 top tier peformer |
| Review Date: June 24, 2008 |
| Reviewer: J. Janssen, San Diego, CA USA |
I sat down prepared to write a long winded technical review of this camera/system and decided instead to briefly jot down why I bought it. This is just what was important to me and may or may not register with your values or needs. As a brief introduction I should say I've always had high end cameras but never considered myself a "shutterbug" and I truly hated carrying around a big bag of camera bodies and lenses.
First and foremost I've always considered a camera to be a fine instrument and desired precision engineering and permanent materials. In other words, an alloy body and fine detailing were more important to me than a gaggle of features that I probably wouldn't ever use. Secondly, I wanted premium glass in a minimal package of 2 or 3 lenses, also well crafted, and optically as perfect I could get. Third, I wanted an image stabilization function central to the camera itself and not reliant on a specific lens for its function and performance. Finally, I wanted an intuitive system that would allow me to take pictures without having to think like a software engineer. Based upon my criteria the Olympus E-3 met these requirements. Additionally, way back in my film past I had an Olympus OM4T that was one of my favorite film cameras of all time. I still regret selling it.
Functionally and ascetically the E-3 with the 12-60mm SWD lens has been a superlative performer. I recently added the 50-200 SWD and it's even better. Given the 4/3 system architecture this translates into 2 lenses overing 24 to 400mm (35mm equivalent) with razor sharp optics and true color fidelity yielding flawless enlargements up to 16x20; which is the largest I've made so far. Noise is non existent as long as "film speed" is kept under ISO 800.
The camera does everything I want it to do and does it extremely well. So, if you're not locked into an existing system (Nikon/Canon folk) and your want list incorporates some of the same criteria as mine, I'd highly recommend looking at this fine system. It's not cheap, but at least your paying for a fine system camera and not a lot of advertising hoopla. |
Olympus E3: An SLR Force to be Reckoned With
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| Review Date: November 7, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Penetralia, |
Olympus E3: An SLR Force to be Reckoned With
The Olympus E3 Digital SLR Camera offers the best in digital SLR technology. With its price and capacity, this global leader is super-fast, strong, stable, and somewhat weatherproof.
WEATHERPROOFING: Slightly weatherproof (dust and splash resistant), the Supersonic Wave Filter (SWF) keeps the camera clean and safe in most outdoor conditions. The magnesium-alloy body can operate under temperatures that other SLRs dare to experience. Most digital cameras have plastic bodies; however, this Olympus is a solid champion.
LCD: This professional model features a 2.5, multi-angle, rotational HyperCrystal LCD screen that makes picture taking convenient under any pose, above or below subjects.
LIVEVIEW: Photographers now have the option of viewing via the liquid crystal display, or liveview function. This gives one the freedom to hold eye-to-eye contact, and shoot with ease.
SHUTTER SPEED: Shutter speed is generously up to 1/8000th of a second, with five frames per second sequential shooting, giving wildlife and sports photographers an extra edge.
IMAGE STABILIZATION: One of the best features is the hardcore built-in image stabilization system, utilizing up to five evolt (EV) steps, usually featured within competitor lenses, but now offered within the camera itself. Regardless of which lens is used with the camera, images are stabilized with every shutter click.
LENSES: Super precision, high speed, ultra quiet lenses are one of the best and fastest in the industry. Olympus Zuiko Digital SWD (Supersonic Wave Drive) lenses also offer dust reduction immediately after powering on. The dust removal system's intermolecular force forever shakes off particles unseen by the naked eye at a whopping 30,000 times per second. Most popular lens for this model are:
* Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 SWD
* Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 50-200mm f2.8-3.5 SWD
* Olympus Olympus Zuiko 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 ED
* Olympus Super Telephoto ED Lens
MEGAPIXELS: The Olympus E3 has a 10 Megapixel High Speed Live Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) sensor, converting lighting conditions into electrons, combined with TruePic III image processing engine. This ensures the best image quality in most every situation.
RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES:
SanDisk 8 GB Extreme III CF Card: The higher gigabyte, the better for holding more treasured photographs on the go.
Olympus 2 GB xD Picture Card Type M: The Olympus E3 uniquely allows photographers to save photos in at least two ways: RAW and JPEG. With the xD picture card and SanDisk CF card, one can save a high quality RAW image on the CF card, and a smaller JPEG on an xD card, providing a backup or option for both images with one shot.
