At first I was a bit disappointed by the 10Mp and 5fps, was hoping for more. But after reading several previews / specs I'm getting more and more enthousiastic. It's not all about MP's after all!

I will be holding the drool till the pictures come, but so far it's a very good improvement.

everything new is welcome except the weight ...hope truepic III does magic ...cheers ;-))

Outstanding. It is exactly what i wish and wait for. Thanks for the input guys! Really! Well done A&M. Best wishes!

I see a great camera. 10 Mp at top Olympus style will deliver great prints. I have no doubt it will be a highly successfull photo tool. Thanks for the info.

Regards

Can't wait to see some real image samples, some honest reviews if the real camera in real life situations, and some real price drops. I bought the E-1 in the first week of release and fully expect to buy the E-3 in the first year (or so) of release! ;-) sounds like a very nice camera indeed.

Here's one review that may be of interest - haven't read it all myself yet, so I won't comment...

Yipee I will use this camera for pro shooting and in the Pacific North West for Boating. I am still curious if it will shoot an image equal to the Canon 1DSMKIII. As an Art Photographer, I would pay big bucks for a CONTENDER. I miss my 4x5 Linhof and 8x10 Wisner. Then again what is the future of the Art market?

I think we, as photographers for LIFEm are always seeking the Holy Grail. I hear Light-jet outputs are great!!!

Thanks A+M for this forum and all you do....

The E-3 is not what I expected. It’s a prosumer camera, not a professional camera. It will compete with cameras like Nikon D300, Canon 40D and Petax K10D. And then there are other brands like Sony and Panasonic.

I haven’t read what Olympus says about it, but do they describe it as their new top end model and flagship? If they are, this may turn out to be the E-1 story once again. Good compared to competing prosumer/semi-professional cameras, but can’t compete with top end models of other brands (people know Canon and Nikon make good cameras and believe all they make is very good – not only their top end models. Olympus less familiar name and has no top end, professional camera to give them a good reputation). Hard to sell. Olympus maybe even loosing money on it. Maybe getting “old” already before they start selling and Olympus users may have to wait three or four years again before it’s being replaced.

A professional Olympus camera would perhaps have been too expensive for me, but I should still wish they had at least two cameras to announce now. An E-3 (prosumer, semi-pro camera) replacing E-1 (which is also a prosumer, semi-pro camera) and then An EP-1 (or whatever – a top end, professional camera they could call their flagship).

I should wish the E-3 were more of a no-nonsense camera (I regard E-1 as a non-nonsense camera). I don’t like pop-up flash, programme modes (like Landscape, Portrait, Natural light, B&W, etc – those we have on E-1 is all I want: P, A, S and M), White Balance selected by name and not by numbers and I don’t want Live View. All that stuff gives the impression of a cheap, simple camera for eager people who are new and fairly new to SLR/dSLR photography.

.:-) Three new cameras would have been great! A prosumer camera like E-3, a no-nonsense camera and a professional camera.

Caroline if you like the e1 there should be no reason to be not in love with the e3. Its all the e1 and more, much more functional than the e1 was in 2003. I dont think Olympus wants to compete in the 4000€+ market, like the OM the E system is a market on itself, a niche, a real alternative. The d300 and d40 from the others company's are really different cameras that despite their quality don't offer the philosophy of this system. I guess E users will never forget or forgive the "e2" flop, but i don't think the future of the Pro line is 3/4 years refresh but 1/2 years, and comparing to nikon and canon, thats really alright. Look what happen from the d100 to d200... For the quality and philosophy the e3 is aim at, i really don't see any "rival", everybody points out to the d40, d300, a700... but lets be honest none offers all 5 advantages in one body system. I think Olympus is on the right track. P.S Whats wrong with a pop up flash, specially a full sealed one? I even did professional work with a c-5060! Best wishes! Enjoy photography. Enjoy life!

Joao: I just don’t like all that extra stuff (pop-up flash, programme modes, Live View etc. I have an external flash. Programme modes/drawings are for children and those new to photography). I just want the camera to be as non-nonsense as possible. I don’t want a camera that screams “amateur” a long way. Without that stuff I don’t like I could get a lighter camera (but I don’t want it too light either). Maybe also a cheaper one, but still one that doesn’t look cheap. Snobbish? Yes, I think so. ;-) Haven’t read the specs thoroughly, but it looks good.

I appreciate your point of view, from a historical perspective a number of the features of the E-3 (pop-up flash, scene modes) fall within the sphere of "prosumer" model. That said, realistically can we expect Olympus to compete with Nikon and Canon, particularly their out and out pro models?

I suspect you are right and the the E-3's main competiton will be the D300 or the D40 - no bad thing perhaps, the D300 in particular appears to be a very fine camera falling within the semi-pro / pro catagory. Therefore, Oly needs to find an edge or unique selling point to compete against the "big two", both of whom have far more financial resources at their finger tips.

Interesting times ahead.

Caroline, not that I will probably ever need it, but the pop up flash can also trigger other flashes which is kind of neat if you do not have to use an extra trigger for that. If it is as good as those who have had the camera in hand say it is even the bigger viewfinder is probably reason enough to get it (especially coming from an e-500). Image stabilization is also not bad and if live view is not much worse than e-330 (in its mirror down mode) where is the problem if you have more options? Sure looks nice to me. Let's wait and see how it will perform.

specification wise, but I think I really wouldn't mind using this camera. Indeed Everything the E-1 was and still is and lots more. Are the specs of other manufacturers that much better than the E-3 and do the higher specs really matter? For me, not really. Would I have liked if the new E-x would outspec every other camera on the market? Sure! But I see no need to change brand based on the difference in specs.

I will have to see some test-shots and see the IQ the E-3 delivers. I have no reason to think it won't be great. If so, well I am already saving my pennies for an extra body and the new line-up thus far did not convince me to buy anything else than another E-1. This one looks very promising though! I think I will get one as soon as I can afford it.

I hope and kind of expect two things: - The new sensor (implementation) will outperform the E-410/510 sensor IQ wise and will give a look and feel of a higher megapixel sensor when printed, just like the E-1's 5Mpix sensor outperforms most 6Mpix (and quite some 8Mpix) sensors. - Within 15-24 months another E-x will be introduced. If quick it might be marketed as the top-pro model next to the E-3, featuring more Mpix, more FPS and faster sync speed, all interesting features for a professional camera. If late it will replace the E-3.

Lets not prejudge... wait for the E3 to hit the market and read the reviews... for the first day... looks GREAT..!!!

IN the late 70's I became a Canon only guy. Loved it, had all the toys to go with it. IN the past 1-2 years, I was looking for a camera to replace the Canon 35mm gear, could not find a camera that had everything I thought I wanted. Bought into the 4/3 and Oly (E-500) because Future Shop had the 2 lens kit for $599CDN. Figured, until they build the camera I want, it is only $600... And we know it isn't, after filters, bags, flashes, etc. That's another story. Anyway, the E-500's viewfinder pisses me off. The requirement for the flash on occasion to focus, noise at mid to high ISO, flimsy card slot door, and maybe a few others things annoy me. But for $600...

So if these items are fixed, add IS, few more MP, better focus system (esp when shotting fast action), live view are added, for a less than top dollar price, this could be a winner IMO.

There are things the E-500 (and probably the other E series cameras have that are very good). As a s/w guy of old, the amount of customization one can do to make the camera work their way is great. Control over what happens when you push the shutter... LCD access without the tedious menus... All good stuff.

I look forward to getting this baby in my hands and seeing some results online.

Cheers.

I hope that the camera has as good of color rendition as the E-1. Please Oly, give us some real world image samples!

I am with Caroline with many of her ideas. I have read the specs and don't see where it has programmed settings for i.e. "Landscape", Portrait" etc., and if the camera has this, that is very sad.

I don't like the pop-up flash. Something to pop out when you don't want it and something to break off. It can be taped down with gaffers tape I suppose.

I also REALLY don't like the swivel screen on the back for the same reason. Something to break off. Not sure that can be taped down.

I really don't want or need image stabilization. I suppose that can be turned off, I hope, but is wasted technology for me. I own several tripod, from a light weight carbon fiber one to a 40 pound Reis. I can stabilize images just fine and have for decades, and I have held cameras steady since I was very young.

I read on one of the blogs that the actual sensor size was well over 11 MP, but the usable area is 10.1 MP I believe. Is this extra pixel space sacrificed for image stabilization? I suspect it might be, but I don't know. I will leave the answer to that question to those that care enough to research.

I really hoped for some slow ISO settings, hopefully down to about ISO 25. No such luck.

Still, the camera looks pretty good, and I like that the thing is pretty heavy. Without the breakable pop-out bits, this could be a camera that could take abuse equal to that which the E-1 can withstand (and has in my use over the years).

The wait is not quite over, perhaps another month, maybe more for the release.

From the Olympus USA site.

Effective Pixels number: 10.1 million pixels

Total pixels: Approx. 11.8 million pixels

So, it seems the the E-3 is (nearly) a 12 MP camera, but doesn't use them all. Yes, I am curious as to why and would welcome the knowledge.

I actually welcome the dreaded no nos. I have used a swivel live screen on my original Canon G3 for some 4-5 years. I love this for almost any occasion. Low back breaking shots, Overhead shots and just plain old view camera like ground-glass-like comfort composing. I myself am so very tired of looking and composing with one eyes and the camera stuck to my face. plus for weddings and portraits, even travel the live view is so much of a nicer approach to communicate and relate to your subject. It is a much kinder dance for the shooter and the shoo-tie.

I experimented with my old Graflex back in the early 80's http://graflex.org/articles/series-d/index.html . I used this camera instead of my M-3 or 500C to observe the interaction with my subject. Voila the camera was a block/ wall between my subject and I. I love having both eyes open while connecting with my subject.

Bring it on Oly, just please allow us to have a true contender in the near future, we all like big prints...

