Olympus E-3

Olympus E-3 combines speed and weatherproof durability for capturing exceptional images in any situation. Olympus pioneered Full Time Live View and Dust Reduction technologies for digital SLR cameras, leading where others have followed. Now, the new E-3 enhances those technical innovations and raises the performance bar with the fastest autofocus in the world. Body-Integrated Mechanical Image Stabilization to stabilize every lens, a 10-megapixel Live MOS image sensor to capture beautiful images, and a magnesium alloy body for dust-proof and splash-proof durability join the impressive innovations developed for the E-3, including: Speed, Superior Image Quality, Swivel Live View LCD, Reliability.

Speed - never miss an opportunity

The E-3 boasts the world's quickest* autofocus system. It is based on a fully-biaxial high-speed 11-point AF system with both horizontal and vertical sensor lines to give a total of 44 different data points from which the correct focus is accurately calculated. In addition, pixel multiplication technologies are used to boost performance in low light (-2EV at ISO 100). Meanwhile, fast shutter speeds of up to 1/8000th sec. provide the ability to freeze action dead in its tracks - no matter its pace. And giving users an advantage over the clock when every second counts, shooting speeds of up to 5fps in full Megapixel mode are possible (with 19 image RAW buffer in burst mode).

Image quality - picture perfect performance

To counteract the effects of image blur caused by shakes, the Olympus E-3 incorporates a highly advanced, built-in image stabilisation system. It is extremely effective and utilises the breakthrough Supersonic Wave Drive (SWD). This means sharper shots every time - no matter which lens is used - and less need to use a tripod as compensation up to 5 EV steps is provided. The IS system features two modes: One for shakes along both the x and y axes, while another stabilises only the y axis - which is ideal for following moving subjects during sports photography.

Significantly contributing to the camera's excellent imaging performance is the 10 Megapixel High Speed Live MOS sensor. Its attributes for delivering high image quality are boosted even further thanks to integration of the advanced TruePic III image processor which improves noise suppression, enhances colour reproduction and enables faster processing speeds. And together with lenses from the award-winning ZUIKO DIGITAL range, the camera returns nothing less than perfect depictions.

Live View - unprecedented control

The E-3 provides photographers with the convenience of a continuous Live View on its multi-angle, 2.5”/6.4cm HyperCrystal LCD. This allows for truly unique shots from the most unusual perspectives, as it enables experimentation with completely new shooting styles. Photographers can do and see more as they needn't stay glued to the viewfinder. Thanks to the option of LCD magnification of 5x, 7x and 10x, accurate focusing during macro shooting is also made easy. In addition, the effects of Shadow Adjustment Technology (SAT), White Balance and Exposure Compensation can be viewed directly on the LCD in real time: So, what you see is really what you get.

Reliability - exceptional durability

The E-3 also takes viewfinder performance up a notch. Full professional level coverage of 100% plus 1.15x magnification enhances framing ease even when using the eyepiece.

Since the development of the world's first dust protection system in 2003, Olympus has continuously improved on it so that it still remains the most effective solution available today. The critically acclaimed Supersonic Wave Filter ingeniously protects the High Speed Live MOS sensor from dust and other foreign particles that could otherwise compromise image quality and serves as a symbol of Olympus' long-standing commitment to imaging excellence.

Its magnesium alloy construction combined with dust and splashproof protection lets the E-3 go wherever the action is: No matter at a rainy football game or on the dusty plains of the Serengeti. The power grip and a wide selection of lenses are equally protected against the elements, thereby considerably reducing the risk of downtime as the E-3 is always ready for the next assignment no matter the conditions. And with a shutter life of 150,000 operations, professionals will really come to appreciate this model's extreme reliability.

Ideal selection

Naturally, low light doesn't put an end to shooting opportunities. In addition to the built-in flash (GN13), the E-3 allows wireless control of flash units, such as the new Olympus FL-36R and FL-50R, in up to three groups - enhancing lighting options dramatically.

In addition, the E-3 boasts flawless automatic white balance. This is due to a hybrid detection system which employs a dedicated white balance sensor in conjunction with the image sensor. The combination of colour data from two different sources results in stunningly faithful colour reproduction.

A complete D-SLR system

Adhering to the Four Thirds Standard, the E-3 is optimised for the special demands of digital photography and provides photographers with a superior level of flexibility and freedom. Cross-manufacturer compatibility ensures a future-proof investment that users can rely on. 32 lenses and three lens converters are available to date, including many from the award-winning ZUIKO DIGITAL range, which is designed for the specific demands of digital SLR photography. Furthermore, Four Thirds enables a smaller, lighter lens construction which means photographers benefit from more mobility and control, thus increasing the likelihood of magnificent imaging results.

