y | Oct 2015 | 7,450 | ebay.com | |
10. | Leica M9 | 139 mm | 80 mm | 37 mm | 585 g | 550 | n | Sep 2009 | 7,999 | ebay.com | |
11. | Nikon D100 | 144 mm | 116 mm | 81 mm | 780 g | 370 | n | Feb 2002 | 1,999 | ebay.com | |
12. | Nikon D1X | 157 mm | 153 mm | 85 mm | 1100 g | 1200 | Y | Feb 2001 | 5,999 | ebay.com | |
13. | Olympus XZ-2 | 113 mm | 65 mm | 48 mm | 346 g | 340 | n | Sep 2012 | 599 | ebay.com | |
14. | Olympus E-PL3 | 110 mm | 64 mm | 37 mm | 313 g | 300 | n | Jun 2011 | 599 | ebay.com | |
15. | Olympus E-PM1 | 110 mm | 64 mm | 34 mm | 265 g | 330 | n | Jun 2011 | 499 | ebay.com | |
16. | Olympus E-PL1 | 115 mm | 72 mm | 42 mm | 334 g | 290 | n | Feb 2010 | 599 | ebay.com | |
17. | Panasonic LX5 | 110 mm | 65 mm | 43 mm | 271 g | 400 | n | Jul 2010 | 499 | ebay.com | |
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders. | |||||||||||
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 N Digital, 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 sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants 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. Further, a large sensor camera will give the photographer additional creative options when using shallow depth-of-field to isolate a subject from its background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.
Of the two cameras under consideration, the Contax N Digital features a full frame sensor and the Olympus XZ-1 a 1/1.7-inch sensor. The sensor area in the XZ-1 is 95 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.0 and 4.4. The sensor in the N Digital has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, while the one in the XZ-1 offers a 4:3 aspect.
Despite having a smaller sensor, the XZ-1 offers a higher resolution of 10.1 megapixels, compared with 6.1 MP of the N Digital. This megapixels advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 2.13μm versus 11.90μm for the N Digital). However, it should be noted that the XZ-1 is much more recent (by 8 years and 10 months) than the N Digital, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently.
The resolution advantage of the Olympus XZ-1 implies greater flexibility for cropping images or the possibility to print larger pictures. The maximum print size of the XZ-1 for good quality output (200 dots per inch) amounts to 18.3 x 13.8 inches or 46.5 x 35 cm, for very good quality (250 dpi) 14.7 x 11 inches or 37.2 x 28 cm, and for excellent quality (300 dpi) 12.2 x 9.2 inches or 31 x 23.3 cm. The corresponding values for the Contax N Digital are 15.2 x 10 inches or 38.6 x 25.5 cm for good quality, 12.2 x 8 inches or 30.9 x 20.4 cm for very good quality, and 10.1 x 6.7 inches or 25.7 x 17 cm for excellent quality prints.
The Contax N Digital has a native sensitivity range from ISO 50 to ISO 1600. The corresponding ISO settings for the Olympus XZ-1 are ISO 100 to ISO 6400 (no boost).
Technology-wise, both cameras are equipped with CCD (Charged Coupled Device) sensors. Both cameras use a Bayer filter for capturing RGB colors on a square grid of photosensors. This arrangement is found in most digital cameras.
Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for many cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The following table provides an overview of the physical sensor characteristics, as well as the sensor quality measurements for a selection of comparators.
# | Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Contax N Digital | Full Frame | 6.1 | 3040 | 2008 | none | 21.5 | 10.5 | 1283 | 59 | |
2. | Olympus XZ-1 | 1/1.7 | 10.1 | 3664 | 2752 | 720/30p | 18.8 | 10.4 | 117 | 34 | |
3. | Canon 10D | APS-C | 6.3 | 3072 | 2048 | none | 21.1 | 10.9 | 571 | 57 | |
4. | Canon Rebel | APS-C | 6.3 | 3072 | 2048 | none | 21.0 | 10.8 | 544 | 55 | |
5. | Canon 1Ds | Full Frame | 11.0 | 4064 | 2704 | none | 21.8 | 11.0 | 954 | 63 | |
6. | Canon D60 | APS-C | 6.3 | 3072 | 2048 | none | 20.3 | 9.8 | 301 | 47 | |
7. | Leica M10-P | Full Frame | 23.8 | 5952 | 3992 | none | 25.1 | 14.1 | 2739 | 93 | |
8. | Leica M10 | Full Frame | 23.8 | 5952 | 3992 | none | 24.4 | 13.2 | 2133 | 86 | |
9. | Leica SL | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/30p | 25.0 | 13.4 | 1821 | 88 | |
10. | Leica M9 | Full Frame | 18.1 | 5212 | 3472 | none | 22.5 | 11.7 | 884 | 69 | |
11. | Nikon D100 | APS-C | 6.0 | 3008 | 2000 | none | 20.4 | 9.9 | 394 | 48 | |
12. | Nikon D1X | APS-C | 5.9 | 3008 | 1960 | none | .. | .. | .. | .. | |
13. | Olympus XZ-2 | 1/1.7 | 11.8 | 3968 | 2976 | 1080/30p | 20.4 | 11.3 | 216 | 49 | |
14. | Olympus E-PL3 | Four Thirds | 12.2 | 4032 | 3024 | 1080/60i | 20.9 | 10.3 | 499 | 52 | |
15. | Olympus E-PM1 | Four Thirds | 12.2 | 4032 | 3024 | 1080/60i | 21.0 | 10.3 | 499 | 52 | |
16. | Olympus E-PL1 | Four Thirds | 12.2 | 4032 | 3024 | 720/30p | 21.5 | 10.1 | 487 | 54 | |
17. | Panasonic LX5 | 1/1.7 | 10.0 | 3648 | 2736 | 720/60p | 19.6 | 10.8 | 132 | 41 | |
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. |
Many modern cameras cannot only take still pictures, but also record videos. The XZ-1 indeed provides for movie recording, while the N Digital does not. The highest resolution format that the XZ-1 can use is 720/30p.
Feature comparison
Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the N Digital has an optical viewfinder, which can be very useful 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 following table reports on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Contax N Digital, the Olympus XZ-1, and comparable cameras.
# | 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. | Contax N Digital | optical | Y | 2.0 / 200 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 4.0/s | n | n | |
2. | Olympus XZ-1 | optional | n | 3.0 / 614 | fixed | n | 1/2000s | 2.0/s | Y | Y | |
3. | Canon 10D | optical | Y | 1.8 / 118 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | Y | n | |
4. | Canon Rebel | optical | n | 1.8 / 118 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 2.5/s | Y | n | |
5. | Canon 1Ds | optical | Y | 2.0 / 120 | fixed | n | 1/8000s | 3.0/s | n | n | |
6. | Canon D60 | optical | Y | 1.8 / 114 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | Y | n | |
7. | Leica M10-P | optical | n | 3.0 / 1037 | fixed | Y | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | n | n | |
8. | Leica M10 | optical | n | 3.0 / 1037 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 5.0/s | n | n | |
9. | Leica SL | 4400 | Y | 3.0 / 1040 | fixed | Y | 1/8000s | 11.0/s | n | n | |
10. | Leica M9 | optical | n | 2.5 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 2.0/s | n | n | |
11. | Nikon D100 | optical | Y | 1.8 / 118 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 3.0/s | Y | n | |
12. | Nikon D1X | optical | Y | 2.0 / 120 | fixed | n | 1/16000s | 3.0/s | n | n | |
13. | Olympus XZ-2 | optional | n | 3.0 / 920 | tilting | Y | 1/2000s | 5.0/s | Y | Y | |
14. | Olympus E-PL3 | optional | n | 3.0 / 460 | tilting | n | 1/4000s | 5.5/s | n | Y | |
15. | Olympus E-PM1 | optional | n | 3.0 / 460 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 5.5/s | n | Y | |
16. | Olympus E-PL1 | optional | n | 2.7 / 230 | fixed | n | 1/2000s | 3.0/s | Y | Y | |
17. | Panasonic LX5 | optional | n | 3.0 / 460 | fixed | n | 1/4000s | 2.5/s | Y | Y | |
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one. |
One feature that is present on the N Digital, but is missing on the XZ-1 is a top-level LCD. While being, of course, smaller than the rear screen, the control panel conveys some of the essential shooting information and can be convenient for quick and easy settings verification.