If anyone has scanned Film and outputted them recently, I believe we would agree that in this circumstance Film scanned and printed still wins in our Dry Digital Darkroom world.

The proof is in the print!!!

As for the popup flash, I also say AOK if it is not another mechanical piece to break and if it does not pop up when not wanted. I like the slave idea w/out adding a FL36 or any other flash accessory. Plus for fill often on low wattage.

Bring it on and drop the prices of the lenses so, we can all buy more glass. Ah... Finally... I also hope 400 and 800 ISO's are noise free!

My 2 cents

I can't find back to where I read about the programme modes (landscape, portrait, B&W, etc). It would be great if that was wrong/misinformation. :-)

I am quite sure I will buy the camera - maybe even before I have read reviews or seen pictures made with it. And as I expected a more professional camera than the E-3 is, it will also cost me less than I had expected to pay for an upgrade of E-1. If I thought there were a chance that Olympus would make a professional camera and/or one not all that different from E-3, but without all that extra stuff I don't want (pop-up flash, Live View, etc) I would probably have waited (would depend on how long it would take before it/they came).

Edwin: Yes, I had also hoped for ISO 25. At least it is a comfort than Nikon starts on ISO 200. Guess we'll just have to get ourselves some grey filters. :-(

I also like compact cameras with that 'screen/monitor' that's being used the same way as Live-View. But I can't imagine that we can use Live View the same way. Those compacts wieghs less than 500 grams - easy to hold steady on straight arms. I would not be able to hand-hold a near 900 grams body, plus 500 to 2000 grams of lenses steady. Is it possible for anyone to do that? I can think of many situations where Liew View would be good, but only if supported by a tripod, bean bags or other support. And that's something quite different from the way we used/use for example the Canon compacts with that special 'screen/monitor'.

Hello Alan and Mario

I'm in the northwerst of Scotland near the Isle of Skye in a place called Plockton.

Just popped into the local post office to get some info on the E3 and thank you very much for your report and information.

For me the announced E3 is more or less what was leaked and expected - no great surprises here but I am more than happy with these specs. I'll be buying it as soon as it's available and can't wait to get it.

I personally like the articulating screen and the specs on this are breathtaking for me - advance histogram is pretty neat. I love all the other improvements - 10mp, better viewfinder, SAT, I.S. etc.

I do want to see some image samples for completion and also would like to see some honest reviews but I'll be buying it anyway as I am convinced that this will be a great camera.

I would have liked to see iso 50 and was a bit disappointed not to see it as I dont think that this would have been too much to include and it seems a shame not to have included it. Like Caroline I dont like all these scene modes etc but if they're not visible then I can live with them as hidden features that I wont use. The flash may be useful to have as an optional choice in certain situations.

Overall this is a great development and a day to celebrate the E3 which as you say, the wait is finally over for the E1 successor. It doesnt bother me that the flagship camera is not in the class of the top C'nN pro cameras. This one will do me fine for a long time to come. Thanks again. Eugene.

Caroline and Edwin, don't worry about it, just look at the professional HD video camera Sony Z1, i'm used to work around video professionals and i just can say that we "photographers" need to open our minds and creative workflown to a world of impossible things previous in DSRL world. The sony z1 is 1.93 kg and i can't report any problems in managing one camera in the real world both urban and wildlife. Best wishes, the articulate lcd is a big big plus.

Just had a look at the preview on imaging resource and that seems quite positive too.

Also meant to say that the improved focussing points and focussing system all look very impressive indeed and another feature I was hoping for seems to have been realised. Now it's time for a walk!

There was a time, not so many years ago (and continuing to this day with some models of cameras) where the biggest bug-a-boo was slow focus and shutter release. With improvements in design and technology, this problem was resolved! (Sound of applause and cheers from the background.) The E-3 now claims to have the fastest focus of any camera! (Even louder sound of applause and cheers from the background.) The technology is there, and presumably will be built into production models. (There are no production models that have been released yet, all of the ones reported on are pre-production models and specs may change according to Olympus.)

Enter live view and breakable swivel screens. Guess what. That screen is going to slow down the reaction speed for the camera as the screen shuts off, the camera re-focuses and the shutter releases. Critical moments will be lost, just as in the bad old days, and photographers will be disappointed with the slow reaction speeds. And the first time another bystander's arm in a crowd comes down and breaks or bends the articulated screen, there will be complaints from the photographer about how slow repairs are made by Olympus, how expensive the repair is, and how much the camera is missed while being repaired. I personally will wait for a pro camera and pass on this "pro-sumer" model. I can buy a point-n-shoot shirt pocket camera with all the pixels I want with a live view screen and slow reaction times for a few hundred bucks. A camera without the twisty screen would cost a few hundred dollars less.

And Joao, I am not worried about it. I have used most every format of camera constructed in the last hundred years, including a few video cameras. One big difference between a still camera and a video camera is that a video camera (or film movie camera) captures live action and does not miss that critical moment. A still camera with live view and slow reaction speeds after a shutter release button is pressed will miss a LOT of critical moments.

And for those that disagree with me, that is fine. We all have different views. I have been loyal to Olympus for a long time in this digital world. Please note that I am not disappointed with the specs for this camera in general. And 10 vs. 12 MP does not matter to me. A 12 MP image cropped to fit on paper becomes a 10 MP image. And if we want huge numbers of pixels, we can buy a Canon 1Ds mark III at 21.1 MP at a full (35 mm sized) frame sensor. Or, get a larger format digital back for a medium format camera or view camera. What I want is a camera, built like a tank without a bunch of bits that flip out from the body to break off. I want a camera built to (near) military specs that I can toss around, drop, and have it continue to function, a camera like the E-1. Perhaps in three or four years Olympus will come out with another model for professionals. This is not a professional camera in my opinion, and I will have to think hard before I buy a camera that has these features, especially at this price.

Good news, the live view can be shut off and the amateur pop-up flash can be taped down. (Chunks of tape make the camera look like junk, so theft is less likely!) I still wait for a professional camera from Olympus that does not add cost for features that will not be used, that also make the camera more fragile. Right now, I am in the market for a solid old twin lens reflex, perhaps a Rolei or a Yashica, and a scanner.

www.masterchong.com as some sample images

Well written Edwin! :-) That's how I feel too, but I wouldn't be able to express myself as eloquently as you have. (And unlike you I am not going for a TLR camera and scanner, but I still regard the old TLR Praktica camera I once had as the best camera I've ever had when it comes to image quality. And unlike you I am quite sure I'll buy the E-3 when it gets to the shops.)

Thanks for the link Jeff. :-)

I'm not really sure why there is so much fuss about the articulating screen being broken off (a claim I have heard on other forums as well) when it can be used flush-mounted to the camera. Surely it's as safe as the current screen on the E-1 while in that position. And, should if ever become useful or necessary it can easily be swung into any other position.

I think the advantages, and there are many when compared to the E-1, easily outweigh any perceived disadvantages. :-)

I just attended the PDN/Photoplus International Conference + Expo in NYC and spent alot of time at the Olympus booth. They had several E-3's on hand (as well as the new lenses) and I think you'll all find it to be a welcome upgrade from the E-1. It looked and felt great and was very fast. I have a couple of PDF's that I'd be more than happy to forward (E3 Brochure and their new Lens Catalog) if anyone is interested. Cheers!

I got this from:

"There has been much concern, discussion, and speculation on the image quality potential of the Four Thirds sensor. Our own Laurence Chen wrote about this in his Olympus E-510 review. The Four Thirds sensor has less area than APS-sized sensors and smaller pixels generally mean reduced image quality. As you increase the resolution of a sensor, the individual pixels must get smaller. This isn’t just an issue for Four Thirds digital SLRs. It’s a challenge for any sensor standard. But since the Four Thirds sensor is smaller than other DSLR sensors, people have been particularly concerned. The new Olympus E-3’s new 10-megapixel High-Speed Live MOS Sensor demonstrates that things aren’t as simple as they seem. Olympus has addressed this problem by reducing the size of the data transfer circuitry around each pixel, allowing actually increasing the size of the pixel’s critical light-sensitive area. So even though the E-3’s sensor has the same resolution as the 10-megapixel E-510, its pixels have a larger capture area that collects better information."

Hi Chris, thanks for the offer on the PDF's please share them. If you have no place to share them I'll be happy to do it for you.

Kind regards.

Being more an Olympus fan and collector than a photographer, I'm very interested in the new E3 and mainly in all the opinions from the many pro's and advanced amateurs in this wonderful forum, and after all the wait and discussion I see no reason for so much criticism about a product that after all ended up exactly has everybody new from June, when the specifications came around. 1 – I believe it’s clear now that the camera has no scenes mode. Just the P,A,S,M 1 - A $1700 body cannot be compared with the flagships from NiCa that cost three times that. 2 - Is it so bad to have things that some will never use but others will welcome at some point when needed? I will not use the flash usually but it will be nice to have it when a snapshot off someone close needs to be taken! The same with the LCD - Leave it close to the body, turn it around and close it, or glue it if you want. Using it opened is your decision and not a wise one in a crowd situation, but certainly nice for a macro low angle shot where there will be no one close to break it. 3 - What is important in MIHO is to see if the E3 will maintain the standards off quality and resistance present in the E1 with the upgraded technical qualities that 4 years off RD imply. And for now that all seems to be true. 4 -In its price range it's quite competitive and carries the usual innovative Olympus philosophy. 5 - Is it a pro camera?? As long as it gives pro results it is for sure, but only pros will have the last word after they test the real thing.

For me it's in my shopping list and I'm sure I want be disappointed.

Kind regards,

Not all criticism is bad Ricard. I know you will enjoy your E-3 when you buy it. I still would prefer a pro level camera and build, that's all. Certainly you are not saying people should not have their own opinions?

