Olympus E-3 Pro SLR Body
The Olympus E-3 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. The 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
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.
World's Fastest Auto Focusing System
The E-3's fully crossed array high-speed 11-point auto focusing system and precision tracking performance (side-to-side and near-to-far) are driven by a dedicated AF data processing engine that uses a newly developed distance-measuring algorithm to process data from 11 biaxial sensors simultaneously. It provides exacting auto focus precision at exceptional speeds.
Paired biaxial sensors that detect contrast on both the vertical and horizontal axis help ensure maximum precision and low-light AF performance. The 11 biaxial sensors effectively provide the AF engine with a total of 88 different data points to calculate correct focus. In addition, pixel multiplication technologies boost performance in low light; as a result, processing speed is 15 times faster than with previous systems.
1/8000 Second High Speed, High Precision
Imagine all the spectacular images you can capture using the E-3's 1/8000 second high-speed shutter, while shooting at maximum aperture even under very bright lighting conditions. Without a doubt, the E-3 will allow you to fully enjoy the superior imaging power of Zuiko Digital lenses. What's more, the E-3 boasts an ultra-fast shutter release time, allowing instant shooting for superior tracking and response. The camera also employs a highly reliable mirror construction — engineered to achieve the precision required for the high-speed 1/8000 second shutter. Simplifying the drive mechanism increases precision while reducing transmission loss. And a carbon-based plastic was used for the mirror box to provide twice the rigidity of conventional mirror boxes.
5-FPS Burst Shooting and High Speed Data
The E-3 can capture fast action shots as fast as your itchy trigger finger can fire them off. The highly reliable 5-fps burst shooting provides extra flexibility when shooting sports, wildlife or any other dynamic subjects. The E-3's ability to process over 10 million pixels of high-quality image data at extremely high speed enables continuous shooting at up to five frames per second. In fact, you can shoot until your finger tires — as continuous shooting up to the limit of available memory is possible at the highest resolution setting.** If the memory card slot cover is opened during card writing, image data is held in the buffer memory. Writing continues when the card lid is closed again.
*When coupled with three new Zuiko Digital Supersonic Wave Drive™ Lenses (SWD), like the ED 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 (24-120mm equivalent), the E-3 offers unmatched AF speeds, and the fastest AF speed in the world with that lens. The autofocus speed of the Zuiko Digital 12-60mm (24-120mm) f2.8-4.0 SWD lens, combined with the E-3, was measured during in-house testing by Olympus and is based on similar available lenses for digital SLR cameras as of October 17, 2007.
**When using a high speed 133X or faster compact flash card, using the default record mode of Large Normal JPEG.
Image Quality
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.
Great Photos Start with Precision Crafted Glass
You need high-quality lenses to achieve superior image quality. Zuiko Digital lenses are designed to work with today's digital cameras as well as with the high-performance image sensors of the future. This large, award-winning family of lenses is perfectly matched to the E-3's image sensor so every pixel is properly exposed — and Olympus Four Thirds upgradeable technology allows you to shoot with the most current firmware available. The results? Photos with bright colors and incredible edge-to-edge sharpness that can't compare to shots taken with traditional film lenses. Smart digital lenses, for smart digital photographers like you.
Sophisticated In-Body Image Stabilization
The E-3 delivers sharp shots in low light or with a telephoto lens even without a tripod. A sophisticated body-mounted image stabilization system compensates for camera shake by shifting the image sensor up to an equivalent of five shutter speed steps — all possible thanks to a gyro sensor that detects even the slightest hand tremble. The in-body image stabilization system gives you the freedom to use all Four Thirds lenses, which are significantly smaller and lighter than other lenses because they don't need an image stabilization component in the optics.
10.1 Megapixels of Amazing Clarity
Capture high-resolution images with rich tones and natural, true-to-life color. The E-3's 10.1 megapixel high-speed Live MOS sensor features excellent dynamic range, accurate color fidelity, and a new, advanced circuit to eliminate noise. The sensor's low power usage saves battery life.
Better Technology, Better Photos
The E-3 delivers superior color and quality with the help of TruePic™ III — our fastest processor yet. It gives you better color and quality through true-to-life skin tones, brilliant blue skies, precise color transitions, more detail and less image noise. On top of all that, TruePicIII™provides faster performance with faster write speeds to your media cards, faster shot-to-shot times and faster connectivity to your PC or Mac. TruePic™III is the engine that drives the camera's performance and brings your images to life. There are three specific technologies TruePic™III technologies.
- Advanced Noise Filter III technology precisely separates noise from image data to create a lifelike reproduction of your subject with minimal noise.
- Advanced Detail Reproduction technology precisely detects edges for smooth edge-to-edge reproduction, and removes color artifacts.
- Advanced Proper Gamma III technology improves the ability to independently control luminance and chrominance signals, and assures a more realistic reproduction of pale color tones.
Live View
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.
Live View Image Display
Display three different framing-assist patterns on the LCD monitor — a grid, golden section, or a scale — without switching the actual physical focusing screen. In addition, you can display a histogram to check for proper exposure and tone distribution before you even take a shot.
Luminance Sensor
A sensor installed on the upper left side of the swivel LCD analyzes the brightness of the surroundings and then automatically adjusts the brightness of the LCD. If you are outdoors under bright sunlight, the LCD's brightness and contrast are increased to improve visibility; when in a dark setting or at night, brightness is decreased for easier viewing.
