Camera Lens Info
iPhone XS Max Camera Lens vs Olympus XZ-2
A few years ago I purchased the [Olympus XZ-2](https://www.dpreview.com/products/olympus/compacts/oly_xz2) camera to use as my primary video camera for low-light pictures. Since I got the iPhone XS Max, I haven't used the Olympus XZ-2 as much. I was thinking for my next trip, is it still worth packing the Olympus XZ-2?
A look at the specs between the two cameras. These are taken from the official spec documents from each manufacturer. (For the iPhone XS Max I am only focusing on the back lens.)
Olympus XZ-2
| Product Type | 1.7" CMOS sensor |
| Aspect ratio | 1.33 (4:3) |
| Lens | Olympus lens 6 to 24 mm, f1.8 to 2.5 (Equivalent to 28 to 112 mm on a 35 mm film) |
| Shutter Speed | 1/2000-60 sec., Bulb shooting (Maximum 16 minutes at ISO 100) |
| Shooting Range | 0.05 m (2 inch) to (W), 0.2 m (8 inch) to (T) (Normal/Macro) 0.01 m (0.4 inch) to 0.6 m (2 ft.) (super macro mode) |
| ISO sensitivity | 100-12800 (1/3 EV step) |
| Aperture | -/1.8 --/F2.5 |
iPhone XS Max
| Type | Back-illuminated Sensor (1.4-m) |
| Aspect ratio | 4,032 x 3,024 (4:3) |
| Resolution | 7 MP Front Camera |
| Wide Lens | 12 MP, f/1.8, 4.25 mm, 1/2.55", 1.4-m, OIS, PDAF |
| Telephoto Lens | 12 MP, f/2.4, 6 mm, 1/3.4", 1.0-m, OIS, PDAF, 2x optical zoom |
| Lens Equivalent | 26 to 55 mm on a 35 mm film |
| Aperture | Wide-angle: -/1.8 and Telephoto: -/2.4 |
| Shutter Speed | 1/22000 (Wide) 1/45000 (Telephoto) |
| Shooting Range | 2.87 mm to infinity (There are additional third-party kits to purchase micro mode.) |
| IOS sensitivity | 24-2304 |
| Battery | 3174 mAh |
Low Light Tip
The best night photos require the lowest aperture. So, while the iPhone XS Max may take great pictures, if I am taking night shots, I might be better packing the Olympus XZ-2 for better quality night photos. This is especially true for low light video photography.
The Olympus XZ-2 is just slightly better in low light conditions.
Any Surprises?
The Olympus XZ-2 was announced on September 17, 2012. The iPhone XS Max looks to be a good camera replacement. I think the nice thing about the Olympus XZ-2 is how the back screen can detach making it easy to see the screen when it is high or low.