Thanks Edwin for your answer and point off view, and by the way, I love your photos. I said what I did just because this remainded me more the DPRev than the usual Four Thirds fan forum. :-) Overall in life it's always difficult to please everyone, but I'm quite sure that there would be a whole lot more criticism if those caracteristics weren't there. In MIHO. Will Olympus ever try to compete with NiCa in the top pro models? I believe not and the OM line is for me proof off that. They have a niche off faithfull clients that love the optics and the technical solutions from Olympus. This is why after Pentax and Canon I ended up in the 70ies with an OM1 and OM2 and from there to the full line. But I'm not a Pro but simply an amateur with lots off hobbies where photo is one off them and I believe there are many like me that will welcome the extra gadgetry in E3. Just remember the critics about the lack off flash in the E1. But there are things I don't like; the extra weight and size for one, and would love a faster motor..... well you can't have it all. Keep up the good work on this forum, and by all means, keep writing your opinions, the same way I will post mine everytime I see fit. Thanks all and best regards

Ricardo: It’s true as you say that it’s impossible to please everyone. It always surprises me when people complain about criticism. You mention dpreview. I find it quite natural that people discuss equipment there and that some are happy with things others are unhappy about. The name of the site is “ Digital Review” and what is more natural than discussing good and bad at a site named “Review”? And then, when you read photo magazines, you will find many reviews of cameras and other equipment. They never only talk about what is good about a product, but mention both good and bad. Sometimes when I read what people write at dpreview I get the impression that I have I have mingled with a bunch of religious people who worship Olympus and perceive anyone not doing that as a major threat to their existence.

I bought my E-1 in November 2003 because I thought E-1 was the best camera around at that time. If I had waited half a year, I would perhaps have ended up with Pentax or Nikon. Another reason why I bought E-1, knowing already then that there would come better cameras from other brands soon, was the “roadmap” for Olympus at that time. It was said that within a year or two they would release a better camera than E-1. I waited and waited for that camera, and I had hoped that that would be the camera that would be announced this autumn. I am disappointed that E-3 seems to be the best camera Olympus is able to make. And because of those extra functions I don’t like, it’s also a camera that is very different from what I felt for and liked about E-1. I liked that it is built like a tank and that it is a no-nonsense camera. I just don’t like pop-up flashes and I don’t want Live View, etc.

You say we just can leave those extra things to themselves – not use them. Of course we can, and that is also what I will have to do when I get E-3. But still I should just wish those things were not there, and I don’t like paying extra for something I don’t want or need. And then I have already admitted that there is a snobbish element to this. Those extra things make the camera look like a camera for dedicated amateurs, and with the release of this camera Olympus has also announced that amateurs is their target group and that they are not going to make professional cameras. They do that when they say E-3 (their new flagship) will compete with Nikon D300, which is (according to Nikon) a camera for amateurs. OK – I will buy E-3. It is not a professional camera, but I would prefer that it looked and were made a bit more like a professional camera than it is (for example – pro cameras don’t have pop-up flashes).

Caroline

Caroline, this time you summed up my thoughts, especially in your last paragraph. I don't want a pop-up/break-off flash. I don't want a flip-out/break-off twisty live view screen. (I don't want live view at all actually, but a solidly mounted version would be OK.) I don't want to pay for amateur technological gadgets that I don't want, don't need and wont use. I do want a solid camera, a professional camera. Professional cameras don't have these gadgets. If, in the future, professional cameras all have these break off bits, I will use a basic/cheap "beginners" camera that does not have these added features, likely a cheaper camera.

Am I slamming Olympus? No, I am not. I have been loyal to Olympus for a very long time in the digital world. I waited for a long time to get the Olympus D-620L After that camera, with a HUGE 1.4 mega pixels (!), I was very sold on Olympus. I waited, and waited, and waited for the promised Olympus DSLR, the E-1. No, I did not buy the E-10, nor did I buy the E-20, both with better specs and more pixels. You see, it is not always about the pixels, especially if you know the tool you have and know how to use it. No, I waited for years for Olympus to come out with their promised pro quality DSLR, the E-1.

When the E-1 came out I was distressed because my local stores did not have it the day the camera was released, so I sent to New York on the second day of release and had the camera sent to me by two day air. I was one of the first in the nation to have the E-1, and I waited YEARS to get the camera. I am not disappointed in any way, the camera is ergonomic and I know all the functions. Using it is no more difficult now than brushing my teeth. Am I slamming Olympus when I tell you this? No, I adore my E-1, perhaps the most ergonomic and solid camera I have ever owned.

I have dropped my E-1 on concrete, Banged it hard against brick and concrete walls, actually dropped it in a stream, I never use a camera bag, I throw it (literally) into my car and abuse the camera as if it were a child's toy. It has been in dust storms, sand blown on it at the beach, been in torrential rain storms and in cold, hard, freezing rain (a quarter inch of ice built up on the camera and lens), and has survived super high temperatures in a car, in a parking lot with outdoor temperatures around 112º F.. I never use a lens cap (have a glass filter to protect the lens) because I don't want to mess with not losing it, and I want the camera, which is with me every moment, to be ready at every moment to capture a moment. The camera is missing paint in places, the labels on the buttons are worn off, and it has turned over the number count so many times I have forgotten haw many times it has turned over! The rated life of the shutter has been passed more than once and the camera still works. I suspect it will continue to work for many years to come. (Does that sound like a person that does not like Olympus to you?)

I have waited now for several more years after promises and rumors from Olympus for a replacement that would be better than the E-1. I am very happy in general with the specs of the new camera, but excuse me if I am disappointed with the gadgetry. I am not convinced yet about the CMOS sensor; the Kodak CCD is so excellent that I reserve my opinion on that until I see results from the as yet unreleased E-3. (The E-3 is still vaporware until release; Olympus can and likely will change something, even if minor.) But CMOS sensors tend to be noisier at low ISOs and less noisy at high ISOs, or so I am told and have read. Olympus has decided to place their "professional" camera firmly in the realm of amateur camera specs, replete with all the gadgetry the amateur picture taking public wants. That may be the best place for Olympus to set their marketing goals. We all know that the world has more pixel peepers and hardware junkies that know the latest camera or gadget will be the one that makes them a real photographer and artist! I simply don't want gadgetry most of the public wants. I actually know how to use a manual camera, can compose an image on a ground glass, know how to use a light meter and can actually develop sheet film in a tray and print an image in a darkroom with chemicals! :-o

I would hope that Olympus would add another model to their line, perhaps one that could be called something like the "E-P1" in the spring. (PLEASE Olympus, if you are reading this, make a simpler PRO level camera with a PRO level build. You have the technology and it can be very similar to, and even cheaper than the E-3.) A solid camera, with great specs and a respectable number of pixels (perhaps the 11.8 MP the E-3 uses, but without IS?), without the amateur features and gadgetry of live view, no flip off screens, pop-off flash and bits that PROFESSIONAL CAMERAS don't have. By all means, expand your amateur line of cameras for those that want or need that sort of thing to take pretty pictures, but please make a single camera that professional image makers can use and abuse while pursuing their craft.

My E-1 still works. It will continue to work. I am glad I have not bought any of the other excellent Olympus lenses. (I have been very tempted by the 7-14 mm and now am glad not to have it.) I thought I was in the market for a new camera, but I will wait. After the novelty of the new E-3 winds down, we shall see what Olympus and other camera manufacturers have coming next. There is always something right around the corner. Right now, I am looking seriously forward to the Nikon D3.

Why did I write this? I hope Olympus is reading it and will listen, that's why.

Caroline and Edwin, I loved your last comments! Very well put and explained. I hope Olympus will read it and respond to the defy. Sorry for the fuzz I created but I believe now things are more clear to everyone who will read this article. Kind regards Ricardo

there is no perfect solution.

Do I want the E3 with the 12-60??

I'm not sure at the moment. I really want to see some images to see the quality, the ones I've seen are not full resolution. Possibly when Eugene gets his I'll invite him over and have a play!!!!

I am still content with my E1 at the moment. The limiting part of the E1 & photographer combination is the photographer and buying something whizzy won't fix that problem!

So I will stick with my E1, which I love, and see what happens.

My loyalty to the E1 is due to its simplicity, reliability and weight. The lenses I lust after are better or cheaper than the equivalent in the other formats. However my concern is the way in which my photography may go and whether the E series will match that requirement, hence the pause.

Hi all,

The documents Chris Banks mentioned can now be found at

Full size photos can be found at

Hope this stills some hunger....

????????????????????????

Wiliam placed the pdf documents here:

 http://home.wanadoo.nl/wiliam/Olympus/

Enjoy!

Sorry about that. I just spent some time finding out what's wrong. After several tries with different methods I finally got a message from the provider saying that the datalimit for my homepage was reached for today and it won't be reachable for the remainder of the day. Seems quite some people were interested.

Ejoy while you can. Maybe there is someone else who can share. I also found some E-3 photo's at

Thanks to everyone who shared the info and the links above.

Rex!,

I will be delighted to accept your invitation, yet again!

at those pictures.

There are some strange things. Why is there a shadow on the sky behind the sun flowers? Was the picture of the icicles taken through a window?

Anyone else got comments.

Not impressed.

The sunflowers and icicles do look strange indeed Rex.

However I am reserving judgment at this point until I see more images. I was left with the questions if the sunflowers were in fact pasted in, or, perhaps more likely, shot with a flash with the flowers in front of a poster or larger image.

I also wonder about the quality and proficiency of the photographer(s) who took these images, but having said that, this is not a good opener for instilling confidence in the new flagship camera.

I do like some of the other images and they look well to me - e.g., the shot(s) of the motor bike, water skier, and woman with feather hat look very good jpeg image quality shots to me.

Hope this is not a case of whistling past the graveyard! ...

Not sure if this link was posted already - apologies if i duplicate

I quite like the quality of these ones better ...

and here is a link to a higher resolution photo ..

preview commentry from photography review.com

Nice to see pictures made with E-3, but I think presentations like those we see here are of limited value. Would be better with systematic presentation showing E-3 pictures side by side with as identical as possible pictures (camera settings, subjects, distance to subjects etc) made with other cameras (different brands, but also E-1 and other 4/3 standard cameras). I would also like to see comparisons of shots made of those colour charts, bills/money and all those standard “things” they use for tests.

