Olympus E-3

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.

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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.