Olympus E-3

Review Index – (updated 26 August’09)

Photocrati
“Even at ISO 100, images exhibit some graininess. But having said that, the observable noise is luminance-not color-noise at this light-sensitivity level. As you move up the ladder in ISO, luminance noise becomes more obvious, but color noise is not as detrimental as we might expect-even at ISO 1600.”

Pocket-lint
“The E3 provides a level of control and build usually only available on professional level DSLRs but it lacks the panache of some of the fully professional models available.”
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PCAuthority
“There is also some grainy noise at higher ISOs, probably due to the small sensor size. It isn’t terrible, but is a little worse than competitors at this price-point.”
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Megapixel
“The Olympus E-3 takes outstanding photographs indoors as well as out. Its exposure system does an excellent job of analyzing the lighting in a scene and producing arresting photographs.”
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Buy-n-Shoot
“Comfortable grip pads (so comfortable they are almost unnoticed) appear in all of the relevant places and combine well with the E-3’s grip section on the body to make for a comfortable hold overall.”
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PCWorld
“Overall, I enjoyed using the E3. It feels comfortable in the hand, its magnesium body looks and feels durable–ready for extensive time in the field–and operating the controls is quick and efficient. And unlike my experience with many cameras, I could read the color LCD, even with my dark, polarized sunglasses on. As someone who shoots extensively in the mountains, my only concern is the color balance issue.”
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CameraLabs has reviewed the Olympus E-3 and writes -
“The E-3 is a highly compelling option with its tough, splash-proof construction, effective anti-shake and anti-dust, flexible monitor, great quality images and access to some of the best lenses around right now. Caveats aside, if you’re in the market for a quality semi-pro DSLR, you should definitely add the E-3 to your shortlist.”

[Video Tour at CameraLabs]

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TrustedReviews has reviewed the Olympus E-3 and writes -
“What the Olympus E3 brings to the table is excellent images, a great build quality, and a lovely user experience, but fails to match the innovation of the E-1, or even other models from the Olympus range. Instead it’s taken the best bits, refined them and put them all into a very usable camera. The Four Thirds system continues to grow, as does it legion of fans and the E3 is a great addition to the line and I’m sure will be on many Olympus users wish lists. For the majority of general-purpose photographers, the Olympus E-3 is a great all-round high-end enthusiast model rather than a Pro model, but it’s an absolute joy to use.”

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PCMag has reviewed the Olympus E-3 and writes -
“The D-SLR market has been dominated by Nikon and Canon for a long time. Sony has made inroads recently, and, with the E-3, Olympus is making a nice splash. If the price comes down a bit, the E-3 could be a terrific alternative to competing D-SLRs. As it is, it’s still less expensive than the D300 and produces near-equal image quality, though the D300 wins on ease of use and sheer volume of features. But all in all, the Olympus E-3 is a fine choice.”

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LetsGoDigital – 31 March’08 – has reviewed the Olympus E-3 and thinks it’s an impressive camera. Here’s a summary of their review -
“Image quality is excellent however higher ISO do show a lot of digital noise and the as you pump the ISO the dynamic range tends to degrade quite a bit. White balance under fluorescent light did produce some unfavorable results and to make white balance adjustments on the E3 just takes too long. All-in-all the E3 is a beast of a camera that produces good quality images but needs the tender care of more advanced photographers to make it really shine.”

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Macworld – 21 March’08 – has reviewed the Olympus E-3 and feels it’s not as good as the cometition in high ISOs. Here’s a summary of their review -
Hey, this is a big camera and because of that some of its controls are hard to get at. Serious photographers may be a little disappointed with the tonal range of E-3, which is less than the 40D or D300. Menus tends to be long and complicated and in addition it lacks some of the customization of its cometition. Yet, its image quality is good and the body is weather sealed, and it has on board image stabilization.”