I agree that the sunflower picture looks strange. To me it looks like the sunflower look copied and pasted.

Caroline

Had to stop buy and check out your collective thoughts on Oly's new flagship...interesting impressions so far. Can't wait to see your images start rolling in!

Rex, Eugene, and Caroline...I may be mistaken but it looks to me like the sunflower pic was taken with a punchy fill flash, probably showing the potential with the new pop-up, hence the shadowy edges...

As for the E3, I don't need any of that fancy crap, I just want good images and for $1600...yeah, no. I'm sure it's a fantastic cam, but more than I really need and definitely more than I can afford right now. Spec wise I think the k10d is a WAY underrated camera for a WAY low price (

what happened to the rest of my post?!

well, as I was saying the k10d goes for something like

...now this is getting embarrassing...MFT cut me off twice now. what are you guys trying to tell me... ;)

anyway, the k10d is CHEAP when comparing specs to the competition, especially with the rebate going on right now. course, who knows what will happen to poor little pentax in the coming years...

Personally, I'm with Edwin. I just threw down the last of my student loan cash on another film kit...I mean how can you pass it up?! Film cams are going for ridiculously low rates right now and as long as they don't stop manufacturing film altogether, I'm going to take advantage and play for awhile longer...

BTW, Edwin...Portland in January! I'm coming up in November for interviews and if we can't get together then, we'll have to meet up for beers in the New Year! see you soon...

best, john (let's see if this works this time...)

Hello John!

Popped in to see who had said what before heading out to a work conference. What a nice surprise to see you post! Hope all is well with you and happy image hunting with your film!

After reading a bit more here and ther, I now have a more open mind about the E3, a little more cautious than my initial enthusiasm but I shall wait and see.

John, I can't wait to meet you here in PDX. January can be a very nice time to visit... or it can be cold and wet. As early as the rains have been this year I would guess that by January it might be drier and maybe colder. Show? Rarely here, but weather has been whacky. As for beer... there is a place or two that makes the stuff here. ;-) And this E³ will be here, probably without the new E3. And I promise not to have a pop up flash. :-o

E³

As the only OLY owner in a gang of approx. 10 photographers, I usally get the "yeah yeah, what ever" when discussing cameras. Of course they are Canon and Nikon owners. Even though I explain all the benefits using the 4/3 system it always ends up with the tech specs and they turn around with a mockering smile. This is also the most common reactions in forums in general. This is what I find most irretating. Always harrased by other photographers, downrating me as a photographer just by my choice of brand and system. Even though I take better photos than many of them. :-) The techs has taken photography to a level where it sholdn't be. And we are all a part of it! :-)

Therefore the big hopes I had for the E-3! But already one reads about how outdated the E-3 is, even before it's on the market. I was hoping for a WOW reaction throughout the photographic world so I once and for all could be a "proud" OLY owner, standing tall among the others! Just so I don't need to hear or read the remarks and judgements for choosing Olympus / 4/3 anymore. I don't care usally, but it sure would be nice to get rid of that tinnitus sensation of those remarks :-)

This brings me to my concern about the new E-3. I think OLY is well aware of this general opinion among users of other brands. This makes me speculate about their strategics for the future to win new customers. I seriously believe that OLY will put a lot of energy and R&D money on the new E-3 and the development of the 4/3 sensors. They probably learned a great lesson on this long wait and angry/lost customers. I have a feeling that the new E-3 will be the 40D comparison and that we soon will be seeing a OLY E-5 as a 5D comparison (or similar). I might be up in the blue thinking like this. But I think they will be more rapid in their releases of new SLR's or upgrades from now on, based on the E-1 to E-3 saga. I think they know they will be cutting their wrists, and slowly bleed to death if they don't! This is pure & simple company survival thinking IMHO. They need to come up with a revolutionary technique, and marketing, to enhance the 4/3 sensor output quality so there would be a reason for CMOS full sensor users to actually swop system. If not, we will always have a "kit-car Ferrari" staying with Olympus, according to others! But please "misunderstand me correctly" These measures should only be taken if to call it a "Professional" camera! If OLY decides to stop at just producing semi-pro cameras, I think they are head on! Me on the other hand consider the phrase "Professional" as very vague and subjective. I'm not a professional photographer according to myself, but that is not due to the camera. For some people I am a professional! Subjective.....

Sally Mann (and others) would, most probably, still be "Professional" shooting with the new E-3. I don't have a clue about what she use as a tool. But I do know she takes "professional" PHOTOGRAPHS. I wouldn't think less of her photos knowing they were taken with a pocket camera. I hope I get my angle and thoughts through here!?

About the E-3's built in flash and swivel display.... I really cant see the reason for seeming less of a professional if you have/use, a built-in flash (optional use) and a swivel display (optional use) and yet as a photographer generate good results. IMO it is the photo itself which should be considered professional or not professional. Not the camera! It is also my opinion that "professional" photographing is not about climbing the highest obstacle, meaning having no helping aids creating that "professional" photo. Therefore, using these features as unjustified arguments to describe it as an unprofessional camera is just something I can't see. In a way it is to say that if I should use these features for smash-hit photos that makes a difference for a customer, or gets good ratings on internet photo communitys, or allows me to make a living of my photos, I would still be considered as a amateur? Maby I am taking this to far ;-)

There are cameras I consider as professional, like the Canon 5D, Mark II Ds, Nikon D2/D3. And yes, they don't have built-in flash! But some of them have live view. But honestly, are these the features that makes the camera or the photographer a professional? Biggest question of all.......what is "Professional"? The concept is quite subjective.

But I am concerned about spending money on the new E-3 as I think there will be a successor to it very soon. Still an E-3 but with a complete new 4/3 sensor with full format characteristics and dynamics. Call this the E-3 Pro or E-5, I don't know. Is this something I would like to see? Yes I would.....but not to soon after have spent some serious money on the first E-3 version. Call me cheap :-)

My compliments to those who had the stamina to read all this!!

Best regards Ola

You are a contestant on the American television quiz show, Jeopardy! You choose the topic, Photography. Alex reads the the answer and you must come up with the correct question. Slowly and with clear enunciation, Alex reads the card: "Olympus E-3." Your brain goes into overdrive. What is the question? What is the "Olympus E-3" the answer to?

Early digital cameras were expensive and had resolutions of less then one megapixel. The pictures stunk. Gradually the megapixels increased and so gradually the images got better. Eventually, manufacturers such as Nikon were able to increase their flagship models to the ultimate megapixel level, 6 megapixels, a level that no human could distinguish from film unless blown up to far bigger than a UXGA computer screen could display (which nobody could afford) or a double magazine page. All the digital camera industry had left to do was increase dynamic range and pump up the pixel depth to provide more gamut.

Nikon had leveled off at 6 megapixels when Olympus came out with the E-1. The E-1 processed images at 14 bits and recorded raw at 12 bits and photographers were coming up with some of the most beautiful digital images ever, displayed and printed as 8 bit jpegs.

But the Original Sin of the digital camera remained: a 0.5 megapixel image stunk. More is better.

Olympus succeeded in making beautiful pictures at the 5 megapixel level and when the E-300 came out, at bargain prices, many of us decided to give it a try. The day I ordered my E-300 started out like this. I got in my car and was headed to the camera store to buy a Nikon D70. I almost arrived at the store when I got cold feet, turned around and went home, turned on the computer and made a tough choice. E-1 or E-300? Being consertive, not wanting to gamble, I went for the E-300, justifying to myself that the two-lens kit E-300 was cheaper than the Nikon body, and if the E-300 did not work out, I still had my collection of Nikon lenses.

The E-300 arrived. It took forever to figure out how to work it. The aperature ring was missing, the shutter speed dial was missing, and I could not figure out how to put it on manual focus, and there were a bunch of other obstacles. And then there was post processing .

Eventually I got the hang of it, loved the pictures, the color, bought two more lenses, and contemplated upgrading to the E-1. My one disappointment with the E-300 was noise. I felt they had crammed too many pixels into too little space. Dynamic range was shot to hell at ISO 400, requiring a minimun of EV-2 for outdoor action shots to keep it from blowing, and then the shadows were lost in the murky noise best left dark. So I wanted the E-1. But wait! It's successor is right around the corner. Be patient! So I was. Meanwhile, my E-300 continues to make beautiful pictures at ISO 100.

Then Olympus started cramming 10 megapixels into the 4/3 sensor, for no apparent reason, and from what I could tell there was no improvement over the E-300 or the E-1 images, and there is a lot of online documentation of dark noise banding showing up in dark areas on these 10 megapixel images.

The published specifications of the E-3 show that the sensor processes in 12 bit, not 14 like the E-1, and that it is only able to achieve a 2/3 stop increase in dynamic range over the 12-bit 10 MP sensor on the 410 and 510. We won't know about noise until the camera is released and we can have at it.

Why 10 megapixels? This pushes the pixel density well into the range of Point & Shoot digitals, a backward step from when we went to DLSRs to get the larger receptors with better S/N ratios and better dynamic range and better gamut.

Even if Olympus has achieved some technological breakthrough with smaller photo receptors all crammed together, I still wonder: why 10 megapixels? Whatever 10 megapixels can do, 7, 6, or 5 can do better, unless you want to make posters. Why?

Olympus is not the only one. Canon is attempting this too. Their 21 pixel full frame flagship also has this ground breaking level of pixel density. Will Canon's model succeed? It has not been released, either. All we know is that it costs $8000. With medium format coming on board the digital scene, what is the point of pixel cramming a 35 mm sensor? Or worse, a 4/3 sensor?

Meanwhile Nikon has a much more conservative 12.5 megapixel, 35 mm sensor, each pixel having double the space to work in compared to the E-3, and it offers true 14 bit processing and raw recording. $5000. Nikon also has a still conservative 12 megapixel APS sensor model coming out at the same price as the E-3.

