Olympus E-3 review

Olympus E-3 Review

Reviewed by: Rich Trenholm

Reviewed on: 4 March 2008

Features
Compared to other professional dSLRs, the E-3's 10-megapixel MOS sensor seems weedy. But the E-3 packs in plenty of features within easy reach of the straightforward control system.

Settings are viewed via a small LCD status display on the right shoulder. The untrained eye will need a while to get used to the mass of figures without much explanation, but with a bit of practise, the screen makes a handy quick reference.

The Olympus E-3 records images to CompactFlash as well as Olympus' and Fujifilm's xD card format

The 'Super Control Panel' on the main screen is easier to use if you are ready to take the camera away from your eye, as it shows what each setting is. You navigate around the shooting options with the D-pad, and use the dials to change settings.

There are two customisable 'My Mode' options. When you have the camera configured as required, you register the settings to one of these custom modes. Holding down the 'Fn' button will then default to one of these custom modes regardless of how the camera is currently set up. It could be easier, however, to switch between the two My Modes.

The Olympus E-3 has two display screens, including this status screen which can become cluttered

As well as sensor-shifting image stabilisation, there is a function to stabilise the camera vertically when panning in order to achieve pleasing motion blur in the background. This can be previewed on the live view screen. Live view also allows 7x or 10x magnification for carefully checking focus, while up to 14x magnification is available in playback mode.

Other features include an orientation sensor, maximum shutter speed of 1/8000 of a second and a dust reduction system.