The Olympus E-3: An all-round professional masterpiece
It’s here: The new flagship of the Four Thirds Standard-based Olympus E-System. The E-3 gives photographers a high-performance tool that is primed for any assignment and satisfies the most stringent demands for D-SLR photography. It represents the ultimate choice for the professional photographer and provides the highest levels of speed and image quality as well as Live View capabilities and the ultimate in reliability.
The E-3 features the world’s fastest* auto-focusing speeds thanks to an advanced AF system and new ZUIKO DIGITAL SWD (Supersonic Wave Drive) lenses. Matched with shutter speeds of up to 1/8000th sec. and 5fps sequential shooting (with a 19 image RAW buffer in burst mode), the E-3 gives photographers a crucial edge to help capture that decisive shot.
Ensuring the best image quality in the widest range of situations, this new professional model also incorporates a powerful built-in image stabilisation system which is capable of compensating against the effects of camera shake to the equivalent of up to 5 EV steps. This is complemented by a 10 Megapixel High Speed Live MOS sensor and Olympus’ TruePic III image processing engine. Together with the ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses – which are custom-made for the needs of D-SLR photography – photographers can rely on optimal results each time.
Meanwhile, the camera’s Live View capabilities provide the freedom to shoot with more versatility: Whether wanting to keep eye-contact with the subject or shooting above the head or close to the ground, compositions can be framed with ease on the 2.5”/6.4cm multi-angle HyperCrystal LCD, which also faithfully displays the effect of camera adjustments in real time.
In addition to Live View, photographers can also choose to use the camera’s large viewfinder which provides 100% coverage. Like all Olympus E-System cameras, the E-3 incorporates the most effective dust reduction system available – the Supersonic Wave Filter. Reliability of the camera system is further heightened under all types of shooting conditions thanks to dust and splashproof protection of both body and most E-System lenses. Moreover, a shutter life of 150,000 operations guarantees that the E-3 will tolerate the treatment of even the most active photographer with ease.
| Type
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Body
material |
Magnesium
alloy body |
|
|
|
Lens
mount |
Four
Thirds mount |
| Image
Sensor |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Type |
4/3
'' Hi-Speed Live MOS sensor |
|
|
|
Effective
pixels |
10.1
Megapixels |
|
|
|
Filter
array |
Primary
colour filter (RGB) |
|
|
|
Aspect
ratio & area |
4:3
/ 17.3 x 13.0 mm |
|
|
|
Full
resolution |
11.8
Megapixels |
| Filter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dust
reduction filter |
Supersonic
Wave Filter |
|
|
|
IR
cut filter |
Hybrid
type |
|
|
|
LPF
filter |
Fixed
type |
| LCD
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LCD
type |
Multi-angle
HyperCrystal LCD (semi-transmissive TFT colour LCD) |
|
|
|
Monitor
size |
6.4
cm / 2.5 '' |
|
|
|
Pixel
number |
230,000
pixels |
|
|
|
BrightCapture |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Brightness
adjustment |
15
steps |
| Viewfinder
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Viewfinder
type |
Eye-level
single lens reflex viewfinder |
|
|
|
Field
of view |
Approx.
100 % |
|
|
|
Magnification |
Approx.
