The E-3 DSLR also provides fast start-up and wake-up times, a 5fps continuous shooting speed, and a 1/8000 second high-speed shutter.
Olympus has opted to equip the E-3 with an in-body sensor-shift image stabilization that can compensate up to a five step EV stabilization effect with all Zuiko Digital Lenses and all Four Thirds Format Lenses.
The dual-axis variable-angle Live View LCD monitor allows easy shooting over the top of a crowd, from ground level or any angle that might have proven arkward with only a viewfinder. Live Simulation allows you to check exposure, white balance and composition in real time. A Luminance Sensor installed on the upper left side of the swivel LCD analyzes the brightness of the surroundings and automatically adjusts the brightness of the LCD.
A large optical viewfinder provides 100 percent accurate viewing and 1.15x magnification for reliable composition. Dust Reduction removes dust from the image sensor on every power on. The magnesium-alloy body is both splashproof and dustproof.
| Product Type |
Type |
Single-lens reflex Live View digital camera with interchangeable lens system |
| Memory |
CompactFlash Type I/II, Microdrive, xD-Picture Card (Dual-Slot) |
| Lens Mount |
Four Thirds Mount |
Number of Effective
Pixels |
10 million pixels |
| Image
Sensor |
Type |
High-speed Live MOS Sensor |
| Effective Pixels |
10.1 million pixels |
| Aspect |
1.33 (4:3) |
| Image sensor size |
17.3 mm (H) x 13.0 mm (V) / 0.68 in. (H) x .512 in. (V) |
| Filter Array |
Primary color filter (RGB) |
| LPF |
Fixed type |
| IR cut filter |
Hybrid type |
| Dust reduction |
Supersonic Wave Filter (dust reduction system for image sensor) |
| Recording |
Recording
Format |
DCF, DPOF compatible/Exif, PRINT Image Matching III |
| File format |
RAW (12-bit), JPEG, RAW+JPEG |
| Recording
image size |
[RAW] 3648 x 2736 pixels
[JPEG] 3648 x 2736 pixels - 640 x 480 pixels |
| File Size |
RAW: 3648 x 2736 compressed Approx. 11MB
Large: 3648 x 2736 Super fine (1/2.7 compressed) Approx. 6.8MB
3648 x 2736 Fine (1/4 compressed) Approx. 4.7MB
3648 x 2736 Normal (1/8 compressed) Approx. 2.2MB
3648 x 2736 Basic (1/12 compressed) Approx. 1.5MB
Middle: 3200 x 2400 Super fine (1/2.7 compressed) Approx. 5.3MB
3200 x 2400 Fine (1/4 compressed) Approx. 3.7MB
3200 x 2400 Normal (1/8 compressed) Approx. 1.7MB
3200 x 2400 Basic (1/12 compressed) Approx. 1.1MB
2560 x 1920 Super fine (1/2.7 compressed) Approx. 3.6MB
2560 x 1920 Fine (1/4 compressed) Approx. 2.2MB
2560 x 1920 Normal (1/8 compressed) Approx. 1.1MB
2560 x 1920 Basic (1/12 compressed) Approx. 0.7MB
Small: 1600 x 1200 Super fine (1/2.7 compressed) Approx. 1.3MB
1600 x 1200 Fine (1/4 compressed) Approx. 0.8MB
1600 x 1200 Normal (1/8 compressed) Approx. 0.5MB
1600 x 1200 Basic (1/12 compressed) Approx. 0.3MB
1280 x 960 Super fine (1/2.7 compressed) Approx. 0.8MB
1280 x 960 Fine (1/4 compressed) Approx. 0.5MB
1280 x 960 Normal (1/8 compressed) Approx. 0.3MB
1280 x 960 Basic (1/12 compressed) Approx. 0.2MB
1024 x 768 Super fine (1/2.7 compressed) Approx. 0.5MB
1024 x 768 Fine (1/4 compressed) Approx. 0.4MB
1024 x 768 Normal (1/8 compressed) Approx. 0.2MB
1024 x 768 Basic (1/12 compressed) Approx. 0.1MB
640 x 480 Super fine (1/2.7 compressed) Approx. 0.2MB
640 x 480 Fine (1/4 compressed) Approx. 0.2MB
640 x 480 Normal (1/8 compressed) Approx. 0.1MB
640 x 480 Basic (1/12 compressed) Approx. 0.1MB |
| Viewfinder |
Type |
Eye-level single-lens reflex viewfinder |
| View field coverage |
Approx. 100% |
