E-3 Digital SLR - 10.0MP
2.5" Vari-Angle LCD, Live View, Image Stabilisation, Lens 12-60mm F2.8-4.0 SWD - Ultra Fast Kit
Speed and Reliability
The new range-topping Olympus E-3 is designed for the professional photographer and advanced enthusiasts requiring super fast auto-focus and responsiveness in a camera that delivers professional level image quality. Industry leading image stabilisation, with outstanding system portability and rugged reliability provides the photographer with a camera that can be confidently used in the most challenging climatic environments.
World's Fastest Autofocus
Featuring the world's fastest autofocus capability*, the E-3 uses an 11 point Full-Twin Cross AF sensor that provides outstandingly fast and accurate autofocus even in low light conditions of -2 EV.
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Unlike conventional AF sensors that typically utilise single array cross sensors, the E-3's AF sensor features 11 cross sensors, all with twin line arrays to achieve maximum detection speed and accurate sensing even in very low light or low contrast shooting conditions.
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Combined with the all new Olympus designed Supersonic Wave Drive (SWD) lens drive mechanism such as that used in the new Pro range standard wide zoom, the 12-60mm SWD lens, the E-3 provides swift and accurate focusing for a wide range of photography applications from fast moving reportage and sport, to low light portraiture and studio photography. Non-SWD Zuiko Digital lenses will likewise benefit from the enhanced AF capability of the E-3 so that users will experience a noticeable AF speed increase when the E-3 is used with their existing Olympus Zuiko Digital lenses.
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In the field, a five-frames per second sequential shooting capability in RAW quality mode with a top shutter speed of 1/8000th of a second provides the photographer with a camera that's capable of capturing fast-moving dynamic action shots.
Superb Image Quality
The E-3 features an all-new 10 megapixel High-Speed Live Mos image sensor chip. This new sensor has been developed for the E-3 with wider dynamic range quality and faster data transfer capability than Live Mos sensors used with previous Olympus cameras, to deliver professional class picture quality and operational speed.
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A dedicated image processing engine, the TruePic III chip, provides optimal noise filtration with clear image detail reproduction and accurate colour rendition of subtle colour hues and tones.
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A dual-sensor white balance system using internal and external white balance sensors assures accurate automatic white-balance results.
World's Most Effective Image Stabiliser
To maximise image capture quality, the E-3 features the world's most effective image stabiliser (versus other lens- or in-body stabilised DSLR systems) with shake compensation up to a remarkable five EV steps.** This capability provides the photographer with heightened confidence when handholding long telephoto lenses, or when shooting in adverse low light conditions.
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Installing a highly effective image stabiliser in-body instead of in-lens brings a compelling cost-performance advantage by providing stabilisation benefit to all system lenses. It further provides for compact lens designs which would otherwise be size-compromised by additional in-lens stabiliser components. In-body stabilisation further preserves the telecentric light path characteristics of Olympus Zuiko Digital lenses, ensuring that image quality even at picture corners is not sacrificed when stabilisation is activated.
Ruggedness and reliability you can depend on
In the photographer's hand, the strength and robustness of the E-3 body is immediately evident. As is required of a camera that can be confidently used by the professional or enthusiast in inclement weather or harsh shooting environments, the E-3 body is both splashproof and dustproof. Ruggedness and strength is provided by a robust magnesium alloy chassis, manufactured using a special 'Thixomold' process that produces a lighter, stronger and higher precision body than a conventional die-cast type.
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The tough metal chassis completely encapsulates the high endurance mechanics, optics and electronics inside the camera body, providing a high degree of protection in rigorous professional use. A newly designed shutter and mirror mechanism are tested to a minimum of 150,000 shooting cycles for professional-class reliability. The world's most effective dust-reduction system, the proven Olympus Super Sonic Wave Filter (SSWF), is used in the E-3 to provide assurance of truly fuss-free, dust-free image captures.
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Big and Clear Viewfinder and articulating Live View LCD
Especially important for professional usage, a large and bright optical viewfinder featuring 100% viewing coverage and 1.15x magnification enables the photographer to see the scene clearly, and fully. Olympus optical know-how has resulted in a viewfinder that's virtually distortion free with minimal colour aberrations. An eye-point of 20mm provides comfortable eye-relief for eye-glass wearers.
