Olympus E 3 - Expert Reviews

Review summary: Are you ready for the "World's Fastest Autofocus" dSLR? Used in combination with the Zuiko Digital SWD ED 12-60mm f2.8-4 lens, the E-3's new AF system is the world's fastest. The newest SWD (Supersonic Wave Drive) lenses focus twice as fast as ...

Verdict: An amazing 1/8000-second, high-speed, precision shutter is available for you to shoot that gazelle while on safari or your child at the soccer match. The E-3 can also capture images at the highest quality setting at a rate of 5 frames per sec. The ...

Review summary: Olympus finally delivers the long-awaited E-3: a 10.1-megapixel, Four Thirds System digital single-lens reflex camera body that claims to be "the ultimate choice for the professional photographer … [providing] the highest levels of speed and image ...

Pros: Excellent overall image quality, Fast, accurate, consistent auto focus, Compatibility with Four Thirds System lenses, Sensor-based, mechanical image stabilization, Natural, film-like color balance, External white balance sensor, Wide latitude with RAW ...

Cons: Four Thirds aspect ratio may feel too square for some, No erase function immediately after capture, Quick-erase function requires caution

Verdict: Photographing with the Olympus E-3 is a bit like driving a sports sedan. You may not need the speed and power most of the time, but you're sure glad it's there when you do. Plus, you get comfort and style with your scoot. The E-3 is more than ...

Review summary: At last the waiting is over and the new professional-level Olympus camera has arrived, but is it the answer to the prayers of Four Thirds users?

Pros: Articulated LCD screen with Live View, camera settings visible at a glance in Super Control Panel

Cons: Some adjustments require extensive button pressing

Review summary: Olympus is targeting professional photographers and 'advanced enthusiasts' with its E-3 DSLR model, which replaces the four-year-old E-1, the world's first Four Thirds system DSLR. However, the promise of smaller, lighter cameras claimed for the Four ...

Verdict: Pictures taken with the test camera were sharp and colourful, with the extended dynamic range you would expect from a sophisticated DSLR camera. Autofocusing was very fast and accurate and the lens showed little tendency to hunt in low light levels. ...

Pros: Fast focus, live view, dust reduction, great build, good images

Cons: Pictures are a little soft in some situations at high magnification, some competing models offer faster burst mode

Verdict: E-3 is a great SLR and Olympus's best model to date. While it may not usurp the dominant forces of Canon and Nikon in this space, its combination of great features and good quality pictures make it a viable alternative for people after something a ...