1.15 x with a 50mm lens set to infinity at -1 dioptres |
|
|
|
Depth
of field preview |
Yes
Preview button |
|
|
|
Eye
point |
20
mm |
|
|
|
Diopter
adjustment |
Yes
-3.0 - +1.0 diopter / built-in type |
|
|
|
Focusing
screen |
Interchangeable
type |
|
|
|
Mirror |
Quick
return mirror |
|
|
|
Viewfinder
Information |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Eye
piece shutter |
built-in
type |
| Top
Display |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Displayed
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 |
|
|
|
|
Back
light timer |
8
s |
| Super
Control Panel |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Displayed
information |
|
|
|
|
Metering
mode |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Exposure
mode |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Aperture
value |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Shutter
speed |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Exposure
level view |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Flash
compensation value |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Exposure
compensation indication |
Yes
|
|
|
|
AE
bracketing |
Yes
|
|
|
|
ISO |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Colour
space |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Picture
mode |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Gradation |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Colour
saturation compensation value |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Sharpness
compensation value |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Contrast
compensation value |
Yes
|
|
|
|
White
balance |
Yes
|
|
|
|
White
balance compensation value |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Noise
reduction |
Yes
|
|
|
|
AEL
notification |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Flash
mode |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Focus
mode |
Yes
|
|
|
|
AF
frame |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Drive
mode |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Record
mode |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Number
of storable frames |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Memory
card |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Battery
indicator |
Yes
|
| Super
Control Panel (Flash) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Displayed
information |
|
|
|
|
AF
illuminator disactivated notification |
|
|
|
|
AEL
notification |
|
|
|
|
Aperture
value |
|
|
|
|
Bracketing |
|
|
|
|
Built-in
flash intensity |
|
|
|
|
Colour
space |
|
|
|
|
Exposure
compensation indication |
|
|
|
|
Exposure
mode |
|
|
|
|
Flash
compensation value |
|
|
|
|
Group
settings |
|
|
|
|
Noise
reduction |
|
|
|
|
Shutter
speed |
|
|
|
|
Wireless
channel setting |
|
| Live
View |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Information |
100%
field of view, exposure adjustment preview, white balance adjustment
preview, gradation auto preview, gridline displayable, 5x/7x/10x
magnification possible, MF/S-AF, AF frame display, AF point display,
shooting information, histogramme |
| Image
Stabiliser |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Type |
Sensor
shift |
|
|
|
Modes |
Two-dimensional
or one-dimensional activation |
|
|
|
Effective
Compensation Range |
Up
to 5 EV steps |
| Focusing
System |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Method |
TTL
phase difference detection system |
|
|
|
Focus
areas |
11
points / fully biaxial, automatic and manual selection |
|
|
|
AF
illuminator |
Yes
Built-in flash (external flash available) |
|
|
|
AF
lock |
Yes
Locked by first position of shutter release button in single AF mode,
AE/AF lock button (customised) |
|
|
|
Focus
tracking |
Yes
Available in continuous AF mode |
|
|
|
Manual
focus |
Yes
Available by rotating focus ring, available for setting manual focus
operation in AF mode (customised) |
|
|
|
Single
AF |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Single
AF + MF |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Continuous
AF |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Continuous
AF + MF |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Detection
range |
-2
- 19 EV (ISO 100) |
| Light
Metering |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Method |
TTL
open aperture light metering |
|
|
|
Zones |
49
zones Multi-pattern Sensing System |
|
|
|
Detection
range |
1
- 20 (50mm, 1:2, ISO 100) |
|
|
|
ESP
light metering |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Spot
metering |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Centre
weighted metering |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Highlight |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Shadow |