| Magnification |
Approx.1.15x (-1m-1, 50mm lens, infinity) |
| Eye Point |
Approx. 20 mm (-1m-1) |
| Diopter Adjustment |
-3.0 - +1m-1 |
| Focusing Screen |
Changeable at a service center (Neo Lumi-Micro Mat screen supplied, possible to change to grid mat type) |
| Eye Piece Shutter |
Built-in type |
| Eye cup |
Interchangeable type EP-5/6/7, EP-7 is supplied (Magnifier Eyecup ME-1 is available) |
| 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 |
| Live
View |
Live View |
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. |
| AF |
Phase-difference detection system with mirror down. |
| Preview |
Preview Function (depth of field) |
Dedicated optical depth of field Preview button;
function can also be assigned to Fn button |
| Live Preview (Live View) |
Can be checked when Fn button is set to Live Preview mode |
| Image
stabilizer |
System |
Built in (Imager shift image stabilizer) |
| Mode |
2 modes (2 dimensional activation, 1 dimensional activation) |
| Effective compensation range |
Max. 5 EV steps (depends on lens and shooting conditions) |
| LCD
Monitor |
Type |
HyperCrystal LCD (semi-transmissive TFT color LCD) |
| Size |
2.5-in |
| Total no.
of pixels |
Approx. 230,000 pixels |
| Playback
field of view |
100% |
| Brightness
Control |
Auto/Manual 15 levels |
| Focusing |
AF system |
TTL phase-difference detection system |
| Focus Mode |
Single AF (S-AF) / Continuous AF (C-AF) / Manual Focus (MF) / S-AF + MF / C-AF + MF |
| Focusing point |
11 points full-twin cross AF sensor |
| Focusing point selection |
Single point, Group area, All points are selectable |
| AF luminance range |
EV -2 to 19 (at 20°, ISO 100) |
| AF illuminator |
Built-in flash (external flash available) |
| 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 |
| Exposure
Control |
Metering
system |
TTL open-aperture metering system
(1) Digital ESP metering (49-point multi pattern metering) (2) Centre weighted average metering
(3) Spot metering (approx. 2% for the viewfinder screen. Highlight / shadow bases are available) |
| Metering
range |
EV 1 - 20 (Digital ESP metering, Centre weighted average metering, Spot metering)
(At normal temperature, 50mm f2, ISO 100) |
| Exposure
Mode |
(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 |
Available to set to Fn button |
| ISO sensitivity |
AUTO (ISO 100 - 3200) / Manual (ISO 100 - 3200), 1/3 or 1 EV steps |
| 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 Bracketing |
3 frames in 0.3, 0.7, 1EV steps selectable |
| White Balance |
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) |
| WB Compensation |
+/- 7 steps in each R-B/G-M axis (in Auto WB / Preset WB mode / One touch WB) |
| Custom WB |
1 setting can be registered at Kelvin temperature (2000K - 14000K) |
| One-touch WB |
4 custom settings can be registered |
| WB Bracketing |
3 frames in 2, 4, 6 steps selectable in each R-G/G-M axis |
| Color
Mode |
Color matrix |
sRGB, Adobe RGB |
| Picture Mode |
Mode |
Vivid, Natural, Portrait, Muted, Monotone, Custom (default setting: Natural)
In custom mode, basic 5 modes and adjustment is available |
| Adjustment
parameter |
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 |
| Filter effect |
Yellow, Orange, Red or Green filter available for Monotone |
| Picture tone |
Sepia, Blue, Purple or Green tone available for Monotone |
| Gradation |
4 levels (auto, high key, normal, low key) |
| Shutter |
Type |
Computerized focal-plane shutter |
| Shutter Speed |
P(Ps), S, A, M mode: 60 - 1/8000 sec.