Olympus HLD-4 Power Battery Holder: Attaching easily to the E3's bottom, this compartment holds two BLM-1 lithium ion batteries, which provides extra power for serious shooters.
Olympus BLM-01 Lithium-ion Rechargeable Battery: Extra batteries are highly recommended for off-road excursions
Harness strap: Worn over both shoulders, a harness will eliminate neck strain, which is ever-present with ordinary camera straps. [See: Steiner's German harness systems]
[Under]Waterproofing: Want to bring your E3 underwater? DiPac offers a revolutionary underwater case that fits most SLRs, including this one.
Tenba® Waist Pak: No more carrying heavy equipment on shoulders, back, or neck; the Tenba weather-resistant pouch fits firmly around the waist and secures gear most comfortably. Best of all is the easy access afforded at the fully adjustable hipline.
Olympus FL-50 Electronic Flash: Standard bounce, swiveling, full range TTL automatic and manual flash syncs at speeds up to 1/4000th of a second.
Opteka Quick Flip Collapsable Flash Bracket: At a reasonable price, this bracket features pivoting arms, adjustable to 90, 120, and 270 degrees, and includes a detachable hand strap.
Olympus E-3 (EVOLT E-3) Made Easy (2 Tutorial DVDs for Olympus E3 / Evolt E3) by Elite Video: Do you want to learn how to operate your camera quickly and easily? Elite Video offers two full DVD tutorials for Olympus E3, and it is truly "made easy" so neophytes can begin shooting in a flash.
SquareTrade(tm) Warranty: Unless purchased by a reputable retailer, a warranty from SquareTrade will protect consumers from most any casualty, fully guaranteed with excellent customer service.
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Very Fine Camera, Amazing Lens, and Idiotic Price from This Seller!
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| Review Date: August 23, 2010 |
| Reviewer: W. C. White, Seattle<=Arizona<=Brooklyn |
| I rate this camera and lenses at 5-stars based on my experience with it (and other Olympus gear); I rate the seller at zero stars based on pricing and ad copy that are enormously inflated so much they seem to be trolling for suckers. There are a number of other detailed reviews of the Olympus E-3 and E-system and Zuiko Digital lenses elsewhere on Amazon (and better prices by far). I won't go into very much detail, except to say that I have been an Olympus user since the OM-1 film SLR in about 1978 (and OM-2, film PEN, some fine OM lenses, not to mention a range of other 35mm film cameras and some other digital), and currently own a E-520 DSLR and Zuiko lenses. The E-3 is the flagship Olympus camera, and has everything great about the E-520 and then some (like total weather-proofing, flip out LCD, metal construction). This lens is worth special mention: a really terrific and useful range (eff. 24-120mm) sterling optics, wicked fast AF, and speed at f2.8. Each is tiptop and the kit is at the tipping point into the truly pro (the lens is pro, without argument). Just buy this from Amazon direct, can be had from them for about $900 (or less!) for the E-3 body and $918 for the 12-60mm f2.8 SWD zoom. Just don't spend more than $2K on it! I first thought PORTABLE GUY left his price from 2007 on this, but then I looked up Olympus's MSRP's, and PORTABLE GUY has this kit priced ABOVE Olympus MSRP!! Avoid this seller like the plague! Bad PORTABLE GUY! Naughty seller! Amazon, B%H, Adorama and others here offer this kit in a better deal (oooh, this is a nice kit!). CAVEAT EMPTOR!!! |
These guys are crooks!
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| Review Date: April 19, 2009 |
| Reviewer: B. Chaplin, Boston, MA United States |
| This is a great camera and terrific lens. But for the unwary or uninformed: this price is beyond ridiculous. The E-3, body-only, goes for $1350 now, the Zuiko 12-60mm lens for less than $1000. How these folks are getting away with charging $5325 for the two I can't imagine. |
Beyond rip off
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| Review Date: July 5, 2009 |
| Reviewer: bdgilfry@wildchildpublishing.com, California |
| A big rip off. If you go for this, you haven't done any shopping around. You can find this combo for HALF this ridiculous price. |
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