Blazing speed. Spectacular images. Rugged durability. Consider barriers broken.
SPEED. The worlds fastest Auto
Focus system when combined with Zuiko Digital Specific SWD 12-60 mm lens.
The E-3s AF system works in the blink of an eye to ensure you never miss a shot. When combined with the ZUIKO DIGITAL SWD ED 12-60 mm, the E-3s AF technology works at speeds unmatched by any other camera in the world. An 11-point fulltwin 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 handles sensor information. New pixel multiplication technologies gives the E-3 an AF luminescence range of -2 to 19 EV for better low light shooting
Shoot from unique angles for more creative control with Live View.
Olympus is the undisputed leader in Live View LCD technology. It lets you see your subject on a large, bright screen in real-time. The E-3 features an articulating, 2.5 Live View LCD screen that can be rotated up and down and from side to side. It covers all viewing angles so high and low angle shots are easy to compose and shoot. The LCD shows 100% field-of-view for accuracy. The Live View screen can also be used for AF shooting.

VIEWING.

Enhanced SWD Technology. The ultra-fast auto focus
speed of the E-3 is partly due to the sophisticated Supersonic Wave Drive motors in our new ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses. Combined with an ultra-compact encoder for detecting rotational movement with 5 m precision, these lenses work smoothly, quietly and instantaneously.

IMAGE QUALITY.

Capture it all spectacularly.
The E-3 delivers sharp shots in low light or with a telephoto lens even without a tripod. A sophisticated image stabilization system compensates for camera shake by shifting the image sensor an equivalent of 5 shutter speed steps all possible thanks to a gyro sensor that detects even the slightest hand tremble. An inbody image stabilization system gives you the freedom to use any Four Thirds lens. They are significantly smaller and lighter than other lenses because they dont need an image stabilization component in the optics.
Make adjustments quickly. Instantly check the effects of white balance adjustment and exposure compensation in real time on the Live View LCD before shooting. Youll be able to monitor image quality more closely and exert greater creative control. Magnify it. The E-3s Live View feature lets you
magnify your subject right on the LCD by a factor of 5, 7 or 10 times for sharp, pinpoint focus a great feature for macro shooting.

RELIABILITY. All the

technology to ensure reliable performance in the most demanding shooting conditions.
The E-3 is equipped with a large optical viewfinder that provides 100% accurate viewing and 1.15x magnification for reliable composition what you see is exactly what youll get. Even fine details are seen with astonishing clarity. The E-3s large, precision-crafted pentaprism is made 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.
Shutter speeds that truly let you capture it all.
Imagine what you could shoot with a shutter speed of 1/8000 of a second and a X-sync speed of 1/250 second. Freeze action while photographing a cheetah in motion. Or clearly capture a 96 mph fastball as it connects with a bat. You can shoot at maximum aperture even in bright sunlight and take full advantage of the unmatched imaging power of ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses. A simplified mirror design gives the E-3 the fastest response time of any Olympus E-series camera.

Choose your framing assist pattern.
Three different framing assist patterns a grid, golden section or a scale can be displayed on the LCD without switching the actual physical focusing screen. You can even see an easy-to-read histogram that checks the exposure condition.
A bright viewing idea. A sensor on the LCD
swivel detects your surroundings brightness. The screen will brighten or dim for optimum visibility and to reduce glare.
Blazing shot-to-shot response. Shoot in high speed
succession. The sequential 5 frames-per-second shooting comes from the rapid reading speed of the Live MOS Sensor coupled with a newly developed TruePic III image processor and the redesigned mirror.
10.1 megapixels of amazing clarity.
Capture high-resolution images with rich tones and natural, true-to-life color. The E-3s 10.1 megapixel high-speed Live MOS sensor features excellent dynamic range, accurate color fidelity, and a new, advanced circuit to eliminate noise. The sensors low power usage saves battery life.
True color thanks to TruePic III. The Live MOS sensor is complemented by the TruePic III Image Processor. It produces crystal clear photos using all the pixel information from each image to provide accurate, natural color, true-to-life flesh tones and precise tonal expression. TruePic III lowers the noise in images shot with ramped-up ISO settings resulting in blur-free photos in low light. Great photos start with precisioncrafted glass. You need high-quality lenses to
achieve superior image quality. ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses are designed to work exclusively with digital cameras today and ready to work seamlessly with future high-performance image sensors. This large, award-winning family of lenses is perfectly matched to the E-3s image sensor so every pixel is properly exposed. The results? Photos with bright colors and incredible edge-to-edge sharpness that cant compare to shots taken with traditional film lenses.
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 cant 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 even the built-in flash and LCD is splash 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. Youll find splash and dust-proof models that are as tightly sealed as the camera.

