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ENDED, But it is back for $199 at Amazon. Here: Amazon XZ-2 for $199

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I know it's not Pentax but since the MX-1 is getting quite tough to acquire I thought this might be interesting walk around camera for Pentax people with a very fast F1.8-2.5 lens:

Olympus XZ-2 12MP Digital Camera (Black) $179 + Free Shipping

Street Shooter's review of this XZ-2 camera: Street Shooting with XZ-2

Note: DXO (DX Optics Pro) has automatic lens corrections for this camera if you use that software.

Link to Amazon deal:
Amazon.com : Olympus XZ-2 Digital Camera (Black) : Compact System Digital Cameras : Camera & Photo

[Adam]

That's a really good price. Same hardware as the MX-1, so you can't go wrong!

[Spodeworld]

I believe it has the same lens and sensor as the MX-1 and offers comparable image quality.

[iamwhoiam]

The deal has ended.

[iamwhoiam]

Now available at B & H for $199
Olympus STYLUS XZ-2 iHS Digital Camera (Black) V101020BU000 B&H

[OnTheWeb]

Even $199 is a good deal. Kind of an MX-1 with a hotshoe.

[iamwhoiam]

Now gone from B & H and listed as discontinued.

[OnTheWeb]

Now gone from B & H and listed as discontinued.

Crazy! I was just there like 5 minutes ago and it was still available. The internet is fast

[Lititz]

Crazy! I was just there like 5 minutes ago and it was still available. The internet is fast

$240 for factory refurbished at the Olympus outlet. I bought one of these on sale a couple of years ago. It's a fine compact--same basics as MX-1, as Adam noted above, with a few different user features. I particularly like (1) the programmable control ring around the lens, which can be set to do fine focusing, aperture/shutter speed setting, etc., (2) the touch screen, especially being able to tap on the screen to indicate the subject I want the camera to focus on. Anyone who bought one: the firmware upgrade improves low light autofocus. Biggest negative: on-camera microphone clearly picks up autofocus noise. The only solution is an off-camera microphone using Olympus' relatively expensive hot shoe adapter. So it's great for stills, but awkward for video.

---------- Post added 12-10-14 at 09:00 PM ----------

PS. Olympus sells extended warranties like Pentax does. They're cheap at places like B&H, Adorama, others--around $20 for 2 years (but about twice as much if bought directly from Olympus). Make sure you buy the correct warranty for the XZ-2--there's half a dozen or so different Olympus extended warranties.

[GoneToTheDogs]

Thanks, Lititz, for the memory jog on the extended warranty. I just got an XZ-2 from B&H a couple days ago and had the extended warranty on my "to do" list. I know how that would've ended up... forgotten with everything else!

[OnTheWeb]

XZ-2 is back down to $199 at Amazon

Here: XZ-2 Camera from Amazon

[Spodeworld]

Is there any advantage over the MX-1, except for the hotshoe and programmable lens ring? Oh, yeah, and the touch screen and probably faster raw write speed.....

[OnTheWeb]

Is there any advantage over the MX-1, except for the hotshoe and programmable lens ring? Oh, yeah, and the touch screen and probably faster raw write speed.....

Touchscreen and external Mic.

[dcrusoe]

and I got it, 199 plus 31.50 for three yeah drop spill plan. Daughter will be 21 in January. perfect for her. Thanks for the heads up OP and to OnTheWeb, for posting that it is back up on Amazon

[GateCityRadio]

Is there any advantage over the MX-1, except for the hotshoe and programmable lens ring? Oh, yeah, and the touch screen and probably faster raw write speed.....

I doubt since its the same hardware that the write speed would be any different, maybe someone will chime in.

Wish pentax would of issued a firmware update to fix some of the issues with the MX-1....still a great camera and the write speeds aren't that bad with a faster card,.