Home 
Buyer's Guide Cameras SLRs $1,000-$2,000 Olympus E-3
Buyer's Guide Cameras SLRs $1,000-$2,000 Olympus E-3
 
|
Olympus E-3ESTIMATED STREET PRICE: $1,299 (body only)This is actually Olympus’ pro D-SLR, but its price puts it squarely in the midrange category. The E-3 combines pro-camera ruggedness, performance and versatility with relatively compact size. It succeeds Olympus’ E-1; there was no E-2 model.
The E-3 can shoot up to 16 RAW images at 5 fps. When shooting JPEGs, burst length is limited only by memory-card capacity. There’s also a low-speed continuous-advance mode, which can be set to 1 to 4 fps. As a Four Thirds System camera, the E-3 offers the benefits of that system. These include cameras and lenses that are designed specifically for digital imaging rather than adapted from 35mm film systems, and more compact bodies and lenses, thanks to the 17.3x13.0mm Four Thirds image sensor. This makes the E-3 especially handy for photographers who want to take a lot of gear on a shoot. All Four Thirds System cameras can use all Four Thirds System lenses, regardless of manufacturer. Currently, focal lengths range from the Olympus Zuiko Digital 7-14mm zoom to the Sigma 300-800mm zoom. Like all current Olympus D-SLRs, the E-3 features sensor-shift image stabilization that works with all lenses. |
VERDICT: A great choice for pros who want to “work light.”
 Olympus PEN E-P1The E-P1 isn’t a D-SLR, but it produces the best image quality of any Olympus digital camera. A Micro Four Thirds model, the EP-1 uses the same 17.3x13.0mm sensor size as full Four Thirds, but does away with the SLR mirror box to create a compact interchangeable-lens camera. Based on the popular Olympus Pen concept of the 1960s, the EP-1 features a 12.3-megapixel sensor, full-time Live View on its 3-inch LCD monitor, HD video recording, six Art Filters, sensor-shift image stabilization, SWF dust removal and more—all in a tremendously cool body design. List Price: $799 (with 14-42mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 zoom). |
 Olympus E-30 Featuring more megapixels than the E-3 (12.3 vs. 10.1) and a larger free-angle LCD monitor with additional Live View AF capabilities, the E-30 is a special-effects fan’s dream. It lets you call up an already-shot image on the LCD monitor and expose a new image into it, and introduce six Olympus Art Filters that create instant special effects you can preview on the LCD monitor. It shares the E-3’s dual memory-card slots and adds Face Detection technology. The E-30 does lack the E-3’s pro-rugged splashproof body. List Price: $999. |
0 Comments