SPECIFICATIONS

Product Type Memory Screen size Lens mount Effective Pixels Number Image Pickup Unit Product type Total no. of pixels Aspect ratio Dust reduction system Recording Recording format File format Recording image size Viewfinder Product type Field of view Viewfinder magnification Eye point Diopter adjustment range Focusing screen Eyepiece shutter Live View Display Single-lens reflex Live View digital camera with interchangeable lens system CompactFlash Type I/II, Microdrive, xD-Picture Card (Dual-Slot) 17.3mm(H) x 13.0mm(V) /.68 in.(H) x.512 in.(V) Four Thirds Mount 10.1 megapixels Live MOS Sensor Approx. 11,800,000 pixels 1.33 (4:3) Supersonic Wave Filter (dust reduction system for image sensor) DCF, DPOF compatible/Exif, PRINT Image Matching III RAW (12-bit lossless compression), JPEG, RAW+JPEG [RAW] 3648 x 2736 pixels, [JPEG] 3648 x 2736 pixels - 640 x 480 pixels Eye-level single-lens reflex viewfinder Approx. 100% Approx.1.15x (1m-1, 50mm lens, infinity) Approx. xx mm (-1m-1) -3.0 - +1m-1 Neo Lumi-Micro Mat screen supplied, can be changed to grid mat type at a service center. Built-in type Live MOS Sensor, 100% field of view, Exposure compensation preview, White balance adjustment preview, Gradation auto preview, MF/S-AF possible, 5x/7x/10x magnification possible. Grid line, AF Frame, AF Point, Shooting information, Histogram Can be checked (when Fn button is set in preview mode.) Built in (Imager shift image stabilizer) 2 modes (I.S. 1, I.S. 2) Max. 5 EV steps (depends on the lens type and shooting conditions) HyperCrystal LCD (semi-transmissive TFT color LCD) 2.5 inches Approx. 230,000 pixels 100% TTL phase-difference detection system Single AF (S-AF) / Continuous AF (C-AF) / Manual Focus (MF) / S-AF + MF / C-AF + M 11-cross points multiple AF Single point, Group area, All points EV -2 - 19 (at 20 , ISO 100) Built-in flash (flash-off mode and external flash available) Locked at first position of Shutter button in Single AF mode / AFL button (customizable) (AF lock available with AFL button on Live View) Interlocked with Continuous AF mode Available (TTL open-aperture metering system) (1) Digital ESP metering (49-points multi pattern metering) (2) Center weighted average metering (3) Spot metering (4) Spot with Highlight control (5) Spot with Shadow control EV 1 - 20 (At normal temperature, 50mm f2, ISO 100) (1) P: Program AE (Program shift can be performed) (2) A: Aperture priority AE (3) S: Shutter priority AE (4) M: Manual Underwater program AE can be set to Fn button AUTO (ISO 100 - 3200) / Manual (ISO 100 - 3200), 1/3 or 1 EV steps 5 EV (selectable in 1/3, 1/2, 1 EV steps) AEL button (customizable) 3 or 5 frames in 0.3, 0.7, 1EV steps selectable 3 frames in 0.3, 0.7, 1EV steps selectable Auto, Preset, One-Touch, Custom 8 settings (3000K - 7500K) 4 settings can be registered 1 setting can be registered at Kelvin temperature (2,000K 14,000K) 7 steps in each R-B / G-Maxis (in Auto/Preset/One-touch WB mode) 3 frames in 2, 4, 6 steps selectable in each R-G/G-M axis. Color Mode Color matrix Picture Mode Mode Adjustment parameter Filter effect Picture tone Gradation Shutter Product type Shutter speed Self-timer Remote cable release Optical remote control Anti shock mode Drive Drive mode Integrated Flash Built-in flash Flash control mode Flash mode Synchronization speed Flash intensity control Flash bracketing Wireless flash control Compatible external flash Control method Flash control mode Number of channels Group setting Playback Playback modes Information display Menu Languages Custom Setting My mode Erasing Erasing function Copy Copy between media Editing RAW picture editing JPEG editing Print Print function Input/Output PC interface Video connector Flash attachment Power Power Requirements Battery Sleep mode No. of recordable pictures Power battery holder Dimensions/Weight Dimensions Weight Operating Environment Temperature Humidity Dust/Splash Proof sRGB, Adobe RGB Vivid, Natural, Portrait, Muted, Monotone, Custom (default setting: Natural (Basic 5 modes and adjustment options are available in custom mode) Contrast, Sharpness and Saturation level available in 5 steps for Vivid, Natural, Portrait and Muted, Contrast and Sharpness level available in 5 steps for Monotone. In custom mode, gradation level available in 4 steps for Custom. Yellow, Orange, Red or Green filter available for Monotone Sepia, Blue, Purple or Green tone available for Monotone 3 levels (Auto, High key, Normal, Low key) available Computerized focal-plane shutter P(Ps), S, A, M mode (60 - 1/8000 sec.) Bulb *1/3, 1/2, or 1EV steps selectable. Operation time: 12 sec., 2 sec. (cancel available) Available with optional RM-CB1 Remote Cable Available with optional RM-1 Remote Control (bulb control also available) Available (selectable 1 to 30 sec.) Single-frame shooting, Sequential shooting H, Sequential shooting L, Self-timer, Remote control Retractable flash, GN=13 (ISO 100) TTL Auto (TTL pre-flash mode), Auto, Manual Auto, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction slow sync., (1st curtain), Slow sync. (2nd curtain) Manual (1/4, 1/16, 1/64), Off 1/250 sec. or less, Super FP up to 1/8000 sec. Up to 3 EV in 1/3 EV steps 3 frames in 0.3, 0.7, 1 EV steps selectable FL-50R, FL-36R Triggered and controlled by built-in flash light TTL Auto (TTL pre-flash mode), Auto, Manual, FP TTL Auto, FP Manual. 4 channels 3 groups Single-frame, Index (4/9/16/25 frames), Calendar, Close-up ( 2-14X), Slideshow, Picture rotation (auto mode available), Light box Histogram (independent luminance / RGB available), Highlight / Shadow point warning, AF frame, Shooting information, Off English, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese (Another language can be added) 2 settings can be registered Single frame, All frames, Selected frames Single frame, All frames, Selected frames RAW development Resize (producing another file), Gradation auto Print reservation (DPOF), Direct print (PictBridge compatible) USB 2.0 High Speed for storage and camera control (MTP mode is available) Video out (NTSC/PAL selectable) Hot shoe DC-input Yes (AC-1 compatible) BLM-1 Li-ion battery (included) or CR123 x 3 with LBH-1 Available (1, 3, 5, 10 min., off selectable) Approx. 600 shots (optical viewfinder) (with BLM-1 under CIPA testing standard) HLD-4 compatible 142mm(W) x 116mm(H) x 74.5mm(D) / 5.9 in.(W) x 4.56 in.(H) x 2.9 in.(D) (excluding protrusions) 810 g (body only) 0-40C/32-104F (operation) / 20-60C/68-140F (storage) 30-90% (operation) / 10-90% (storage) Yes