So if "E-3" is the answer, then I guess the question is, "Does Olympus have sensor cramming technology several orders of magnitude superior to what Canon or Nikon have?" If the answer to that is "yes" then the E-3 is the answer!

My fingers are crossed, I hope the E-3 delivers. I have serious doubts and Olympus is not claiming any technlogical breakthrough to justify doubling the pixel population of the E-1. Only time will tell. The E-3 has a daunting task to beat the image quality of the D3, and Nikon has no qualms about asking for the money. I am hopeful but I fear the E-3 image with be a step backward.

So Alex reads the card, "Olympus E-3" and the correct question is: "Can you still buy an E-1?"

Ola. A "professional" is a person involved in a profession. A static object (a photograph in this case) can not be a "professional" because it can not have a profession, or a paying, skilled job. But a photograph can be of professional quality. And a camera, because of its build quality, can appeal to a person that makes his/her living making images, who is then known as a professional photographer. Most professional photographers prefer a camera built to very high standards, a solid camera without all the gadgetry. The gadgets (pop-up flashes, swivel screens, live view, etc.) appeal to the broad public, but generally not to professional photographers because those gadgets break. That is not to say that no professional photographer will ever own a camera that has these gadgets. I know professional photographers that carry a point-n-shoot camera in their shirt pocket when they don't want to be encumbered with heavier equipment.

I simply want Olympus to produce a solid camera, one without all the breakable gadgetry.

Happy thoughts.

Edwin

I think my english skills had a go there in my post... :-) By saying "professional photograph" I ment to say "of professional quality". Of course I know a photograph cant handle a camera or have a profession, but I think my "opinion" came through good enough not be met by sarkasm.

Not interested in debating in the subject, just to let people play with the thought about that a camera turns into a professional model by the photographer who operates it, and the photo generated would be a photo "of professional quality. That is why I mentioned Sally Mann. Would the E-3 be reputed as a Pro camera if she, or/and other professional photographers used it? Even though using built-in flash and live view.

Nothing more, nothing less!

Best regards // Ola

I was not being sarcastic. I intended to be informative. Sorry you took my words wrong.

No debate? That's fine by me. But I will always believe that a solid camera is what professional photographers want, nothing less, and the quality of a camera is determined by its build quality, not by who may pick it up.

A Stradivarius in the hands of a first year violin student will not make the same music as it would in the hands of a master violinist.

And since you do not want a debate, and since I have never heard of Sally Mann, I will respectfully not answer your question.

Happy wishes and may the light be with you.

Edwin

Ola totally agree with you! In my profession(s) (photography-artist-professor) only photographers question my "professional tools" by what they made off, leaving the general public question my profission only by the final work. Regarding Sally, she's one of my favourite photographers of all time, simply love her work... she did work with a OM 4 and a 40mm pancake, Mike ( of T.O.P has some info on that) some medium format cameras and now she's using some view cameras. Meanwhile check out the cbs doc on her, i'll get a copy soon. Best wishes, and i'm glad you've express your opinion in such a comprensive way. I'm still in doubt beetwen a 510 kit and macro 50 or a e3, so i have a eye on your work constantly, i don't like to spend much money on photography never did, i love alternative/old process and film photography, but digital is a nice compromise never did go back to my old rollei's, OM's, etc... i'm sold to lightroom as opposed to darkroom.

Ok one last post about this.... :-) Hmmmn, maby I am debating after all... hehe

Edwin, you said:

"A Stradivarius in the hands of a first year violin student will not make the same music as it would in the hands of a master violinist."

My post was talking about the other way around! How would a non Stradivarius violin sound in the hands of a master violinist. How would that violin be percieved by others then.

I'm not trying to be impossible in any way as I know what you mean. But I'm trying to see it from another angle as well. One could say the same thing about sportscars! Is it still a sportscar if it has got electrical window openers and aircondition? Many think not! Just as many think it is!

Well, i'm down to the garage to paint my staircase railings now. I want to leave this apartment in perfect condition when the buyers move in. I only got this week to fix things. My own fault, waiting until the last week! :-)

Cheers Edwin Ola

We all may use cameras that we prefer. I actually have used pinhole cameras and produced professional results with it, and everything else up to a 12x20. So, the pinhole camera I used is therefore a professional camera! Right? right...

It is not the tool that makes an image, it is the photographer. It is just that some individuals want a solidly built digital camera to carry around. I am one of those.

Be well.

Edwin

Sorry Ola, regading the comment remark on my buying doubts i mislead myself in confusing you with Theo's recent work with the e510 and 50 macro.... long day working i should rest, before i mixed things more... anyway my original comments remains true to my thoughts on this particular discussion. Regards..

No worries João :-) Just like you I'm thinking about buying the 50 macro. As for the E-510 or the E-3....well, where I stand today I don't know. Is there a 1400 USD difference in performance between them? But I probably would like to have a "suit" I can grow in, so E-3 it probably is!

Best regards // Ola

Another issue for me is the pricing of the E-3 in Sweden. Camera equipment is very expensive here!

E-510 house only: 1000 USD (not that bad) E-3 house only: 2400 USD (starts to sting a bit)

But then, the prices are not really set yet so we will see...

Best regards // Ola

Thanks Edwin! Will sure look at this before doing anything!

Download took me 10 seconds......I love my line!

Best regards // Ola

Bring it on, put one in my stocking Santa and keep working so I can get a Canon DsII or III or maybe the Nikon. My Buddy here just got the Leica M-8 w/ the Noctilux lens and it is no big deal. Like my favorite instructor said once:"Shut up and Dance" I say Santa bring me an e-3 w/ 12-60mm Zuiko and: "Shut up and shoot"

Anything will be better at 400-800/ 1600 for me. I rarely shoot Sports.

Now that I work selling at an Edward Curtis Gallery 3-days a week ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_S._Curtis ) so,weight is not an issue for me, I am excited for the Twisty live view it will be more like a view camera on a tripod! Hallelujah !!

Jeff,

I am very much thinking as you are but just a tad cautious until I see final firmware images at high res. I too welcome the pull-out live view screen especially for low level seascapes - much preferable to sprawling on the ground or getting a cramped neck for me. I am excited about many features, incl the claimed improved auto focus and focussing in general. I hope for improved iso performance at longer exposures and that the noise handling issue has at least been improved to handling a longer exposure at iso 100 for longer than at least 60 seconds. The E1 struggles with this too much imho.

I have also been looking at the 1Ds Mk II and III. Although heavily invested in 4/3's, if the E3 doesn't do the business I will take the hit and move on.

Yes, I fully agree about the live view facility - a very nice option for some of the kind of photography that I like to do.

Well I've read the relevant parts of the manual (thanks for the link, Edwin) and I'm still not absolutely sure about the driving mode for the remote flash. But I suspect it is optically driven. The remote flashes need to be in front of the camera within the coverage of the pop-up flash. So that seems to say it's an optical slave system rather than a radio slave. I think that's limiting. Would rather be able to place slave flashes anywhere and have them respond to the master signals from the camera.

You are very welcome Rob.

I hope you all enjoy your new toy whey you buy it!

Edwin

Doh, I think using HTML tags broke my line breaks.

Apologies for what turned into a big run-on paragraph.

Hi All! I see many familiar names who have been very supportive and helpful in the past since I took a hiatis when I began a new job 2 years ago that required most of my energy. Work is going well and I have continued shooting, figured it was a good time to return to get in on the BUZZ about the E3. I too have shot with my E1 until this January when the camera stopped working. Returned in under the MACK warrenty; they had to return it to Olympus to repair - looks like they replaced the sensor, didn't cost me. This took over a month, so I bought an E330. There is a marked difference in the quality of the E330 - detail is much crisper and sharper than E1 and several shots I have taken have turned into good sellers. I now keep the E1 in the trunk of my car to make sure I always have a camera. Still takes great photos under the right light conditions, but the E330 is superior. Carrying this forward, I am confident that the E3 will be the best OLY SLR to date and I am already in line to buy it at B&H. Hope this observation is helpful. Best - john

PS - I have a website now

chromebumpers.info

Go to this link http://www.dcview.com/member/login.asp?last=/article/newreadarticle.asp&id=5705

Log on by using the log-in of yws and password of 123456

When you click on the thumnail you get a bigger jpeg but when you click on the word ori underneath the image you get the full resolution size image.

I think that these are better examples. You can get exif info as well. Some of the high iso images come across well.

I don't understand though, why it is, that Olympus has not put out top of the range quality images from top of the range photographers of just everyday shots of everyday scenes. Not looking for fine art pictures here but I am somewhat surprised at the kinds of pictures that are appearing from the first tranche of images from the flagship model of E3.

Having said that these images give a bit more confidence but it must also be noted that in the exif data it is 0.9 firmware version that is being used so this is not the final firmware version 1.0 for image processing in camera.

I would love to see images from version 1.0. It seems that the jury is still out .......

I have noticed that Olympus has a different approach to how they are selling E-3. When E-1 was launched in Norway I got the impression that they were trying to make it very exclusive by having ads about only 10 shops in all of Norway being allowed to sell the camera and those shops only got a few models each. I guess they had not produced enough cameras and wanted to create a false feeling of exclusiveness and make people queue up to get one.

Now they are running ads saying you will get a free vertical grip and a free camera bag if you purchase E-3 and register it before 31. December. *lol* Or maybe this is just a variant of what they did with E-1? None of the shops here have E-3 in stock yet, but those of us who are sure we will buy it, would of course like to be able to get a free vertical grip and camera bag. So we will queue up once again.

What is it like in other countries? Any special offers?

Caroline

Yes similar story here Caroline in Dublin. The shop I use is Conns Cameras and they are official Oly dealer and very nice people too. I love their shop for their expertise and friendly service.

They told me that there is a E3 demo day on the 15th November, so I will be there. They also expect the camera available for sale on the 26th Nov or thereabouts. As luck would have it I hope to play in a chess weekender the following weekend so I may get a chance for some indoor experimentation.

