There is more to a camera than megapixels and sensor size. The EP3 does not have the most megapixels, or the biggest sensor, in the mirrorless interchangeable lens camera class. The Olympus EP3 does offer a big jump in image quality over ordinary compact digital cameras with their small sensors.
Olympus concentrated on usability issues with EP3, only improving the ISO range of the digital sensor. The highest ISO setting on the EP3 is now 12400, up from 6400 on the older EP2. The DxOMark comparison tests (at the bottom of the) article show the EP3's sensor is very similar in performance with the Olympus EP2. The only difference is all the tests for the EP3 have results for the higher ISO settings.
Interface and Touch Screen
The new EP3 from Olympus has a touch screen display and fast autofocus system.
When photographers use the iLive auto exposure mode they can make a range of image adjustments, such as colour saturation, using virtual sliders on the touch screen. The changes to the images are displayed on the touch screen, in what Olympus calls photo quality.
Another function of touch screen allows photographers to select a focus point and take the picture at the same time simply by tapping at the point displayed on the touch screen.
Fast Autofocus
According to Olympus the new TruePic VI processor and the FAST AF system, allows the EP3 to “focus quicker than any other camera with interchangeable lenses.”
The Olympus EP3 Has Real Controls
Olympus incorporated two adjusting dials on the EPS3‘s rear so photographers can use their thumb to fine-tune aperture and shutter speed. The settings are displayed on rear screen, or in the optional electronic viewfinder.
Photographers can speed up the picture taking process by programing the three customizable buttons with their most used functions.
Flash Options
Olympus have added extra versatility to the EP3 with the inclusion of a pop-up flash unit in the camera body, where the EP2 relies on an external flash. Popup flashes are
Olympus have a wide range of accessories for hot shoe and off camera flash combinations, making the EP3 a flexible photographic platform for a rage of photographic genres.
Lens Choice
One of the important attributes of this camera class is convenience and compactness. This impacts on lens choice. The everyday carry around lens needs to reflect these attributes as a camera is no use sitting at home in a cupboard.
The Olympus 17mm f2.8 prime fits these requirements as it is a very compact lens keeping the weight down and complementing the slim smooth styling of the EP3s body, allowing it to easily slip in and out of pockets and bags, making the combination convenient to carry. With the four thirds system crop factor of two, this lens is equivalent to a 34mm lens on a35mm SLR camera. This gives a mild wide angle view for a useful range of shots from scenery to small groups of people, making a a good general purpose lens. The relatively large f2.8 maximum aperture makes the 17mm better in low light with less image noise and better autofocus perfomance.
Olympus offer a 14-42mm f 3.5-5.6 zoom as the kit lens but the Olympus EP3 is available withe 17mm f2.8 as the kit lens instead.
For special situations the ability to change lenses allows a larger lens to be used. Olympus have growing range of lenses designed foe the micro four thirds mount system they share with Panasonic. This gives EP3 owners access to Panasonic micro four thirds mount lenses.
With an optional lens adaptor the Olympus EP3 can use full size four thirds lenses designed for Olympus DSLRs.
Add On Viewfinder
The accessory Electronic Viewfinder is a good idea when using telephoto lenses. It enables photographers to hold the camera properly forming the human tripod minimise camera shake. Even though the EP3 has image stabilisation in the camera body so it is applied to all lenses. As telephoto lenses are very prone to blur due to camera shake added measures are needed besides the Image stabilisation system.
Telephoto lenses are heavier than compact short focal length lenses and are difficult and tiring to hold when using the rear screen to take photos.
The EVF does ruin the slim lines of the EP3, but then again so does a large telephoto lens. These are occasions when photographers make the decision to carry bulky gear. This is one of the advantages of the interchangeable lens system, the cameras serve multiple purposes.
Olympus also have a special optical viewfinder matched to the view of the 17mm pancake lens.
Sensor Performance
While the DxOMark tests show the digital sensor in the EP3 is similar to the EP2 it replaces the results show where the EP3 fits in the digital camera hierarchy. It lags slightly behind Sony’s latest NEX-C3 mirrorless intechangeable lens camera for outright image quality.
However, the table below this article summarising the DxOMark results comparing the EP3 to top of the range compact digital cameras gives the EP3 a significant advantage.
Video recording
Olympus added the AVCHD movie format to the EP3, as well as AVI Motion JPEG. Photographers can now shoot 1920x 1080 high definition video for up to 29 minutes of continuous shooting. The maximum size for a movie file is 4Gb. The EP3 can record more video by using a number of separate takes that are saved in separate files. The limit here is the capacity of the SD memory card, but the EP3 is compatible with SDHC and SDXC high capacity memory cards, typically 34 or 64 Gigabyte cards are readily available.
The other constraints on movie recording is overheating of the digital sensor. This is more of a problem in larger sensor cameras primarily designed for still pictures. The heat builds up in the larger sensor and picture quality degrades. One way to help minimise the problem is a series of shorter takes, rather than one long single take.
The only video mode offered in the EP2 the is AVI Motion JPEG(30fps) with a maximum recording time of 7 mins for HD and 14 minutes in Standard definition.
Price and Availability
The PEN E-P3 kits are available with the body in classic black, white or silver from August 2011 for around $US899.99
Some retailers are offering the choice of the standard Olympus 14-42mm f 3.5-5.6 kit zoom or the 17mm f 2.8 lens for the same price.
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