Olympus Evolt E-3 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with Mechanical Image Stabilization (Body Only) | 
| Brand: Olympus
Buy New: $1,199.95
New (18) Used (1) Refurbished (1) from $1,195.00
Rating:  24 reviews
Sales Rank: 1352
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Floppy Disk Drive: None
Display Size: 2.5
Maximum Resolution: 10
Has Red Eye Reduction: Yes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 4.3
Dimensions (in): 9.2 x 6 x 5.6
nv:Sensor: 10.1 Megapixel
Image Resolution: 3648 x 2736
Storage Media: MicroDrive
Storage Media: xD Picture Card (Dual Slot)
Storage Media: Compact Flash Type I/II
Compressed Format: JPEG
Compressed Format: RAW
Focus Mode: Single AF (S-AF)
Focus Mode: Continuous AF (C-AF)
Focus Mode: Manual Focus (MF)
Optical Viewfinder: Yes
LCD Monitor: 2.5-inches
LCD Pixels: 230,000 pixels
LCD Coverage: 100%
Shutter Speed: 60 - 1/8000 sec.
Light Metering Method: Spot (Approx. 2%)
MPN: 262010
Model: 262010
UPC: 050332160569
EAN: 0050332160569
ASIN: B000X1T3IQ
Release Date: November 8, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | 10-megapixel Live MOS image sensor captures enough detail for photo-quality 18 x 24-inch prints | | • | 2.5-inch Live View LCD display; magnify directly on the LCD by 5, 7, or 10x | | • | Mechanical Image Stabilization with Supersonic Wave Drive | | • | Exclusive dust-free technology for spot-free photos | | • | Capture images to CompactFlash Type I/II, Microdrive, xD-Picture Card (Dual-Slot) |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
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
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| Customer Reviews: Read 19 more reviews...
First impressions! November 30, 2007
S. Dang (Westminster, California United States)
167 out of 181 found this review helpful
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R19LN5NYRRBNM3 I uploaded an improved review, my previous one turned out to be not all that helpful, maybe this one is better. Let me know by clicking Yes! :)
A quick summary:
Olympus made major improvements to their pro line in almost every facet-- structural, design, robustness, lens and imaging performance.
The SWD lens performance paired with this body is outstanding, as you'll see in my video demo. The imaging sensor and processor are very good also. Noise levels are on par with the Digic3 processors from Canon. A fantastic buy, I highly recommend this camera for both professional and serious photo enthusiasts. There are plenty of very good ind-depth, technical reviews available. Here are a few I recommend:
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/E3/E3A.HTM
http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Olympus-E-3
http://www.letsgodigital.org/en/17474/olympus-e3-review/
 A 4 month usage of the E3 combined with 4 E-300 bodies + lenses November 25, 2007
HMMWV (santa clara, CA USA)
65 out of 85 found this review helpful
4+ Month update on the camera:
This is still by far the best SLR cam from olympus. Neat features are everywhere like a full compliment of buttons on the portrait grip, and the ability to shoot as fast as your memory card can write, with the sandisk IV 5 FPS.
First - the system I purchased was a pre-relase system and needed firmware upgrades. These were trivial with the software and usb cable
Second - even though the 50-200 mm lens did not need an upgrade, two of us noticed that it suffered from the same "hunting" during autofocus that the original 50-200 mm did. The ability to see where the focus was happening with the LEDs on the viewfinder ofset this, but the speeds were not as promised. It's a minor issue, but not to spec.
Third - Using it with to the 50mm prime lens Olympus 50mm f/2.0 Telephoto Macro ED Lens for E1, E300 & E500 Digital SLR Cameras produced exceptionally fast focusing and improved resolution over previous bodies. Depth of field was exceptional using the twin flash accessory Olympus TF-22 Twin Flash Head (Needs FC-01 Flash Controller, FR-1 & SR-1)
Fourth - shooting raw used to mean you always got a fixed size file. Now raw files vary in size. photo a 8.5x 11 blank paper and expect a small raw file, but photo a page from the phone book and it will be bigger. This makes estimating number of exposures a bit more tricky than it used to be, however raw exposure is still lossless and actually uses less space on the memory card than the 8MP cameras did.