In addition to the many lenses which include the recently-introduced ZUIKO DIGITAL SWD models for attaining the world's fastest* autofocus speeds, a wide and exciting range of E-System accessories await professionals looking to customise their photographic experience with the E-3. For flash control without the need for cables, Olympus offers the FL-50R and FL-36R wireless flash units. And for assignments that go into overtime, the Power Grip HLD-4 provides long-lasting battery power and conveniently includes a shutter release button on its side to make the quick capture of shots in portrait format just as simple as landscapes. Two new eye-cups (DE-P3 and DE-N3) are also available to broaden the camera's dioptre correction adjustment capabilities. Shifting the dioptre either up or down by 3m-1, an expansive total range spanning -6m-1 to +4m-1 is possible. Moreover, the optional FS-3 Focusing Screen provides a grid matte screen in the viewfinder on which the image area is divided into 4 x 6 sections to assist in framing (purchase & installation via Olympus Service Dept. only).

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Features summary

Experience the World's Fastest Auto Focus* with the Olympus exclusive 11-point biaxial auto focus system coupled with the new (SWD) Supersonic Wave Drive™ lenses. It provides exacting auto focus precision at exceptional speeds.

Continuous shooting, up to five frames per second, means you can capture fast-moving moments in time and get amazing results. The UDMA CompactFlash compatibility enhances capture speeds for the ultimate in shooting performance.

1/8000-second high-speed, high-precision shutter enables you to freeze even the fastest subjects. Or, set shutter speeds as long as 60 seconds in Manual or Automatic settings.

Effectively reduce blur with Olympus' exclusive Supersonic Wave Drive (SWD) in-body Image Stabilization System. Get up to a five step EV stabilization effect with all Zuiko Digital Lenses, and all Four Thirds Format Lenses.

A newly developed high-performance 10.1-megapixel Live MOS Sensor provides the high resolution you need to accurately reproduce subject details with rich tones and natural colors as well as lower power consumption. Increased reading speed supports 5 fps continuous shooting.

The Olympus exclusive TruePic™ III digital image processing system produces superior image quality and shadow detail.

Olympus Zuiko Digital Lenses — designed specifically for the demands of digital photography — deliver sharp, high-quality color accuracy to the image sensor for amazing photographs.

Live View shooting provides the next generation of composition control in digital SLR photography. The E-3's Live Simulation allows you to check exposure, white balance and composition -in real time, while you compose — with the integrated Live View technology.

The 2.5-inch dual-axis, free-angle swivel Live View monitor provides a 100% accurate representation of your shooting scene. Additionally, the E-3's HyperCrystal™ wide-angle display, with 360-degree articulation, makes composition and image viewing possible at any angle.

The E-3's proven Dust Reduction System , with the Supersonic Wave Filter™ (SWF) self-cleaning ultrasonic sensor unit, eliminates dust particles on the sensor by silently vibrating an amazing 30,000 times per second, ensuring spot-free images.

The 100% accurate high eye point optical viewfinder , delivers the precise compositional accuracy demanded by the most discriminating photographer. When shooting with the E-3, what you see is what you get.

A Rugged magnesium-alloy construction coupled with advanced splash and dust protection, make the E-3 the perfect choice for photographers who demand the most from their equipment, in any situation.

Durable shutter mechanism tested to 150,000 cycles. The pro-level shutter ensures reliability, even at five frames per second, thanks to a durable shutter mechanism tested to 150,000 cycles, making the E-3 the camera of choice for photographers who demand durability from their equipment.

More external Olympus E-3 reviews!

* When coupled with three new Zuiko Digital Supersonic Wave Drive™ Lenses (SWD), like the ED 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 (24-120mm equivalent), the E-3 offers unmatched AF speeds, and the fastest AF speed in the world with that lens. The autofocus speed of the Zuiko Digital 12-60mm (24-120mm) f2.8-4.0 SWD lens, combined with the E-3, was measured during in-house testing by Olympus and is based on similar available lenses for digital SLR cameras as of October 17, 2007.

