Olympus E-3

    61
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    Highlights

    • 10.0 MP Micro Four Thirds CMOS Sensor
    • 100 - 3,200 Native ISO
    • 11 Focus Points
    • Image Stabilization
    • 2.5" 230k dot Fully Articulated Screen
    • Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder
    • 5.0 fps Continuous Shooting
    • Built-in Flash
    • Wheather Sealed Body
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    Overview

    Olympus E-3 was announced in 2008 and is a Micro Four Thirds (17.3 x 13 mm) DSLR camera with 10.0 Megapixel CMOS sensor. Its native ISO ranges from 100 to 3,200. The camera has a Fully Articulated 2.5" screen with 230k dot resolution and built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a built-in Sensor Shift in body image stabilization.

    Table of Contents
    1. Overview
    2. Pros and Cons
    3. Predecessor
    4. Successor
    5. Screen and Viewfinder
    6. Sensor
    7. Photography Features
    8. Connectivity, Battery and Storage
    9. Other Features
    10. Physical Parameters
    11. For Different Types of Photography
    12. Evaluation
    13. Specifications  

    Here is the Olympus E-x series lineup, where you can view and compare the main specifications of the cameras within the same series.

    Olympus E-x series lineup
    Model Date Sensor Native ISO Screen Price
    Image cannot be found Olympus E-5
    Compare
    		February
    2011    		 12.3 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 100 - 6,400 Articulated 3.0"
    920k dot
    Image cannot be found Olympus E-3 February
    2008    		 10.0 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 100 - 3,200 Articulated 2.5"
    230k dot
    Image cannot be found Olympus E-1
    Compare
    		November
    2003    		 5 MP
    Micro Four Thirds    		 100 - 3,200 Fixed 1.8"
    134k dot

    You can view their side-by-side comparison here: Olympus E-5 vs E-3 vs E-1.

    Pros and Cons

    In this section we present pros and cons of Olympus E-3.

    PROS

    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Fully Articulated Screen
    •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
    •   Built-in Flash
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Orientation Sensor

    CONS

    •   No Video Capture
    •   Small Sensor
    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.0 Megapixel
    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   Low DxO Overall Score - 56
    •   No HDMI Output
    •   No Built-in Microphone
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    And here are some specifications which fall into average criteria and are neither in PROs nor in CONs category:

    AVERAGE

    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   Screen Size - 2.5"
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
    •   Weight - 890 g (1.96 lb / 31.39 oz)

    Predecessor

    Here we are comparing Olympus E-3 to its predecessor E-1 and displaying the major changes.

    UPGRADES Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-1
    Higher Sensor Resolution 10.0 Megapixel vs 5 Megapixel
    Max Image Resolution 3648 x 2736 vs 2560 x 1920
    More Focus Points 11 vs 3
    Image Stabilization Sensor Shift vs
    Screen Type Fully Articulated vs Fixed
    Larger Screen 2.5" vs 1.8"
    Higher Resolution Screen 230k dot vs 134k dot
    Top LCD Screen vs
    Live View vs
    Higher Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent) 0.58x vs 0.48x
    Higher Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) 1/8000 sec vs 1/4000 sec
    Higher Max Continuous Shooting 5.0 fps vs 3.0 fps
    Built-in Flash vs
    Higher Flash Sync Speed 1/250 sec vs 1/180 sec
    Orientation Sensor vs
    DOWNGRADES Olympus E-3 vs Olympus E-1
    Heavier 890 g (1.96 lb / 31.39 oz) vs 735 g (1.62 lb / 25.93 oz)

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Olympus E-3 vs E-1.

    Successor

    In 2011 Olympus E-3 was replaced by Olympus E-5. Let us now have a look at some important differences between Olympus E-3 and its successor.

