Olympus Evolt E-3 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with Mechanical Image Stabilization (Body Only)

#1: Olympus Evolt E-3 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with Mechanical Image Stabilization (Body Only) Reviews!

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On my first day of field use the lens cap fell and broke. The second day of field use, the flash hotshoe cover was missing. On the third day, the remote cable cap was missing. The only cap that stayed on so far is the flash remote cap. When I googled online to replace these caps, I found out many users like me have problem about caps falling. Olympus caps is not covered by the warranty, so they referred me to their parts store. Check comments for the links.

Be careful about these caps because the weatherproof feature,the main reason I purchased the camera, is only good when these caps are on. When I unknowingly lost my remote cable cap, my camera malfunctioned when it got splashed on. My camera won't stop shooting and non of the buttons and screen worked. I have to prematurely end my picture taking for the day. When the camera dried off the next day, it worked normal again. Without E-3's weatherproof feature, I would settle with half the price DSLRs that can take just as good photos. I think Olympus need to improve their caps from falling off.

Other improvements I would like to suggest is first, auto focus capability for lcd screen use. The worlds fastest auto focus will only work when optical view is used. Without it, I have to look back and forth from my optical view and lcd screen. Or I can use the lcd screen all the way, but do everything manually. I aim through my optical view and see the results on my lcd to make sure there's no overexposure, underexposure or out of focused pictures. It would really be easier if I can use the lcd screen all the way just like point-and-shoot cameras. Second , the optical view does not work when the lcd screen is being used. I think it would be great if I have the option to use both optical view and lcd screen simultaneously, so I can use the live view facing to my subject while I use the optical view just like a video camera with articulating screen. Third, I think it would also great if the buttons were bigger for users wearing thick gloves. Fourth, many people say it is heavy and bulky but I don't think it is a major draw back. If olympus can make this camera smaller without compromising its features that would be great. But if not, this disadvantage won't stop me from puchasing this item.
Last, capability of taking a video like Canon Mark II and Nikon D90 would be a great option.

I gave E-3 four stars because I love the weatherproof feature, articulating screen (you can take photos of the eifel tower with you in it! Place this camera closest to the ground, zoom out, and use the articulating screen to aim), fast auto focus when paired with 12-60mm, and the lens options. If the recommendations are addressed mentioned above or at least have better caps and have an auto focus capability when lcd is used like the point and shoot cameras, I'd give this camera a 5 star.

Olympus Evolt E-3 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with Mechanical Image Stabilization (Body Only) Features

• 10-megapixel Live MOS image sensor captures enough detail for photo-quality 18 x 24-inch prints
• 2.5-inch Live View LCD display; magnify directly on the LCD by 5, 7, or 10x
• Mechanical Image Stabilization with Supersonic Wave Drive
• Exclusive dust-free technology for spot-free photos
• Capture images to CompactFlash Type I/II, Microdrive, xD-Picture Card (Dual-Slot)

Customer Reviews

Great colors, rugged camera, a workhorse, ideal for travel - Luca P.C.P. - Mountain View, CA
I have had my E-3 for two years now. It is a fantastic camera, and a real workhorse.
The E-3 has an external white balance sensor, and in part due to that, in part due to the famed Olympus color processing, the photos it takes have wonderful color -- both natural, and incredibly pleasing.
The low-light sensitivity is perhaps not on par with other cameras: I find it acceptable up to ISO 1250 only. On the other hand, the image stabilization system (in-camera, works with every lens) works very well, and I can take sharp pictures (even when viewed at 1:1 magnification) with shutter speeds down to 1/10s.
The camera is fast and responsive, the viewfinder is large, and provides full information.
I bought this camera with the Olympus 12-60 lens, but lately, I prefer the 14-54 on it as my standard lens: it is lighter, it gives more working distance for macro photos, and it balances a bit better.
The camera, and the lens, are sealed against rain, dust, and humidity. I think this combo is an ideal travel camera. The lens is equivalent to 28-108 in 35mm format, it is bright (f/2.8-3.5), and it has excellent macro capabilities. The overall set is resistant to weather -- it is something you can put into your backpack, and be able to rely upon regardless of the conditions in which you will be shooting.
I use mostly the RAW format, processing RAW files with Olympus Studio or Capture One (LightRoom is not as good with respects to color rendering, for the Olympus E-3).
However, even the out-of-camera JPGs are very good.
Overall, I highly recommend this camera: a dependable workhorse, with high-quality versatile lenses, that just keeps delivering outstanding results.