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Review Summary
2010-04-27T21:00:00
Upgraded from my E-510 as I was looking to move up to a "Pro" camera. My small photography business is growing and to shoot weddings I would need a back up camera. I elected to get the E-3 and make my E-510 my back up. I considered switching brands (Nikon or Canon) due to their high ISO performance ratings but after much reading on the E-3 and considering how much of my business DOES NOT require high ISO performance, I felt there was no need to ditch my Olympus gear. Just a note - I have shot GREAT shots at ISO 800.I have been shooting great outdoor shots of kids, studio shots of models and glamour shots with this E-3. I am really impressed the faster focusing vs my older E-510 even in low light situations. The increased number of focus points also helps a great deal. I have teamed up the E-3 with the 12-60mm f2.8 from Olympus as well. This combination has been AWESOME. Great range, fast focusing, great clarity. My new work with this set up is BLOWING AWAY my older works....in my opinion. The only negative I can think of with the camera is the learning curve of new buttons. This cannot be helped as with something new, it will take some time to learn how to operate it quickly. I'm not knocking the camera at all, I will just continue to learn how to use it.[...]
Rich
2010-04-11T21:00:00
I purchased my first E-3 camera two years ago and think this is the most successful product to come from Olympus in a long time. Bottom line -- I purchased a second E-3 from Adorama because I like this one so much! When I see reviews that state this camera is built cheap and low quality, I have to question as to if the reviewer has ever even held / used one. The E-3 is anything but a cheap camera. The E-3 is a little on the heavy side, but I prefer the feel of a heavier more solid camera. The LCD display can be positioned in many angles is a long awaited feature. If you have any of the Zuiko lenses that are available for the E-System camera's 4/3 system - they are of excellent quality. The resulting pictures from these lenses are also excellent. The layout of the function buttons are well thought out and although there may be slight leaning curve using the menu structure - it too is very comprehensive. I have not had any problems with a dirty image sensor thanks to the Olympus internal cleaning system. I believe that this camera can go head to toe with any of the Canon & Nikon models. Perhaps those who can't believe that Olympus is challenging the competition should accept it! They are. I have used Canon & the Nikon high-end camera's. I won't deny they a very nice. But at the end of the day - do not write off the Olympus E-3. Perhaps my preference is Olympus, but I won't put down Nikon & Canon just because I own an Olympus. But it IS NOT a cheap camera.
PBM
2010-01-12T19:00:00
This is my second E-3; the advantages of having two lenses mounted and ready to go when shooting an event are important to me. This camera is very dependable; and the available lenses are second to none.
Grabshot111
2009-01-20T19:00:00
I have had this body less than a month, but am impressed with its quality of construction. Teamed with the 50-200mm lens it makes a great combination to shoot the birds on our feeders. Looking forward to getting out for some landscape work. Being able to rotate the LCD will be a big plus when photographing flowers close to the ground.
PhotoGrizz
2008-12-28T19:00:00
For nature and travel I have used it in the rain, in a rainforest, at the beach, it is nearly water-proof and super rugged. I don't recommend it but mine has fallen on a concrete floor three times and I can't find a mark on it, nor has there been any change in function. The way I shoot these things are going to happen and I am glad to have a camera built to take it. Probably my 35 year plus allegiance to Oly makes me like the color better than any other.
Jim B.
2008-09-24T21:00:00
I using E-3 for wedding and also for other kind of art. I like the design and comfortable when I hold. The size is just similar to Canon 5D. JPEG file is excellent from the camera. no need to do post process. I also like B&W jpeg right from the camera.
PlayPixel
2008-06-19T21:00:00
Carry the camera everywhere with me - has been soaked in rain and exposed to lots of dust and has never let me down. I find the camera a joy to use, love the large, bright view finder, its ergonomics, its speed and its excellent quality photos. Only con: it is quite a bit heavier than the other Olympus models. One recommendation - expose to the left, i.e. be sensitive to blow highlights, there is a lot of details in the shadows.
FritzSolms
2007-11-25T19:00:00
Just got the E-3 today and WOW! Olympus took a look at every pro camera and added every single feature they could think of. Still discovering unexpected surprises (like viewfinder lock-up). The camera is BIG and heavy, but it is a top of the line pro model. Autofocus is very fast. The Swivel out LCD is easily seen in daylight. Battery and Memory card compartments have locks on them. One complaint- because of the huge amount of custom programmables on this camera, the menus can be overwhelming. You have to read the instructions to be able to access the L/SF resolution mode, for instance. A 1GB card gives you approximately 58 RAW images, and if you switch to Large/Superfine Jpegs, you'll get about 128 images. The 11-area AF system is laid out much better than in Canon's cameras, utilizing more parts of the frame to choose as focusing points. The built-in pop up flash is higher than on most cameras, easier to reduce red-eye, comes up super fast, and gives perfect flash exposures. Button operations feel very smooth, the shutter sounds fast, and the LCD colors and resolution look very good when zooming in. The optical viewfinder is large and easy to see through, rivaling some Canon models. Oddly enough, if you've ever shot with the Nikon D200, this camera will feel very familiar.
dynamarcphoto
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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
050332160569
Best Camera I ever owned
By dynamarcphoto
Just got the E-3 today and WOW! Olympus took a look at every pro camera and added every single feature they could think of. Still discovering unexpected surprises (like viewfinder lock-up). The camera is BIG and heavy, but it is a top of the line pro model. Autofocus is very fast. The Swivel out LCD is easily seen in daylight. Battery and Memory card compartments have locks on them. One complaint- because of the huge amount of custom programmables on this camera, the menus can be overwhelming...
View full Review
E-3 is excellent for the price
By PlayPixel
I using E-3 for wedding and also for other kind of art. I like the design and comfortable when I hold. The size is just similar to Canon 5D. JPEG file is excellent from the camera. no need to do post process. I also like B&W jpeg right from the camera.
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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