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.
The N Digital writes its imaging data to Compact Flash cards, while the XZ-1 uses 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 Contax N Digital and Olympus XZ-1 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.
# | Camera Model |
Hotshoe Port |
Internal Mic / Speaker |
Microphone Port |
Headphone Port |
HDMI Port |
USB Port |
WiFi Support |
NFC Support |
Bluetooth Support |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Contax N Digital | Y | - / - | - | - | - | FW | - | - | - | |
2. | Olympus XZ-1 | Y | mono / - | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
3. | Canon 10D | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 1.1 | - | - | - | |
4. | Canon Rebel | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 1.1 | - | - | - | |
5. | Canon 1Ds | Y | - / - | - | - | - | FW | - | - | - | |
6. | Canon D60 | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 1.1 | - | - | - | |
7. | Leica M10-P | Y | - / - | - | - | - | - | Y | - | - | |
8. | Leica M10 | Y | - / - | - | - | - | - | Y | - | - | |
9. | Leica SL | Y | stereo / mono | Y | Y | full | 3.0 | Y | - | - | |
10. | Leica M9 | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
11. | Nikon D100 | Y | - / - | - | - | - | 1.1 | - | - | - | |
12. | Nikon D1X | Y | - / - | - | - | - | FW | - | - | - | |
13. | Olympus XZ-2 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
14. | Olympus E-PL3 | Y | stereo / - | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
15. | Olympus E-PM1 | Y | stereo / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
16. | Olympus E-PL1 | Y | stereo / - | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - | |
17. | Panasonic LX5 | Y | mono / mono | - | - | mini | 2.0 | - | - | - |
Studio photographers will appreciate that the Contax N Digital (unlike the XZ-1) features a PC Sync socket, so that professional strobe lights can be controlled by the camera.
Both the N Digital and the XZ-1 have been discontinued, but can regularly be found used on ebay. The XZ-1 was replaced by the Olympus XZ-2, while the N Digital does not have a direct successor. Further information on the two cameras (e.g. user guides, manuals), as well as related accessories, can be found on the official Contax and Olympus websites.
Review summary
So what is the bottom line? Is there a clear favorite between the Contax N Digital and the Olympus XZ-1? Which camera is better? The listing below highlights the relative strengths of the two models.
Arguments in favor of the Contax N Digital:
- Better image quality: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for higher quality imaging.
- Richer colors: The pixel size advantage translates into images with better, more accurate colors.
- More dynamic range: Larger pixels capture a wider spectrum of light and dark details.
- Better low-light sensitivity: Larger pixels means good image quality even under poor lighting.
- Easier framing: Has an optical viewfinder for image composition and settings control.
- Easier setting verification: Features an LCD display on top to control shooting parameters.
- Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (1/8000s vs 1/2000s) to freeze action.
- Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (4 vs 2 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
- More flexible: Can take a variety of interchangeable lenses, including specialty optics.
- More portrait friendly: Features an integrated vertical grip for easier portrait shooting.
- Better studio light control: Has a PC Sync socket to connect to professional strobe lights.
- More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in February 2002).
Reasons to prefer the Olympus XZ-1:
- More detail: Has more megapixels (10.1 vs 6.1MP), which boosts linear resolution by 26%.
- Broader imaging potential: Can capture not only stills but also 720/30p video.
- Larger screen: Has a bigger rear LCD (3.0" vs 2.0") for image review and settings control.
