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Review Summary
2011-04-09T21:00:00
This was my third Olympus camera.I had previously purchased an E450 and an E620.I gave the 450 to my wife and concentrated on learning the 620.When I saw Adorama had refurbished E3s'for sale I bought one. I seldom picked up the 620 again.I love the feel of the E3 It was the first semi pro type of camera I have owned and you can feel the quality. I felt set. I was a four thirds man and was very happy to own Olympus, until I got wind of them getting out of the dslr game which seems to be their plan. Actually many Oly owners wonder just what the heck they are planning, It is all rather murky. Anyway this camera with the 12-60 lens is very nice I also owned the 9-18 which I loved and a Sigma 50 mm 1.4 prime. The battery grip and hand strap are also very nice accessories. If you are looking for a low light camera do not make this your main tool ,the image quality is poor at high ISO and the auto-focus really struggles in poor light. Concerning the quality of these refurbished cameras do not be at all concerned they look and feel factory new I was very pleased. It is a bargain at this price especially if you own Oly glass. But if you want to build a system for the future and shoot a lot in low light without flash and want many aftermarket or prime lens to choose from or aftermarket books on using this camera I would look at other camera manufacturers
CHRIS W.
2009-07-01T21:00:00
It's a great camera and I really like the bigger viewing screen. I also like the live view. I don't like where they've placed some of the controls, as they are not convenient and are hard to use.
REBECCA W.
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Single-lens reflex Live View digital camera with interchangeable lens system
CompactFlash Type I/II, Microdrive, xD-Picture Card (Dual-Slot)
17.3 mm (H) x 13.0 mm (V)
Four Thirds Mount
10.1 million pixels
High speed Live MOS Sensor
Approx. 11.8 million pixels
1.33 (4:3)
Primary color filter (RGB)
Fixed type
Hybrid type
Supersonic Wave Filter (dust reduction system for image sensor)
DCF, DPOF compatible/Exif, PRINT Image Matching III
RAW (12-bit), JPEG, RAW+JPEG
[RAW] 3648 x 2736 pixels
[JPEG] 3648 x 2736 pixels - 640 x 480 pixels
3648 x 2736 Super fine (1/2.7 compressed) Approx. 6.8MB
3648 x 2736 Fine (1/4 compressed) Approx. 4.7MB
3648 x 2736 Normal (1/8 compressed) Approx. 2.2MB
3648 x 2736 Basic (1/12 compressed) Approx. 1.5MB
3200 x 2400 Super fine (1/2.7 compressed) Approx. 5.3MB
3200 x 2400 Fine (1/4 compressed) Approx. 3.7MB
3200 x 2400 Normal (1/8 compressed) Approx. 1.7MB
3200 x 2400 Basic (1/12 compressed) Approx. 1.1MB
2560 x 1920 Super fine (1/2.7 compressed) Approx. 3.6MB
2560 x 1920 Fine (1/4 compressed) Approx. 2.2MB
2560 x 1920 Normal (1/8 compressed) Approx. 1.1MB
2560 x 1920 Basic (1/12 compressed) Approx. 0.7MB
1600 x 1200 Super fine (1/2.7 compressed) Approx. 1.3MB
1600 x 1200 Fine (1/4 compressed) Approx. 0.8MB
1600 x 1200 Normal (1/8 compressed) Approx. 0.5MB
1600 x 1200 Basic (1/12 compressed) Approx. 0.3MB
1280 x 960 Super fine (1/2.7 compressed) Approx. 0.8MB
1280 x 960 Fine (1/4 compressed) Approx. 0.5MB
1280 x 960 Normal (1/8 compressed) Approx. 0.3MB
1280 x 960 Basic (1/12 compressed) Approx. 0.2MB
1024 x 768 Super fine (1/2.7 compressed) Approx. 0.5MB
Eye-level single-lens reflex viewfinder
Approx. 100%
Approx.1.15x (-1m-1, 50mm lens, infinity)
Approx. 20 mm (-1m-1)
-3.0 - +1m-1
Changeable at a service center (Neo Lumi-Micro Mat screen supplied, possible to change to gird mat type)
Built-in type
Interchangeable type EP-5/6/7, EP-7 is supplied (Magnifier Eyecup ME-1 is available)
Yes, by preview button
Available to set to Fn button
Aperture value, Shutter speed, Record mode, AF confirmation mark, Flash, WB, AE lock, Number of storable still images, Exposure compensation value, Metering mode, Battery warning, Exposure mode, AF frame (super impose), IS, Bracket, ISO value
Live MOS Sensor for still picture shooting is used, 100% field of view, Exposure adjustment pre-view, White balance adjustment pre-view, Gradation auto pre-view, Grid line displayable, 5x/7x/10x magnification possible, MF/S-AF, AF frame display, AF point display, Shooting information, Histogram.
