Olympus E-3

London, 17 October 2007 – It’s here: The new flagship of the Four Thirds Standard-based Olympus E-System. The 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.

The E-3 features the world’s fastest* auto-focusing speeds 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.

In addition to Live View, photographers can also choose to use the camera’s large viewfinder which provides 100% coverage. Like all Olympus E-System cameras, the 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.

The Olympus E-3 will be available from the end of November 2007. The body only will be available for approximately £1099, the kit with the 14-54mm lens for approximately £1499 and the kit with the new 12-60mm lens for approximately £1699. For further information call 0800 0720070 or visit www.olympus.co.uk.

Specification
Price (body only) UK: £1099
Body material Magnesium alloy
Sensor • 4/3 type Hi-Speed Live MOS sensor
• 17.3 x 13.0 mm active area
• 11.8 million total pixels
• 10.1 million effective pixels
• RGB (Primary) color filter array
• Fixed low pass filter (anti-alias filter)
• Hybrid IR cut filter (hot mirror)

Dust suppression Supersonic Wave Filter
Image processor TruePic III
Image stabilization • "Supersonic Wave Drive" (in-body sensor shift)
• Two modes: Horizontal+Vertical, Vertical only
• Up to 5 EV Compensation (claimed)

Image sizes • 3648 x 2736
• 3200 x 2400
• 2560 x 1920
• 1600 x 1200
• 1280 x 960
• 1024 x 768
• 640 x 480
File formats • RAW
• RAW + JPEG
• JPEG (EXIF 2.2)
JPEG compression • SHQ (1/2.7)
• HQ (1/4)
• SQ (1/8 or 1/12)
Lenses • 4/3 standard lens mount
• Range of ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses available
• Multiply focal length by 2 for 35 mm equiv. FOV
Auto focus • 11-point TTL Phase Difference Detection
• Automatic or manual point selection
• EV -2 to 19 (ISO 100) detection range
Focus area selection • Automatic
• Manual
Focus modes • Single shot AF
• Continuous AF
• Manual focus
AF lock Yes, shutter release or AE/AF button
Manual focus Focus by wire
AF assist lamp Yes, flash strobe (flash must be raised)
Exposure modes • Auto
• Program AE (with shift)
• Aperture priority AE
• Shutter priority AE
• Manual
Sensitivity • Auto
• ISO 100
• ISO 125
• ISO 160
• ISO 200
• ISO 250
• ISO 320
• ISO 400
• ISO 500
• ISO 640
• ISO 800
• ISO 1000
• ISO 1250
• ISO 1600
• ISO 2000
• ISO 2500
• ISO 3200

Metering system • 49-zone multi-pattern
• Range: 1 to 20 EV (50 mm F2, ISO 100)
Metering modes • Digital ESP
• Center-Weighted Average
• Spot (2%)
• Highlight based spot
• Shadow based spot
AE Lock • AE/AF lock button
• With shutter release half-press
AE Bracketing • 3 frames
• 1/3, 1/2, 0.7 or 1.0 EV steps
Exposure steps 1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV
Exposure compen. • -5.0 to +5.0 EV
• 1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV steps
Shutter speed • 60-1/8000 sec
• Bulb (up to 4 hours, default 8 mins)
Flash X-sync speed • 1/250 sec
• 1/4000 sec (Super FP mode)
Aperture values Depends on lens: 1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 EV steps
White balance • Auto
• Overcast
• Shade
• Tungsten
• Sunlight
• Fluorescent 1
• Fluorescent 2
• Fluorescent 3
• 4 custom presets
• Kelvin (2000 - 14000 K)
WB fine tuning • Red - Blue: +/- 7 steps
• Green - Magenta: +/- 7 steps
WB Bracketing • 3 frames
• 2, 4 or 6 mired steps
Color space • sRGB
• Adobe RGB
Image parameters • Picture mode (Vivid, Natural, Portrait, Muted, Monotone, Custom)
• Saturation (5 levels)
• Sharpness + Contrast (5 levels)
• Contrast (5 levels)
• B&W filter (Yellow, Orange, Red, Green)
• B&W/Sepia toning (Yellow, Orange, Red, Green)
• Gradation (High Key, Normal, Low Key)
Drive modes • Single
• Continuous
• Self-timer
• Remote control
Continuous • 5.0 fps
• RAW: 1 frames maximum
• JPEG: Up to card capacity @ HQ 1/8 (with high speed media)
Self-timer • 2 sec
• 12 sec
• Anti Shock: 1-30 sec delay
Flash • Auto electronic pop-up
• TTL auto / manual
• Guide no. 13
• Sync modes: Auto, Red-eye reduction, Slow syncro with red-eye reduction, Slow syncro, 2nd curtain slow syncro, Fill-in, Off, Bracketing
• Flash power: Up to +/- 3EV in 1, 1/2, or 1/3 EV steps
External flash • Hot shoe
• TTL Auto FP / TTL auto for Olympus dedicated flash (FL-20, FL-36, FL-50)
• Modes: Auto, Manual, Red-eye reduction, Slow syncro with red-eye reduction, Slow syncro, 2nd curtain slow syncro, Fill-in for exclusive flash.
• Flash power: Up to +/- 2EV in 1, 1/2, or 1/3 EV steps
Wireless flash control • Triggered and controlled by built-in flash unit
• Compatible flash units: FL-50R, FL-36R
• Modes: TTL Auto (TTL pre-flash mode), Auto, Manual, FP TTL Auto, FP Manual
• 4 channels
• 3 groups