Free-Angle Live View Monitor
Live View shooting allows real-time hunting and framing of your subject right on the LCD. Enabling ultra high-angle and low-angle shooting, the dual-axis flexible-angle Live View monitor can be rotated freely — up and down and from side to side — allowing you to take shots from angles impossible up until now. The LCD monitor displays 100 percent of the field of view and can be used in AF shooting.
Live View Adjustment/Compensation Check
With Live View, you can check the effects of white balance adjustment and exposure compensation
right on the LCD monitor, in real time, as you compose your shot. You can even use the Gradation Auto
setting (utilizing Shadow Adjustment Technology) to adjust under-exposed areas while retaining background
brightness — and confirm it, before you shoot, on the LCD.
Magnified Live View Display
During Live View shooting, select any area of your image that you want to precisely focus on by moving the focusing point to various parts of the LCD. You can then magnify your point of interest by five, seven or 10 times and focus on it manually. This is a powerful feature when fine focus adjustment is required in macro or studio shooting.
Reliability
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.
Large Optical Viewfinder with 100% Field of View
The E-3 is equipped with a large optical viewfinder that provides 100 percent accurate viewing and 1.15x magnification for reliable composition — what you see is exactly what you'll get. Even fine details are seen with astonishing clarity. The E-3's large, precision-crafted pentaprism is crafted from high refractive index glass with a highly reflective silver coating. The eyepiece uses glass lenses. All the lenses are surface coated to maintain brightness. The focusing screen features a Neo Lumi-Micro Mat for bright, easy-to-adjust manual focusing.
Keeping the Dust Out
Spots on photos are now banished forever. The Olympus dust reduction system is an industry first and a proven technology. Every time you turn on the E-3, our Supersonic Wave Filter™ — located between the shutter and the image sensor — silently vibrates an amazing 30,000 times per second. Dust is blasted away. The dust reduction system even removes dust attached by intermolecular force that can't be shaken off or discharged with static electricity. Dust will no longer get between you and a great shot.
One Tough, Hard Body
Shoot anywhere, anytime, in any condition. The E-3 body, the built-in flash and the LCD are all splashproof and dustproof. Constructed from a magnesium-alloy with a homogeneous composition, the E-3 is lightweight yet strong and rugged. The same goes for Zuiko Digital lenses. You'll find splashproof and dustproof models that are as tightly sealed as the camera.
Professional Quality - Shutter Life of at Least 150,000 Shots
To ensure you can keep shooting, even at 5 frames per second, Olympus utilizes a durable shutter mechanism tested to 150,000 cycles making the E-3 the perfect choice for photographers who demand the most from their equipment, in any situation.
Key Features
- Experience the World's Fastest Auto Focus* with the Olympus exclusive 11-point biaxial auto focus system coupled with the new (SWD) Supersonic Wave Drive™ lenses. It provides exacting auto focus precision at exceptional speeds.
- Continuous shooting, up to five frames per second, means you can capture fast-moving moments in time and get amazing results. The UDMA CompactFlash compatibility enhances capture speeds for the ultimate in shooting performance.
- 1/8000-second high-speed, high-precision shutter enables you to freeze even the fastest subjects. Or, set shutter speeds as long as 60 seconds in Manual or Automatic settings.
- Effectively reduce blur with Olympus' exclusive Supersonic Wave Drive (SWD) in-body Image Stabilization System. Get up to a five step EV stabilization effect with all Zuiko Digital Lenses, and all Four Thirds Format Lenses.
- A newly developed high-performance 10.1-megapixel Live MOS Sensor provides the high resolution you need to accurately reproduce subject details with rich tones and natural colors as well as lower power consumption. Increased reading speed supports 5 fps continuous shooting.
- The Olympus exclusive 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.
- Live View shooting provides the next generation of composition control in digital SLR photography. The E-3's Live Simulation allows you to check exposure, white balance and composition -in real time, while you compose — with the integrated Live View technology.
- The 2.5-inch dual-axis, free-angle swivel Live View monitor provides a 100% accurate representation of your shooting scene. Additionally, the E-3's HyperCrystal™ wide-angle display, with 360-degree articulation, makes composition and image viewing possible at any angle.
- The E-3's proven Dust Reduction System, with the Supersonic Wave Filter™ (SWF) self-cleaning ultrasonic sensor unit, eliminates dust particles on the sensor by silently vibrating an amazing 30,000 times per second, ensuring spot-free images.
- The 100% accurate high eye point optical viewfinder, delivers the precise compositional accuracy demanded by the most discriminating photographer. When shooting with the E-3, what you see is what you get.
- A Rugged magnesium-alloy construction coupled with advanced splash and dust protection, make the E-3 the perfect choice for photographers who demand the most from their equipment, in any situation.
- Durable shutter mechanism tested to 150,000 cycles. The pro-level shutter ensures reliability, even at five frames per second, thanks to a durable shutter mechanism tested to 150,000 cycles, making the E-3 the camera of choice for photographers who demand durability from their equipment.
What's Included:
- E-3 body
- Li-ion battery BLM-1
- Li-ion battery charger BCM-2
- USB cable
- Video cable
- Shoulder strap
- OLYMPUS Master CD-ROM
- Instruction manual
- Warranty card