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The built-in adjustable diopter may be further extended using the newly developed DEN-3 and DEP-3 accessory eyecups. Live View capability is enhanced with a flip-out, variable-angle LCD screen, providing maximum Live View shooting flexibility in high and low-angle photography, both in vertical or horizontal shooting camera positions.
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White balance, exposure compensation, depth of field preview, live-histogram, grid templates, shadow-adjustment preview, and a powerful digital magnifier to assist precise close-up manual focus are standard with Live View in the E-3.
Wireless Flash System
New to the E-System is wireless flash photography capability with the E-3 and the new wireless remote capable flashes, the FL-50R and FL-36R. With the E-3's built-in flash acting as commander, the E-3 can control up to three separate groups of wireless flash units. An unlimited number of FL-50R and FL-36R flash units may be used within each of the three flash groups. The E-3's built-in flash commander makes buying a separate commander flash or trigger unit unnecessary.
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Normal flash synchronisation speed with non-dedicated strobe units is 1/250th second. In the special Super FP mode with the new FL-50R, FL-36R, and current FL-50 and FL-36 strobe units, flash sync speed can be as high as an astonishing 1/8000th second, providing the photographer with enhanced creative fill flash possibilities in bright daylight.
Get a grip! Configure the body the way you like it
To provide flexible user configurability of camera body shape, size and weight for a wide range of photography applications and user preferences, a new optional battery grip has been developed for the E-3. The HLD-4 provides a comfortable and sure grip for vertical shooting requirements and features an additional shutter release button and control dial.
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This splashproof and dustproof battery grip utilises up to two standard Olympus BLM-1 Li-Ion batteries, effectively extending shooting capacity if necessary. The AA battery capability with the included AA battery holder of the new HLD-4 ensures that the E-3 user has the ability to shoot in locations where battery recharging is impossible.
Image quality begins with the lens
Olympus understands that image quality is not a function of the camera body alone. Without lenses designed for the unique demands of digital image sensors, even the best sensor technology in the world cannot deliver the best possible pictures. To this end, the Olympus E-system lens catalog provides the widest range of uniquely designed-for-digital lenses, providing 35mm film format equivalent focal lengths from an ultra-wide 14mm to a super-telephoto range of 600mm (and up to 1200mm with the superb new EC-20 converter).
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Olympus Zuiko Digital lenses are renowned for class-leading compactness and performance at every focal length, and are surprisingly affordable, providing outstanding price-performance qualities through the range. Used with the E-3, the Olympus range of Pro and Super Pro digital lenses provide the professional and serious enthusiast with lenses that they can trust to deliver razor sharp picture results, even when used at wide open apertures!
* with the new Olympus Zuiko Digital 12-60mm SWD lens
** actual performance depends on lens focal length as well as user characteristics
| Product Name | Olympus E-3 | |||||||||
| Model | E-3 | |||||||||
| Type | Single-lens reflex Live View digital camera with interchangeable lens system | |||||||||
| Compatible Lens | ZUIKO Digital, FourThirds System lens | |||||||||
| Lens Mount | FourThirds mount | |||||||||
| Media | CompactFlash card (Type I and II), Microdrive, xD picture card. (Dual slot). UDMA support | |||||||||
| Effective Pixel Number | 10 million pixels | |||||||||
| Imager Size | 17.3mm x 13.0mm | |||||||||
| Type | High Speed Live MOS sensor | |||||||||
| Total Pixel Number | Approx. 11.8 million pixels | |||||||||
| Aspect Ratio | 4:3 | |||||||||
| Filter Array | Primary colour filter (RGB) | |||||||||
| LPF | Fixed type | |||||||||
| IR Cut Filter | Hybrid type | |||||||||
| Dust Protect Filter | SuperSonic Wave Filter | |||||||||
| Viewfinder Type | Eye-level TTL Optical | |||||||||
| Field Of View | 100% | |||||||||
| Magnification | Approx.1.15x (-1m-1, 50mm lens, infinity) | |||||||||
