Olympus Announces E-P3 Pen Camera

[Photo-John]

Olympus just announced a new flagship Pen camera, the E-P3. It got the same sensor treatment as the E-5 and the image quality is great! They're also claiming it has the world's fastest auto focus. No joke.

I've had a production E-P3 for a couple of weeks now and I've got a hands-on announcement article and video up:

Olympus E-P3 Pen Camera Hands-On Intro And Video >>

I'm pretty psyched about this one - especially since I've been considering a Pen fro my upcoming trip to Italy. There's no doubt about what I'm going to take now

Let me know if you have any questions!

[SmartWombat]

They still haven't put a fully articulated screen on it
So I still have a reason to buy Panasonic.

They put on all the touch activated gadgets I can't use because of my eyesight.
And then the tilting screen is on the E-PL3, and still not articulated.

So close to making me want one now, but not good enough to upgrade from the E-P1.

Mind you, that E-PM1 looks like a PEN trying to be a XZ-1

[Photo-John]

Mind you, that E-PM1 looks like a PEN trying to be a XZ-1

Yes it does. Or at least it does, until you put the XZ-1 next to it. The XZ-1 is still smaller. And the E-PM1 will have better image quality than the XZ-1.

[Anbesol]

I think the claim of worlds fastest has an asterisk, with variable-aperture kit lens being the isolated sampling of that claim. So, f/2.8 USM/SSM etc lens and f/2.8 crosshairs are not really accounted for here. Still, a pretty damned bold claim, I'm psyched to try it out as well.

I'm curious how they managed to get a distance reading on contrast detect, or does it just hunt really wildly until it finds a hard edge?

John, will you be using all M43 lens on your trip, or do you plan on bringing any other glass with adapters? The pen system really would be a sweet one for a trip to Italy.

[Greg McCary]

I was really surprised at the focus speed of the Nex. If Olympus has topped that with the IQ of the E5 they have really pulled one off. If they could come out with a lens as sharp as the 12-60mm for the m4/3rds they would have came along way for sure.

[Photo-John]

If they could come out with a lens as sharp as the 12-60mm for the m4/3rds they would have came along way for sure.

I keep telling them the lens I want is a Micro Four Thirds 12-60mm

[Anbesol]

John, I asked you a question....

[Photo-John]

John, will you be using all M43 lens on your trip, or do you plan on bringing any other glass with adapters? The pen system really would be a sweet one for a trip to Italy.

Just Micro Four Thirds lenses. The whole point is to keep the kit small. I am planning to take the 9-18mm, the 14-150mm, the 75-300mm and one of the fast primes. I will probably take a flash, too.

[buglinbilly]

John, I shoot mostly wild critters and I want a camera that I can use my Zukio lenses with that will take a better photo than a point and shoot and yet be as quiet to shoot as a p and s. Is this the camera I want. And does it have a view finder or just the screen?

Thanks, BB

[Anbesol]

Yes this camera is the ideal one for what you are describing, get the VF-2 viewfinder as an added accessory, does not include any EVF only LCD live view.

[Liz]

Olympus just announced a new flagship Pen camera, the E-P3. It got the same sensor treatment as the E-5 and the image quality is great! They're also claiming it has the world's fastest auto focus. No joke.

I've had a production E-P3 for a couple of weeks now and I've got a hands-on announcement article and video up:

Olympus E-P3 Pen Camera Hands-On Intro And Video >>

I'm pretty psyched about this one - especially since I've been considering a Pen fro my upcoming trip to Italy. There's no doubt about what I'm going to take now

Let me know if you have any questions!

For some reason this link is not working for me. I did a search - and checked the review/intro areas to no avail. Can anyone help?

Liz

[Anbesol]

try again.

http://reviews.photographyreview.com...ra-intro-video

[buglinbilly]

What are the main differences between this camera and the E-PL1? Is the E-PL1 as quiet as the E-P3? Does anyone know if they use the same battery and can one use the same filter on either camera? And what is the amount of difference in price? Would I be better off getting the EP3 vs. the E-PL1 for shooting wildllife photos. As a note most of the wildlife I shoot are truly wild and scare at the slightest nose if I am close, so that's why I am asking. My E-3 and My E-5 are just too noisy for close shooting.

Thanks in advance for any help. And a special thanks to Anbesol for all the question he answered.

Have a good one. BB

[Anbesol]

Quite a difference, build quality, AF speed, image processing, manual controls, etc. The differences are significant. The shutter on them are not exactly quiet, but will be less noisy than your DSLR without the mirror slap. The new 14-42mm has a different sized filter thread, but it looks like you already have plenty of really good glass, adapt that stuff on over to the Pen!

They both do use the same battery, the BLS-1...

Happy to help!