Phase-difference detection system with mirror down.
Built in (Imager shift image stabilizer)
2 modes (2 dimensional activation, 1 dementional activation)
HyperCrystal LCD (semi-transmissive TFT color LCD)
2.5 inches
Approx. 230,000 dots
100%
Auto/Manual 15 levels
TTL phase-difference detection system
Single AF (S-AF) / Continuous AF (C-AF) / Manual Focus (MF) / S-AF + MF / C-AF + MF
11 points full-twin cross AF sensor
Single point, Group area, All points are selectable.
EV -2 to 19 (at 20°, ISO 100)
Built-in flash (external flash available)
Locked at first position of Shutter button in Single AF mode / AEL button (customizable)
Interlocked with Continuous AF mode
Available
TTL open-aperture metering system
(1) Digital ESP metering (49-point multi pattern metering)
(2) Centre weighted average metering
(3) Spot metering (approx. 2% for the viewfinder screen. Highlight / shadow bases are available)
EV 1 - 20 (Digital ESP metering, Centre weighted average metering, Spot metering)
(At normal temperature, 50mm f2, ISO 100)
(1) P: Programme AE (Programme shift can be performed) (2) A: Aperture priority AE (3) S: Shutter priority AE (4) M: Manual
Available to set to Fn button
AUTO (ISO 100 - 3200) / Manual (ISO 100 - 3200), 1/3 or 1 EV steps
5 EV in 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps selectable
AEL button (customizable)
3 or 5 frames in 0.3, 0.7, 1EV steps selectable
3 frames in 0.3, 0.7, 1EV steps selectable
Hybrid detection system with High speed Live MOS sensor and dedicated external sensor.
7 settings (3000K - 7500K) Lamp (3000K), Fluorescent 1 (4000K), Fluorescent 2 (4500K), Fluorescent 3 (6600K), Daylight (5300K), Flash (5500K), Cloudy (6000K), Shade (7500K)
7 steps in each R-B/G-M axis (in Auto WB / Preset WB mode / One touch WB)
1 setting can be registered at Kelvin temperature (2000K - 14000K)
4 custom settings can be registered
3 frames in 2, 4, 6 steps selectable in each R-G/G-M axis.
sRGB, Adobe RGB
Vivid, Natural, Portrait, Muted, Monotone, Custom (default setting: Natural)
In custom mode, basic 5 modes and adjustment is available
Contrast, Sharpness and Saturation level available in 5 steps for Vivid, Natural, Portrait and Muted
Contrast and Sharpness level available in 5 steps for Monotone.
In custom mode, gradation level available in 4 steps
Yellow, Orange, Red or Green filter available for Monotone
Sepia, Blue, Purple or Green tone available for Monotone
4 levels (auto, high key, normal, low key)
Computerized focal-plane shutter
P(Ps), S, A, M mode: 60 - 1/8000 sec.
Bulb: up to 30 min. (selectable longest time in the menu. Default: 8 min.)
1/3, 1/2, or 1EV steps selectable.
Operation time: 12 sec., 2 sec. (cancel available)
Available (with optional RM-CB1 Remote cable.)
Operation time: 2 sec., 0 sec., bulb control available (with optional RM-1 remote control)
Available (1 to 30 sec selectable)
Single-frame shooting, Sequential shooting H, Sequential shooting L, Self-timer, Remote control
Approx. 5 frames/sec. in sequential shooting H, 1 to 4 fps selectable in sequential shooting L.
On Sequential Shooting - RAW mode: Max. 16 frames.