Also they told me to register it before the end of the year and that a free grip is available as well as a bag (I wonder though, if you already have to be a registered Oly user that is upgrading to the E3? - not that it makes any difference to those of us who upgrade). Although I never bothered with the E1 grip, I will take this free gift for the odd occasion I may need it. Looks like I'm inching towards a definite buy of the E3 after some cautious moments which aint over yet.

the grip is exclusively available for customers already owning and having registerd a E-System camera plus you can get the backpack as well in Germany.

btw, I enjoyed reading http://tinyurl.com/2bobk5 , maybe you will too...

Eugene (and Doro): Yes, the camera bag is free for all who register, but the battery/vertical grip only for those who already have an E-series camera. I just love my battery grip and don’t understand how I could live without it. Makes it so much easier to make portrait format pictures (before I got the grip I sort of unconsciously avoided making portrait format pictures – it felt like a lot of work and trouble to do it and to get pictures straight). After I got the vertical grip I see that I make more portrait format pictures than landscape format pictures – all without thinking about it. I just notice when I come back home and download what is on my CF-cards. :-)

Caroline

Yes I agree with you Caroline but I was talking with Rex on the phone earlier this evening and we both remarked that one of the initial selling points of the 4/3's system was it's size and weight. It seemed to both of us that putting a grip on the E1 sort of ran against the grain of that particular selling point - and we ain't talking film grain here!

I wonder what happened to that selling point, and especially now when it turns out that E-3 is even heavier than E-1. ;-) The pro and top pro lenses are not lightweight either. I had also expected Olympus to make some nice pro pancake lenses. OK – they have made the lightweight E-400, but I expected E-3 to be lighter than E-1. Hopefully the vertical grip for E-3 is lighter than the big, heavy grip for E-1.

Caroline

Cara, exactly my experience - with the grip I flip to portrait much more often and easily, and the additional weight does not bother me in the least, aux contraire, i can handhold slower shutter speeds with no problem and portrait mode does not strain the hand anymore. About weight - be fair and compare with other coameras with battery grip :). Not sure if I will be able to get a E-3 but the decision to use the BLM-1 batteries (and the option to use simple AA batteries as well) is highly customerfriendly since a lot less expensive then the SHLD 2 combination...

Caroline,

Yes, agreed again - but !!, ...

one also has to take into account that in terms of lens size and weight in focal length ratio, by comparison to say 35mm lenses, then Oly wins hands down here imho. Although the lenses are not lighter per say, you get more focal length for the comparable weight with 4/3's lenses and this is a fantastic feature of the 4/3 system for me.

Having done a lot of reading and comparison, I also believe that Oly lenses in the 4/3 system more than compare favorably with the best of the rest when it comes to quality glass.

The E3 will tell a lot about the viability of the system for future growth.

Doh!

per say should read per se!

Just having my first coffee having stayed up late to watch Powaqqatsi!

Doro and Eugene: Yes, the price of the battery grip for E-1 was ridiculously high until they got dumped on eBay last year. I also agree that the Zuiko lenses are good and often better than similar lenses of other brands. Probably also lighter than light strong (f/2) lenses of other brands, but then we also need it because the cameras have more digital noise when using ISO above 400. My Nikon friends (for example) can use ISO 800 and f/4.5, while I have to use ISO 400 and f/2.

The only Zuiko lens I’m not happy with is the 14-54mm (well, I don’t like the 40-150mm either, but I bought it for next to nothing. Wanted to find out if it could be a good and light travel companion – an alternative to using a compact camera). I should wish this “normal lens” were the very best of all Zuiko lenses as a lens with that range is the one I would use more than any other lenses. I am curious about how the new 12-60mm will compare with the 14-54mm. Can’t find much information about it – weight, size and all that.

I think Olympus tries to please two groups with one camera (E-3); Both enthusiastic amateurs and professionals. I am quite sure the enthusiasts will be happy, but I am not so sure Olympus will mange to keep and/or “recruit” more professionals (and now I use the term ‘professionals’ for two groups; Skilled photographers and/or photographers making a living of photography).

Caroline

Caro - the article under deevees link (see above) puts it all nicely into perspective I think. We can*t expect something that in german we refer to as "eierlegende Wollmilchsau" - roughly translatable as "egg-laying woolmilksow" ;) :D

I have read the article. A strange article. The person who wrote it writes as he has used the E-3 for years. ;-) Sometimes when I read what people write on dpreview I get the feeling that I have come to a group of Olympus worshipping followers that almost have a religious approach to Olympus equipment and regard questions as complaints and complaints as swearing in the church.

Three and a half year ago I asked the members of dpreview if the 4/3 standard and E-1 would be a dead trail. People got furious and apparently that was the first thread ever on the Olympus SLR talk that got more than 100 replies and they were all mad at me for asking such a question. :-D

When I read the article deevee has linked to I get a strong feeling that here is yet another one contributing to the “Olympus myth” by talking about the 1970s. I’m not interested in all that old stuff – I just want a good camera today. In 2006. :-)

Caroline

BINGO! Caroline, you speak for me too, and very well. :-) A nice EP-1 perhaps? ;-)

EEE

well you know there is no logic in that against Olympus ;)

It seems to me that Olympus made 'their' top camera, the E3, based on, among other considerations, being able to make and sell as many of them as they can for a reasonable price. Remember all those E1's that were reduced to a ridiculous price in order to get rid of them out of warehouses that cost money to store them in?

This camera, it seems to me, is aimed at the same level as the E1 - that borderline between serious enthusiast and pro. Of course Oly will say the E3 is a pro camera and that's fine my me. For sure, it has many pro features, it appears, on paper, thus far.

I agree with you Caroline about the 14-54. I will be getting rid of mine when I most likely get the E3. Also agree about dpreview. Yet one does get some useful info there from time to time.

Well, we'll all know for sure what the E3 is like in a few weeks time. Until then, I'll be reserving judgment, whilst being enthusiastically hopeful.

Eugene: Yes, I think you are correct about the target group for E-3 and that they hope to “capture” those between serious/enthusiastic amateurs and professionals. Not only those between, but also a big as possible “slice” from both camps. Trying to ride two horses at once.

I’m not so sure they will succeed as I believe many professionals have been waiting for a professional camera already from the start when E-1 came (there were rumours then about plans for one or two cameras that were supposed to be better than E-1). I hope Olympus will succeed and that E-3 will sell well and generate resources for further development. If not we will have to wait four years for the next update. If there ever will be an update.

When reviewing lenses the critics in Norway have for a long time said that the Zuiko lenses are screaming for better cameras to put them on. I hope E-3 will do justice to the lenses – I have the impression that the lenses are better than our cameras.

I agree that one get useful information on dpreview. Not only useful – I find members at that site very helpful when you have a problem, but only as long as you take great care in how you phrase your questions (it must not make them believe you are complaining or saying something bad about Olympus).

I think the first and biggest dumping of prices must have been when they started to sell out E-300. That camera got an undeserved bad reputation just because of being regarded as ugly to look at.

Caroline

Yes. lots of agreement here Caroline.

It also seems to me that there are varying levels of so called 'pro' cameras.

I remember a lot of people giving out about the fact that the E1 did not have an in-built flash when it was launched, as well as criticisms about the poor auto focus speed, especially in low light conditions, and the infamous and ongoing concerns about 'noise'. Although newish to the game at that time, I was glad that it didn't have a flash but in hindsight, I have a admit to there being a bit of a snob in me in relation to that! My first reaction to the flash on the E3 was 'oh no'! but I've realized that I can turn it off, but for sure I know that some don't want it either and that's fair enough and respected too.

The point is, that I think Oly listened to those complaints and want to cast their net wide on this occasion to pull as many in this time around. I would be worried about the future of 4/3's if this camera ends up being dumped at ridiculously low prices like the E1 and that's not in any of our interests, particularly those who have invested heavily in Oly's world class lenses. In other words while there are features that some may detest being in the camera, Oly may realistically have little choice but to get as many into the party in order to survive into the future.

Will we see a 4/3's equivalent to say the D3 or the 1DsMkIII? Not in the immediate future by the looks of things. Is it possible even if they wanted to do it? It seems to me that you have to have a sizable customer base to carry such a high priced camera. Who will pay €5,000 - €8,000 for a 4/3's photographical feast??!! And that's just the camera!! How many 'pros' came over to Oly from other systems with the advent of the E1?

If they got it right with their claims of world fastest focus with the new lens, then combined with the pro level weather sealing, hopefully better image quality through higher resolution and improved noise performance and a good, rugged, pull-out live view screen, then I will be a very happy camper indeed. Hopefully they may even win over new converts from the 'pro' world. I hope so. This would be good for the 4/3's system.

I hope to check all this out for myself on the 15th November. I will hopefully be swapping good news with you then!

It's funny you know, you could never have such a reasoned and open discussion as this over at DPReview. And I think that's more strength to this site and its focus on photography, as opposed to Hardware.

If the E3 is to be thought of as a "Pro" camera then it really needs to be in the same league as the D3 and the 1D Mk 3 etc, but it clearly isn't. I'm actually quite happy about that, cos I dont want to / can't afford to spend £3000 + on a camera. And anyway, you can get professional results from a non-professional camera - a pro camera doesn't suddenly imbue you with deity-like abilities of composition and technical know how - for most of us that comes from hard graft, passion and learning from our (numerous) mistakes.

I think you are right to say that if you don't want to use the various "additions" to the E3 then turn them off. Job done! Or buy something else....

I really hope the E3 is a success - there's a lot (on paper) I don't particulaly like about it (too big and heavy for a start) but there's a lot I do, but then again I think the D300 looks (on paper) to be a "better" camera spec for spec, and the Canon 40D is a hell of a lot cheaper, and I'm sure a very capable machine.

What I do know is that with any of those three cameras I'd still take exactly the same picture, cos the image has been formed in my minds eye - the machine is just something that records it, and lets be honest they all record it the same - any differences are minimal, really....

