Olympus E-1

A competitive edge

Near enough is never good enough for Olympus. And with the Olympus E-System, no compromise has been made.

Gone are the days when photographers had to contend with hindrances due to using lenses that were not originally designed for use with their camera backs. Problems such as a loss to wide-angle capability, insufficient lens resolution and cornershading are a thing of the past. The Olympus E-System adheres to the guidelines defined by the Four Thirds Standard that regulate type and diameter of the lens mount as well as the size of the image sensor and the flange back distance. These guidelines not only guarantee complete lens interchangeability between any manufacturer complying with the set norms but also enable production of lenses fully optimised to digital camera requirements.

A five megapixel 4/3-type CCD ensures the light transmitted by the lens is captured in flawless detail. But it is not the pixel-count alone that is responsible for the professional image results. Unlike most digital cameras, the Olympus E-1 utilises a Full Frame Transfer CCD sensor, a type specifically developed for the capture of still images. In comparison to Interline Transfer counterparts found in the majority of digital models, the FFT-CCD is distinguished by a larger pixel area, with bigger photodiodes and transfer channels. This means more electrons can be captured. A high signal/noise ratio can therefore be achieved together with a wider dynamic range. Final images benefit from more exposure latitude, greater detail and less noise.

The Olympus E-1 solves a problem that has long been an Achilles heel of interchangeable lens-type digital SLRs – dust contamination of the camera insides from changing lenses. The Supersonic Wave Filter causes an ultra-high-speed vibration to occur, making dust and/or other particles literally fall off the imager, which are then captured on a special adhesive tape. This function is invoked at each start-up of the camera but may also be manually effected.

Designed to be a trusted, dependable companion, this digital SLR camera features a high-endurance focal plane shutter. Outstanding accuracy at any of the exposure speeds ranging from 1/4,000 sec to 60 sec is assured - and that for a guaranteed minimum of 150,000 releases.
Thanks to dual USB2.0 and IEEE1394 interfaces, PC connectivity is easy and extremely versatile. The Olympus E-1 is the first digital SLR camera to incorporate both of these interfaces. Users will therefore not be hindered by long waiting times while their image files are downloaded.

Unrestricted photographic satisfaction

Of course, while the Olympus E-System breaks convention in many respects, in others, it hones and fine-tunes aspects necessary for professional shooting and handling.

The Olympus E-1 is a camera ready for all assignments bar none. Its robust die-cast magnesium-alloy body is not only tough, it is also light. In fact, the camera body weighs in at just 660 g – enough to give a very solid feel, yet still the lightest model among all current professional digital SLRs with interchangeable lenses. As with the ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses, the Olympus E-1 also boasts a splash-proof design so that photographers can continue shooting while their lesser-equipped colleagues have already sought cover from the elements.

A bright, quick-return mirror viewfinder gives pros the best view for precise framing. Enabling a viewing field of approximately 100% plus providing full photographic information, complete control is assured at all times.

The high-speed 3-point TTL phase difference detection autofocus system has a wide range of 0 to 19EV (ISO 100). Manual and automatic selection of the AF zones is possible. Users can choose single or continuous autofocus to meet their needs. In continuous mode, the AF system is capable of following subjects travelling at up to 50 km/h. As well as full manual focusing, fine manual adjustments to the autofocus values can be made. The ergonomic merit of the camera system is further substantiated with the possibility to adjust the focus ring direction.

For exposure metering, the Olympus E-1 features a 3-zone multi-pattern sensor system. Photographers can chose between electronic spot metering (ESP), centre-weighted average and spot metering. P/A/S/M modes are on hand to suit the situation. A Program Shift function is available that enables the optimal EV value to be retained while adjustments to shutter speed and aperture are made. Bracketing of three or five frames can be undertaken in 1/3, 1/2 or full step increments.

Versatility is a recurring theme with the Olympus E-1. High ISO equivalent sensitivity values of between 100 and 3,200 ISO can be selected. With its hybrid detection system using a dedicated white balance sensor and the image sensor, automatic white balance is incredibly accurate. The pre-set white balance features very detailed steps of approximately 300°K which can additionally be compensated by two mired steps. A white balance compensation function is available too. Furthermore, the Olympus E-1 has two colour space settings: Standard RGB for most applications and Adobe RGB which has a wider range for offset printing in particular.

For many photographers, speed is the key. That’s why the Olympus E-1 is equipped with three powerful ASICs. This ensures extremely fast image processing and playback. No matter which quality mode or resolution is chosen, thanks to an impressive 128MB buffer, up to 12 frames of sequential shooting can be captured at 3fps in every format (JPEG/TIFF/RAW).

The Olympus E-1 features a CompactFlash slot for image storage. It is compatible with both CF cards of up to more than 2GB and Microdrive. The use of xD-Picture Cards by means of the optional CF adapter is possible too.

Because this camera is an authentic work tool, Olympus realises that photographers cannot afford any time out when it comes to firmware upgrades. That is why the Olympus E-1 provides the possibility to undertake these directly via an internet upload.

Elite hardware deserves exclusive software

Befitting the excellent craftsmanship and functions of the camera, Olympus also introduces an entirely new software with the Olympus E-1 that is far beyond a regular browsing application. The included OLYMPUS Viewer software aids the professional’s workflow considerably. Some of the features are:
A light box tool & tag function allowing two/four similar images to be easily
compared and categorised.
Batch processing so that a range of editing procedures can be carried out on a whole
group of images at the same time, such as adjusting the colour tone.
RAW batch processing of a number of files at once so that they are converted to TIFF or JPEG format in one run.

A complete system of accessories for professional photography

But the FourThirds concept does not merely comprise of a camera. A whole system of accessories exists to provide serious photographers with the solutions to their needs – whatever these may be. Besides the ZUIKO LENSES, there is a large and growing list of accessories available for all areas of professional digital SLR photography. Among these are:

Flash units
FL-50 high-power flash (up to GN50) with SuperFP mode
Ring flash (available shortly)
Twin flash (available shortly)

Power supplies
Power Battery Holder HLD-2 for the BLL-1 lithium-ion battery
Battery Pack BLL-1 high-capacity 3400mAh lithium-ion battery
Battery-Charger BCL-1 dedicated BLL-1 battery charger
AC Adapter AC-1

Four Thirds is the first professional standard for digital SLR photography. By setting standards on three levels – mechanical, optical and communication – it maximises the performance of camera body, image sensor and lenses. The Olympus E-1 is the first and currently the only camera to make use of the advantages of this new standard.