Olympus E-3 SLR Digital Camera Body Only

Impressive

Strengths: Autofocus / Build quality

Weaknesses: Still a bit Pricey

Summary: I'm not a pro, but I sure feel like one with the E-3 in hand. This was an upgrade from the E-300 and after 1 month I am very pleased. Auto focus is quick and accurate even in low light and without the new SWD lenses. So far I've used the 14-54 and the 50-200 on it and I'm very impressed with the pics. I'll update once I get a chance to use the 50 and the 7-14. After learning what needed to be tweaked on the E-300, I was able to get some amazing shots. And I'm sure once I'm comfortable with the E-3 I'll be able to take it to the next level. So far I've taken some softball pics and was pleased with the action shots I was able to capture. If your into the 4/3 system, I don't think you will be disappointed. Prior to this I looked into Canon and Nikon. Canon in my opinion in this price range is of much cheaper build quality. And though Nikon was a close runner up for me, I've always been impressed with the color achieved and the quality of the Olympus glass.

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A Worthy Successor to the E-1

Strengths: Fast AF with improved low-light performance, improved high ISO performance (compared to other Olympus models), great lens catalog and in-body IS works with Zuiko Digital and legacy lenses.

Weaknesses: Not quite as ergonomically satisfying as the E-1 and certainly heavier, no focus assist lamp (uses built-in flash), probably a little over-priced.

Summary: 2008-04-03 08:08:41 I am a photography enthusiast, not a professional, so please take my remarks accordingly. This camera more than meets my personal needs, and was a logical upgrade from the E-1. My primary frustration with the E-1 was its challenges in low-light focusing (even with fast lenses). To this end, the E-3 is a dramatic improvement.

The body is comfortable in the hand, though slightly less so than the E-1. It is well balanced, and I prefer to use it with the HLD-4 grip. The grip itself is a little ornery at times with clone batteries (locking up the camera), and is not quite as comfortable as the HLD-2.

While I've never been a pixel peeper and found 5 MP more than enough for my printing needs, I'm sure I will enjoy the greater resolution and ability to do hard crops if desired. The ISO 1600 is dramatically better than the E-1 with a film-like grain.

Of course, one aspect of the E-3 that sets it apart from the Canon and Nikon semi-pro offerings is the articulated LCD. Some will complain about the size (2.5" vs their 3" displays). Coming from the E-1's small 1.8" display, I have no complaints. I would rather have the articulation than the larger size, as it allows me to shoot from the ground, the waist, and overhead if necessary.

My initial attraction to Olympus was the more compact lens size afforded by the system, as I like to do landscape shots on hikes. Having the in-body IS now allows me more latitude with many of my non-tripod shots. The reason I chose the E-3 over the E-510 is primarily for its enhanced durability and splash-proof design. I also use the FP-1 power flash grip with the FL-50, and the E-510 does not have the necessary connector for shutter triggering.

All in all, it is not perfect for everybody, but my needs are more than met, and that is the question you must ask yourself when comparing each of these exceptional cameras.

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Great camera

Strengths: This camera has many features and is very fast.

Weaknesses: None yet

Summary: This camera has the fastest auto focus I have ever seen. It has many options for the focus. It also has dust reduction that works and is built like a tank. I used the camera in all weather conditions including subzero and it worked flawless.

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Initial review from an Oly fan

Strengths: Quick focus with new lens

Weaknesses: Menus, functions, buttons

Summary: A longtime Oly fan I had to buy a Nikon D200 a while back because Olympus did not have anything comparable in same price range. Now that the E-3 is out I got one. I am disappointed. Biggest headache is the single focus point procedure. In the Nikon if you want to be able to manually choose the one single focus point from the many available you just set it up in the menu and then, using your thumb on the back directional button, move the selected focus point to wherever you want it for each shot. On the Oly E-3 you can't set this up in the menu, per se. You choose that type of focus selection BUT for each and every shot you first have to press this small focus selection button on the back corner of the camera with one finger and then with your thumb use the 4 arrow buttons on the back (not a single form-fitting thumb button like the Nikon) to move the highlighted focus point. You can also scroll through them all with the 2 wheels until you land on the one you want. You can not set it up to do this for every shot without having to "activate" it first with this little button. A lot of finger moving and time wasted and missed shots. The Nikon is sooooo much easier. I consider this a major problem with the E-3.

The Menus are not as easy or as detailed as in the D200. No battery info, just icon when Full and when Low so you have no idea about how much batt power you have used or have left until it is critical.

Manual power selection for the internal flash are about half as many as in the D200. D200 has Full, 1/2,1/4,1/8,1/16,1/32,1/64, and 1/128. The E-3 only has Full,1/4,1/16, and 1/64. Now why is that? Seems to me it is just a simple software function in the firmware so why so few choices? I'm not so worried about the smaller ones but, gee, where is 1/2 and 1/8? Those would be the ones I would use a lot.

Oly has a good camera and then screws it up with these little things that drive you crazy but would seem so easy to correct in the firmware. A toggle button on the back instead of the 4 arrow buttons is needed too.

Bottom Line- So far I am sorry I got the E-3 (and with the new expensive 12-60mm lens).

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