Thanks for reading!

cheers

Andy

I totally agree with you Andy !

But...

Why would anyone want to pay for unwanted and unneeded expensive gadgetry and technology and then (as we have been told to do) turn it off? Why not lobby for a camera with equal or better specs with a solid build?

I think that in order to shift units that are in competition with the 40D and the D300, Olympus has to (unfortunately perhaps) tow the line to a certain degree and deliver these gadgets (which will be of varying usefulness to varying people). To be honest, there's stuff on my E1 I never use, but it will be impossible for any camera manufacturer to produce exactly the camera that each individual wants, that would put us in the Rolls Royce bracket where each motor is made to an individuals exact specifications, ie, it aint gonna happen, not for £1500 anyway!

For what it's worth, I too would prefer a pared down camera as you've suggested, I'm not into gadgets, especially not on cameras (I still regularly use my OM1 and a Rolleiflex T - which are essentially boxes with a hole in them, and I LOVE using them, because I have more of a connection with them), but for the market Olympus appears to be going after, it would seem they have to "keep up with the Jones's"

You can't stop "progress" ;))

An analogy.

I have been loyal to a particular car company for decades. In an attempt to make everyone happy and to increase sales, the car company decides not to come out with a new vehicle for several years while doing product research and development. After years of waiting, my favorite car company at long last makes a replacement for my fast, economical yet solid 2 door car, but instead of a solid 2 door car the gets good gas mileage, they unveil an SUV with 4 doors, a hatch back, a V8 engine, automatic transmission only, all in a vehicle that weighs 6000 pounds and gets under 8 miles per gallon of gas. When I suggest to other people considering the same vehicle that I live alone, don't want or need four doors, prefer a manual transmission, never haul huge amounts of stuff with me, and that I like to get good gas mileage, I am told to weld the doors I don't need shut, to get used to the automatic transmission because most people like it (why wouldn't I?), and that all the other cars get terrible gas mileage too, so buy it and get used to it. That's progress.

No, I then decide that a classic used vehicle is more to my liking because what I really want is a solid car, with two doors and good mileage on a gallon of gas and a transmission I can shift into a lower gear as I need. And perhaps I don't even want to use gasoline! But does the company look even further forward, to electricity or hydrogen. No. Why? Because the other two major car companies are not looking that direction.

Innovation and being a little bit different is not always a bad thing, and Olympus has previously done just that. Perhaps they will continue that tradition, but at this juncture, it seems that they have lost their way and are pursuing a path that is much the same as the Canon 40D and the Nikon D400. I will say it again. Yes, the path chosen will suit the masses and be a success at some level for a while, and everyone that owns one will love it, and when the prices drop even more will love it!

Edwin - hm, less can be more but need not cost less but can easily cost more: the EP-1 you are looking for will do less than the E-3 so you expect that it will also cost less. Probably not. This EP-1 will not have a market and the high production line cost for this camera (fixed cost) will have to be borne by less units. Thus while the material costs (variable) might well be less per unit the total cost per EP-1 unit can be higher than the E-3 cost per unit which will split the same production line costs on much more units. At least that is how I guess Oly are calculating.

The D3 and the D300 both cost more than the E-1, and I very well may buy one of those, even though the D300 has that damn pop-up flash but no flip out LCD screen. (I am going to two Nikon functions tomorrow to handle both of these cameras.) It is not the cost that is the largest factor for me. I do not want to buy a camera with features I don't/wont use that I see as weak points in construction. Let me repeat, it is not the cost of the camera and I don't believe I have ever said the camera is too expensive. I have said I do not want to pay for features I don't like. Perhaps a better way to say this might be "I will not buy a camera at this price with those features, but when the price drops by 50% in a year, I might be tempted to buy one. If I could use Zuiko lenses, that would be a plus, but Nikon makes nice lenses too. But I really can't see why an updated E-1, much the same as the E-3 (without IS, flash and flip out rotating LCD screen) would cost more. But, you may be correct. Less is more in this case and I might pay a premium for a solid Olympus camera with less gadgetry.

Anyway, I am done with this thread. I really honestly hope all of you that buy this new E-3 camera enjoy it. I have a date circled on my calendar for the first time somebody here, or at DPReview complains about having to send their camera to the shop because one of the pop out bits breaks in an accident. It will happen...

I may buy a new camera today though... I found one in a used camera store that I would love to use. :-)

Hi Edwin,

We've been contacted by Olympus as they are currently attempting to remove all references to the E3 manual on the internet. We're contacting you to ask how you would like to help us. Shall we delete the comment containing your link or would you like to change your personal link so that the link referenced on MFT is a "dead link".

Please let us know soon...thanks! Alan and Mario

The car analogy is really interesting, and got me thinking. I realize that EEE is done with this thread and might be a little frustrated with it (hard to tell from the well-written analogy), but thought I'd rebut anyways, because I see things a little differently and want to share an alternate point of view.

My car is a 4-door Corolla. The rear doors get used maybe once every couple of months, or so - the rest of the time it's a 2-door car with some extra doors I don't need. I haven't welded them shut, though. The few times a year I need them, they're nice to have, and they don't hinder me in any way otherwise.

When it comes to weight, cars are different than cameras. The extra weight and bulk of an SUV is a downside for me - it brings the mileage down, makes it hard to fit in tight parking spots, etc. The form factor and weight of the E3, on the other hand, are (or should be) tuned to make handling it a dream. Efficiency is not impacted in any way.

Speaking of efficiency, the new and innovative focusing system (is that Olympus taking a different path than the other two big players?) in the E3 increases its "efficiency", allowing faster, more accurately focused photo snapping. Add that, plus the improved write speeds and other improvements and it's as though the E1 is the car with the terrible gas mileage compared to the new E3's better performance.

With a car, you can't have both an automatic AND a manual transmission. At least, not without adding a hundred pounds' worth of extra mechanics, spending lots in R&D to find out how to make such a beast, etc. A camera is different. Having the extra scene options takes up more space in the ROM, but that doesn't affect the user's hands-on experience or their pocketbook. R&D? Why, that's already been done! The software for scene modes, and Live View for that matter, exists in the E-510 camera. The money's been spent already, taking those things out of the E-3 won't drop the cost.

The hinged display *did* cost something extra to develop and it is extra hardware, and not wanting to pay for this extra feature if you don't need it is a legitimate point, at least compared to the scene modes and extra software like Live View that's already been developed and don't get in the way or cost more to develop and put in the camera. It remains to be seen whether the hinged display, when closed, is a weak point on an otherwise solidly built camera (it remains to be seen if the whole shebang really is solid, despite Mr. Terada standing on it).

Bottom line, we all care about different things. I don't care about those extra things as long as they don't cost me money and don't get in my way of using the features I DO want. I certainly respect other peoples' right to care about different things, even if I can't see from their points of view. I just felt it important to share the way it looks from a different point of view.

I just thought of a different analogy: a screwdriver. On one side of the table, imagine your basic screwdriver: plastic/rubber handle that feels good, simple metal shaft with the driver bit cut into the end. It puts screws in, it takes screws out. Simple, elegant. On the other side of the table, there's a fancy screwdriver with multiple bits, an optional motorized drive, and a ratchet option.

Now, a poorly made fancy screwdriver would be really annoying: the mechanism that holds the extra bits makes the handle too big and besides, they keep falling out. The gear mechanism grinds sometimes when using the screwdriver without the motor. The ratchet mechanism slips sometimes.

Thing is, though, as a camera, the E-3 is designed to handle really well (having never touched one, I can only hope!). Unlike the extra bits and the bad gearing and ratchet mechanisms, the extra stuff in the E-3 should not get in the way of the basic functions at all.

For me, if it can feel as good in the hand and perform as well as the basic one to do the basic things, I'll take it. My friend Bob the construction worker, he swears by the simple screwdriver, even if the other one can feel and perform and survive wear as well, and that's fine. He has a different philosophy, a different outlook on life than I do, and it's our differences that make us interesting people to each other, that spark our curiosity and get our minds thinking.

OK, after writing a sentence like that I *know* I've rambled too much. Must stop now.

The manual I linked is not on my web site, and as you know, members can not change statements made in any thread at this web site. Perhaps you could suggest to Olympus that they look at the linked URL and go after the person that has that site? It is certainly not me. The link to the .pdf file was found at another photo blog site and I simply shared it with the fine members here at MyFourThirds.

Edwin

You guys have apparently close contact with Olympus. So I have two requests, as follows...

Please ask if another pro body is in the works. Perhaps the EP-1.

Also suggest that they simply do a Google search for the offending E-3 manual .pdf file. I did just that and Google found 79 instances at the moment.

I am heartened to know that Olympus reads the comments here. I also hope that they take the comments as honest ones from me since I bought one of the very first E-1s available, at full retail price. I would also welcome the pen they have apparently sent along with advertising materials to other early buyers of the pro quality E-1. I never got one! ;-)

Best wishes, to both of you and to Olympus.

E³

I saw the biofos article and tried to post a link but this site was down at the time but hopefully resolved now.

I see that a photographer whom I know and respect, Stephen Elliot, who is also known to us here, had a part in it. I was very interested in their opinions.

Overall the flavour is positive but some concerns persist re the ruggedness of the camera.

I took note of what three of the photographers said about the CF door and it caused me some slight concern. Not enough to put me off the camera but I do take note. I also take note of their very positive comments about the camera overall.

I remain impressed about the improved focusing which is consistently commented upon by many who have used the camera. It looks like Olympus have achieved something very special in this regard not just with their new SSWD lens but also with the older ones.

I am also increasingly impressed by some images I have seen whilst acknowledging that these images are from version 0.9 firmware with even more room for improvement in the release version 1.0 firmware.

I am also very impressed by the live view feature but in the context of low level landscapes and not for moving subjects. Those who require this feature for moving subjects will require a different system. Horses for courses etc etc and there ain't no perfect system for all purposes photography - at least that I know of that is also affordable. €40,000 Hassys are out of my personal reach.