JPEG mode: Depends on compression ratio and no. of pixels (Large normal mode: up to card capacity with SanDisk Extreme III or faster CF Cards)
Retractable flash, GN=13 (ISO 100.m)
FL-50R, FL-36R, FL-50, FL-36, FL-20, STF-22, SR-11
FL-50R, FL-36R, FL-50, FL-36, FL-20, STF-22, SR-11
TTL Auto (TTL pre-flash mode), Auto, Manual
TTL Auto (TTL pre-flash mode), Auto, Manual
Auto, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction slow sync., Slow sync at 1st curtain, Slow sync at 2nd curtain, Fill-in, Manual (1/4, 1/16, 1/64), Off.
1/250 sec. or less, Super FP up to 1/8000 sec.
Up to 3 EV in 1/3 EV steps
3 frames in 0.3, 0.7, 1 EV steps selectable.
Triggered and controlled by built-in flash light
4 channels
3 groups
WB setting, WB compensation notification, B/W mode notification, Record mode, Exposure mode, ISO sensitivity BKT notification, Flash mode, Drive mode, Recordable still image number, Storable number of images, Exposure compensation value, Metering mode, Activated AF points, Focusing mode
8 sec.
Exposure mode, Shutter speed, Aperture value, Exposure compensation value Flash compensation value bar, Flash compensation value, ALE notification, Flash compensation notification NR notification, BKT notification, AF illuminator deactivated notification, Color space, Flash mode ISO sensitivity, Drive mode, WB setting, WB compensation value, Picture mode, Metering mode, Focusing mode File name, Image parameter, Gradation, Date, Storable number of images, Record mode, Battery warning
Single-frame, Index (4/9/16/25 frames), Calendar, Close-up ( 2 - 14X), Slideshow, Picture rotation (auto mode available), Light box
Histogram (independent luminance / RGB available), Highlight / Shadow point warning, AF frame, Shooting information
Japan: Japanese, English
U.S: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese
Europe: English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Czech, Dutch, Danish, Polish
Others: English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean
Additional one language is possible to download.
2 setting recordable
2 setting recordable
Single frame, All frames, Selected frames
Single frame, Selected frames, Release protect (Single/All selected)
Single frame, All frames, Selected frames
RAW development
Resize (producing another file), Gradation auto
Print reservation (DPOF), Direct print (PictBridge compatible)
USB 2.0 High Speed for storage and camera control (MTP mode is available)
Video out (Video: NTSC/PAL selectable)
Hot shoe
Yes (AC-1 compatible)
BLM-1 Li-ion battery (included)
CR123 x 3 with LBH-1
Available (1, 3, 5, 10 min., off selectable)
With 50% Flash Light - Approx. 610 shots (optical viewfinder) (with BLM-1 under CIPA testing standard)
HLD-4 compatible
0 - 40° (operation) / -20 - 60° (storage)
30 - 90% (operation) / 10 - 90% (storage)
Yes
5.6 in. (W) x 4.58 in. (H) x 2.9 in. (D /(142.5 mm (W) x 116.5 mm (H) x 74.5 mm (D) (excluding protrusions)
1.79 lbs./810 g (body only)
Olympus limited warranty
World's fastest Auto Focusing system - Capture it All faster than ever. Speed is a key element in digital SLR photography and the E-3 comes ready to perform. It provides fast start-up and wake-up times, a snappy continuous shooting speed, high-precision shutter control, and unparalleled high-speed autofocus performance. From the first time you start it up, to your final shot of the day, the speed of the Olympus E-3 can freeze fast-moving moments in time and deliver amazing results.
Quality to let you Capture It All. At the end of the day, every serious photographer wants pristine picture quality. The E-3 brings together a number of enhanced technologies to push the limits of digital imaging. Experience the effects of advanced image stabilization, superior color processing and precision-crafted digital specific lenses.
An innovation in digital SLR imaging - shoot from unique angles with complete control. Unlimited creativity, unhindered motion, unbelievable accuracy - this is what you get with the Live Viewing capabilities of the Olympus E-3. The dual-axis variable-angle Live View monitor allows you to conveniently capture scenes that would require a difficult posture or a little bit of luck when using an optical viewfinder. With the E-3, you can easily and accurately compose and shoot wide-angle scenes over the top of a crowd or macro shots from ground level.
Trusted performance - even in the most demanding shooting conditions. With the E-3 Olympus has developed an impressive array of highly reliable new technologies essential for serious SLR photographers. Olympus cameras have a history of raising the bar when it comes to reliability, toughness and durability - and the E-3 takes it to a whole new level.
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