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Olympus E-3 Comparison Review

The Olympus E-3 is a DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera that was officially introduced in October 2007 and is equipped with a Four Thirds sensor. It offers a resolution of 10 megapixel.

camera

Is the Olympus E-3 a good camera? The E-3 has a Camera Elo of 1436. This rating puts the E-3 below average of all digital single lens reflex cameras. In terms of its sensor size category (Four Thirds cameras), the E-3 also ranks below average. Based on its within category standings, the camera earns a 2.5-star performance rating. – Well, the Olympus E-3 is more than 16 years old, and there have been many other good digital cameras released since 2007.

Headline Specifications
Olympus E-3
Digital single lens reflex
Four Thirds lenses
10 MP, Four Thirds Sensor
no Video
ISO 100 - 3 200
Optical viewfinder
2.5 LCD, 230k dots
Swivel screen (not touch-sensitive)
5 shutter flaps per second
In-body stabilization
Weathersealed body
750 shots per battery charge
142 x 116 x 75 mm, 876 g

Read on to find out more about the camera's size, sensor, features, reception by expert reviewers, and how it compares to other digital cameras.

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Body comparison with a credit card

An illustration of the physical dimensions of the Olympus E-3 vis-à-vis a credit card is provided in the side-by-side display below. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All width, height and depth measures are rounded to the nearest millimeter.

Olympus E-3 vs credit card front
E-3 versus credit card top view
E-3 and credit card rear side

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the Olympus E-3 alongside a set of similar cameras. If you want to review a particular camera pair side-by-side, just move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible comparisons there.

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Body Specifications
#   Camera
Model
Camera
Width
Camera
Height
Camera
Depth
Camera
Weight
Battery
Life
Weather
Sealing
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Olympus E-3 142 mm 116 mm 75 mm 876 g 750 Y Oct 2007 1,699ebay.com
2.
 
Nikon D300 147 mm 114 mm 74 mm 925 g 1000 Y Aug 2007 1,799ebay.com
3.
 
Olympus E-5 142 mm 117 mm 75 mm 873 g 750 Y Sep 2010 1,699ebay.com
4.
 
Olympus E-600 130 mm 94 mm 60 mm 535 g 500 n Aug 2009 449ebay.com
5.
 
Olympus E-620 130 mm 94 mm 60 mm 521 g 500 n Feb 2009 699ebay.com
6.
 
Olympus E-30 142 mm 108 mm 75 mm 701 g 750 n Nov 2008 1,299ebay.com
7.
 
Olympus E-420 130 mm 91 mm 53 mm 440 g 500 n Mar 2008 599ebay.com
8.
 
Olympus E-520 136 mm 92 mm 68 mm 535 g 750 n May 2008 699ebay.com
9.
 
Olympus E-410 130 mm 91 mm 53 mm 435 g 500 n Mar 2007 699ebay.com
10.
 
Olympus E-510 136 mm 92 mm 68 mm 538 g 750 n Mar 2007 799ebay.com
11.
 
Olympus E-1 141 mm 104 mm 81 mm 738 g 750 Y Jun 2003 1,699ebay.com
Note: Measurements and pricing do not include easily detachable parts, such as add-on or interchangeable lenses or optional viewfinders.
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The listed prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The Olympus E-3 was launched in the US market at a price of $1,699. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

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Sensor comparison with a 35mm slide

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. All other things equal, a large sensor will have larger individual pixel-units that offer better low-light sensitivity, wider dynamic range, and richer color-depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be more expensive and lead to bigger and heavier cameras and lenses.

The Olympus E-3 features a Four Thirds sensor and has a format factor (sometimes also referred to as "crop factor") of 2.0. Within the spectrum of camera sensors, this places the Olympus E-3 among the medium-sized sensor cameras that aim to strike a balance between image quality and portability.

Olympus E-3 sensor measures

Consistent information on actual sensor performance is available from DXO Mark for most cameras. This service assesses and scores the color depth ("DXO Portrait"), dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports") of camera sensors, and also publishes an overall camera score. The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

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Sensor Characteristics
#   Camera
Model
Sensor
Class
Resolution
(MP)
Horiz.
Pixels
Vert.
Pixels
Video
Format
DXO
Portrait
DXO
Landscape
DXO
Sports
DXO
Overall
1.
 
Olympus E-3 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.610.557156
2.
 
Nikon D300 APS-C 12.2 4288 2848none22.112.067967
3.
 
Olympus E-5 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 3024720/30p21.610.551956
4.
 
Olympus E-600 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 3024none21.510.354155
5.
 