Preview Preview Function Image Stabilization System Mode Effective compensation range Monitor Product type Size Total no. of pixels Playback field of view Focusing AF system Focus mode Focusing point Focusing point selection AF luminance range AF illuminator AF lock Focus tracking Focus aid Exposure Control Metering system Metering range Exposure mode Underwater program ISO sensitivity Exposure compensation AE lock Exposure bracketing ISO bracketing White Balance White Balance Mode Preset white balance One-touch white balance Custom white balance White balance compensation White balance bracketing
LENSES, FLASHES AND ACCESSORIES. Choose from these new accessories or from the full line of Olympus E-System products, including over 20 100% Zuiko digital lenses.
24-120mm (35mm camera equivalent) ZUIKO DGITAL ED 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 SWD

FL-50R Electronic Flash

28-70mm (35mm camera equivalent) ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-35mm f2.0 SWD FL-36R Electronic Flash
100-400mm (35mm camera equivalent) ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 SWD
2007 Olympus America Inc. Olympus is a registered trademark of Olympus Optical Co. Ltd. Specifications and design are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer. All trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective holder. 2007 Olympus Imaging America Inc.

getolympus.com

first exposure:
Although the Olympus E-3 camera has a small Four Thirds sensor, it is not much smaller or lighter than similar cameras with bigger sensors.
ONE MIGHT WELL ASK what hope Olympus has as it tries to compete against the duopoly of Canon and Nikon in the professional camera marketplace. One could even feel sorry for Olympus; after all, its been trying since the 1970s to make a dent. Old-timers will remember the great fanfare that greeted the introduction of the original OM-1 in 1972. At the time, it was much smaller and lighter than the equivalent 35mm SLR camera from Nikon.
sensor clean. All in all, the E-1 was well received. However, it had poor low-light capabilities, and its positive attributes were not nearly enough to make any dent in sales of cameras from Canon or Nikon. It was not enough to make anyone switch systems. Now, four years later, Olympus has finally started selling the E-1s replacement, the E-3. For the record, as a historical aside, there was no E-2 because, as one Olympus official puts it, The time gap between the two cameras was just too long.
More DSLR Innovation from Olympus
BY JOHN RETTIE Fast-forward to 2004, when Olympus introduced the E-1, its first pro-level digital SLR camera. It too was smaller and lighter than equivalent bodies from Canon and Nikon. What was more significant was the fact that it was designed from the ground up as an all-digital system, including all-new lenses. There was no need to attempt to make it compatible with legacy lenses or accessories. Aside from its slightly smaller size, the E-1 also incorporated a highly effective anti-dust system that overcame one of the bugaboos of digital cameras at the timedust on the sensor, which can lead to messy images if one is not careful about keeping the A mockup of the E-3 was shown at PMA back in March 2007, so in many ways there were no real surprises once final specs of the camera were released in October. It has a 10.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor, built-in pop-up flash, dust-removal system, live preview mode, and it can shoot at 5 fps. In my opinion the most significant featurewhich is unique to the E-3 among DSLRsis the swiveling rear LCD monitor. This feature greatly facilitates usage of the live-view system and is a key part of the camera. Olympus has been at the forefront in developing live-view systems on DSLR cameras in the past few years, and it has certainly taken the feature a step further with the E-3.

Olympus E-3:

These photos, taken during two days of shooting in Puerto Rico, were all captured by John Rettie on the Olympus E-3 with a new Zuiko Digital ED 12 60mm f/2.84 SWD (24120mm equivalent) zoom lens. Shutter speeds range from 1/8000 to 1/2 second at ISO 100 to ISO 3200. All images were captured handheld; the low-angle shots were framed using live view and the unique rotating rear LCD screen.
