The E-3 has to be by far the best quality per dollar available and it all fits into something leaner, lighter but no less sophisticated than any highest end pro cameras I've checked out and that is very significant considering the other great cameras that compete with it. In fact, I don't think I'm wrong to say that it offers even more options... or, at least, other. Complexities make it harder to judge these days. I had to draw the line somewhere in my expectations for a 4/3s format that would generate and reflect the best and leave me very comfortable. The E-3 achieves it. With megapixels leveling out, the E-3 is easily within competitive image size range and will be an excellent tool to work with for my portfolio.
Besides the obvious like a swing out LCD, LV, the new viewfinder, etc., my favorite small features include the "avoid menu, get to the point" Super Control Panel concept. WONDERFUL! Auto gradation. GREAT! Dual option buttons. YES! A fabulous camera... to say the least.
PROBLEMS
It's rather strange but more a characteristic of other Olympus cameras I've owned as well but the One Touch WB can stall on reading white in certain compact fluorescent lighting. Same applied to 5050, E-300 and E-510 yet they worked fine under other kelvins. However, with the control options on setting custom white balance on the E-3 there is comfortable compromise.
Date:
2008-01-10 - 10:42:32
Author:
Olympus-29
Rating:
I have had my E-3 for two weeks now. When I got my camera I decided that
before I posted my mini review I would try and put the camera through its paces.
That includes wide angle, telephoto, macro, flash and live view and at the same
time using as many different lighting and focusing techniques as possible.
It took me a little time to tweak the different WB settings to my personal taste but
Olympus has provided almost an infinite amount of adjustment to tweak each
default WB setting. For the most part if you decide to stay with Auto WB for most
lighting conditions you cannot go wrong. I did have to switch to the appropriate
WB setting for both tungsten and fluorescent lighting which really is no big deal.
As far as for AF and Exposure, I could not be more pleased. AF is fast and sure
and I am able to focus easily in some very poor lighting conditions without having
to use the AF assist light. The Exposure setting ability of the camera also appears
to be
spot on.
I love Live View. It is the first time that I have taken Nature oriented macro
pictures using an SLR without having to get contorted in some weird position, so
that I can see through the viewfinder. Also, being able to zoom in to a max of
10x and focus manually while changing the exposure comp. and WB is a God
send. Best of all, you can do all this and see the changes in Live View before you
take the picture. Thank you Olympus!!
Olympus calls it their Super Control Panel Display. All I can say is that it sure is.
By simply pressing just about any button on the camera you can bring up this
display panel on both the top and back mounted LCD. You can then change the
settings of any of these buttons using the displays much faster than you could by
having to use the menu system. You have the ability to call up these Super
Control Panels in three ways. (One) simply press just about any function button
on the camera, (Two) push OK on the arrow pad and (Three) by pressing the
INFO button. You can then make changes to just about any major setting you
want using the arrow pad and or the Main and Sub dials. Us older generation
photographers, sure appreciate the ability to use the nice big 2.5" display to make
these adjustments. In short, I very rarely have to got to the menu system to
make any changes to the camera. This is great because I hate pull down menus.
You always forget where something is when you need it and then you have to go
searching.
This is starting to get a little long winded so I think that I will end it here. Overall
I am very please with my new E-3. It does everything that I expected it to do and
more. In fact, it is now my new system camera and I am able to do 90% to 95%
of all my Nature photography with just three lenses and one flash. I have been a
loyal Nikon user for 40 years and I have never used anything but Nikon until now
but now I am switching to Olympus, strange you say. Most of you reading this
will think that I am crazy, and maybe so, but I simply think that I am showing you
that this old dog is still able to learn some new tricks. If I can change anyone can!
I hope that this little review helps........and no I am not crazy!!!
Date:
2008-05-09 - 03:55:04
Author:
miki
Rating:
I am very happy with this camera
I have been using this camera for over a month now. I have been using Olympus 4/3 cameras for more then a year.
The live MOS unit is new and improved over the 410/510 cameras. Yes it is the same size but it is not the same unit.
Side by side comparisons using the 150mm, 35-100mm, 50-200mm and the 12-60mm show the overall picture quality and detail seams far more improved over the e510. It seems there have been some fine tuning to the noise filter.
Auto Focus Speed is amazing with the 12-60mm.
IS system really works well (you can really see it in live view mode).
ISO testing on a good tripod supprisingly good results to 1600ISO. I took photos at a Christmas show my little girl was in and was amazed with the results. I was at the back of the auditorium freehanding shots at a 800 setting using a very heavy 35-100 F2. lens. Lens was fast enough I did not need a tripod. Love that IS.
Read and write speeds are amazing with Extreme IV card.
Construction is on par with the best of them.
View through the GLASS poro prizim is a treat. You get a full 100% view that is large and crisp unlike the 410 and 510.
HLD-4 battery holder does its job well. I love the extra hand grip space that comes in very hand with the larger lens's. I was supprised that it was made of plastic.
I am very happy with this camera.
I sold my e500 and will be selling my e410.
I will keep my e510 as a travler and back up because of the IS system and battery will interchange with the e3.
Date:
2008-06-22 - 11:05:08
Author:
Rating:
my E3 works magic
My E1 came to an early end by falling out of my bag on my motorcycle at 90kmh. I missed it dearly and bought an E510 in its place. No cure for the lost E1. Nice technics, but no feel. Then E3 came along and the feel is back! Everything E1 could do, E3 can do better. First the viewer, exelent to compose with and in combination with the speed of the AF zuiko 12-60 I can again capture the artistic moment when it is there. Together with the zuiko 150mm F2 my E3 works magic. Then the IS is great with this lens and I can work in the twilight as never before.
I am a happy photographer again.
Date:
2008-06-29 - 11:57:14
Author:
mark
Rating:
After a month of use is most easy to use than E-1
Is an E-1 Improved in viewfinder, shooting speed, noise reduction, image quality and autofocus speed.
Date:
2008-07-04 - 11:45:57
Author:
Germil34
Rating:
A rain storm didn't stop this young finch from grabbing a snack! Notice the beads of water on his back and tail.