Olympus E-620 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 3024none21.310.353655
6.
 
Olympus E-30 Four Thirds 12.2 4032 3024none21.310.453055
7.
 
Olympus E-420 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.510.452756
8.
 
Olympus E-520 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.410.454855
9.
 
Olympus E-410 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.110.049451
10.
 
Olympus E-510 Four Thirds 10.0 3648 2736none21.210.044252
11.
 
Olympus E-1 Four Thirds 4.9 2560 1920none20.09.7-14544
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.
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It should be noted that unlike many modern cameras, the E-3 does not provide the possibility to capture videos.

Feature comparison

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a range of features. For example, the E-3 has an optical viewfinder that provides a field of view of 100% and a magnification of 0.58x. The following tables report on some other key feature differences and similarities of the Olympus E-3 and comparable cameras.

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Core Features
#   Camera
Model
Viewfinder
(Type or
000 dots)
Control
Panel
(yes/no)
LCD
Specifications
(inch/000 dots)
LCD
Attach-
ment
Touch
Screen
(yes/no)
Max
Shutter
Speed *
Max
Shutter
Flaps *
Built-in
Flash
(yes/no)
Built-in
Image
Stab
1.
 
Olympus E-3optical Y2.5 / 230 swivel n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y Y
2.
 
Nikon D300optical Y3.0 / 922 fixed n 1/8000s 6.0/s Y n
3.
 
Olympus E-5optical Y3.0 / 920 swivel n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y Y
4.
 
Olympus E-600optical n2.7 / 230 swivel n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y Y
5.
 
Olympus E-620optical n2.7 / 230 swivel n 1/4000s 4.0/s Y Y
6.
 
Olympus E-30optical Y2.7 / 230 swivel n 1/8000s 5.0/s Y Y
7.
 
Olympus E-420optical n2.7 / 215 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5/s Y n
8.
 
Olympus E-520optical n2.7 / 215 fixed n 1/4000s 3.5/s Y Y
9.
 
Olympus E-410optical n2.5 / 215 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y n
10.
 
Olympus E-510optical n2.5 / 215 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s Y Y
11.
 
Olympus E-1optical Y1.8 / 134 fixed n 1/4000s 3.0/s n n
Note: *) Information refers to the mechanical shutter, unless the camera only has an electronic one.
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The LCD screen on the Olympus E-3 is flexibly attached to the body. In particular, the LCD is hinged on the side and can be flipped out for odd-angle shots in both portrait and landscape orientation. Also, this fully articulated, swivel type of LCD attachment is often appreciated by videographers for its flexibility. Moreover, v-loggers like the design because the screen can be turned to be front-facing.

articulated screen
Flexible screen on the E-3

One convenient feature of the E-3 is the presence of an on-board flash. While this built-in flash is not very powerful, it can at times be useful as a fill-in light to brighten deep shadow areas.

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Connection comparison

For some imaging applications, the extent to which a camera can communicate with its environment can be an important aspect in the camera decision process. The table below provides an overview of the connectivity of the Olympus E-3 and, in particular, the interfaces the cameras (and selected comparators) provide for accessory control and data transfer.

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Input-Output Connections
#   Camera
Model
Hotshoe
Port
Internal
Mic / Speaker
Microphone
Port
Headphone
Port
HDMI
Port
USB
Port
WiFi
Support
NFC
Support
Bluetooth
Support
1.
 
Olympus E-3Y- / ----2.0---
2.
 
Nikon D300Y- / ---mini2.0---
3.
 
Olympus E-5Ystereo / ---mini2.0---
4.
 
Olympus E-600Y- / ----2.0---
5.
 
Olympus E-620Y- / ----2.0---
6.
 
Olympus E-30Y- / ----2.0---
7.
 
Olympus E-420Y- / ----2.0---
8.
 
Olympus E-520Y- / ----2.0---
9.
 
Olympus E-410Y- / ----2.0---
10.
 
Olympus E-510Y- / ----2.0---
11.
 
Olympus E-1Y- / ----2.0---
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Further information on the features and operation of the E-3 can be found in the free online Olympus E-3 Manual or on the Olympus support site.

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Expert reviews

While the specs-based evaluation of cameras is instructive in revealing their potential as photographic tools, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the E-3 handle or perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. This is where reviews by experts come in. The table below summarizes the assessments of some of the best known camera review sites (amateurphotographer [AP], cameralabs [CL], digitalcameraworld [DCW], dpreview [DPR], ephotozine [EPZ], photographyblog [PB]).