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ThinkCamera – 12 March’08 – has reviewed the Olympus E-3 and thinks it’s a nice camera but does not qualify as a “pro” DSLR. Here’s a summary of their review -
Nice camera but its confusing layout, interface and buttons that are difficult to deal with. Most of the navigation issues can be resolved by diving into the users manual but as the reviewer notes why does it need to be so complicated? It definitely is not user friendly. All being said the price tag of the E-3 put it a very heady and powerful crowd like the D300.”

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PCAdvisor – 11 March’08 – has reviewed the Olympus E-3 and feels this is one tough camera. Here’s a summary of their review -
“As the review points out the E-3s auto white balance was anything but perfect, even the camera’s owners manual admits this. On the positive side there are a ton of manual controls that whip the white balance into shape. After all the target market fo the E-3 is not for the point-an-shoot bunch, it’s really intended for the tweakers. Built in image stabilization was much appreciated and helped deliver shots that other wise would have been missed. “

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CNET.co.uk – 04 March’08 – has reviewed the Olympus E-3 and thinks this camera is friendlier than other high end DSLR’s. Here’s a summary of their review -
“With straightforward controls and a huge list of features the E-3 is deceptively easy to operate and in fact due to its simplicity will appeal to the full range of photographic skill levels. The burst mode is wonderful and the overall usability and picture quality make it a worthy contender in the crowded DSLR market.”

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DPReview – 20 February’08 – has reviewed the Olympus E-3 and felt the body layout control a little on the confusing side. Here’s a summary of their review -
“Look, here’s a pretty cool camera but if Olympus could put a sensor on board that matched the camera and available lenses this would be an industry leader. As it stands the E-3 offers a lot of nifty features for a good price. However, as the reviewer notes even the cool features and attractive price are not enough for Canon and Nikon owners to sell their gear and move to the E-3. Bottom Line – competition in this range is ferocious and for a camera to truly stand out it is mandatory it provides superb image quality and all the features in the world won’t make it any more attractive.”

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CNET – 17 February’08 – has reviewed the Olympus E-3 and thought it has an awkward design. Here’s a summary of their review -
“If you’re considering this camera you might want to know there are only 13 lenses available. Image quality was great with really well saturated colors in fact, some of the best images CNET reviewers had seen in this class. One of the most disappointing aspects of the camera was it maxed out at ISO 3200. It’s a fast performer and able to stand up to splashes and dust which means you can pack this camera into a lot of outdoor situations where other cameras simply can’t go.”

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DCResource – 13 February’08 – has reviewed the Olympus E-3 and and felt the camera tended to underexpose. Here’s a summary of their review -
“Make no mistake this camera is not intended for the consumer market, it is intended however for the person who knows exactly what they are doing. Performance was top notch, except for its low light focusing which the reviewer felt was sluggish. This is a tank like camera that does most things pretty well and the things it’s not so good at there are workarounds.”

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Shutterbug – 11 February’08 – has reviewed the Olympus E-3 and thought the preset white balance often in artificial lighting. Here’s a summary of their review -
“If you use price as a deciding factor the E-3 represents a great value. Granted it would be more attractive with higher resolution and faster frame rate but as the reviewer notes not everyone needs or wants those two things. ISO performance was clean and sharp detail up to 400. Even at ISO 800 the pictures had noise but it was distracting.”

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DPExpert – 30 January’08 – has reviewed the Olympus E-3 and felt the saturation and contrast default settings were a little too high. Here’s a summary of their review -
“The reviewer was a little disillusioned with the smaller sensor size and resulting increase in digital noise. Photo quality as expected was good and the supplied lens was better than comes with most of the competitions units.”

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Biofos – 24 January’08 – has reviewed the Olympus E-3 and thought the viewfinder alone was worth upgrading from any other E system. Here’s a summary of their review -
“Biofos is the Olympus user and collectors group and finds the cameras performance stunning. The reviewer had reservations about how the E-3 compared to the competitive brands but compared to other Olympus models this camera is unmistakably the leader. Standout items were smoothness, agility, and outstanding high ISO performance. One the not so liked list were the cameras size and weight, it’s a beast. However, the reviewers bottom line is this camera definitely deserves the title of Olympus Flagship Model.”

