Poor | Average | Good | Excellent | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Screen size | 2.5 in Best: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W710 Screen size: 6.7 in | |||
ISO maximum | 3200 Best: Pentax KP ISO maximum: 819200 | |||
Effective pixels | 10 Mpx Best: Hasselblad H6D-100c Effective pixels: 100 Mpx | |||
Max resolution | 3648 x 2736 px Best: Leica M11 Max resolution: 9528 x 6328 px |
Sensor type | Live MOS |
---|---|
Image sensor format | Four Thirds |
Sensor size | 0.68 in |
Sensor photo detectors | 12.0 Mpx |
Effective pixels | 10.0 Mpx |
Image ratio w:h | 4:3 |
Max resolution | 3648 x 2736 px |
Other resolutions |
|
Processor | TruePic III |
Lens mount | Four Thirds |
---|---|
Optical zoom | 1.15 x |
Digital zoom | 10.0 x |
Magnification (Crop factor) | 2.0 x |
AF assist (auto-focus assist light) | Flash |
Focus adjustment | Auto |
Contrast autofocus | no |
Focal length multiplier | 2x |
Autofocus |
|
Manual focus | yes |
Number of focus points | 11 |
Max number of AF points (incl. assistant) | 11 |
Image stabiliser | Built-in |
Phase detection autofocus | yes |
Camera shutter type |
|
---|---|
Minimum shutter speed | 60.0 s |
Maximum shutter speed | 1.0 s |
Shutter priority | yes |
Aperture priority | yes |
Number of exposures | 3 |
Exposure compensation plus | 5 |
Exposure compensation minus | -5 |
Expousure compensation steps |
|
Continuous shooting | yes |
Histogram | yes |
Flash sync speed | 1/250s |
Built-in flash | yes |
Flash range | 13 |
Flash modes |
|
External flash connection |
|
External flash | yes |
Continuous drive | 5.0 fps |
Scene modes |
|
Self-timer | yes |
Manual settings | yes |
Self-timer options |
|
Speed (JPEG) | 5.0 fps |
Speed (RAW) | 5.0 fps |
Exposure bracketing | 0.3 - 1.0±EV |
Built-in microphone | yes |
---|
Weight | 28.57 oz |
---|---|
Width | 5.61 in |
Height | 2.93 in |
Depth | 4.59 in |
Power source type | Battery |
---|---|
Battery life (CIPA) | 610 |
Battery technology | Lithium-Ion |
Timelapse recording | no |
---|---|
GPS | no |
Orientation sensor | yes |
Calendar | yes |
Energy Star certified | no |
Frame | yes |
Image editing modes |
|
ISO Auto | yes |
---|---|
ISO minimum | 100 |
ISO maximum | 3200 |
Maximum image resolution | 3648 x 2736 px |
White balance presets | 8 |
White balance modes |
|
Custom white balance | yes |
Supported image file formats |
|
Photo effects |
|
Image stabilizer | yes |
Image stabilization type | Sensor-shift |
Supported aspect ratios | 4:3 |
Uncompressed format | RAW |
HDR | no |
AEB/HDR support | yes |
Screen size | 2.5 in |
---|---|
Articulated LCD | yes |
Screen technology | LCD |
Screen dots | 230000 |
Touch screen | no |
Field of view | 100.0 % |
Live view | yes |
Viewfinder | Optical |
Viewfinder coverage | 100.0 % |
Viewfinder magnification | 1.15 x |
Separate info display | yes |
Maximum resolution | 1280 x 960 px |
---|---|
Video recording | yes |
HD type | Not supported |
Camera playback | Single image |
Body type | SLR |
---|---|
Body material | Aluminum-magnesium |
Colour of product | Black |
Anti-dust system | yes |
Environmentally sealed | yes |
Compatible memory cards |
|
---|---|
Dual memory card slots | yes |
Storage types |
|
HDMI | no |
---|---|
USB version | 2.0 |
DC-in jack | yes |
Remote control | yes |
PictBridge | yes |
NFC | no |
Wireless network (Wi-Fi) | no |
Firewire | no |
The new "flagship" of the Olympus E-System, the E-3 replaces the 5-megapixel E-1 introduced in 2003. This 10-megapixel model shares no components with its predecessor but a quick glance through the specifications may suggest that it's similar to the EVOLT E-510. In truth, the E-3 is more advanced in virtually every respect, boasting superior technology, an entirely new AF system, and additional high-end features. It's more desirable in other aspects, too, including more rugged construction and a fully articulated LCD screen that makes Live View far more practical.
Four years is a very long time in the digital camera market, and four years in the digital SLR market is virtually a lifetime. In the four-odd years between the launch of the Olympus E-1 - the camera that heralded the first all-new SLR system for over a decade - and its successor the E-3, the DSLR landscape has changed beyond recognition, with prices dropping and capabilities soaring. The world moved on whilst the Olympus professional system stood still, looking more and more irrelevant and less and less like a serious contender to the long-standing Canon/Nikon duopoly in the pro market.
FacebookTweet The last six months in the digital SLR world have been very interesting. Just as I thought that technological development would start to level...
E-3 is a great SLR and Olympus's best model to date. While it may not usurp the dominant forces of Canon and Nikon in this space, its combination of great features and good quality pictures make it a viable alternative for people after something a little different.
The E-1's replacement may have been worth the four year wait
Olympus E3 review, find out how the E3 stacks up against the competition in our real-world review with in-depth image quality comparisons.
Expert reviews of all the latest cameras, lenses, smartphones and accessories, since 2003.
FacebookTweet A Field Review on the Olympus E3 Photos and story by Douglas Brown With the release of the new professional grade E3, Olympus has...
Less than £1000 can buy you Olympus' latest Pro camera. But how professional is a 10MP camera?
Olympus E-3
A solidly-built, professional-quality DSLR for Four Thirds system enthusiasts.Olympus is targeting professional photographers and 'advanced enthusiasts' with its E-3 DSLR model, which replaces the four-year-old E-1, the world's first Four Thirds system DSLR. However, the promise of smaller, lighter cameras claimed for the Four Thirds system is not delivered in the E-3, which is one of the heaviest DSLR bodies in the under-$5000 category. (Only Nikon's D200 and D300 weigh more.) But size and weight aren't the only factors influencing camera choice and the E-3 has plenty to recommend it.
Best4Reviews was granted an exclusive hands on preview of Olympus' new flagship DSLR, the E-3. How do the camera and test shots measure up?
Four years is a very long time in the digital camera market, and four years in the digital SLR market is virtually a lifetime. In the four-odd years between the launch of the Olympus E-1 - the camera that heralded the first all-new SLR system for over a decade - and its successor the E-3, the DSLR landscape has changed beyond recognition, with prices dropping and capabilities soaring. The world moved on whilst the Olympus professional system stood still, looking more and more irrelevant and less and less like a serious contender to the long-standing Canon/Nikon duopoly in the pro market.