Sensor	• 4/3 type Hi-Speed Live MOS sensor • 17.3 x 13.0 mm active area • 11.8 million total pixels • 10.1 million effective pixels • RGB (Primary) color filter array • Fixed low pass filter (anti-alias filter) • Hybrid IR cut filter (hot mirror)
Dust suppression	Supersonic Wave Filter
Image processor	TruePic III
Image stabilization	• "Supersonic Wave Drive" (in-body sensor shift) • Two modes: Horizontal+Vertical, Vertical only • Up to 5 EV Compensation (claimed)
Image sizes	• 3648 x 2736 • 3200 x 2400 • 2560 x 1920 • 1600 x 1200 • 1280 x 960 • 1024 x 768 • 640 x 480
File formats	• RAW • RAW + JPEG • JPEG (EXIF 2.2)
JPEG compression	• SHQ (1/2.7) • HQ (1/4) • SQ (1/8 or 1/12)
Lenses	• 4/3 standard lens mount • Range of ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses available • Multiply focal length by 2 for 35 mm equiv. FOV
Auto focus	• 11-point TTL Phase Difference Detection • Automatic or manual point selection • EV -2 to 19 (ISO 100) detection range
Focus area selection	• Automatic • Manual
Focus modes	• Single shot AF • Continuous AF • Manual focus
AF lock	Yes, shutter release or AE/AF button
Manual focus	Focus by wire
AF assist lamp	Yes, flash strobe (flash must be raised)
Exposure modes	• Auto • Program AE (with shift) • Aperture priority AE • Shutter priority AE • Manual
Sensitivity	• Auto • ISO 100 • ISO 125 • ISO 160 • ISO 200 • ISO 250 • ISO 320 • ISO 400 • ISO 500 • ISO 640 • ISO 800 • ISO 1000 • ISO 1250 • ISO 1600 • ISO 2000 • ISO 2500 • ISO 3200
Metering system	• 49-zone multi-pattern • Range: 1 to 20 EV (50 mm F2, ISO 100)
Metering modes	• Digital ESP • Center-Weighted Average • Spot (2%) • Highlight based spot • Shadow based spot
AE Lock	• AE/AF lock button • With shutter release half-press
AE Bracketing	• 3 frames • 1/3, 1/2, 0.7 or 1.0 EV steps
Exposure steps	1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV
Exposure compen.	• -5.0 to +5.0 EV • 1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV steps
Shutter speed	• 60-1/8000 sec • Bulb (up to 4 hours, default 8 mins)
Flash X-sync speed	• 1/250 sec • 1/4000 sec (Super FP mode)
Aperture values	Depends on lens: 1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV steps
White balance	• Auto • Overcast • Shade • Tungsten • Sunlight • Fluorescent 1 • Fluorescent 2 • Fluorescent 3 • 4 custom presets • Kelvin (2000 - 14000 K)
WB fine tuning	• Red - Blue: +/- 7 steps • Green - Magenta: +/- 7 steps
WB Bracketing	• 3 frames • 2, 4 or 6 mired steps
Color space	• sRGB • Adobe RGB
Image parameters	• Picture mode (Vivid, Natural, Portrait, Muted, Monotone, Custom) • Saturation (5 levels) • Sharpness + Contrast (5 levels) • Contrast (5 levels) • B&W filter (Yellow, Orange, Red, Green) • B&W/Sepia toning (Yellow, Orange, Red, Green) • Gradation (High Key, Normal, Low Key)
Drive modes	• Single • Continuous • Self-timer • Remote control
Continuous	• 5.0 fps • RAW: 1 frames maximum • JPEG: Up to card capacity @ HQ 1/8 (with high speed media)
Self-timer	• 2 sec • 12 sec • Anti Shock: 1-30 sec delay
Flash	• Auto electronic pop-up • TTL auto / manual • Guide no. 13 • Sync modes: Auto, Red-eye reduction, Slow syncro with red-eye reduction, Slow syncro, 2nd curtain slow syncro, Fill-in, Off, Bracketing • Flash power: Up to +/- 3EV in 1, 1/2, or 1/3 EV steps
External flash	• Hot shoe • TTL Auto FP / TTL auto for Olympus dedicated flash (FL-20, FL-36, FL-50) • Modes: Auto, Manual, Red-eye reduction, Slow syncro with red-eye reduction, Slow syncro, 2nd curtain slow syncro, Fill-in for exclusive flash. • Flash power: Up to +/- 2EV in 1, 1/2, or 1/3 EV steps
Wireless flash control	• Triggered and controlled by built-in flash unit • Compatible flash units: FL-50R, FL-36R • Modes: TTL Auto (TTL pre-flash mode), Auto, Manual, FP TTL Auto, FP Manual • 4 channels • 3 groups
Viewfinder	• Eye-level TTL Optical Pentaprism • Field of view approx. 100% • Magnification 1.15x with a 50mm lens and -1 dioptre • Dioptre adjustment -3 to +1 dioptre • Built in eyepiece shutter • Focusing screen: Interchangeable type • Mirror: Quick return mirror
Top display information	• Activated AF points • BKT notification • B/W mode notification • Drive mode • Exposure compensation indication • Exposure mode • Flash mode • Focus mode • ISO • Metering mode • Number of storable frames • Record mode • White balance • White balance compensation value
Super Control Panel information	• Metering mode • Exposure mode • Aperture value • Shutter speed • Exposure level view • Flash compensation value • Exposure compensation indication • AE bracketing • ISO • Colour space • Picture mode • Gradation • Colour saturation compensation value • Sharpness compensation value • Contrast compensation value • White balance • White balance compensation value • Noise reduction • AEL notification • Flash mode • Focus mode • AF frame • Drive mode • Record mode • Number of storable frames • Memory card • Battery indicator
Live View information	• 100% field of view • Exposure adjustment preview • White balance adjustment preview • Gradation auto preview • Gridline displayable • 7x/5x/10x magnification possible • MF/S-AF • AF frame display • AF point display • Shooting information • Histogram
Orientation sensor	Yes
LCD monitor	• 2.5" HyperCrystal TFT LCD monitor (wide viewing angle, semi-transmissive) • 230,000 pixels • 100% frame coverage • 15 step brightness adjustment
Playback functions	• Single • Magnify (2 - 14x) • Index (4, 9, 16, 25 frames) • Calendar view • Rotation • Light box view • Slide show • Histogram (Lum / RGB) • Highlight & Shadow point warning
Editing	• RAW development • JPEG editing (B&W, Sepia, Red eye reduction, Color saturation, Resize, Shadow Adjustment Technology)
Fn button	Off, one-touch WB, test picture, preview, Live View, AF home setting, MF, record format, exposure mode, My Mode, underwater modes
Storage	• Compact Flash (Type I and II) / Microdrive • xD- Picture card
Print compatibility	• EXIF 2.2 • Print Image Matching • DPOF
Connectivity	• USB 2.0 (Hi Speed) • Video Out (NTSC / PAL) • Ethernet (10/100) • IR Remote control (optional)
Power	BLM-1 1500 mAh Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery (supplied & charger)
Dimensions	142 x 116 x 75 mm (5.6 x 4.6 x 2.9 in)
Weight (no batt)	800 g (1.8 lb)

