Review by Fazri Nuha
My first compact digital camera had been a 2MP Canon Powershot A60, which had been powered by four AA batteries. This is way back in 2003. It is the first compact digital camera with Program, Aperture/Shutter Priority, and even a Full Manual mode. Things have come a long way since then so naturally I am excited to test this new compact.
Newbie Friendly
I like to value a compact camera by how easy it is for a beginner to use it to capture images that are focused and properly exposed, with minimum guidance. So I let my 10-year old niece borrow it, set it to Program and showed her how to focus (by tapping on the display) and clicking the shutter. Within seconds, she has moved to snap amazing photos of our family dinner without any additional assistance. It really is that easy to use.
Fast Zoom
The Stylus 1 is a compact camera that carries an amazing zoom lens as it has an extended reach of 300mm at f2.8. Very few compacts carry such a well-built lens capable of that huge of an aperture rating when the range is further than 200mm. Macro mode is impressive as well, capable of focusing subjects as close as 5cm from the front element.
Focus Ring
Personally, I love this the most. Around the lens, there is a context-based control ring. In Auto, Program and Shutter Priority, the ring controls zoom. In Aperture and Manual mode, the ring controls aperture size. Switch to manual focus, and the ring activates a remarkable feature that zooms in the display of the electronic viewfinder for fine-tune focusing, enabling you to get that razor-sharp focus.
Minimum Hassle
Carrying around a lens cap can be such an annoying chore for compact cameras. Fortunately, the lens on the Stylus 1 has a lens cap that opens up like lotus petals upon activation and neatly closes back in when you switch it off. That’s a lot of thought put in for such a little convenient feature. Certainly something I appreciate very much.
Weight: 404g
Dimensions (W x H x D): 116.2 x 87 x 56.5mm
Weight: 402g
Sensor: 12MP 1/1.7in-type BSI CMOS Sensor
Image Processor: TruePic VI
Lens: 28 – 300mm f2.8 with built-in optical stabiliser
Optical Zoom: 10.7x
Macro focus distance: 5 – 60cm
ISO Rating: Auto, 100 to 12800
Video: 1080p @ 30fps, MP4
Display: Tilting 3in, 1.44-megapixel Multitouch LCD
Viewfinder: 1.44-megapixel EVF
Storage: Supports up to 64GB SD/SDHC/SDXC cards
Connectivity: Wi-Fi
Ports: micro-HDMI, USB 2.0
Value: 10/10
Features: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Design: 8/10
Usability: 10/10
Verdict: Extreme value for money, although noise reduction could be improved
Total Score: 9.6/10