Finally - you get 3 sets of flash "GROUPS" with the E3. Each can be programmed separately for timing and illumination. Contrary to preliminary belief, the signalling is not radio frequency but uses the camera's pop-up flash to tell each group how it is to expose. There are some drawbacks in that you can not use a hotshoe mounted flash nor the popup flash in your flash scene. Using the remote controlled flahses (3 groups) must handle your lighting. The plus here is that you can tell each of the 3 groups to increase or decrease light output, for example you might want less light on the backdrop and more on the subject with minimum sidelight. If you have 3 50R flashes you can accomplish this "program" on the camera. Note, however, that the 50Rs must have their sensor pointed to the popup flash to get their instructions and have their flashtube aimed where you want it to go. It is very flexible for portrait photography and the only complaint seems to be the loss of the on camera flash to expose the shot since it must program each of the 3 groups. A group, by the way, can have more than one flash in it if you have a collection of 50R units. They also come with a tripod mount making it easy to use small tripods to locate the flashes to get their program from the camera and aim the light to your liking. Finally, they use the Olympus SHV-01 High Voltage Flash Power Pack (for FL-50, SRF11, STF22 & FC01) for rapid cycling in a studio environment. Combined with the E3's ability to bracket flash exposure which earlier cameras did not do makes this a valued feature.
(the remainder of the review is a compilation of 3 people who purchaed prerelease sets of the E3 knowing that Olympus has always put out a quality product. We had difficulty obtaining all the parts needed but finally did get it all. Many people asked about compatibility which we tried to answer as best as possible, however older gadgets like the remote trigger have been reintroduced removing the USB trigger and a 6xAA pack has been introduced to the dual-rechargable grip, however it does not like to use the L91 lithium batteries due to the higher voltage)
--original review below--
I've been an olympus 4/3 system user since the E300 came out at 8 MP, when I upgraded my E20N 5MP by 60% to 8MP so for me the E3 is only a 25% increase in resolution, but a lot of extra features. I bought the body because I print often on 24x36 size paper on an HP Designjet and that extra 25% can make a difference.
I want to clarify that only certain 4/3 system components do not fit the E3's fast focus spec. Essentially Olympus has developed a new lens design for autofocus, the SWD. Older lenses WILL autofocus and mount and be recognized by the E3 even though newer versions of some of them have been redesigned. The difference between the non-SWD lens systems that have worked with the E1, E300, E330, E500, E410, and E510 bodies that you may already own and the new E3/SWD drive lens set is the focus on the E3 w/ SWD lens is specified by Olympus to be 170 ms, exceptionally fast. Some older lenses focus fast by design (EX: the 14-54 is fast and the 11-22 mm wide angle lens is really fast on all boddies) The focus on other lenses like the tack sharp 50mm prime lens can extend a barrel as long as the lens body and takes a while. The 50-200 also extends a very long and wide barrel during focusing which slows it down.
To address this, and meet the 170 ms specification, Olympus redesigned the 50-200 into a SWD driven lens. Evaluation lenses are very fast focus because less movement is required. Wait to purchase them until the final release as a firmware upgrade is likely on the rare ones that were intended for prerelease evaluation. All OLY gear upgrades easily via USB.
Olympus also put a very common feature of remote strobes with a radio link into the E3. This required revising the FL-50 Olympus FL-50 Electronic Flash for Olympus C7070, E1, E300 & E500 Digital SLR Cameras into the FL-50R flash FL-50R Wireless Electronic Flash which can be either a transmitter on the hotshoe or receiver, so a pair of the FL-50R flashes will give you the radio remote capability often added as a third party accessory, but now inside the flash itself. I have the -R but since the FL-50 works as well, my friends have not upgraded yet. We will update the R with timing info once we get 2 units and can test the radio ability.
My friends and I have a variety of olympus bodies so we often trade pieces of the 4/3 system - we have verified the older FL-50 and non-SWD lenses can all be used despite some of the literature that emphasizes the need to buy the new compoents for the E3 system. TRUTH: If you want to meet the E3 specifications, you'll probably want the SWD lenses for focus speed and FL-50R for remote flash flexibility. If focus speed isn't high on your priority list you'll be happy and save alot of $ using older lenses and your flash, plus we've been discussing a likely price drop on the older (but good) glass out there.
Olympus made a smart move selling the E3 as just a back - pick YOUR lens or keep YOUR lens from an upgrade, but now stores are making E3 "Kits"
out of just about anything - buyer beware - my E3 kit contained prerelease SWD glass which is not a big deal just a firmware upgrade. This was from a brick & mortar camera store - not amazon.