    UPGRADES Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-3
    Video Capture vs
    Higher Sensor Resolution 12.3 Megapixel vs 10.0 Megapixel
    Higher Native ISO 6,400 vs 3,200
    More Powerful Processor TruePic V+ vs TruePic III
    Max Image Resolution 4032 x 3024 vs 3648 x 2736
    Face Detection vs
    Live View Autofocus vs
    Contrast Detection for Autofocus vs
    Larger Screen 3.0" vs 2.5"
    Higher Resolution Screen 920k dot vs 230k dot
    Multi-Segment Metering vs
    Center Weighted Metering vs
    Spot Metering vs
    HDMI Output Mini type C vs
    Built-in Microphone Stereo vs
    Microphone Input vs
    Lighter 800 g (1.76 lb / 28.22 oz) vs 890 g (1.96 lb / 31.39 oz)
    More Storage Slots 2 vs 1
    DOWNGRADES Olympus E-5 vs Olympus E-3
    Multi Area Autofocus vs
    Selective Autofocus vs
    Lower DxO Low Light ISO 519 vs 571

    For more detailed comparison between the models please visit Olympus E-3 vs E-5.

    Screen and Viewfinder

    Fully Articulated screen

    Olympus E-3 has a 2.5" Fully Articulated screen with 230k dot resolution which is quite low by today's standards. Fully articulated screen makes this camera selfie friendly.


    Optical (pentaprism) Viewfinder

    Camera has a built-in Optical (pentaprism) viewfinder. It has a 100% coverage and 1.15x (0.58x 35mm equivalent) magnification.

    Sensor

    Olympus E-3 features a 10.0 megapixel Micro Four Thirds CMOS sensor with dimensions of 17.3 x 13 mm and a total area of 224.9 mm2. Its native ISO range is 100 - 3,200.


    Here is a sensor size comparison chart where you can see how Olympus E-3's Micro Four Thirds sensor compares with other types of sensors:

    Sensor size chart
    Sensor Dimensions Area Aspect Ratio Crop Factor
    Image cannot be displayedMedium Format44 x 33 mm1452 mm24:30.79x
    Image cannot be displayedFull Frame36 x 24 mm864 mm23:21x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-H27 x 18 mm486 mm23:21.3x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C23.6 x 15.6 mm368.2 mm23:21.5x
    Image cannot be displayedAPS-C (Canon)22.3 x 14.9 mm332.3 mm23:21.6x
    Image cannot be displayedMicro Four Thirds17.3 x 13 mm224.9 mm24:32x
    Image cannot be displayed1-inch13.2 x 8.8 mm116.2 mm23:22.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/1.7-inch7.44 x 5.58 mm41.5 mm24:34.7x
    Image cannot be displayed1/2.3-inch6.17 x 4.55 mm28.1 mm24:35.6x

    Photography Features

    Camera is equipped with TruePic III processor and can take pictures up to 3648 x 2736 resolution. It can also take pictures with lower resolutions like 3200 x 2400, 2560 x 1920, 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 1024 x 768, 640 x 480 with 4:3 aspect ratios.


    Lens Mount

    Olympus E-3 has Four Thirds lens mount. Due to Micro Four Thirds sensor its crop factor (also called lens multiplier) is 2x. This means that a 35mm equivalent focal length of the mounted lens will be equal to its actual focal length times 2.


    In-Body Image Stabilization

    The camera has a built-in Sensor Shift in-body image stabilization (IBIS). This means that you are still getting vibration reduction when camera is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

    Check out the cameras which are frequently compared to Olympus E-3.

    Olympus E-620
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    12.3 MP

    Olympus E-510
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    10.0 MP

    Olympus E-330
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    7.94 MP

    Olympus E-1
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    5 MP

    Olympus E-5
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    12.3 MP

    Olympus E-520
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    10.0 MP

    Olympus E-420
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    10.0 MP

    Olympus E-450
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    10.0 MP

    Olympus E-410
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    10.0 MP

    Olympus E-400
    Image cannot be found

    Micro Four Thirds

    10.0 MP

    Sigma sd Quattro H
    Image cannot be found

    APS-H

    44.8 MP

    Sigma sd Quattro
    Image cannot be found

    APS-C

    29 MP

    Connectivity, Battery and Storage

    USB Input

    Olympus E-3 has a USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) input for data transfer.


    External Storage Slots

    The camera has a single Compact Flash (Type I/II), xD Picture Card card slot.