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StevesDigicams – 23 January’08 – has reviewed the Olympus E-3 and noted the camera produced great photographs and was pretty responsive. Here’s a summary of their review -
“Unmistakably a professional camera with top of the line image stabilization, high quality images and state-of-the-art dust removal system. However, according to the reviewer the E-3’s intuitive and logical design should appeal to just about any photographer looking for pro level results. One irritation was in the ISO shots taken in natural light had a warm yellow hue compared to other competitive cameras.”

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LuminousLandscape – 19 January’08 – has reviewed the Olympus E-3 and felt the its major controls have been awkwardly placed making it difficult to use. Here’s a summary of their review -
“Not liking a cameras control is one thing but fighting against them is another which is exactly what this reviewer felt he was doing every time he used the camera. He commented that making camera controls small and/or flush which the cameras body only heightened his frustration. While the camera may be a technological marvel this particular review just plain did not like it for general photographic purposes. However, if you’re going to drag your gear into harsh conditions then he admitted that because of the rugged build the E-3 would be at the top of his list.”

Make up your mind man…

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PhotographyBlog – 09 January’08 – has reviewed the Olympus E-3 and commented that it’s not exactly a small camera. Here’s a summary of their review -
“Olympus is still struggling with their “white balance under difficult lighting” problems. It may take a bit of time to wonder through the menu system but for photographers willing to do can expect some outstanding images. Price seems to be a little steep as compared to the Canon 40D. for DSLR shoppers who aren’t committed to Nikon and Canon the E-3’s quality and features are sure to look very attractive.”

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DCViews – 21 December’07 – has reviewed the Olympus E-3 and noticed the color in images seemed a little subdued at times. Here’s an excerpt from their review conclusion -
“When you look at the many functions and options the Olympus E-3 has, you will agree that for a novice, the choices to be made can be rather daunting. What to do with all these white balance settings? Would I need all the bracketing options (white balance, flash, exposure and ISO)? What colour space to use in day to day photography and when do I resort to spot metering? If you are a snap shooter we think you would be better off with a nice compact or entry level DSLR and it is best to steer clear from the Olympus, since a camera that is too complicated for you can be a very effective way of destroying your photo fun. Make no mistake, the Olympus E-3 is a terrific camera and a worthy successor to the E-1 of some years ago, but you have to make sure you are up to it. “

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PhotographyReview – 20 December’07 – has reviewed the Olympus E-3 and notes that this camera has so many things going for that it’s in a class all its own. Here’s an excerpt from their review -
“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 competent for everyday shooting, and its speed and burst depth handle demanding moments with ease. Then, when you’re pushing pixels, the E-3’s files help you get back to pushing shutters sooner.”

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Photo Review – 11 December07 – has reviewed the Olympus E-3 and was not impressed with the low light capability of the white balance. Here’s an excerpt from their review -
“Although the E-3 is a very nice camera to use and has all the functionality a keen photographer would require, we feel the majority of serious photographers will need something more than the E-3 offers to attract them to such a big and heavy Four Thirds DSLR. Olympus is renowned as an innovator so we’re hoping they have some exciting innovations to offer when the E-4 or E-5 comes along.”