Yes
|
| Exposure
Modes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Auto |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Programme
automatic |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Aperture
priority |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Shutter
priority |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Manual |
Yes
|
| Exposure
System |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exposure
compensation |
+/-
5 EV / 1, 1/2, 1/3 steps |
|
|
|
Exposure
bracketing |
3
/ 5 frames / +/- 1/3, 2/3, 1 EV steps |
|
|
|
ISO
bracketing |
3
frames / 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps |
| Sensitivity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Auto |
in
1/3 and 1 EV ISO steps |
|
|
|
Manual |
ISO
100 - 3200 in 1/3 and 1 EV ISO steps |
| Shutter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shutter
type |
Computerised
focal-plane shutter |
|
|
|
Shutter
release |
Soft
Touch Electromagnetic |
|
|
|
Self
timer |
12
s / 2 s |
|
|
|
Anti
Shock |
Yes
Release delay: 1 - 30 s |
| Shutter
Speeds |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shutter
speed range |
1/8000-60
s (in 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps) |
|
|
|
Bulb
mode |
Up
to 30 minutes (selectable longest time in the menu, default: 8 minutes |
|
|
|
Shutter
speed P, Ps |
1/8000-60
s |
|
|
|
Shutter
speed A priority |
1/8000-60
s |
|
|
|
Shutter
speed S priority |
1/8000-60
s |
|
|
|
Shutter
speed scene mode |
1/8000-60
s |
| White
Balance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
AUTO
WB system |
Hybrid
detection system with High-speed Live MOS sensor and dedicated external
sensor |
|
|
|
Manual
White balance (One-Touch) |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Selectable
steps in Kelvin |
7
steps (3000 - 7500 K) |
|
|
|
Overcast |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Shade |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Tungsten |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Sunlight |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Flourescent
1 |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Flourescent
2 |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Flourescent
3 |
Yes
|
|
|
|
White
balance adjustment |
Yes
+/- 7 in each R-B / G-M axis (in Auto WB and preset WB mode) |
|
|
|
Custom
WB |
1
setting can be registered at Kelvin temperature (2000K - 14000K) |
|
|
|
One-touch
white balance |
4
custom settings can be registered |
|
|
|
White
balance bracketing |
3
frames / +/- 2, 4, 6 mired steps |
| Internal
Flash |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Guide
number |
13
|
|
|
|
Flash
compensation |
+/-
3 EV / 1/3 EV steps |
|
|
|
AUTO |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Red-eye
reduction |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Slow
synchronisation |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Slow
synchronisation 2nd curtain |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Fill-in |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Slow
synchronisation with red-eye reduction |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Off |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Bracketing |
3
frames / 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps |
| External
Flash Control |
|
|
|
|
|
|
X-sync
speed |
1/250
s / 1/8000 s |
|
|
|
Type |
TTL
AUTO, AUTO, MANUAL, FP TTL AUTO, FP MANUAL |
|
|
|
Synchronisation
modes |
Auto,
Manual, Red-eye reduction, Slow syncro with red-eye reduction, Slow
syncro, 2nd curtain and slow syncro, Fill-in for exclusive flash |
|
|
|
Intensity |
+/-
2 EV / 1, 1/2, 1/3 steps |
| Built-in
flash and wireless flash control from the camera body |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compatible
external flash |
FL-50R,
FL-36R |
|
|
|
Control
method |
Triggered
and controlled by built-in flash light |
|
|
|
Modes |
TTL
Auto (TTL pre-flash mode), Auto, Manual, FP TTL Auto, FP Manual |
|
|
|
Number
of channels |
4
channels |
|
|
|
Group
setting |
3
groups |
| Sequence
Shooting |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sequential
shooting mode (high speed) |
5
fps / 16 frames RAW buffer |
|
|
|
Sequential
shooting mode |
5
fps / Up to card capacity in normal mode with SanDisk Extreme III |
| Image
Processing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Colour
space |
sRGB
/ AdobeRGB |
|
|
|
TruePic
III |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Sharpness
+ Contrast |
5
levels |
|
|
|
Saturation |
5
levels |
|
|
|
Contrast |
5
levels |
|
|
|
Black
& White filter |
Yellow,
Orange, Red, Green |
|
|
|
Black
& White toning |
Yellow,
Orange, Red, Green in Black & White and Sepia mode. |
|
|
|
Picture
