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Olympus E-3 Digital SLR Camera

Olympus E-3 is the new flagship of their Third E-System cameras. Olympus E-3 gives photographers a high-performance tool that is primed for any assignment and satisfies the most stringent demands for D-SLR photography. It represents the ultimate choice for the professional photographer and provides the highest levels of speed and image quality as well as Live View capabilities and the ultimate in reliability.

Olympus E-3 features a very fast auto-focus speed thanks to an advanced AF system and new ZUIKO DIGITAL SWD (Supersonic Wave Drive) lenses. Matched with shutter speeds of up to 1/8000th sec. and 5fps sequential shooting (with a 19 image RAW buffer in burst mode), the E-3 gives photographers a crucial edge to help capture that decisive shot.

Ensuring the best image quality in the widest range of situations, this new professional model also incorporates a powerful built-in image stabilisation system which is capable of compensating against the effects of camera shake to the equivalent of up to 5 EV steps. This is complemented by a 10 Megapixel High Speed Live MOS sensor and Olympus’ TruePic III image processing engine. Together with the ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses - which are custom-made for the needs of D-SLR photography - photographers can rely on optimal results each time.

Meanwhile, the camera’s Live View capabilities provide the freedom to shoot with more versatility: Whether wanting to keep eye-contact with the subject or shooting above the head or close to the ground, compositions can be framed with ease on the 2.5″/6.4cm multi-angle HyperCrystal LCD, which also faithfully displays the effect of camera adjustments in real time.

Also, like all Olympus E-System cameras, the Olympus E-3 incorporates the most effective dust reduction system available - the Supersonic Wave Filter. Reliability of the camera system is further heightened under all types of shooting conditions thanks to dust and splashproof protection of both body and most E-System lenses. Moreover, a shutter life of 150,000 operations guarantees that the E-3 will tolerate the treatment of even the most active photographer with ease.

Product Type:

• Product 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

Image Pickup Unit

• Product type: High-speed Live MOS Sensor
• Effective pixels: 10.1 million pixels
• Total pixels: Approx. 11.8 million pixels
• Aspect ratio: 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

• Product type: Eye-level single-lens reflex viewfinder
• Field of view: Approx. 100%
• Viewfinder magnification: Approx.1.15x (-1m-1, 50mm lens, infinity)
• Eye point: Approx. 20 mm (-1m-1)
• Diopter adjustment range: -3.0 - +1m-1
• Focusing screen: Changeable at a service center (Neo Lumi-Micro Mat screen supplied, possible to change to grid mat type)
• Eyepiece shutter: Built-in type
• Eyecup: 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)

Monitor

• Product type: HyperCrystal LCD (semi-transmissive TFT color LCD)
• Size: 2.5 inches
• Total 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 white balance 8 settings (3000K - 7500K) Lamp (3000K), Fluorescent 1 (4000K), Fluorescent 2 (4500K), Fluorescent 3 (6600K), Daylight (5300K), Flash (5500K), Cloudy (6000K), Shade (7500K)
White balance compensation +/- 7 steps in each R-B/G-M axis (in Auto WB / Preset WB mode / One touch WB)
Custom white balance 1 setting can be registered at Kelvin temperature (2000K - 14000K)
One-touch white balance 4 custom settings can be registered
White balance 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
Product 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 mode 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 5.6 in. (W) x 4.58 in. (H) x 2.9 in. (D /(142.5 mm (W) x 116.5 mm (H) x 74.5 mm (D) (excluding protrusions)
Weight 1.79 lbs./810 g (body only)
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.

More info: Olympus Inc.