I know that many photographers question the value of live view, but it seems to me that it opens up new vistas in obtaining images from different viewpoints that would be difficult to obtain just by relying on the optical viewfinder. Longtime users of medium format cameras know only too well how often it helps to use the ground-glass screen instead of a viewfinder to compose pictures. The same is true for a DSLR. Indeed, a large
number of consumer point-and-shoot compact cameras have long offered live view on a screen instead of a viewfinder. Youll notice that many consumers are more than happy to use this method for framing their pictures. During a pleasant two-day shooting expedition in Puerto Rico, I took advantage of the rotating LCD screen to capture some images that would have been difficult, if not impossible,
lenses, which employ Supersonic Wave Drive motor technology inside: the ED 1260mm f/2.84 SWD (24120mm equivalent); ED 50200mm f/2.83.5 SWD (100400mm equivalent), and the ED 14 35mm f/2 SWD (2870mm equivalent). Olympus claims that the 1260mm is the fastest-focusing lens on the market when coupled to the E-3. I certainly found its focusing speed good, but could not honestly say it felt any faster than other lenses with wave-drive technology. Overall I was happy with the focusing, although getting the right combination of focusing points was challenging at times since there are so many permutations for the 11 different ones, which are all of the bi-axial cross-focusing type, not just the center ones. Occasionally I found the camera hunting as it tried to determine what to focus on. I did not have the chance to try it side by side with a new DSLR camera from Canon or Nikon, but it seemed to me that the E-3 was not quite as good in dark situations. What really impressed me was the E-3s in-body mechanical image-stabilization system. This is The E-3s magnesium body is strong enough to support the weight of a person without bending or something that every manufacturer except Canon breaking. and Nikon is now offering in DSLR bodies, and many feel it will not be long before the big two will to capture with just an optical viewfinderor even a fixed LCD have to join this bandwagon. Is it a gimmick? Is it as good as monitor such as those found on the other new DSLRs with live in-lens stabilization? In my view it is just as good, if not better. view. In my opinion, a rotating viewfinder is the only way to go when using live view. A fixed screen, as found on Canon and I found I could easily handhold the E-3 with a 1260mm zoom Nikons latest pro camera bodies, is of limited use outside of a lens at second exposure and get sharp images. I was even able to get reasonably sharp images at half-second exposures. studio situation. Obviously the beauty of in-body stabilization is that it works As with all Olympus DSLR cameras, the E-3 has a small with every lens. Naysayers will note that it does not stabilize your Four Thirds sensor (18x13.5mm), which is almost exactly one quarter of the size of a full-frame sensor. It packs 10.1 million sensor sites into this area, making each individual one quite small. Whats really encouraging is that this does not seem to have affected the image quality. There is no sign of noise up to ISO 800. Even at ISO 3200 the noise is not objectionable. The captured image size is 3648x2736 pixels. The E-3 body is made from magnesium, and Olympus engineers seem to love proudly showing off a naked body shell to demonstrate how strong it is, since it has few openings and is made from only three molded parts. Officially, Olympus describes the camera body as dust-proof and splash-proof. Even so, an Olympus engineer was perfectly willing to pour water over a camera with a pro lens attached, which did not affect its operation. The E-3 Gyro sensors in the body provide input for moving the sensor in the in-body image-stabilization system. will certainly survive normal use in rain and damp conditions, which is more than can be said for other view of the image as youre looking through the lens, but I never really noticed that benefit with an in-lens IS system. I guess this cameras under $2000. Incidentally, the suggested retail price of snag is more noticeable for some users, many of whom even say the E-3 is $1699, which is slightly more than the Nikon D300 and it makes them feel seasick. the Canon 40D, its closest rivals. The image-stabilization system can be set for both horizontal Olympus has also introduced three new Zuiko Digital SWD