- More detailed LCD: Has a higher resolution rear screen (614k vs 200k dots).
- Easier time-lapse photography: Has an intervalometer built-in for low frequency shooting.
- Ready to shoot: Comes with an integrated lens, while the N Digital requires a separate lens.
- More compact: Is smaller (111x65mm vs 152x138mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
- Less heavy: Has a lower weight even though it has a lens built in (unlike the N Digital).
- Longer lasting: Gets more shots (320 versus 100) out of a single battery charge.
- Sharper images: Has stabilization technology built-in to reduce the impact of hand-shake.
- Easier fill-in: Has a small integrated flash to brighten shadows of backlit subjects.
- More affordable: Was introduced at a lower price, despite coming with a built-in lens.
- More modern: Reflects 8 years and 10 months of technical progress since the N Digital launch.
If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the XZ-1 comes out slightly ahead of the N Digital (13 : 12 points). However, the relevance of individual strengths will vary across photographers, so that you might want to apply your own weighing scheme to the summary points when reflecting and deciding on a new camera. 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 Contax N Digital and the Olympus XZ-1 place the cameras among the top in their class? Find out in the latest Best DSLR Camera and Best Travel-Zoom Camera listings whether the two cameras rank among the cream of the crop.
In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the N Digital or the XZ-1 perform in practice. User reviews, such as those found at amazon, can sometimes inform about these issues, but such feedback is often incomplete, inconsistent, and biased.
Expert reviews
This is where reviews by experts come in. 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.
# | Camera Model |
AP score |
CL score |
DCW score |
DPR score |
EPZ score |
PB score |
Camera Launch |
Launch Price (USD) |
Street Price |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Contax N Digital | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | .. | Feb 2002 | 7,399 | ebay.com | |
2. | Olympus XZ-1 | 4/5 | .. | .. | 74/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jan 2011 | 499 | ebay.com | |
3. | Canon 10D | .. | .. | .. | + + | .. | .. | Feb 2003 | 1,999 | ebay.com | |
4. | Canon Rebel | .. | .. | .. | + + | .. | .. | Aug 2003 | 899 | ebay.com | |
5. | Canon 1Ds | .. | .. | .. | + + | .. | .. | Sep 2002 | 8,999 | ebay.com | |
6. | Canon D60 | .. | .. | .. | + + | o | .. | Feb 2002 | 2,999 | ebay.com | |
7. | Leica M10-P | .. | .. | 3/5 | .. | .. | 4/5 | Aug 2018 | 7,995 | ebay.com | |
8. | Leica M10 | 4.5/5 | .. | .. | .. | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Jan 2017 | 6,595 | ebay.com | |
9. | Leica SL | 4/5 | .. | 4/5 | 84/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Oct 2015 | 7,450 | ebay.com | |
10. | Leica M9 | .. | .. | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | .. | Sep 2009 | 7,999 | ebay.com | |
11. | Nikon D100 | .. | .. | .. | + + | o | .. | Feb 2002 | 1,999 | ebay.com | |
12. | Nikon D1X | .. | .. | .. | + + | .. | .. | Feb 2001 | 5,999 | ebay.com | |
13. | Olympus XZ-2 | 4/5 | + | .. | .. | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Sep 2012 | 599 | ebay.com | |
14. | Olympus E-PL3 | 3/5 | + + | .. | 72/100 | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | Jun 2011 | 599 | ebay.com | |
15. | Olympus E-PM1 | .. | 86/100 | .. | 71/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jun 2011 | 499 | ebay.com | |
16. | Olympus E-PL1 | .. | 86/100 | .. | 69/100 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | Feb 2010 | 599 | ebay.com | |
17. | Panasonic LX5 | 4/5 | + | .. | 73/100 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | Jul 2010 | 499 | 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. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, please note that some of the review sites have changed their methodology and reporting over time.
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 a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.
