Here are the specifications for the latest flagship digital camera for the PEN series of mirrorless interchangeable lens DSLR from Olympus. Although it looks similar to its predecessor, the PEN E-P3 features near instantaneous autofocus speeds, enhanced image quality and a more ergonomical user interface. The camera comes in black, silver or white.
The svelte Olympus PEN E-P3 with a 17mm lens.
The Olympus PEN E-P3 is a 12.3-megapixel entry-level DSLR camera which is more compact than traditional DSLRs because the design leaves out the mirror that channels the view through the lens to an optical viewfinder on top of the camera.
The LCD screen at the back of the camera shows a preview of the shot for framing and composition. An optional add-on electronic viewfinder is available for those who prefer to hold the camera to the face rather than at arms length.
A USB/AV out/remote control socket, and a mini-HDMI connector.
The micro four thirds format and size of the image sensor also contributes to the compactness, although some believe the smaller size of the sensor would slightly impact the image quality when compared with other DSLRs using the standard but slightly larger APS-C sized sensor.
The main highlight of the PEN E-P3 is the enhancement of the autofocus system, which has improved the autofocus speed by more than three times when compared to its predecessor.
I’ve tried it during the launch event for the product and the autofocus felt near instantaneous and impressive.
The details are below:
| Main Specs | |
|---|---|
| Price (Singapore) | to be announced |
| Effective megapixels | 12.3 |
| Monitor | 3-inch 3:2 OLED touch screen with 610k dots |
| Colours | Black, Silver or White |
| Movie | – HD 1280 x 720 @ 30fps (16:9) – SD 640 x 480 @ 30fps (4:3) |
| The juicy details | |
| Image stabilisation | – Photo: “Supersonic Wave Drive” in-body sensor shift (up to 3 EV stops compensation) – Video: Digital IS |
| Sensor | 4/3 inch hi-speed Live MOS sensor |
| File format (Photos) | JPEG, RAW, MPO (3D) |
| Largest photo size | 4032 x 3024 pixels |
| Image aspect ratio | 4:3, 3:2, 16:9, 1:1 |
| Video recording | AVCHD and AVI Motion-JPEG 1920 x 1080, 60i recording, 17 Mbps Frame rate: 30 fps Max length: 29 min, 4 GB |
| Image processor engine | TruePic VI |
| Auto focus | FAST AF system with 35-area multiple AF (Imager contrast detection) |
| AF assist lamp | Yes |
| Exposure modes | iAuto, Program AE (with shift), P, A, S, M, Art Filter, Scene select |
| Sensitivity | – Auto: ISO 200 – 12800 – Manual: ISO 100 – 12800 (adjustable in 1/3 EV step) |
| Metering modes | Digital ESP (324-area multi-pattern metering), Centre-weighted average, Spot (1%) |
| AE Bracketing | 2, 3, 5 or 7 frames |
| Exposure compensation | Up to +/- 3 EV in 1/3, 1/2 or 1.0 steps |
| Shutter speed | 1/4000 sec to 60 sec |
| WB | Auto, Sunny, Shadow, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom |
| Art filters | 10 (Pop Art, Soft Focus, Grainy Film, Pin Hole, Diorama, Dramatic, Pale & Light Color, Light Tone, Cross Process, Gentle Sepia) |
| Scene modes | 23 |
| Continuous shooting | – Sequential (3 fps) – Raw: max 8 frames – JPEG: Unlimited until memory runs out |
| Self-timer | 2 or 12 sec |
| Flash | – Built-in pop-up (GN10 at ISO 200 – Hotshoe for external flash |
| Viewfinder | Optional EVF |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Storage | SD (SDHC, SDXC) |
| Dimensions | 122 x 69.1 x 34.2 mm |
| Weight (excl battery and card) | 275g / 9.2oz. (incl. Battery and card) |
| In the box | Li-ion battery BLS-5, charger BCS-1, USB/Video multi cable, Shoulder strap, Software CD-ROM, Instruction manual. |
Tags: DSLR, E-P3, micro four-thirds, mirrorless, Olympus, PEN
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