Olympus Evolt E-3 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with Mechanical Image Stabilization + Olympus Zuiko 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 Digital ED SWD Lens

by Olympus

Product Details

• Shipping Information: View shipping rates and policies
• ASIN: B000ZZV85Q
• Item model number: Evolt E-3
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #25,112 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: November 26, 2007

Product Description

Kit includes: 1) Olympus E-3 Digital SLR Camera; 2) Olympus 12-60mm Zuiko Digital ♦ The Olympus E-3 Digital SLR Camera features the world's fastest auto-focusing speeds thanks to an advanced AF system and new ZUIKO DIGITAL SWD (Supersonic Wave Drive) lenses. Matched with shutter speeds of up to 1/8000th sec. and 5fps sequential shooting (with a 19 image RAW buffer in burst mode), the E-3 gives photographers a crucial edge to help capture that decisive shot. Ensuring the best image quality in the widest range of situations, this professional model also incorporates a powerful built-in image stabilization system which is capable of compensating against the effects of camera shake to the equivalent of up to 5 EV steps. This is complemented by a 10 Megapixel High Speed Live MOS sensor and Olympus' TruePic III image processing engine. Together with the ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses, photographers can rely on optimal results each time. Meanwhile, the camera's Live View capabilities provide the freedom to shoot with more versatility: Whether wanting to keep eye-contact with the subject or shooting above the head or close to the ground, compositions can be framed with ease on the 2.5"/6.4cm multi-angle HyperCrystal LCD, which also faithfully displays the effect of camera adjustments in real time. Like all Olympus E-System cameras, the E-3 incorporates the most effective dust reduction system available - the Supersonic Wave Filter. ♦ The Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 SWD lens is a high-performance standard zoom lens that covers a zoom range equivalent to 24 to 120mm on a 35mm camera lens. This lens also boasts impressive close-up shooting capability, allowing users to shoot from as close as 25cm throughout the zoom range. The lens' autofocus is powered by Supersonic Wave Drive Technology. Designed to be the world's fastest AF system, this extraordinary autofocus drive provides both high speed and high precision while operating with lower noise than ever.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars These guys are crooks!, April 19, 2009

By 

B. Chaplin (Boston, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Olympus Evolt E-3 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with Mechanical Image Stabilization + Olympus Zuiko 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 Digital ED SWD Lens (Electronics)

This is a great camera and terrific lens. But for the unwary or uninformed: this price is beyond ridiculous. The E-3, body-only, goes for $1350 now, the Zuiko 12-60mm lens for less than $1000. How these folks are getting away with charging $5325 for the two I can't imagine.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars top tier peformer, June 24, 2008

By 

J. Janssen (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Olympus Evolt E-3 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with Mechanical Image Stabilization + Olympus Zuiko 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 Digital ED SWD Lens (Electronics)

I sat down prepared to write a long winded technical review of this camera/system and decided instead to briefly jot down why I bought it. This is just what was important to me and may or may not register with your values or needs. As a brief introduction I should say I've always had high end cameras but never considered myself a "shutterbug" and I truly hated carrying around a big bag of camera bodies and lenses.

First and foremost I've always considered a camera to be a fine instrument and desired precision engineering and permanent materials. In other words, an alloy body and fine detailing were more important to me than a gaggle of features that I probably wouldn't ever use. Secondly, I wanted premium glass in a minimal package of 2 or 3 lenses, also well crafted, and optically as perfect I could get. Third, I wanted an image stabilization function central to the camera itself and not reliant on a specific lens for its function and performance. Finally, I wanted an intuitive system that would allow me to take pictures without having to think like a software engineer. Based upon my criteria the Olympus E-3 met these requirements. Additionally, way back in my film past I had an Olympus OM4T that was one of my favorite film cameras of all time. I still regret selling it.

Functionally and ascetically the E-3 with the 12-60mm SWD lens has been a superlative performer. I recently added the 50-200 SWD and it's even better. Given the 4/3 system architecture this translates into 2 lenses overing 24 to 400mm (35mm equivalent) with razor sharp optics and true color fidelity yielding flawless enlargements up to 16x20; which is the largest I've made so far. Noise is non existent as long as "film speed" is kept under ISO 800.

The camera does everything I want it to do and does it extremely well. So, if you're not locked into an existing system (Nikon/Canon folk) and your want list incorporates some of the same criteria as mine, I'd highly recommend looking at this fine system. It's not cheap, but at least your paying for a fine system camera and not a lot of advertising hoopla.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Beyond rip off, July 4, 2009

By 

[e-mail] "Editor" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Olympus Evolt E-3 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with Mechanical Image Stabilization + Olympus Zuiko 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 Digital ED SWD Lens (Electronics)

A big rip off. If you go for this, you haven't done any shopping around. You can find this combo for HALF this ridiculous price.