| Eye Point | Approx. 20 mm (-1m-1) | |||||||||
| Diopter Adjustment | -3.0 to +1 | |||||||||
| Focusing screen | Changeable at a service center (Neo Lumi-Micro Mat screen supplied, possible to change to grid mat type) | |||||||||
| Mirror | Quick return mirror | |||||||||
| Viewfinder Information | 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 | |||||||||
| Depth Of Field Preview | Yes | |||||||||
| Eye Cup | Interchangeable type EP-5/6/7, EP-7 is supplied (Magnifier Eyecup ME-1 is available) | |||||||||
| Eye Piece Shutter | Built in | |||||||||
| Live Preview Type | High Speed 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 |
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| Image stabilizer | Built in Imager Shift image stabiliser 2 modes (normal, panning) Effective compensation up to 5 EV steps maximum |
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| Autofocus Type | TTL phase difference detection system | |||||||||
| Focus Modes | Single AF (S-AF) / Continuous AF (C-AF) / Manual Focus (MF) / S-AF + MF / C-AF + MF |
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| AF Detection Range | EV -2 to 19 EV (ISO 100) | |||||||||
| Focus Areas | 11 points full-twin cross AF sensor | |||||||||
| Focus Area Selection | Single target, Dynamic single target, All targets | |||||||||
| AF Assist Lamp | Built-in flash (can be deactivated), or AF assist beam on optional Olympus dedicated flashes | |||||||||
| AF Lock | Locked at first position of Shutter button in Single AF mode / AEL button (customizable) | |||||||||
| Focus Tracking | Interlocked with Continuous AF mode | |||||||||
| Focus Aid | Available | |||||||||
| Manual Focus | Available by rotating focus ring, available for setting manual focus operation in AF mode (customised) | |||||||||
| Metering System | TTL open aperture light metering with 49-zones multi-pattern sensing system | |||||||||
| Metering Modes | (1) Digital ESP metering (49-point multi pattern metering) (2) Centre weighted average metering (3) Spot metering (approx. 2% of the viewfinder screen) (4) Spot with Highlight control (5) Spot with Shadow control |
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| Metering Range | EV 1 - 20 (Digital ESP metering, Centre weighted average metering, Spotmetering) (Normal temperature, 50mm f2, ISO 100) |
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| Exposure Modes | (1) P: Programme AE (Programme shift can be performed) (2) A: Aperture priority AE, (3) S: Shutter priority AE (4) M: Manual, (5) Custom: My mode ( 2 setting is recordable) | |||||||||
| Scene Program AE | Underwater programme AE available to set to Fn button | |||||||||
| Scene Select AE | None | |||||||||
| Exposure Compensation | 5 EV in 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps selectable | |||||||||
| AE Lock | AEL button (customizable) | |||||||||
| Exposure Bracketing | 3 or 5 frames in 0.3, 0.7, 1EV steps selectable | |||||||||
| ISO Sensitivity (Auto) | ISO 100 - 3200 | |||||||||
| ISO Sensitivity (Manual) | (ISO 100 - 3200, 1/3 or 1 EV steps | |||||||||
| Shutter Type | Computerised focal-plane shutter | |||||||||
| Shutter Speed | 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. |
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| X-sync speed | 1/250 sec. or longer, Super FP up to 1/8000 sec. | |||||||||
| Shutter release | Soft-touch electromagnetic release | |||||||||
| Self-Timer | Operation time: 12 sec., 2 sec. (cancel available) | |||||||||
| Remote Cable Release | Available (with optional RM-CB1 Remote cable.) | |||||||||
| Remote Control | Operation time: 2 sec., 0 sec., bulb control available (with optional RM-1 remote control) | |||||||||
| Drive Modes | Single-frame shooting, Sequential shooting H, Sequential shooting L, Self-timer, Remote control | |||||||||
| Sequential Shooting Speed | Approx. 5 frames/sec. in sequential shooting H, 1 to 4 fps selectable in sequential shooting L. | |||||||||
| Max. Frame Number On Sequential Shooting | RAW mode: Max. 17 frames. JPEG mode: Depends on compression ratio and no. of pixels (LN - Large Normal mode: up to card capacity with SanDisk Extreme III) |
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| Auto WB System | Hybrid detection system with High speed Live MOS sensor and dedicated external sensor. | |||||||||
| Preset WB | 7 settings (3000K - 7500K) Lamp (3000K), Fluorescent 1 (4000K), Fluorescent 2 (4500K), Fluorescent 3 (6600K), Daylight (5300K), Flash (5500K), Cloudy (6000K), Shade (7500K) |
