Time to buy the E-3?

[lokedhs]

Hi all, this is my first post to this forum.

I've had my first DSLR for some time now, the E-510. I have a few lenses and I like the kit very much. However, I have reached the point where I feel that I would benefit from the features that the E-3 has. I.e. better controls, and faster AF.

However, since the E-3 has been out for a while, and the sensor seems to be pretty much the same as my E-510, I'm wondering if anyone has any expience going from the E-5xx to the E-3 and if it's really worth it?

Also, should I expect Olympus to release a successor to the E-3 any time soon? If they do, I'm not sure it's the right time to buy one.

[diCam]

Originally Posted by lokedhs Hi all, this is my first post to this forum. I've had my first DSLR for some time now, the E-510. I have a few lenses and I like the kit very much. However, I have reached the point where I feel that I would benefit from the features that the E-3 has. I.e. better controls, and faster AF. However, since the E-3 has been out for a while, and the sensor seems to be pretty much the same as my E-510, I'm wondering if anyone has any expience going from the E-5xx to the E-3 and if it's really worth it? Also, should I expect Olympus to release a successor to the E-3 any time soon? If they do, I'm not sure it's the right time to buy one.

You buy camera based on what you would need.

I'd used E-510 and now using E-3. It's a good camera to use IMO. It has not failed me since day 1. Coupled with 12-60 SWD and 50-200 SWD this combination addressed most of my day-to-day photography needs. The price of the body is sweet at this point of time. Check it out with the dealer.

[lokedhs]

Originally Posted by diCam You buy camera based on what you would need. I'd used E-510 and now using E-3. It's a good camera to use IMO. It has not failed me since day 1. Coupled with 12-60 SWD and 50-200 SWD this combination addressed most of my day-to-day photography needs. The price of the body is sweet at this point of time. Check it out with the dealer.

Thanks for the information. It seems as though I'm in a simular situation as you. Do you use any flash with it? I use the FL-36 right now, but I need something that charges faster.

[isaryan]

FL-50R is what you need. You mentioned faster flash recharge rate. maybe you can utilize the remote flash control as well.

[headfonz]

do you need the E3's tank like build quality? if you don't have HG, SHG lenses and do not see yourself in situations where the E3's environmental seals and tough construct is essential, I suggest that you consider the E30 too. the NMOS / Live-MOS sensor performance has been refined over the previous 3 generations (E330 - E410/510 - E3).

I was an early adopter of the E510, it has served me very well and i eventually outgrew the camera and needed a high performance camera. the toss up was between the E3 and E30. i do shoot nature macro stuff so the improvement of the E30 (resolved banding issue) sensor tipped the scale to the E30.

after 2 full mornings of shooting, 1 macro shoot and 1 street walkabout. i am very impressed with the E30, esp the way it handles. the E3 still has better ergonomics but the E30 is not far behind. the sensor performance has exceeded my expectations and i'm very pleased with the results i am getting (no more banding in dark backgrounds!)

although the body only price of the E30 is higher then the E3, the bundles can be quite attractive. i was quoted between $1550 - $1580 for the E30 body and $1450 - $1499 for the E3. i got the E30 + 14-54 mkII bundle at $2100 (6 days ago). sold the 14-54mkII at $750 so my E30 costs me only $1350. if you intend to upgrade your lenses too, perhaps this can be an option for you to consider too.

[blurboiboi]

good time to get a second hand e3...
the only downside i find about the e3 is i find the body heavy especially when I am in the forest chasing after butterflies most of the time with it....

[harper]

upgraded from 510 to e3...

the body and handling is just great. now holding my 510 it feels like a "toy".

[Hitman]

Originally Posted by lokedhs ..... Also, should I expect Olympus to release a successor to the E-3 any time soon? If they do, I'm not sure it's the right time to buy one.

Other have said their piece, but I'll still add my 2 cents worth.

I upgraded from the E-520 to the E-3 recently. No regrets, the handling of the camera is excellent, and so is the image quality. Coming from the E-520, the viewfinder on the E-3 is a revelation, I fell in love instantly! Combine it with the 12-60 lens, it's a speed demon (compared to the E-520), and this combo will take you places - wet or dry!

At the current pricing, it's a steal! Even if the E-3 successor really appears towards the end of this year, the E-3 that you buy today is still very much a good computer, oops, I mean camera, that will continue to take excellent images for the years to come.

Having said all that, I still recommend that you go to your friendly neighbourhood store to hold and have a feel of the camera. Coming from the E-510, you will initially feel that the E-3 is big and heavy, but after handling it for a while, you'll begin to appreciate the controls and grow to like the ergonomics.

[shengliang1981]

I have upgraded from E510 to E3. In my opinion, everything about the E3 is better than the E510 except the weight and the strong anti-alias filter (causes the image to look a bit blur).

I am still missing the super sharp images that I used to get with the E510. I hope the E3 successor will use a less aggressive AA filter like the E510.

[egnaro]

Mi oso from E510 to E3!!!

no regret!!

[diCam]

Hey lokedhs, if possible, I'd suggest that you pay a visit to OSC. There is a E-3 mounted with 12-60 SWD on display. You can have hands-on with the assistance of their CSO.