I made the mistake of buying the "KIT" the store assembled with only the new components for the E3. By un-kitting the body you avoid buying a slow, small, "made in china" lens you would never purchase if it were not in the kit. It requires stores, however, to stock lenses now! (Amazon has been a real help getting some oddball lenses)
Olympus has kept up with their expectations - the noise reduction on long exposures is still there, and virtually all 4/3 system components work, except to take advnatage of the new focus system you need to buy the supersonic wave drive (SWD) glass which is all in the near $1000 price range. Write speed to the SD card is great - a fast card will continue to shoot as long as you hold down the shutter and there is room left (continuous mode)
So far my olympus groupies have not yet bought a second FL-50R so I can not comment on its radio link. Once we pair a couple up I will update my review on the FL-50R's backwards compatibility with earlier bodies and take some backlit shots plus check timing impact. The twin flash Olympus TF-22 Twin Flash Head (Needs FC-01 Flash Controller, FR-1 & SR-1) and ring flash Olympus FS-RF11 Ring Flash Head (Needs FC-01 Flash Controller, FR-1 & SR-1) still work great with the old 50mm macro lens for some razor sharp macro exposures.
The live-mos focusing is a pleasure to have again. The last time I had a live image was on my E20N, so now I can "see it the way the camera does" before pulling the trigger. (I'm mainly using 4 ea E300 bodies for scientific work before I got my E3) Focus checks are really easy with magnification. Everyone will especailly like the pivot mechanism designed for the screen -- this feature has been long overdue and is much appreciated as you have camcorder like flexibility on the screen.
And speaking of the changes, Olympus FINALLY went back to the the electronic trigger and ditched the USB trigger which made them unusable with my lightning detector. That, for me, was a key selling point. It also made the FP-1 usable with the E3, along with a host of time lapse photography accy's such as my lightning detector that exposes very dramatic shots. If you have the once new, now old USB remote, you need to downgrade to the 3-pin original remote shutter release.
Pros/Cons quickly: PRO's better resolution by 0-50% depending on your existing body, MUCH faster focusing and image processing, more features. Con's - some 4/3 accessories need to be replaced to get full value from the E3, and they command a professional price. Most 4/3 stuff still works like it always did, so I'm not too displeased as the 11-22mm lens is fast, but the ec-14 teleconverter has been re-done to an ec-20 t/c for the new SWD lenses (nobody I know has the EC20 yet) Be prepared to outfit your system differently to handle the E3 depending on your use.
Olympus' mild bumpy upgrade path is what cost them one star on this product - I still could see giving it 5 stars by itself, and the lenses are fast in more ways than light gathering, but to say "certain 4/3 products got upgraded" is not acceptable when they have been interchangable through the whole E series and across vendor platforms (e.g. panasonic's 4/3 entry) prior to the E3. While the SWD was a necessity to make it happen, the flash transmitter could have been a sandwich in the hotshoe combined with a receiver hotshoe and mini tripod for the other strobe. At least Both FL-50's work with the high voltage chargers like the SHV-1 Olympus SHV-01 High Voltage Flash Power Pack (for FL-50, SRF11, STF22 & FC01). I do alot of macro work with Aperature priority F/10 and above so this was an important feature and I am very happy with the body's focusing using the neaar perfect 50mm macro prime lens.
SUMMING IT ALL UP:
Yes, you can use your "old" glass with the new body, but if you already have a 10 MP OLY back the number one reason to upgrade is the speed of the focus, which unfortunately requires new glass with the SWD system. Questions we still don't know are mostly about the future of SWD lenses - like will they introduce a 300mm SWD? If so, this is a serious competitor to the Canon lineup and I would not be surprised to see it on the sideline at a football game as a professional camera. If you are a newcommer to DSLR, this is a great entry point for a camera that people would call professional. If you are looking to save money last years' model will definitely drop in price with the E3 out there. Be sure to consider if your photography needs SEMI-PRO or PRO equipment with the E3.
The 4/3 System Finally Delivers On Its Promise December 19, 2007
W. Fink (Rochester, NY)
50 out of 52 found this review helpful
I have toyed with the 4/3 digital SLR system several times since it was introduced in 2003, shrugged my shoulders and gone back to Nikon or Canon. Frankly, I had about given up on 4/3, but Olympus dropped the E-3 on us a few weeks ago and showed us it could be all they promised with 4/3 when it was first introduced over 4 years ago.
ANY DSLR system is about lenses in the end, and Olympus 4/3 is blessed with superb optics. To get an idea of how really great the new Olympus glass is you need to use some of the top lenses, or read a few of the big photo sites like dpreview, imaging-resource, or DCRP. They have all finally acknowledged in reviews of the E-420/410 and E-520/510 that Olympus has the best quality kit lenses of any camera maker, and that the Olympus claim that lenses designed for digital produce better quality images is proving to be true. www.slrgear.com even went so far as to test most of the current Olympus lens line after being so impressed with the kit lenses on the 510/410.
