Comparing the Olympus E-3 to its competitors

[Four Thirds User editorial team]

We've picked out the key features of a contemporary mid-range pro-spec DSLR, the category into which the newly-announced Olympus E-3 falls into and compared the specification of the E-3 with its immediate competitors, as well as its sibling, the E-510. See how the E-3 stacks up on paper, at least.

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[nikkorku]

Shawn Barnett(Imaging Resource) has a preview on E-3
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/E3/E3A.HTM

It's very big in size and exactly the same as leaked info from several months ago.

On the comparison, there are several interesting points to see on the competition nowadays such :
* MP resolution (Will 10 MP stand for the next 3 years ? )
* ISO range (where D300 & A700 has reached 6400 on boost mode)
* LCD size (where all contenders has using 3.0" even with higher resolution)

on image quality, E-3 will get a tough competition from A700 which quite impressive !

[veggiesosage]

Doesn't the Sony have 12MP? Also, would have been worth sticking the L10 in there too.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by veggiesosage

Doesn't the Sony have 12MP? Also, would have been worth sticking the L10 in there too.

Yes - the A700 resolution was mistakenly shown as 10MP. The Pixel pitch value was wrong too - now corrected! Thanks for pointing that out.

Haha! There wasn't enough room in the table to fit in another camera. But I have some ideas and will be doing a comparison tabel with the E-1 later - I'll be able to add the L10 to that.

Ian

[marcof]

Originally Posted by nikkorku

* MP resolution (Will 10 MP stand for the next 3 years ? )

of course not, but hey, olympus users need to have something to nag about a year after release. The E-1 was introduced with just 5mp at that time... too little compared to the competition too.. so, no news here

* ISO range (where D300 & A700 has reached 6400 on boost mode)

mwah, ISO3200 looks reasonable enough. Although I'm unsure wether this is a "push" ISO or true ISO (not that it really matters).

* LCD size (where all contenders has using 3.0" even with higher resolution)

yup, a detachable 4" LCD with multitouch and wireless connection to camera would be a much better option 8)

on image quality, E-3 will get a tough competition from A700 which quite impressive !

yes, otoh, olympus is the only brand that has an actual working anti-dust technique. nikon, canon and sony try, but can't deliver. This impacts image quality as well.

there's another mistake in the table: the E-3 has both CF and xD, not just CF

[Ian]

Thanks Marcof - I have added xD to the table.

Ian

[zuikonian]

It would be nice to see how each writes to supplemental card.
A)simultaneously to 2 cards (like I think Canon does)
B) write to primary (CF) then copy (1, all, selected) to 2nd card (XD) using menus/buttons as I understand E3 does
C) something else

While I am no fan of XD, I presume they use it for weight/space savings and of course we-invented-it-so-it-must-be-great spin. It would be really nice to have the option to write RAW to 4/8GB CF and drop lower res JPG on 2GB XD type H as one shoots each image. Better still would be 2 CF. My .02. Thanks for all your hard work.

[PeterD]

Ian,

Just spoken to the Olympus technical department.

They have confirmed that AF in live view is available. Your table has '?' against this feature. Also, the lcd screen will reproduce the image that would be saved if the shot is taken Tis includes white balance etc.

Kind regards

PeterD

[Ian]

Originally Posted by PeterD

Ian,

Just spoken to the Olympus technical department.

They have confirmed that AF in live view is available. Your table has '?' against this feature. Also, the lcd screen will reproduce the image that would be saved if the shot is taken Tis includes white balance etc.

Kind regards

PeterD

Actually, that category is for continuous live view AF, which no E-System camera offers - as far as I know only the Nikon D300 (and the D3) and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L10 offer this and only the L10 does it 'properly'.

So the table will need to be updated with a 'No' for that on the E-3 I'm afraid.

AF in live view mode is possible with the E-3 (and E-410 and E-510 - even the E-330, though the screen blanks IIRC), but only by freezing the scene while the mirror flips down and an AF lock is obtained conventionally. And you need to use the AEL/AFL button instead of the shutter release.

Ian

[PeterD]

Ian,

I am confused. This is a snip from the Olympus promotion:

'Meanwhile, the camera’s Live View capabilities provide the freedom to shoot with more versatility: Whether wanting to keep eye-contact with the subject or shooting above the head or close to the ground, compositions can be framed with ease on the 2.5”/6.4cm multi-angle HyperCrystal LCD, which also faithfully displays the effect of camera adjustments in real time.'

I thought this meant LIVE AF too. Perhaps you can check out this claim from Olympus. Or have I misunderstood the category and/or the Olympus claim?

Please excuse the questions as I am a novice and trying to learn.

Kind regards

Peter D