Bulb: 1/3, 1/2, or 1EV steps selectable |
| Self Timer |
Operation time: 12 sec., 2 sec. (cancel available) |
| Remote cable release |
Available (with optional RM-CB1 Remote cable.) |
| Optical remote control |
Operation time: 2 sec., 0 sec., bulb control available (with optional RM-1 remote control) |
| Anti shock mode |
Available (1 to 30 sec selectable) |
| Drive |
Drive Mode |
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. recordable
pictures
on sequential shooting |
RAW mode: Max. 16 frames.
JPEG mode: Depends on compression ratio and no. of pixels (Large normal mode: up to card capacity with SanDisk Extreme III or faster CF Cards) |
| Integrated Flash |
Built-in flash |
Retractable flash, GN=13 (ISO 100.m) |
| Compatible external flash |
FL-50R, FL-36R, FL-50, FL-36, FL-20, STF-22, SR-11 |
| Flash control mode |
TTL Auto (TTL pre-flash mode), Auto, Manual |
| Flash mode |
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 |
| Synchronization speed |
1/250 sec. or less, Super FP up to 1/8000 sec. |
| 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 |
| Wireless Flash Control |
Compatible external flash |
FL-50R, FL-36R |
| Control method |
Triggered and controlled by built-in flash light |
| Flash control mode |
TTL Auto (TTL pre-flash mode), Auto, Manual, FP TTL Auto, FP Manual |
| Number of channels |
4 channels |
| Group setting |
3 groups |
| Control panel |
Information |
WB setting, WB compensation notification, B/W mode notification, Record mode, Exposure mode, ISO sensitivity BKT notification, Flash mode, Drive mode, Recordable still image number, Storable number of images, Exposure compensation value, Metering mode, Activated AF points, Focusing mode. |
| Back light
timer |
8 sec. |
| Super 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 deactivated 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. |
| 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 deactivated notification, Color space Wireless channel setting, Built-in flash intensity, Group setting |
| Playback |
Playback modes |
Single-frame, Index (4/9/16/25 frames), Calendar, Close-up ( 2 - 14X), Slideshow, Picture rotation (auto mode available), Light box |
| Information display |
Histogram (independent luminance / RGB available), Highlight / Shadow point warning, AF frame, Shooting information |
| Menu |
Languages |
US: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese
Additional one language is possible to download. |
| Reset & custom setting |
Custom reset |
2 setting recordable |
| My mode |
2 setting recordable |
| Image
Editing |
Erasing function |
Single frame, All frames, Selected frames |
| Protect function |
Single frame, Selected frames, Release protect (Single/All selected) |
| Copy between
media |
Single frame, All frames, Selected frames |
| RAW picture
editing |
RAW development |
| JPEG editing |
Resize (producing another file), Gradation auto |
| Print |
Print function |
Print reservation (DPOF), Direct print (PictBridge compatible) |
| Input
/ Output |
PC interface |
USB 2.0 High Speed for storage and camera control (MTP mode is available) |
| Video
connector |
Video out (Video: NTSC/PAL selectable) |
| Flash attachment |
Hot shoe |
| DC-in |
Yes (AC-1 compatible) |
| Power Requirements |
Battery |
BLM-1 Li-ion battery (included)
CR123 x 3 with LBH-1 |
| Sleep mode |
Available (1, 3, 5, 10 min., off selectable) |
| No. of recordable pictures (with 50% flash light) |
Approx. 610 shots (optical viewfinder) (with BLM-1 under CIPA testing standard) |
| Power battery holder |
HLD-4 compatible |
| Dimensions
/ Weight |
Dimensions
(W x H x D) |
142.5 mm x 116.5 mm x 74.5 mm /
5.6 in. x 4.58 in. x 2.9 in.
(excluding protrusions) |
| Weight (body only) |
810 g / 1.79 lbs. |
| Operating Environment |
Temperature |
0 - 40° (operation) / -20 - 60° (storage) |
| Humidity |
30 - 90% (operation) / 10 - 90% (storage) |
Splash Proof |
Yes |
| 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 |
ESP
(Estimated Street Price) |
US $1699.99 |
US
