| In the four-odd years between the launch of the | | | | The E-3 has a new Auto focus sensor from which is |
| Olympus E-1 - the camera that heralded the first | | | | an 11 point array. Three dedicated processors can be |
| all-new SLR system for over a decade - and its | | | | found inside the camera, one for the Auto focus, one |
| successor the E-3, the DSLR landscape has changed | | | | for Image stabilizing and the Trupic Turbo III for |
| beyond recognition, with prices dropping and capabilities | | | | processing the images. The Compact flash slot is |
| soaring. The world moved on whilst the Olympus | | | | UDMA compatible to make use of the ultra fast cards |
| professional system stood still, looking more and more | | | | that are starting to emerge onto the market. |
| irrelevant and less and less like a serious contender to | | | | The E-3 has a new 10Mp sensor which has a faster |
| the long-standing Canon/Nikon duopoly in the pro | | | | read time to help enable the 5fps continuous shooting |
| market. | | | | facility and the top speed of the shutter is 1/8000 sec. |
| Olympus has finally announced their long-awaited | | | | The buttons on the back of the camera consist of the |
| flagship DSLR camera, the E-3. Billed as a pure pro | | | | Exposure and Focus lock, the Function button which is |
| camera, the Olympus E-3 is really more comparable to | | | | a small Menu for access to the most frequently used |
| the cameras by Olympus's competitors that we've | | | | features. Other buttons available for wandering fingers |
| been categorizing as semi-pro, such as the Pentax | | | | are the Focus point selector, Playback button, the |
| K10D, Canon 40D, and Nikon D200. Whatever you call | | | | Navigation pad and Image stabiliser. These are to the |
| it though, there's no question that the new E-3 | | | | right of the flip out screen and four other buttons are |
| represents a sizable leap forward in technology and | | | | found beneath it. They are the Delete, Info, Menu and |
| sophistication for the Olympus SLR line. | | | | Display options. The Power switch can be found at the |
| With the E-3, Olympus introduces their first new auto | | | | bottom as well as a release switch for the |
| focus sensor in years: an 11-point array, each point | | | | The top of the camera has access to the White |
| consisting of twin cross-type AF sensors. They're | | | | balance and ISO ratings as well as a useful reset |
| claiming this is the fastest AF system on the market. | | | | option by pressing two buttons simultaneously. |
| Combined with greater 1.15x magnification in the E-3's | | | | Bracketing adjust can be found just above the shutter |
| viewfinder, framing and focusing with this Four-Thirds | | | | release button. |
| camera is a lot easier than past Olympus models. | | | | Olympus E-3 Specifications |
| A new shutter mechanism in the Olympus E-3 delivers | | | | * Sensor: 10.1Mp 4/3 Hi-speed Live MOS sensor |
| 1/8,000 second speed, and 1/250 flash sync, and an | | | | * Lens: Olympus Zuiko 14-54mm or 12-60mm |
| expected lifetime of 150,000 cycles. Mirror blackout | | | | * Focus: TTL phase difference detection, 11 point Auto |
| time is also said to be low, but there are no official | | | | Manual |
| numbers yet. Three dedicated processors handle | | | | * ISO range: ISO100-3200 |
| three separate functions: one for image stabilization, | | | | * Shutter speed: 1/8000-60sec plus bulb up to 30 |
| one for auto focus, and the TruePic III for image | | | | minutes |
| processing. A UDMA-compatible Compact Flash slot | | | | * Exposure: Program/AP/SP/M |
| promises fast write times, and the additional xD-Picture | | | | * Metering: Multi Pattern/ESP/Spot/Centre-weighted |
| Card slot adds extra storage. | | | | * Monitor: 2.5in hyper crystal LCD |
| Body-based image stabilization is built into the Olympus | | | | * Storage: Compact flash, XD Picture card |
| E-3, taking advantage of the company's Supersonic | | | | * Batteries: BML-1 Lithium Ion |
| Wave Drive motor technology to drive the anti-shake | | | | * Video Output: NTSC & PAL |
| system. A separate motor drives the Supersonic | | | | * Size/Weight: 142.5 x 116.5 x 74.5mm/810g |
| Wave Filter to remove dust. | | | | * Transfer: USB 2. |