FL-50R Electronic Flash

The FL-50R is an external flash unit that allows wireless flash settings to be controlled from the camera body. Wireless flash transmission channel settings enable selection of flash/no flash for groups of multiple flash units. In addition it allows TTL auto, auto, and manual modes to be set; offers a bounce and swivel head; and flash coverage is automatically adjusted in several steps to correspond to the image area when zooming.

The FL-50 provides GN28 at a 12mm focal length (equivalent to 24mm on a 35mm camera; ISO 100) and GN50 at 42mm focal length (equivalent to 85mm on a 35mm camera; ISO 100).

Estimated Retail Price: $499.99

FL-36R Electronic Flash

The FL-36R is a lightweight and compact wireless external flash. Wireless flash transmission channel settings can be controlled from the camera body, and they enable selection of flash/no flash for groups of multiple flash units. It's equipped with a 1/8 step illumination control for precision shooting, a wide-angle diffuser panel for even illumination with wide-angle lenses and a compact zoom head to accommodate lenses from wide-angle to telephoto.

Estimated Retail Price: $299.99

Zuiko Digital 2x Teleconverter EC-20

This ultra-compact, high-performance lens is capable of doubling the focal length of the master lens. It can be mounted on any Zuiko Digital lens, dramatically extending lens performance and putting more subjects within the photographer's range without affecting mobility or ease of use.

Estimated Retail Price: $479.99

E-3 Power Supply

The HLD-4 is an optional power battery holder created especially for the E-3. It is equipped with a shutter release button and other essential dials for easy operation during vertical-format shooting. The body of the unit is sealed to provide the same high resistance to dust and moisture offered by the E-3. The unit can hold two BLM-1 lithium ion batteries like the ones used in the E-3.

Estimated Retail Price: $199.99

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