    Other Features

    Shutter

    Olympus E-3's shutter speed can go up to 1/8000 sec. Camera can shoot continuously up to 5.0 fps.


    Flash

    Olympus E-3 has a built-in flash with maximum range of 13.00 m and also accepts external flash which can be connected via Hot Shoe or PC Terminal. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/250 sec.

    Physical Parameters

    Olympus E-3 has dimensions of 142 x 116 x 75 mm (5.59 x 4.57 x 2.95"). It weighs 890 g (1.96 lb / 31.39 oz) which is neither heavy nor lightweight.

    142 mm (5.59")

    116 mm (4.57")

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    116 mm (4.57")

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    75 mm (2.95")

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    Olympus E-3 dimensions

    Olympus E-3 for Different Types of Photography

    We give scores to the camera for different type of photography based on its features and specifications. Let us see how Olympus E-3 is suitable for six different types of photography.


    Landscape Photography

    GOOD
    76

    Olympus E-3 gets a score of 76 and is GOOD choice for Landscape photography.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing

    Sports Photography

    AVERAGE
    64

    Olympus E-3 gets a score of 64 and is AVERAGE choice for Sports photography.

    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Wildlife Photography

    AVERAGE
    66

    Olympus E-3 gets a score of 66 and is AVERAGE choice for Wildlife photography.

    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Portrait Photography

    GOOD
    75

    Olympus E-3 gets a score of 75 and is GOOD choice for Portrait photography.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Screen Size - 2.5"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec
    •   Orientation Sensor

    Street Photography

    GOOD
    82

    Olympus E-3 gets a score of 82 and is GOOD choice for Street photography.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   11 Focus Points
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Fully Articulated Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 890 g (1.96 lb / 31.39 oz)

    Travel Photography

    GOOD
    82

    Olympus E-3 gets a score of 82 and is GOOD choice for Travel photography.

    •   Image Stabilization
    •   Fully Articulated Screen
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 890 g (1.96 lb / 31.39 oz)

    Olympus E-3 Evaluation

    We evaluate Olympus E-3 and give score of 61 out of 100. We also give separate scores for 7 different categories according to the available features and specifications some of which are listed below. These evaluations are relative and may change each time a new camera is added to the database.


    OVERALL
    61

    Sensor

    AVERAGE
    65

    We give Olympus E-3 a score of 65 for Sensor parameters.

    •   Small Sensor
    •   Low Resolution Sensor - 10.0 Megapixel
    •   100 Lowest Native ISO
    •   3,200 Highest Native ISO
    •   Low DxO Overall Score - 56

    Photo

    GOOD
    74

    We give Olympus E-3 a score of 74 for Photo parameters.

    •   Timelapse Recording
    •   Image Stabilization
    •   High Max Shutter Speed (Mechanical or 1st Curtain) - 1/8000 sec
    •   Max Continuous Shooting - 5.0 fps
    •   Max Flash Sync Speed - 1/250 sec

    Video

    BAD
    0

    We give Olympus E-3 a score of 0 for Video parameters.

    •   Image Stabilization

    Focusing

    AVERAGE
    69

    We give Olympus E-3 a score of 69 for Focusing parameters.

    •   11 Focus Points
    •   No Face Detection

    Screen and Viewfinder

    GOOD
    79

    We give Olympus E-3 a score of 79 for Screen and Viewfinder parameters.

    •   Fully Articulated Screen
    •   Screen Size - 2.5"
    •   Low Resolution Screen - 230k dot

    Connectivity

    POOR
    40

    We give Olympus E-3 a score of 40 for Connectivity parameters.

    •   No HDMI Output
    •   No Built-in Microphone
    •   No Microphone Input
    •   No Headphone Output
    •   No Built-in GPS
    •   No Built-In Wi-Fi
    •   No Built-In Bluetooth

    Battery, Storage and Physical

    GOOD
    77

    We give Olympus E-3 a score of 77 for Battery, Storage and Physical parameters.

    •   Environmental Sealing
    •   Weight - 890 g (1.96 lb / 31.39 oz)


    For a full specification list please go to the specifications page:

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