- Canon 6D vs Contax N Digital
- Canon G15 vs Olympus XZ-1
- Canon M6 vs Contax N Digital
- Canon SX530 vs Contax N Digital
- Contax N Digital vs Nikon D3500
- Contax N Digital vs Olympus E-510
- Contax N Digital vs Sony H400
- Fujifilm X30 vs Olympus XZ-1
- Olympus E-M10 III vs Olympus XZ-1
- Olympus XZ-1 vs Panasonic G90
- Olympus XZ-1 vs Sony A7S
- Olympus XZ-1 vs Sony H400
Specifications: Contax N Digital vs Olympus XZ-1
Below is a side-by-side comparison of the specs of the two cameras to facilitate a quick review of their differences and common features.
Camera Model | Contax N Digital | Olympus XZ-1 |
---|---|---|
Camera Type | Digital single lens reflex | Fixed lens compact camera |
Camera Lens | Contax N mount lenses | 28-112mm f/1.8-2.5 |
Launch Date | February 2002 | January 2011 |
Launch Price | USD 7,399 | USD 499 |
Sensor Specs | Contax N Digital | Olympus XZ-1 |
Sensor Technology | CCD | CCD |
Sensor Format | Full Frame Sensor | 1/1.7" Sensor |
Sensor Size | 36.0 x 24.0 mm | 7.85 x 5.89 mm |
Sensor Area | 864 mm2 | 46.2365 mm2 |
Sensor Diagonal | 43.3 mm | 9.8 mm |
Crop Factor | 1.0x | 4.4x |
Sensor Resolution | 6.1 Megapixels | 10.1 Megapixels |
Image Resolution | 3040 x 2008 pixels | 3664 x 2752 pixels |
Pixel Pitch | 11.90 μm | 2.13 μm |
Pixel Density | 0.71 MP/cm2 | 21.81 MP/cm2 |
Moiré control | Anti-Alias filter | Anti-Alias filter |
Movie Capability | no Video | 720/30p Video |
ISO Setting | 50 - 1,600 ISO | 100 - 6,400 ISO |
DXO Sensor Quality (score) | .. | 34 |
DXO Color Depth (bits) | .. | 18.8 |
DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | .. | 10.4 |
DXO Low Light (ISO) | .. | 117 |
Screen Specs | Contax N Digital | Olympus XZ-1 |
Viewfinder Type | Optical viewfinder | Viewfinder optional |
Viewfinder Field of View | 95% | |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.73x | |
Top-Level Screen | Control Panel | no Top Display |
LCD Framing | Live View | |
Rear LCD Size | 2.0inch | 3.0inch |
LCD Resolution | 200k dots | 614k dots |
LCD Attachment | Fixed screen | Fixed screen |
Shooting Specs | Contax N Digital | Olympus XZ-1 |
Focus System | Phase-detect AF | Contrast-detect AF |
Continuous Shooting | 4 shutter flaps/s | 2 shutter flaps/s |
Time-Lapse Photography | no Intervalometer | Intervalometer built-in |
Image Stabilization | Lens stabilization only | In-body stabilization |
Fill Flash | no On-Board Flash | Built-in Flash |
Storage Medium | CF cards | SDXC cards |
Single or Dual Card Slots | Single card slot | Single card slot |
Connectivity Specs | Contax N Digital | Olympus XZ-1 |
External Flash | Hotshoe | Hotshoe |
Studio Flash | PC Sync socket | no PC Sync |
USB Connector | Firewire | USB 2.0 |
HDMI Port | no HDMI | mini HDMI |
Wifi Support | no Wifi | no Wifi |
Body Specs | Contax N Digital | Olympus XZ-1 |
Battery Type | Contax 4xAA | Olympus Li-50B |
Battery Life (CIPA) | 100 shots per charge | 320 shots per charge |
Body Dimensions |
152 x 138 x 80 mm (6.0 x 5.4 x 3.1 in) |
111 x 65 x 42 mm (4.4 x 2.6 x 1.7 in) |
Camera Weight | 990 g (34.9 oz) | 275 g (9.7 oz) |
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