Olympus Digital SLR Cameras
A Review of the Top Two Models

Olympus E-520

Features - Average

Price - Low

The Olympus digital cameras are the most under-rated cameras and deserve alot more attention. They offer a wide array of Zuiko digital lenses, an outstanding and very high quality lens system. Their bodies are lightweight and weather sealed. They were one of the first to offer auto sensor cleaning. Here is a line-up of the unique features of the Olympus E-520:

• 10.0 MP
• live view
• image stabilization works with all Zuiko lenses
• four thirds system
• ISO Range 100-1600
• updated dynamic range capablities with shadow adjustment technology
• face detection

List price $550 body only.

Olympus E-520 Full Specifications

The Olympus E-520 digital single lens reflex (DSLR) camera delivers brilliant images thanks to advanced technologies that help take the blur out. Industry leading Image Stabilization built into the portable camera body compensates for movement so that images are sharp and blur-free with any lens and even at slow shutter speeds. Autofocus Live View brings subjects into sharp focus on the camera's HyperCrystal II LCD. Together, these technologies produce amazing results, along with the following features that further expand the DSLR experience:

* In-Body Image Stabilization with Supersonic Wave Drive technology provides blur-free images when using any of the more than 30 digital-specific lenses

* Face Detection Technology targets and locks on faces to ensure they are in focus and blur-free for amazing portraits

* Shadow Adjustment Technology opens up detail in the shadows that other cameras would render too dark orunderexposed while maintaining detail in the highlights

* Perfect Shot Preview enables photographers to view and select White Balance and Exposure Compensation effects right on the LCD, and see how the image will look before they even capture it.

* LCD screen Size 2.7"

* Display Screen Type Active Matrix TFT Color LCD

* Display Resolution 230000Pixel

* Camera Resolution 10 Megapixel Effective - 11.8Megapixel

* Image Formats RAW Jpeg

* Maximum Image Resolution 3648 x 2736

* Image Stabilization Optical

* Auto Focus Points 11

* Focus Modes Auto & Manual Focus

* Shutter Speed 60 to 1/4000 Second

* Flash Modes Auto Flash, flash on, flash off, red-eye reduction

* Memory Card Support CompactFlash (CF) Card

* Memory Card Support Microdrive

* Memory Card Support xD-Picture Card

* Exposure Modes - auto, program, aperture priority, shutter priority, manual, scene program, 21 scene select modes.

* Picture Modes - vivid, natural, muted, portrait, monotone, custom

* Drive Modes - Single-frame shooting, Sequential shooting, Self-timer, Remote control

* Approx. 3.5 frames/sec.

* Dimensions 3.6" Height x 5.4" Width x 2.7" Depth - Excluding protrusionsWeight 16.8oz - Body only

* Auto ISO 100 - 1600

* Manual ISO 100 - 1600, 1 EV steps

*Lens Mount - Four Thirds Mount

Olympus E-3

Features - Very Good

Price - Moderate to high

The Olympus E-3, the new flagship in Olympus’ Four-Thirds range is the successor to the 4 year old E-1 camera. Four years makes a big difference in digital equipment and this camera has no resemblance to its older version. It boasts the world’s fastest AF system and shutter speeds of up to 1/8000 sec and a totally weatherproof body; it could withstand a thunderstorm. The new Zuiko supersonic wave drive lenses have built in image stabilization. The camera has the following outstanding features:

• shoots 5 fps
• 10 megapixels
• tilt/swivel LCD with Live View
• rugged magnesium weather and dust-sealed body
• sensor-level mechanical image stabilization
• TruePic III image processing
• larger optical viewfinder with 100% field-of-view and 1.15x magnification
• sensor dust-reduction system
• 150,000 cycle shutter with a maximum speed of 1/8000th second
• separate processors for auto focus, image stabilization, and image processing

List price $1699 body only.

Olympus E-3 Full Specifications:

* Resolution 10.1 Megapixel

* Optical Sensor Type Live MOS

* Total Pixels 11,800,000 pixels

* Effective Sensor Resolution 10,100,000 pixels

* Optical Sensor Size 13.0 x 17.3mm

* Field of View Crop Factor 2

* Sensor Dust Reduction Yes

* Sensor Features Supersonic Wave Filter (SWF)

* Light Sensitivity ISO 100-3200

* Special Effects Monotone, Vivid, Custom Effect, Muted, Portrait* Image Stabilizer Optical (image sensor shift mechanism)

* Max Shutter Speed 1/8000 sec

* Min Shutter Speed 30 min

* X-sync Speed 1/250 sec

* Exposure Metering Multi-segment, center-weighted, spot

* Exposure Modes - Manual, aperture-priority, shutter-priority

* Exposure Range EV 1-20 ( ISO 100 )

* Exposure Compensation ±5 EV range, in 1, 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps

* Auto Exposure Bracketing 5 steps in 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV steps

* Exposure Metering Zones 49

* White Balance Custom, automatic, presets

* White Balance Presets Cloudy, tungsten light, flash, shade,fluorescent light (cool white), fluorescent light (daylight),fluorescent light (warm white), evening sun, 3000K - 7500K

*White Balance Bracketing Yes

* Still Image Format JPEG, RAW, RAW + JPEG

* Continuous Shooting Speed 2 frames per second, 4 frames per second, 3 frames per second, 1 frame per second, 5 frames per second

* Remote Control Optional

* Supported Flash Memory CompactFlash, xD-Picture Card, Microdrive

* Camera Flash Pop-up flash

* Guide Number (m / ISO 100) 13

* Flash Modes Fill-in mode, rear curtain sync, slow synchro, auto mode, flash OFF mode, red-eye reduction

* Red Eye Reduction Yes

* Features AF illuminator, flash +/- compensation, wireless off-camera control, flash exposure bracketing

* Lens System - Auto Focus TTL phase detection

* Auto Focus Points (Zones) 11

* Lens System Mounting Four Thirds

* Self Timer Yes

* Self Timer Delay 2 sec, 12 sec

* Flash Terminal Hot shoe

* Additional Features Direct print, USB 2.0 compatibility, RGB primary color filter, auto power save, DPOF support, IR filter , display brightness control, depth-of-field preview button, sharpness control, PRINT Image Matching, PictBridge support, histogram display, AE lock, AF lock, resizing an image, saturation control, splashproof, LCD live view mode, shadow point display, highlight point display, contrast control

* Viewfinder Type Optical - fixed eye-level pentaprism

* Field Coverage 100%

* Magnification 1.15x

* Dioptric Correction Range -3 to +1

* Viewfinder Frames Autofocus frame

* LCD Display Information Shutter speed, exposure compensation, AE lock, flash charge completion, aperture, frame counter, white balance, metering system, exposure mode, battery status, record mode, ISO sensitivity, AF lock

* LCD display - TFT active matrix - 2.5" - color

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