mode |
Vivid,
Natural, Portrait, Muted, Monotone, Custom (default setting: Natural) |
|
|
|
Gradation |
4
|
| Image
Editing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
RAW
data edit |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Red-eye
reduction |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Sepia |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Black
& White |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Resize |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Correction
of saturation |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Shadow
Adjustment Technology |
Yes
|
| Erase
/ Protect / Copy Function |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Erase
modes |
Single,
All, Selected |
|
|
|
Image
protect mode |
Single,
Selected |
|
|
|
Copy
mode |
Single,
All, Selected |
| View
Images |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Index |
4,
9, 16, 25 frames |
|
|
|
Calendar |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Zoom |
Yes
2 - 14 x |
|
|
|
Slide
show |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Rotation |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Light
box |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Histogram
in playback mode |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Shooting
information |
Histogram
( independent luminance / RGB available), Highlight / Shadow point
warning, AF frame, Shooting information |
| Still
Image Recording |
|
|
|
|
|
|
EXIF |
Yes
|
|
|
|
PIM |
Yes
|
|
|
|
DPOF |
Yes
|
|
|
|
DCF |
Yes
|
| Recording
Formats |
|
|
|
|
|
|
RAW |
12
bit |
|
|
|
RAW
& JPEG |
Yes
|
|
|
|
JPEG |
Yes
|
|
|
|
JPEG
compression |
1/2.7,
1/4, 1/8, 1/12 SHQ 1/2.7, 1/4, 1/8, 1/12 HQ 1/2.7, 1/4, 1/8, 1/12 SQ |
| Image
Size |
|
|
|
|
|
|
RAW |
3648
x 2736 compressed / 11 MB / frame |
|
|
|
Large |
3648
x 2736 Super Fine (compression: 1/2.7) / 6.8 MB / frame |
|
|
|
|
3648
x 2736 Fine (compression: 1/4) / 4.7 MB / frame |
|
|
|
|
3648
x 2736 Normal (compression: 1/8) / 2.2 MB / frame |
|
|
|
|
3648
x 2736 Basic (compression: 1/12) / 1.5 MB / frame |
|
|
|
Middle |
3200
x 2400 Super Fine (compression: 1/2.7) / 5.3 MB / frame |
|
|
|
|
3200
x 2400 Fine (compression: 1/4) / 3.7 MB / frame |
|
|
|
|
3200
x 2400 Normal (compression: 1/8) / 1.7 MB / frame |
|
|
|
|
3200
x 2400 Basic (compression: 1/12) / 1.1 MB / frame |
|
|
|
|
2560
x 1920 Super Fine (compression: 1/2.7) / 3.6 MB / frame |
|
|
|
|
2560
x 1920 Fine (compression: 1/4) / 2.2 MB / frame |
|
|
|
|
2560
x 1920 Normal (compression: 1/8) / 1.1 MB / frame |
|
|
|
|
2560
x 1920 Basic (compression: 1/12) / 0.7 MB / frame |
|
|
|
Small |
1600
x 1200 Super Fine (compression: 1/2.7) / 1.3 MB / frame |
|
|
|
|
1600
x 1200 Fine (compression: 1/4) / 0.8 MB / frame |
|
|
|
|
1600
x 1200 Normal (compression: 1/8) / 0.5 MB / frame |
|
|
|
|
1600
x 1200 Basic (compression: 1/12) / 0.3 MB / frame |
|
|
|
|
1280
x 960 Super Fine (compression: 1/2.7) / 0.8 MB / frame |
|
|
|
|
1280
x 960 Fine (compression: 1/4) / 0.5 MB / frame |
|
|
|
|
1280
x 960 Normal (compression: 1/8) / 0.3 MB / frame |
|
|
|
|
1280
x 960 Basic (compression: 1/12) / 0.2 MB / frame |
|
|
|
|
1024
x 768 Super Fine (compression: 1/2.7) / 0.5 MB / frame |
|
|
|
|
1024
x 768 Fine (compression: 1/4) / 0.4 MB / frame |
|
|
|
|
1024
x 768 Normal (compression: 1/8) / 0.2 MB / frame |
|
|
|
|
1024
x 768 Basic (compression: 1/12) / 0.1 MB / frame |
|
|
|
|
640
x 480 Super Fine (compression: 1/2.7) / 0.2 MB / frame |
|
|
|
|
640
x 480 Fine (compression: 1/4) / 0.2 MB / frame |
|
|
|
|
640
x 480 Normal (compression: 1/8) / 0.1 MB / frame |
|
|
|
|
640
x 480 Basic (compression: 1/12) / 0.1 MB / frame |
| Interface
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Media |
Dual
slot for CompactFlash card (Type I and II), Microdrive and xD picture
card |
|
|
|
USB
2.0 High Speed |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Video
out |
Yes
NTSC or PAL selectable |
|
|
|
Infrared |
Yes
|
|
|
|
DC
input |
Yes
|
|
|
|
Synchro
socket |
Yes
|
| Menu
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Menu
languages in camera |
English,
German, French, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Czech, Dutch, Danish, Polish
|
|
|
|
Menu
languages by download |
Additional
one language from 15 further languages by download via the internet. |
| Customisation
Options |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fn
Button |
Off,
one-touch WB, test picture, preview, Live View, AF home setting, MF,
record format, exposure mode, My Mode, underwater modes |
|
|
|
Custom
preset options |
2
|
|
|
|
My
Mode |
2
settings storable |
| Power
Supply |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Battery |
BLM-1
Li-Ion battery (included) |
|
|
|
Battery
life |
Approx.