and vertical stabilization, three years, and despite it or just vertical for use in only having a 5-megapixel pan shots. I accidentally sensor and poor high-ISO shot some still images at a quality, I still found it to 1/2-second exposure with just be a great camera in opthe vertical stabilization set, eration. Of course, recently and it is easy to see that the it has certainly shown its blurring only occurs from age, just as my old Canon side to side, not verticallyI 10D has, but they both still guess I accidentally demonwork. strated to myself how effecAs you can probably tively the system works. guess from my first look at Another feature Olympus the Olympus E-3, I like it. includes in the E-3 that is It produces good images, it not included with more exhas good ergonomics, and pensive cameras is a builtit is solidly built. In realin pop-up flash. I find this ity it is not much smaller to be a great boon, as it is or lighter than other cammuch less obtrusive for oceras, and if you attach the casional flash use than putoptional battery pack/ ting an external flash on top. A comprehensive information screen is available at the touch of a button and allows for vertical grip, its almost as I still use an external flash if I parameters to be changed without going into a menu tree. big as the Canon EOS-1Dam doing a lot of flash work, series cameras. but for the occasions when you do not need flash all the time, If you do close-up photography or like to shoot from unusual the pop-up is a true benefit. The pop-up flash also can be used to angles, the E-3 is without a doubt the best camera in its class, remotely control the new wireless flashguns from Olympus. thanks to its unique-for-now pivoting rear live-view screen. If The camera has dual card-storage slotsone for CompactFlash you do a lot of low-light photography and cannot or dont want cards and the other to use a tripod, the for the fairly uncombuilt-in image-stabilimon xD format loved zation system is very by Olympus and Fujieffective. Film. Sadly, the xD Naturally, it is probcards are rather slow, ably not cost-effective so the camera filled to switch if youre its buffer much more already invested in quickly, and it took far Canon or Nikon gear, longer to download but if youre looking images saved on the for a new system to xD card. Its a shame invest in, the Olympus Olympus could not E-3 and its large range have used the much of modern lenses and more standard SD accessories are most card or even provided certainly worthy of a second CF slot. being included on Ergonomically, the your shopping list. camera is pleasant to Olympus has a wide variety of lenses and accessories available for the E-3. use. Despite the small sensor size, the viewfinder is large and bright, thanks to a 1.15X magnification. It is certainly a far cry from the E-1 and other John Rettie is a photojournalist who resides in Santa Barbara, CA. Readers can entry-level DSLR camera bodies, which all seem to have small, contact him by email at john@johnrettie.com. dim viewfinders. There are plenty of buttons for quickly changing ISO, white balance and other parameters. Whats really nice is a quickly available summary info screen, which allows one to Further Information: change numerous settings without having to go through a menu tree. The quality of the rear 2.5-inch, 240,000-pixel LCD screen Olympus E-3 is on par with all but the newest ones on the Nikon D3, D300 www.olympusamerica.com/e3 and Sony A-700 cameras. I have been fortunate to have use of an E-1 camera for the past