I am also impressed by reports of the image stabilisation feature. This will be of huge benefit to those who wish to shoot images in low light situations whilst preserving low iso of 100. Immediately coming to mind is shots in music gigs that are hand held. Tripods are unrealistic in these situations from my experience - due to a combination of practicality, safety and musician movement issues. Neither do I like to use flash in these situations either. The light from the gig is often best but shots can be ruined by blur caused by photographer handshake. IS is a great bonus for situations such as this.

Resolution does seem better in the better shots that I have seen. And noise looks better managed too. I look forward to using the camera in Dublin on the 15th.

I heard also that a group of photographers will be using the final version for sale E3 in the next very near future/days and I look forward to what they have to say.

I remain optimistic.

As much as we don't like censorship at MFT, at the request of Olympus and in the name of professionalism, we've removed the comment referencing a leaked E-3 manual in this discussion.

Alan and Mario

I think what you did is perfectly understandable and appropriate in the circumstances.

I agree with Eugene and think it’s OK that you removed the link to the E-3 manual, but I must say I find it a bit strange that Olympus has asked you to do it. After all it was just a link to another web site. If they don’t want anyone to see the manual, they will (just as Edwin says) have to ask those who have published it to remove it. Anyone who wants to see the manual can still just do a “google” and get numerous hits to the manual. If Olympus doesn’t want anyone to see the manual they will have to approach those who have published it. It won’t help to remove links.

Caroline

I am glad actually that you decided to remove the link to the manual, and I am also glad members perfectly understand why you did this. I am also perfectly sure members will also understand why Olympus is playing hardball in this forum. I am very chagrined that Olympus is so determined to quash the information, obviously leaked by somebody at their company from being mentioned at a site with more early adherents to their E system than perhaps any other. Especially upsetting is the fact that the camera, and on-line documentation will be available this month anyway.

Good job Olympus! This is great public relations!!!

The things that I expect of a 'Professional' camera are: Solid construction, ultra-reliability, consistant and accurate metring system, a comprehensive range of high quality optics (Quality is always better than quantity!) and finally functionality in preference to visual styling and cosmetics.

If the E3 does have 'Scene sttings', maybe some occasion will arise when the 'tweaks' they deliver, might be better/quicker than trying to configure your own version by overriding a camera without them. Just because they are there, does'n't automatically 'Cheapen' the camera. I would like to know if when the Live View is being used, focussing is still being monitored whilst the mirror is out of the way? That would improve continuity as far as the AF is concerned, instead of it having to start hunting again from square one of some form of inbuilt memory buffer of the last image before the mirror swung up.

What I really would have liked Olympus to have done, was buck the trend and say that this body can have it's sensor upgraded .... For decades you have been able to buy PCs and upgrade the 'guts', so why not? Leica and Kodak have offered this on their DSLRs, so why can't other manufacturers? No expensive body re-tooling costs for a cosmetically different camera, and it's been going on for ages on compact digital camera production lines for years!

Do you NEED a new camera, or just WANT a newer one? Why buy a new one when the differences are in the guts and the model name or number!

I agree with you Sam, and would like to add to this.

Some people profess that a "professional" photographer is simply a person hired take pictures. Not true! Professionalism has nothing to do with making money, but has everything to do with learning and teaching.

Olympus now has three choices in sensors. The 10 mpxl 12-bit MOS sensor in the 410, the 10 mpxl 12-bit MOS sensor in the 510, and the 10 mpxl 12-bit MOS sensor in the E-3.

Does this kind of sound like, We know what is best for you?

And why can't sensors be replaced? Why not interchangeable sensors, like the interchangeable focusing screens on the vintage Nikons?

Is Olympus trying to tell us something? That one sensor meets every and all photographic criteria?

In going from the E-1 to the E-3, Olympus has backpedaled from a 14 bit to a 12 bit sensor. Is this progress?

Whether good, bad, or indifferent, Olympus has changed their philosophy. When the E-1 came out, we knew where Olympus stood. And now?

Is Olympus' noise reduction technology to sell $2000 f/2 zoom lenses? Sounds like it.

Professionalism involves making choices for the situation at hand. What choices does Olympus offer?

Sure, Leica came on board the 4/3 system. And they are now doing very well selling their 10 mpxl, 14 bit APS sized Kodak sensor with the M8.

Olympus told us at the beginning of the 4/3 venture that their Kodak CCD sensor had all the plumbing underground, allowing larger photo receptor sites than a similar MOS sensor. So, has Oympus re-written the laws of physics?

At one time a "professional" photographer could choose his film. So why not his sensor? That is, without having to buy additional cameras and lenses.

Even without changing sensors, software would enable more choices. Like binning. Binning worked very well in my 1.3 mpxl Canon Powershot (with raw file output). Sure, it reduced the mpxl count from 1.3 to 0.3, but the smaller images went from ISO 100 to ISO 400 and maintained the same level of tonal contrast and dynamic range. The pictures look cruddy by today's standards, but the choice was there.

So, if Olympus is going to pack 10 mpxls into a 4/3 sensor, why not give the photographer the "software" choice of binning?

Enough pre-production images are on the web now to show that the E-3 clips highlights at ISO 400, and has sky noise at ISO 100, and their specifications show that the sensor bit sensing range has dropped 75%. For what? To try to play the same game as Canon and Nikon but with a smaller sensor?

I am confused as to Olympus' road map and what milestone the E-3 represents.

When I shoot a landscape or take a night shot, I do not care if my camera shoots as fast as movie camera or has ISO 6400. I would rather have a clean image with lots of gamut and dynamic range, so that when I go to pull out shadow detail the shadow area doesn't look like a paint-by-number painting.

That's what I expect from a "professional" camera. Even if it is for amateur use. Choices.

However, for as long as I have followed MFT, the constant clamor for more megapixels has been in the background. The choice has always been there to switch over to Canon for that purpose. And the choice has alway been there to switch over to Nikon if you want to shoot like you have a machine gun.

So I say, be careful what you ask for, you might just get it.

As long as I have not seen firmware 1.0 shots by photographers whose work I have followed and who put just as much effort in their E-3 pp workflow as they do in their other work I just refuse to even consider that the newest 4/3 camera could be step back in image quality. I have the impression that all talk about negative this worse that comes from selective perception. Olympus has always offered outstanding image quality in the niches they were active - I would strike me as very odd that they would suddenly lower their bar when bring their new top model to the market. The better viewfinder, IS and weather sealing alone would be plenty of good reasons to seriously considering upgrading for me (coming from an e-500 of course which for me produces fantastic IQ in 98% of the conditions in which I use it).

A couple of hands-on videos, non-english

Also here are some full res shots of a beautiful Japanese girl from a Japan fasion/glamour photog

Thanks, Jeff, for the videos (still haven't had any time to see the photos).

Don't know how many of you saw the video and understand Spanish, so I'll just comment on some of the things I saw there, as well mentioning some of the things the Olympus Spain PR gentleman said about the camera.

On the first one we see a gentleman from the site playing around with a preproduction E-3 camera.

One I fancied was the way you can hastily select one of the 11 AF points while looking at the photo. The card slot cover looked indeed a bit flimsy, flimsier than my E-500 one, when open. It's hard to judge how it is closed and how easily it opens by accident, but when open it looked a bit fragile.

As to the second video, with the presentation of the PR person from Olympus Spain, it had nothing really new comparing to what we saw here, but he mentions in the end that the E-3 should be available in Spain about two to three weeks into November and it's scheduled to cost 2000€ (body+grip). Interesting to see was the water shower he provided the camera with, dumping the content of a small bottle of water all over it, with the Live View screen open. Of course we don't get to experience if the camera works well after that, but it's still a big claim to make, if you're trying to mislead costumers.

Sorry, don't have much time at the moment to comment any further or to see the videos again with more attention.

With this said, I'm about to state my first words on the subject of the E-3.

I'm quite curious about it. Having an E-500, owning this camera would be a step forward. I understand the worries of the folks that use the E-1, and their higher expectations, but since I'm still very "green" with DSLR, probably I'm less demanding with the camera. The built-in flash is very handy for me (especially due to budget constraints) and the Live View screen may come to be useful. Yes, I'm afraid it can break, but it looks solid enough when closed and a little care when it's open goes a long way. The higher resolution is welcome, since I would like to make some bigger prints or more cropping, but the pixel density (noise, etc.) worries me a bit. IS seems useful enough, faster and more accurate AF is more than welcome, so as the bigger, brighter viewfinder (the bigger issue I have with my E-500).

So with this said, I'm quite expectant about this camera. Don't know if I'll afford to buy it, but I'm very keen on being able to have some significant evolution option within Olympus, where I can use my lenses or keep developing my skills with the fine glass from the Zuiko line.

Let's wait and see...

-- Ricardo

I say Duh! to the obvious here. I want an e-3 for my throw around and Sail boating camera. I can not afford the Canon D Mk III so, I will wai for it and spend my money on more Oly glass for the time being.

My Partner has the Canon MkII's I have used and for Pro shooting I Love them, for ART and Casual Travel I am in on the e-3.

And Duh if it does not resolve as well as the Nikon- 300 or th D40. I like the swival back, I am sad it is so small though...

Hey everyone, you can download the RAW files from the link Anthony gave. When in OLY Master 2.0 the RAW settings change for the added features of the E3 !!!! Image detail is very good in at least the two that I messed with and image 26 even good at ISO 400.

You can also view E3 images in raw with a trial version of lightzone http://www.lightcrafts.com/download/download.html

ACR update available for processing E3 raw files at above link. Links for earlier versions of PS available.

I just got my e-3. I find it very difficult to read the provided manual. The type size is not for my old eyes. If anyone still has the incomplete manual I would like a copy. Even if it is only 50% done it will save my eyes 50% strain. Thanks. Ira

Also see the John Issac interview on their homepage.