[rez610]

Hi,

i also upgraded from the e-420 to e-3. It's seems that when i go out to events -- it gives me much more confidence to use And the pictures are better also!

[kuanwk]

Originally Posted by blurboiboi good time to get a second hand e3... the only downside i find about the e3 is i find the body heavy especially when I am in the forest chasing after butterflies most of the time with it....

from my observations, the monopod giving u more probs than the e3.. 8)

[burrbrown]

as i was in this E510 user group too, i dun know which one should I get, E3 or the E30 in future?

i like E3 fast focus, weather sealed, and very solid build. but as said the E3 pictures seems will be softer than E510, is it due to jpg format or must sharpen it in raw converter?

I had get used to E510 sharp picture so i may be spoilt haha

And how about the E3 high ISO noise compare to E30? Quite frequent i used up to 800 or 1600, which E510 produce very noisy and with banding problem pictures. then no choice its usable up to ISO400 only, what a pity......

my priority are : focusing speed > high iso noise > weather sealed > pic sharpness

Please give me ur advise

[aryanto]

Originally Posted by burrbrown as i was in this E510 user group too, i dun know which one should I get, E3 or the E30 in future? i like E3 fast focus, weather sealed, and very solid build. but as said the E3 pictures seems will be softer than E510, is it due to jpg format or must sharpen it in raw converter? I had get used to E510 sharp picture so i may be spoilt haha And how about the E3 high ISO noise compare to E30? Quite frequent i used up to 800 or 1600, which E510 produce very noisy and with banding problem pictures. then no choice its usable up to ISO400 only, what a pity...... my priority are : focusing speed > high iso noise > weather sealed > pic sharpness Please give me ur advise

Hmmm why high ISO noise? do you really need it?
Like that then you should consider Nikon D3x

[diCam]

Originally Posted by burrbrown as i was in this E510 user group too, i dun know which one should I get, E3 or the E30 in future? i like E3 fast focus, weather sealed, and very solid build. but as said the E3 pictures seems will be softer than E510, is it due to jpg format or must sharpen it in raw converter? I had get used to E510 sharp picture so i may be spoilt haha And how about the E3 high ISO noise compare to E30? Quite frequent i used up to 800 or 1600, which E510 produce very noisy and with banding problem pictures. then no choice its usable up to ISO400 only, what a pity...... my priority are : focusing speed > high iso noise > weather sealed > pic sharpness Please give me ur advise

If focusing speed and high ISO noise performance is your top priority then you should really look elsewhere.

By the way, I've experience in using virtually every E-System dSLR, images produced by E-3 are never soft. It produces images akin to film effect/feel.

[srinivasanj]

Am gonna wait for the E-3 successor. An improved image engine (TruePIC IV or whatever) would bode well with controlled noise output.

Additionally, the E-30 seems to have addressed some problems that the E-3 was facing (especially banding and the high ISO output).

Right now I have the 510 and I have been considering upgrading and wanted to move up to the E-30. This camera has impressed me a lot. The Art filters are not something that appeal hugely to me but then again its something on top of what is required and I can do without using them.

There would be a certain amount of expectation from a flagship model replacement and Olympus hardly disappoints.

[burrbrown]

Originally Posted by aryanto Hmmm why high ISO noise? do you really need it? Like that then you should consider Nikon D3x

base on my usage may be its about 30% night shot and the rest is day shot. Although its not terrible hunger for it but somehow i prefer without too much noise reduction in pp.

Talk about possibility to jump over to another ship? ha ha i think at this stage no need la, i am learning taking photos so still can live with a little noisy picture

Unless i strike toto then another story haha

Originally Posted by diCam If focusing speed and high ISO noise performance is your top priority then you should really look elsewhere. By the way, I've experience in using virtually every E-System dSLR, images produced by E-3 are never soft. It produces images akin to film effect/feel.

I had try my friend D80 with kit lens the focusing speed compare to E510 + kit lens is like heaven and earth lol

Due i like oly colors and ZD lens, think i will stay longer in this camp

Anyone can comment about E3 usable highest ISO for low light condition?
For me I feel E510 is up to ISO400 only..... after that will be too noisy

[K3N]

Originally Posted by lokedhs Hi all, this is my first post to this forum. I've had my first DSLR for some time now, the E-510. I have a few lenses and I like the kit very much. However, I have reached the point where I feel that I would benefit from the features that the E-3 has. I.e. better controls, and faster AF. However, since the E-3 has been out for a while, and the sensor seems to be pretty much the same as my E-510, I'm wondering if anyone has any expience going from the E-5xx to the E-3 and if it's really worth it? Also, should I expect Olympus to release a successor to the E-3 any time soon? If they do, I'm not sure it's the right time to buy one.

There are rumours that the E-3 has been discontinued. In terms of timing, I think prices have gone down quite abit especially compared to when it was launched.

[bousozoku]

I got an e-mail from Adorama that the E-420, E-520, and E-3 had dropped in price, so one might assume that they're all going to be replaced shortly. The only thing that makes it confusing is the naming of the E-620. Maybe, it will be like the E-400 and be short lived.