Olympus Evolt E-3 10.1MP is the flagship of its Digital SLR line and provides the high-precision performance demanded by professional and enthusiastic photographers. It combines speed and weatherproof durability for capturing exceptional images in any situation. Olympus pioneered Full Time Live View and Dust Reduction technologies for digital SLR cameras, leading where others have followed. Now, the new E-3 enhances those technical innovations and raises the performance bar with the fastest autofocus in the world. Body-Integrated Mechanical Image Stabilization to stabilize every lens, a 10-megapixel Live MOS image sensor to capture beautiful images, and a magnesium alloy body for dust-proof and splash-proof durability join the impressive innovations developed for the E-3.
SPEED. The world’s fastest Auto Focus system when combined with Zuiko Digital Specific SWD 12-60mm lens.
The E-3’s AF system works in the blink of an eye to ensure you never miss a shot. When combined with the Zuiko Digital SWD ED 12-60mm lens, the E-3’s AF technology works at speeds unmatched by any other camera in the world. An 11-point full twin-cross AF sensor system produces tack sharp images. Dual sensing arrays on horizontal and vertical axes are arranged in a unique half pitch shifted pattern for ultimate precision. Critical auto focus functions are faster: processing speed, object capturing, and tracking performance. A dedicated data processing engine and a new AF algorithm rapidly handle sensor information. New pixel multiplication technologies gives the E-3 an AF luminescence range of -2 to 19 EV for better low light shooting
Requires Lens – Not Included / 2.5″ LCD / CompactFlash memory storage / Multiple focus and exposure modes / Image Stabilization / TruePic III Olympus TruePic III digital image processing system produces superior image quality and shadow detail. Olympus Zuiko Digital Lenses designed specifically for the demands of digital photography deliver sharp, high-quality color accuracy to the image sensor for amazing photographs Image resolution – Recording image size [RAW] 3648 x 2736 pixels; [JPEG] 3648 x 2736 pixels – 640 x 480 pixels Viewfinder magnification Approx.1.15x (-1m-1, 50mm lens, infinity) Eye point Approx. 20 mm (-1m-1) Diopter adjustment range -3.0 – +1m-1 Focusing screen Changeable at a service center (Neo Lumi-Micro Mat screen supplied, possible to change to grid mat type) Focus mode Single AF (S-AF) / Continuous AF (C-AF) / Manual Focus (MF) / S-AF + MF / C-AF + MF TTL open-aperture metering system – (1) Digital ESP metering (49-point multi pattern metering); (2) Center weighted average metering; (3) Spot metering (approx. 2% for the viewfinder screen. Highlight / shadow bases are available) Built-in electronic-flash, shoe for optional external models including wireless models (FL-50R, FL-36R) USB 2.0 and Video connector ports Unit Dimensions 5.6 in. (W) x 4.58 in. (H) x 2.9 in. / 1.79 lbs
Helpful consumer’s review
I upgraded to the E3 from my e500. Some of the things that enticed me were the additional focus points, and articulated screen. Everything else about the camera was just added niceness.
The camera is pretty great. It’s an obvious step up from the e500 in terms of quality, and performance. Images look beautiful, focus is a lot faster and more accurate. The tilting screen and live view are things that I wonder how I ever lived without….a HUGE boost to my shooting and the types of shots I can get.
I think Olympus is underrated in the DSLR business. Because it uses a 4/3 sensor people talk a lot of bad trash about the system. But in real-world shooting, the E3 really stands tall. And I say this as someone who also shoots with a Nikon D300. Another great thing about the Olympus system is the availability of Olympus lenses. And the lens is what it’s all about. Olympus lenses are second to none. I actually find that the Olympus lens lineup makes me frustrated about Nikon’s comparably dinky lineup–and Nikon has A TON of lenses, but none that can match the quality/speed of Olympus lenses. Good luck finding an f2.8 telephoto lens of the same price or quality as Olympus’ 50-200. Olympus beats Nikon in terms of lens quality, easily.