610 shots with BLM-1 under CIPA testing standard (optical viewfinder). |
|
|
|
Sleep
mode |
Available
( 1, 3, 5, 10 min., off) |
| Environment
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Temperature |
0
- 40 °C operating temperature -20 - 60 °C storage
temperature |
|
|
|
Humidity |
30
- 90 % operation humidity 10 - 90 % storage humidity |
| Size
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dimensions
(WxHxD) |
142.5
x 116.5 x 74.5 mm (without protrusions) |
|
|
|
Weight |
810
g (body only) |
Olympus E-3 Flash-Back Promotion!! For a limited time, Olympus is offering all purchasers of the award-winning E-3 a free FL-50R wireless flash! All customers need to do to qualify is purchase an E-3 between 1st June and 31th August 2008, register it online, and claim their free wireless flash by 11th October 2008. You can register by following the link below:
www.olympus.co.uk/register
At ABC we strive to be competitive, so if you see this item cheaper else where please call 0845 050 00 11 and we will attempt to match the price or even beat it. Before calling us please bear in mind that we offer free delivery for all orders over £100.00 and we only sell products sourced within the UK.
It’s here: The new flagship of the Four Thirds Standard-based Olympus E-System. The E-3 gives photographers a high-performance tool that is primed for any assignment and satisfies the most stringent demands for D-SLR photography. It represents the ultimate choice for the professional photographer and provides the highest levels of speed and image quality as well as Live View capabilities and the ultimate in reliability.
- Professional working tool in terms of speed, quality and durability
- World's fastest auto focus system for quick and precise capture perfection
- Fully biaxial high-speed 11 point AF system
- 1/8000 sec. high-speed and high-precision shutter control
- High burst rate (5fps, 16 RAW images buffer)
- High-performance built-in image stabiliser to stabilise all lenses
- 10 MP Live MOS sensor with wide dynamic range
- Qualified image processing with new True Pic III
- Great image performance and large variety of bright dedicated-to-digital
lenses thanks to Four Thirds Standard
- Multi-angle HyperCrystal LCD with Live View for greatest flexibility and Real-time
monitoring
- Live simulation function (effective monitoring)
- Pre-control over White Balance & exposure compensation
- Preview of shadow adjustment technology (SAT) for maximum image results
- 5x/7x/10x magnified view for precise focusing
- Large viewfinder with 100% field of view for accurate image control
- Spotless photography with a strong dust reduction system
- Dust and splash-proof magnesium alloy body
- Built-In flash (GN13) & wireless flash control directly from the E-3
body
- Ergonomic design of body, control buttons and GUI for easy operation
- AE/AF lock functionality for individual customisation
- High sensivity (ISO 100-3200)
- Accurate White Balance with two sensors
- High-speed data writing and lossless compression for quick processing
- Second control panel display for direct view
- Optional power grip ideal for portrait shooting and long battery life
- USB 2.0 High Speed
- Dual memory card slots (for xD-Picture Card and CompactFlash)
|
