Olympus E3
(The Olympus E3 currently typically sells for less than $1500)
If the E3 could read its own reviews, it might find itself with an identity crisis. Is it just for the pros, or is it a decent choice as an advanced-level consumer camera? It’s a tricky one.
When you pick it up, the E3 certainly feels like a (semi-)pro camera - it’s solid as anything. Picture quality is also pretty damn good, and you do get to choose from some fine lenses. So what’s the problem? For one thing, it’s far too expensive - for this kind of money, you can buy a Canon or a Nikon, which means you get a far bigger choice of lenses. Most importantly, however, is that the E3 is an incredibly fiddly camera. It is as if Olympus put one of their digital compacts in a copier and clicked ‘enlarge’, without stopping to think that perhaps what works for a compact doesn’t work for the slightly more serious photography crowd.
What the experts say…
CNET:
“Despite some interface quirks and a slightly awkward design, the Olympus E3 fares quite well against its midrange DSLR competition”. (full review)
PopPhoto.com:
Finalist, 2007 Camera of the Year. “This new Olympus flagship DSLR proves that the Four Thirds system has a bona fide place in the pro and advanced amateur photographer’s kit”. (full review)
PopPhoto.com
(in a different article): “If you want virtually total control, this is your camera”. (article link)
imaging resource:
“Billed as a pure pro camera, the Olympus E-3 is more comparable to the cameras that we’ve been categorizing as semi-pro. … Whatever you call it though, there’s no question that the new E-3 represents a sizable leap forward in technology and sophistication for the Olympus SLR line”. (full review)
DC Resource:
“This one’s for people who know what they’re doing”. (full review)
DP Review:
“If you want to shoot in dirty, damp or humid conditions the E-3 should be high on your shortlist.” (full review)
EPhotozine
“It’s a solid built model that handles well, menus are complex, but I’m sure anyone who’s already a regular Olympus digital User will soon get to grips and those who arent may just need some help from the manual for a few weeks.” (full review)
Photographyblog
“The amount of time you’ll spend penitently wading through the manual will reward you with some seriously good images.” (full review)
Made up your mind to buy the Olympus E3?
The links below take you directly to the Olympus E3 page of the retailers, and will help to find you the very hottest deals out there!
here