Olympus 4/3 is also by design an all-electronic lens mount - like Canon. Reviewers on the web tend to be so Canon and Nikon biased that they often forget really basic things like this. The 4/3 system has all motor driven lenses, and the lenses were ALL designed for digital photography. I am frankly tired of seeing reviews that talk of Canon as if they are the only company with all motor lenses. There are actually 3 - Canon, 4/3, and Sigma - although some of Sigma's other features are archaic and sales are very low so most just ignore them. Sony/Minolta and Nikon are not similarly blessed with an all-electronic lens mount, and many lenses are still noisily driven by screws on the lens mount in both systems. In fairness, Nikon has been moving rapidly to motor-driven lenses, but Sony seems stuck in their noisy and slower screw-drive AF even though they have used lens motors in a rare few long telephotos. The point here is that the 4/3 mount at least matches the best, and it is better than most.
The Olympus issue has never been glass or lens mount , it has really been the options you had (or rather didn't have) in camera bodies to use with this excellent Olympus glass on an all electronic mount. As great as the current E-410 and E-510 really are, they are still saddled with an ancient and not particularly low-light sensitive 3-point autofocus system. Shooting in truly low light was all but impossible and your Olympus searched for focus while Canon, Nikon, and Sony locked on focus. There just wasn't a choice of anything better from Olympus. That is until the E-3.
The E-3 takes Olympus AF from Sigma territory to state-of-the-art, and as soon as the new 11-point, all cross sensor, dual-plane AF module makes its way down the food chain, no one will ignore Olympus any more. I hope Olympus can also find a way to move the terrific E-3 feature of AF with manual touch-up down the food chain as well - because the other big Olympus issue is that stupid "Manual focus by wire" feature and Manual Focus select by menu - and it is mostly fixed in the E-3.
This time around I bought an E-3 and a 12-60mm - and the tiny little excellent-quality kit lenses for when the 12-60mm weighs too much and I can compromise just a little on quality. I have added other Olympus equipment to my E-3 system quickly, like the unique 70-300mm (140 to 600mm equivalent with 1:1 Macro), the superbly sharp little 35mm f3.5 Macro that does equivalent TWICE life-size macro right out of the box, and the E-3 grip.
I am completely and totally impressed with the E-3. All the lenses are designed for 4/3 mount and for best performance on a 4/3 camera - they aren't 35mm film designs. No other camera offers the combination of effective live-view, built-in image stabilization, the best auto sensor cleaning you can buy, an articulating LCD that can fold away for protection (AND a top LCD for basic data), a built-in pop-up flash, effective dust and splash sealing of the camera AND the lenses, a popularly-priced zoom that covers the equivalent of 140mm to 600mm and does Macro up to equivalent life size (70-300mm), MUCH improved noise reduction that goes to ISO 3200, user-programmable Auto ISO that can cover the full ISO range (Canon still stubbornly refuses to fully offer this option), and the best range of available lenses DESIGNED FOR a digital camera system.
The E-3 is a bargain for a true PRO grade camera - and it is easily built as well as the Nikon D3 or the top Canons which are $5000 or more. You will get real value for the $1699 you spend on the E-3 body compared to any competing system from any company. However, most will find the E-3 expensive unless they are serious photo hobbyists or Pros, and Olympus needs to move the E-3 refinements down to E-510 price levels as fast as they can.
The E-3 is a great piece of creative engineering, an area Olympus is known for. After all they invented auto-sensor cleaning and live view - which is now finding its way to every DSLR. This is the best Olympus camera EVER, and once you have used it you will be hooked.
TACK SHARP!! November 22, 2007
Timothy Young (OH, USA)
32 out of 37 found this review helpful
What a wonderful camera! It's a litte pricey, but the first time you use it will validate the money spent. This is my first dSLR purchase and I couldn't be more happy with the choice. I spent months researching cameras at local stores and online, and I don't feel I could have made a better decision in buying this product. The product is user friendly and puts every control necessary at your fingertips. The viewfinder is huge! The images are absolutey breathtaking. I will never go outside of the Olympus line if this model exemplifies the trend and commitment that they have to both product and customer. Buy this camera, you won't rgret it. I will update this review further after I've had the product a little while longer.