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Review Scores
#    Camera 
 Model 
 AP 
 score 
 CL 
 score 
 DCW 
 score 
 DPR 
 score 
 EPZ 
 score 
 PB 
 score 
Camera
Launch
Launch
Price (USD)
Street
Price
1.
 
Olympus E-3..88/100..+ +o4/5 Oct 2007 1,699ebay.com
2.
 
Nikon D300..+ +..+ +5/54.5/5 Aug 2007 1,799ebay.com
3.
 
Olympus E-54/5....75/1004/54.5/5 Sep 2010 1,699ebay.com
4.
 
Olympus E-600..........4.5/5 Aug 2009 449ebay.com
5.
 
Olympus E-6203/588/100..72/1004.5/55/5 Feb 2009 699ebay.com
6.
 
Olympus E-30......71/1004.5/54/5 Nov 2008 1,299ebay.com
7.
 
Olympus E-420..85/100..+ +4/54.5/5 Mar 2008 599ebay.com
8.
 
Olympus E-520..87/100..+ +4.5/54.5/5 May 2008 699ebay.com
9.
 
Olympus E-410..86/100..+ +4/54.5/5 Mar 2007 699ebay.com
10.
 
Olympus E-510..89/100..+ +3.5/54.5/5 Mar 2007 799ebay.com
11.
 
Olympus E-1......+o.. Jun 2003 1,699ebay.com
Note: (+ +) highly recommended; (+) recommended; (o) reviewed; (..) not available.
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The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings were established in reference to similarly priced cameras that were available in the market at the time of the review. Hence, a score should always be seen in the context of the camera's market launch date and its price, and rating-comparisons among cameras that span long time periods or concern very differently equipped models make little sense. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

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Olympus E-3 FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the E-3.

What technology is the imaging sensor in the Olympus E-3 based on?

The camera has a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor at its core.

Which image processing chip is used in the Olympus E-3 to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?

Olympus equipped the E-3 with the TruePic III image processor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Olympus E-3?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 3200.

Does the Olympus E-3 have a selfie-friendly screen?

Yes, the LCD-screen of the E-3 is flexible and can be turned to be front-facing for capturing selfies.

What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Olympus E-3?

Olympus mentions a shutter rating of 150 000 actuations for the E-3. This number represents a Mean Time before Failure, that is an average value. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust the expected shutter life of the E-3 over, say, three years, one would have to take about 150 pictures each and every day.

How do I find the shutter count on my Olympus E-3?

Olympus embeds the number of shutter actuations in hidden menus. You can check the number of shots that your E-3 has taken up to now by carefully following the steps described on the Olympus E-3 shutter count page.

Does the Olympus E-3 feature an autofocus assist light?

Yes, the camera has a lamp built-in that can illuminate the subject and improve autofocus in low-light settings.

What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Olympus E-3 for flash photography?

The E-3's flash sync speed is 1/250 sec.

Which battery does the Olympus E-3 use?

The camera gets its power from the BLM-1 (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

Is there a vertical grip available for the Olympus E-3?

Yes, Olympus offers the HLD-4 as an optional accessory to facilitate shooting in portrait orientation and to provide additional battery power.

Camera to camera comparisons

In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities with other camera models, just use the search menu below. Alternatively, you can follow any of the listed hyperlinks for comparisons that others found interesting.

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    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Olympus E-3
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Four Thirds lenses
    Launch Date October 2007
    Launch Price USD 1 699
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology CMOS
    Sensor Format Four Thirds Sensor
    Sensor Size 17.3 x 13.0 mm
    Sensor Area 225 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 21.6 mm
    Crop Factor 2.0x
    Sensor Resolution 10 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 3 648 x 2 736 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 4.74 μm
    Pixel Density 4.44 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability no Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 3 200 ISO
    Image Processor TruePic III
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 56
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 21.6
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 10.5
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 571
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.58x
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 2.5 inch
    LCD Resolution 230k dots
    LCD Attachment Swivel screen
    V-logging Friendliness Front-flip possible
    Touch Input No touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking Feature
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000s
    Continuous Shooting 5 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy150 000 actuations
    Silent Shootingno E-Shutter
    Time Lapse Photographyno Intervalometer
    Image StabilizationIn-body stabilization
    Fill Flash Built-in Flash
    Storage Medium CF or XD cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Dual card slots
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0
    HDMI Port no HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi
    Body Specs
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed body
    Battery Type BLM-1 power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)750 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 142 x 116 x 75 mm
    (5.6 x 4.6 x 3.0 in)
    Camera Weight 876 g (30.9 oz)

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