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| Custom WB | 1 setting can be registered at Kelvin temperature (2000K - 14000K) | |||||||||
| WB Compensation | 7 steps in each A-B/G-M axis (in Auto WB / Preset WB mode / One touch WB) | |||||||||
| One Touch White Balance | 4 custom settings can be registered | |||||||||
| WB Bracketing | 3 frames in 2, 4, 6 steps selectable in each A-G/G-M axis. | |||||||||
| Image Processing Engine | TruePic III | |||||||||
| Colour Space | sRGB / Adobe RGB | |||||||||
| Picture Modes | Vivid, Natural, Muted, Monotone (default setting: Natural) | |||||||||
| Monotone Filter Effect | Yellow, Orange, Red or Green filter available | |||||||||
| Picture Tones | Sepia, Blue, Purple or Green tone available for Monotone | |||||||||
| Gradation | 4 levels (Auto, High key, Normal, Low key) | |||||||||
| Built-in Flash Type | Retractable pop up flash | |||||||||
| Pop up | Automatic or manual | |||||||||
| Guide number | 13 (ISO 100 m) | |||||||||
| Flash intensity control | Up to 3 EV in 1/3 EV steps | |||||||||
| Flash bracketing | 3 frames in 0.3, 0.7, 1 EV steps selectable. | |||||||||
| Flash Modes | 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. |
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| External Flash Control Type | Wireless (with FL-50R and FL-36R), TTL auto FP / TTL auto for Olympus dedicated flash, auto or manual | |||||||||
| Control panel information | Shooting: Exposure mode, Shutter speed, Aperture value, Exposure compensation value bar, Exposure compensation value, Flash compensation value bar, Flash compensation value, ALE notification, Flash compensation notification, NR notification, BKT notification, AF illuminator disactivated 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. Wireless flash: Exposure mode, Shutter speed, Aperture value, Exposure compensation value bar, Exposure compensation value, Flash compensation value bar, Flash compensation value, ALE notification, Flash compensation notification, NR notification, BKT notification, AF illuminator disactivated notification, Color space, Wireless channel setting, Built-in flash intensity, Group setting |
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| Playback Monitor Type | Dual Axis Variable Angle HyperCrystal LCD panel (new type) | |||||||||
| Size | 2.5 inch / 6.4cm | |||||||||
| Pixel Number | Approx. 230,000 pixels | |||||||||
| Playback Field Of View | 100% | |||||||||
| Brightness control | Auto/Manual 15 levels | |||||||||
| Playback Display mode | Single-frame, Index (4/9/16/25 frames), Calendar, Close-up ( 2 - 14X), Slideshow, Picture rotation (auto mode available), Light box | |||||||||
| Playback Information | Histogram (independent luminance / RGB available), Highlight / Shadow point warning, AF frame, Shooting information | |||||||||
| Erase Modes | Single frame, All frames, Selected frames (with protect function) | |||||||||
| Image Protect Mode | Single frame, Selected frames, Release protect (Single/All selected) | |||||||||
| Copy Mode | Single frame, All frames, Selected frames | |||||||||
| Type Of Recording Format | DCF, DPOF compatible/Exif, PRINT Image Matching III | |||||||||
| Type Of File Format | RAW (12-bit), JPEG, RAW+JPEG | |||||||||
| RAW+JPEG Recording | Yes | |||||||||
| File Size |
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| In-Camera RAW Development | Yes | |||||||||
| Image Editing | Resize (producing another file), Gradation auto | |||||||||
| PictBridge | Yes | |||||||||
| User programmable custom settings | Custom reset - 2 settings are recordable My mode - 2 settings are recordable |
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| PC Interface | USB 2.0 High Speed for storage and camera control | |||||||||
| Video Signal Output | NTSC or PAL selectable | |||||||||
| Flash attachment | Hot shoe, External flash socket | |||||||||
| Battery | BLM-1 Li-ion battery (included). AC in - Yes (AC-1 compatible) | |||||||||
| Sleep Mode | Available (1, 3, 5, 10 min., off selectable) | |||||||||
| Battery life | Approx. 610 shots using optical viewfinder only (with 50% flash shots) (with BLM-1 under CIPA testing standard) with BLM-1 (under CIPA testing standards) | |||||||||
| Dimensions | 142.5 mm (W) x 116.5 mm (H) x 74.5 mm (D) (excluding protrusions) | |||||||||
| Weight | 810 g (body only) | |||||||||
| Operating Temperature | 0 - 40 (operation) / -20 - 60 (storage) | |||||||||
| Operating Humidity | 30 - 90% (operation) / 10 - 90% (storage) | |||||||||
| Box contents | 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. |