Olympus Digital E-3 is a Superstar! December 27, 2007
Raymond S. Iorio
30 out of 34 found this review helpful
Although I have been a Nikon f4s & Contax G2 User (35mm) for years, I have switched over to digital - and I am glad I choose the Olympus E-3 as my dslr. The camera is just a great piece of Photographic Equipment - providing me with a great way to transition from Pro 35mm to Pro Digital SLR. It is much lighter and compact than my workhorse f4s with all the same features plus many extras.
Impressive metal body frame, water and air tight as a drum, progressive electronics and intuitive controls the camera rates a 5 star from me - would give it a 6 star if available. The camera cleans itself electronically - end of dust problems which is the plague of digital slr's. The auto focus is spot on perfect and really NASCAR fast! The meter is very good and can be set to matrix, center weighted average, spot, and a few others to experiment with. I have used the matrix which is very good, but prefer the center weighted metering strictly out of years of habit. For very akward lighting I prefer spot metering or manual to get the job done correctly. The camera for all practical purposes (except frame size) is a 35mm slr. One can choose aperature priority, shutter priority, programed auto, or manual exposure modes. There is plus and minus ev compensation up to 5. Bracketing, bulb, just about any shutter speed one could want are all included. There are numerous other features that can be turned on if one prefers.
The 'noise' most people hear about in digital cameras (which is nothing different than grain on 35mm print film) is not present at 100-200 ASA. It is only minutely present at 200-400 ASA if you use a microscope to examine it - or for the rest of the world not present at all. At 400 - 800 ASA it is hardly noticable. As a matter of fact, there is less noise from ASA 400-800 than I have ever seen in the same ASA color print film, that is saying something for this digital.
As I said, you can use this just as you would a 35mm slr and with a 2gig memory card you can have about 200 photos using the super fine mode which I prefer. For most shooting the fine mode would be perfect - super fine is just my preference.
From what I have read the Sandisk 2gig III memory card is about the best you can buy. Most reviews say to stay away from every manufactures 4 or higher gig memory card, I listen to the reviewers on this aspect.
The photos already taken with it have been exposed predominately in aperature priority and printed directly without the need for touching up through photo shop - a lengthy way to take photos, in my opinion - call me old fashioned. To me that is very impressive - almost back to using 35mm without spending hours on touch up for a '24 exposure roll' of film. However, I have cropped in photo shop and have changed some of the photos to experiment with it (e.g. from super sharp focus to soft focus for effect) and it is useful and may even be necessary for that one complicated lighting condition that only photo shop could improve upon. For the most part though, the camera photos are pretty near perfect right out of the memory card.
The Olympus 12-60mm lens I purchased is superb, the optics are as good if not better than my Contax G2 lens (previously my sharpest lens, even over costly Leica's) and to have the proverbial 'cake and eat it too', it is a zoom lens! The lens offers me 35mm equivelant of 24-120mm in one lens - perfect for wide angle to telephoto which is the range most pros and 'civilians' use anyway.
I have not experimented with the raw feature yet to the chagrin of my photographer friends. I understand from them that it basically produces a negative which is refined and printed through a program such as Photo Shop. For the professionals doing magazine layouts and covers, this gives them the ability to produce a job-set print without shooting hundreds of photos to get that one or two elusive top notch photo. I will try this, albeit I still like the old fashioned way of taking photos without photoshop or raw programs.
Digital Camera Pros:
A great thing about a digital is you can look at your photos and decide if they are good enough to keep, or you can delete them right then and there and re-shoot.....a definate advantage over film! Imagine going to Europe, Tahiti, Australia, China, Japan or somewhere else far away and not having to bring 30 rolls of film! You never have to worry if your photos will come out good either. No more worry about airport x-ray security ruining your high speed film either.
Comparing Nikon D300 to Olympus E-3:
While I was planning all along to get the Nikon D300, when holding both the Oly and Nikon in person and going through the motions with both, I picked the Olympus. The lens was exactly what I was looking for as an all purpose lens, the feel was great and I was very impressed with the camera feel and function.
My only suggestion to Olympus and Nikon and the rest of the group is put the Aperature setting on the lens, not the camera body and put the speed on top of the body like the 'good old intuitive days of 35mm'.
Cons of the E-3:
So far I have not any cons to speak of, the camera performs perfectly doing what a camera should do..... allowing the photographer to be creative and concentrate on composition. While the Nikon does offer the D300 with 12MP and the Olympus E-3 offers 10MP, the difference is minimal, actually 8MP is all one really needs. Of course if you plan on blowing every photo up to poster size then wait for heavy, clunky, medium format digitals to come way down in price and when resting use the camera as a dumbell, if you can still lift your arms!
Good Shooting.
-Ray
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