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Biofos – 05 December’07 – has published an official launch report for the Olympus E-3 and 8 UK photographers express their opinions. Here’s an excerpt from their review -
“I’m sure there were many photographers who added the E-3 and a favorite lens or two to their ‘dream list’ during the evening… with Olympus kit, if you’re serious about your photography, all you have to do is use it to want it! I really think that Olympus have a world beating system with their DSLR range of bodies, and the exceptional lens system. I’m sure that many Professional photographers currently shooting with conventional DSLRs will be shocked to discover the Olympus advantage; all it takes is an open mind and a thorough test drive!”
GoodGearGuide – 26 November’07 – has a field test of the Olympus E-3 and were impressed withe the full frame viewfinder. Here’s an excerpt from their review -
“One thing experienced SLR users will instantly notice is the unit’s design. Built from a magnesium shell, the E-3 feels extremely solid. It sits nicely in the hands, and although the two scroll wheels could be arranged slightly more comfortably, the overall control layout is very intuitive. The body is also splash proof and as we watched someone poor a jug of water over the camera and then have it keep on going straight away, we can definitely attest to how effective this is.”
LetsGoDigital – 24 November’07 – has a field test of the Olympus E-3 and although they did publish photos because the camera was preproduction model there was no final conclusion on image quality. Here’s an excerpt from their review -
“Expectations were quite high, also because it concerned a successor of the Olympus E-1 that already proved itself in practice. The Olympus E-1 may be looked upon as a semi-pro DSLR camera but got surpassed from all sides in the last few years. The one thing that remained through the years is its reliability and its solidness, features that are of indescribable value to a photographer. “
PopPhoto – 09 November’07 – has a field test of the Olympus E-3 and was very impressed with the effectiveness of the image stabilization system. Here’s an excerpt from their review -
“If you’re used to a mode dial that lets you get lazy and turn to the little running man for a sports shot, or the mountain for a landscape, well, forget it. The E-3 is more serious than that. But if you want virtually total control, this is your camera.

The body is festooned with more than 20 buttons and dials, along with an encyclopedia of menus.”
ePhotozine – 07 November’07 – has a hands on review of the Olympus E-3 and comments that if any camera would tempt them to convert to Olympus, this one would. Here’s an excerpt from their review verdict -
“The E3’s exposure system was one of the best I’ve used, compensation was rarely needed. I wish that was the case with the Pentax K10D and *ist D I use regularly and the Konica Minolta 7D I also use occasionally.”
Biofos – 06 November’07 – hands on review of the Olympus E-3 and shares how 12 photographers feel about the camera. Here’s an excerpt from their review -
“There’s a lot of nonsense discussion about dynamic range, partly fueled, I think, by dpreview’s poor DR test methodology, as exposed by Jay Turberville and others… what I did experience was a dreadful overcast Friday morning, you know – where you shoot anything with sky and can expect either blown sky or ridiculously underexposed ground detail. The E-3 gave me a well exposed, balanced image which coped perfectly with the scene – I don’t know whether this was DR, shadow adjustment technology or what, but I was very impressed.”
e-Photographia – 04 November’07 – first impressions of the Olympus E-3 and shows some remarkable test images -
“Olympus just flew European journos to Istanbul, Turkey, to introduce their new DSLR, the E-3. Of course, we could test the camera ourselves, although it’s still a preproduction model, so there will be some improvements and added features in the final version. Nevertheless, it clearly shows that Olympus took a giant stride forward, improving some aspects markedly, while catching up with the competition in other regards.”
Imaging-Resource – 19 October’07 – has a hands on preview of the Olympus E-3 and feels this camera is “hands-down” the lead technological camera from Olympus. Here’s and excerpt from their preview -
“The Olympus E-3 is by far the most advanced Olympus digital camera I’ve used, very satisfying to shoot with, and one of the more compelling SLRs launched this season. Its design, though big, is ergonomically pleasing and handsome, and it gives you a feel of confidence and control. The E-3’s build matches the sturdy feel of Olympus’s high-end lenses, which are some of the tightest we’ve seen.”
CNET Asia – 18 October’07 – has a hands on preview of the Olympus E-3 and likes the live view and flexible screen. Here’s and excerpt from their preview -
“Aside from the LCD, the viewfinder on the E-3 has also been improved. It now shows 100 percent of what the camera will capture. A magnification factor of 1.15 times further helps to enlarge the viewfinder image.”
PopPhoto – 16 October’07 – has a hands on preview of the Olympus E-3 and indicates this is a pro caliber camera. Here’s and excerpt from their preview -
“The E-3 feels rock-solid, well balanced and easy to hold. The body, comprising a three-piece, molded, magnesium-alloy shell and impressive gasketing and weather sealing, alone puts it in pro territory.”