Viewfinder • Eye-level TTL Optical Pentaprism
• Field of view approx. 100%
• Magnification 1.15x with a 50mm lens and -1 dioptre
• Dioptre adjustment -3 to +1 dioptre
• Built in eyepiece shutter
• Focusing screen: Interchangeable type
• Mirror: Quick return mirror
Top display information • Activated AF points
• BKT notification
• B/W mode notification
• Drive mode
• Exposure compensation indication
• Exposure mode
• Flash mode
• Focus mode
• ISO
• Metering mode
• Number of storable frames
• Record mode
• White balance
• White balance compensation value
Super Control Panel information • Metering mode
• Exposure mode
• Aperture value
• Shutter speed
• Exposure level view
• Flash compensation value
• Exposure compensation indication
• AE bracketing
• ISO
• Colour space
• Picture mode
• Gradation
• Colour saturation compensation value
• Sharpness compensation value
• Contrast compensation value
• White balance
• White balance compensation value
• Noise reduction
• AEL notification
• Flash mode
• Focus mode
• AF frame
• Drive mode
• Record mode
• Number of storable frames
• Memory card
• Battery indicator
Live View information • 100% field of view
• Exposure adjustment preview
• White balance adjustment preview
• Gradation auto preview
• Gridline displayable
• 7x/5x/10x magnification possible
• MF/S-AF
• AF frame display
• AF point display
• Shooting information
• Histogram
Orientation sensor Yes
LCD monitor • 2.5" HyperCrystal TFT LCD monitor (wide viewing angle, semi-transmissive)
• 230,000 pixels
• 100% frame coverage
• 15 step brightness adjustment
Playback functions • Single
• Magnify (2 - 14x)
• Index (4, 9, 16, 25 frames)
• Calendar view
• Rotation
• Light box view
• Slide show
• Histogram (Lum / RGB)
• Highlight & Shadow point warning
Editing • RAW development
• JPEG editing (B&W, Sepia, Red eye reduction, Color saturation, Resize, Shadow Adjustment Technology)
Fn button Off, one-touch WB, test picture, preview, Live View, AF home setting, MF, record format, exposure mode, My Mode, underwater modes

Storage • Compact Flash (Type I and II) / Microdrive
• xD- Picture card
Print compatibility • EXIF 2.2
• Print Image Matching
• DPOF
Connectivity • USB 2.0 (Hi Speed)
• Video Out (NTSC / PAL)
• Ethernet (10/100)
• IR Remote control (optional)

Power BLM-1 1500 mAh Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery (supplied & charger)
Dimensions 142 x 116 x 75 mm (5.6 x 4.6 x 2.9 in)
Weight (no batt) 800 g (1.8 lb)