Olympus Unveiled Its New DSLR E-3
Posted October 18th, 2007 by Mihnea Boiangiu
Olympus unveiled its new DSLR camera - called E-3. The professional camera features a high-performance 10.1-megapixel Live MOS Sensor, World’s fastest Auto Focus with 11 biaxial points, 2.5-inch dual-axis, free-angle swivel Live View monitor, Zuiko digital lenses and some top technologies. Its users will definitely enjoy the photographic experience with the high-performance E-3 camera. Olympus claims it is 30% faster than its competitors. The camera offers continuous shooting, up to five frames per second.
Here is the full list of specs in case you would like to analyze this camera:
| 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 |
| Engine | |||
| Type | TruePic III |
| 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) |
The estimated retail price is $1,699. It seems Olympus DSLR E-3 would be good addition for professional and not only.
