Olympus E-3 audio comparison

[Four Thirds User editorial team]

Want to see an Olympus E-3 in action - and hear it at work? Watch our short video and compare its audible action with an E-1 and an E-510.

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[Den]

My E-1 started sounding vastly different after about 25000 shots or so (I have a newer one for direct comparison). As mine aged, the shutter sound became more muted, slacker somehow. I much prefer it to the newer E-1 which is why it always gets the most use...

The E-3 sound I don't like so much - a bit Canon-y to my ears - but maybe it'll sound different after a few thousand shots?

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Den

My E-1 started sounding vastly different after about 25000 shots or so (I have a newer one for direct comparison). As mine aged, the shutter sound became more muted, slacker somehow. I much prefer it to the newer E-1 which is why it always gets the most use...

The E-3 sound I don't like so much - a bit Canon-y to my ears - but maybe it'll sound different after a few thousand shots?

The E-3 sound is more solid and less metallic than a Canon 30D or a Sony A7 - believe me

But yes, the E-1 is smoother, no doubt about it. But I do like the E-3 sound; it's grown on me.

Ian

[Hans]

Oh, no!
I hope it doesn't sound that bad...sounds like my Bronica ETRS...clack!
Thanks for putting those up Ian. In the end it's still about IQ.

[jonr]

E-1 still has the most "sensual" sound.
E-3 seems to be inbetween of the E-1 and E-510... I hated the sound of my E-510...

[dsr1]

I'm thinking of changing to a DSLR. I shoot a lot of continuous shots at the ballet witl my V-LUX 1. After hearing the sounds of these, I'm wondering if I'll be able to do that with a DSLR. Doesn't the sound disturb others at plays and ballets?

DonR

[river5]

Is there a way to show us the E3 viewfinder Ian?

[giorgosmit]

Well, the E-3's sound is much less invasive than my E-500, which always reminded me of some pneumatic instrument (especially when the mirror returns to its position), and although the E-1 makes a more subtle noise still, I really do not mind about the E-3's noise.

[giorgosmit]

Well, the new digital SLRs have it much easier. An uncle of mine has a 30-year old Nikon FM (a FINE piece of engineering) and when THAT shoots it gets heard across the entire neiborhood.
Also, a year ago, when I was at Venice, a group of old tourists was wondering the streets carrying analogue Nikons, most of them F3. Well, you could hear them before you saw them. You just had to listen for a sound like raTATATATATATATATA. I swear they were making the canals ripple.

[zijon]

Originally Posted by Hans

Oh, no!
I hope it doesn't sound that bad...sounds like my Bronica ETRS...clack!
Thanks for putting those up Ian. In the end it's still about IQ.

It's a matter of taste. But I like the sound of E-3. It's a kind of classical SLR sound - short, clear, without mechanical rattles or electronic whistles. However, it's not so silent as I've expected. E-510 sounds not so clear, but the sound of E-1 is very unique - a kind of shy.