Olympus Announces E-30 Digital SLR
by Wesley Fink on November 6, 2008 3:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Digital Camera
CENTER VALLEY, Pa., November 5, 2008 – Through the centuries, legendary artists have expressed their individuality by relying on active imaginations and keen eyes to produce artistic masterpieces that alter reality to reveal a profound truth or feeling. The Olympus E-30 digital SLR (single lens reflex) camera is a powerful tool that takes the art of photography to new creative heights by offering the artistic freedom to capture what you see in your mind’s eye, not just what you see through the camera lens.
Like a brush stroking color across a blank white canvas, the E-30 delivers instant artistic gratification. Its ease of use and power to transform the everyday into something artistic will appeal to painters, graphic designers, illustrators and Web designers, those with an eye for fashion and artists from all walks of life, not just photographers. New Art Filters and Multiple Exposure change how we create images, unleashing a digital imaging experience unlike any other that produces striking works of art inside the camera without the need for costly computer image editing software.
E-30 Rounds Out Robust E-System DSLR Lineup
The E-30 fits in the spectrum of the E-System lineup above the E-520 as a mid-range advanced DSLR, while the E-3 remains at the top as the flagship Olympus DSLR. Beyond the new Art Filters and Multiple Exposure function, the E-30 delivers the same high-precision performance and imaging quality demanded by professional photographers who use the E-3, as well as the consumer-friendly features found on the E-520, and several new surprises all its own.
As with all Olympus DSLRs, the new camera provides advanced Dust Reduction and in-body mechanical Image Stabilization so that every Four Thirds lens is stabilized. The new camera also offers TruePic III+ Image Processor and Full Time Autofocus Live View. These features are coupled with a new 12.3-megapixel high-speed Live MOS image sensor to capture breathtaking images.
Adding to the line of Four Thirds-compliant lenses, the ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 II is also being announced today. It boasts high-speed Imager AF support for Live View shooting and a circular aperture mechanism for higher imaging performance. A versatile 28-108mm equivalent zoom range makes the new lens an ideal choice in a wide range of shooting situations, enabling users to enjoy the exaggerated perspective of wide angle shooting while providing telephoto power to zoom in for close-ups.
We Are the Visual Generation
The visual tastes of people of all ages are growing more refined as a result of art cinema and movies, music videos, television, video games, magazines, the Internet and online videos created in a wide array of visual styles. More distinct and artistic visuals are appearing everywhere, and the bar for creative images has been raised higher.
“The E-30 is the camera for people who are not content to simply capture and document a scene, but rather enjoy enhancing or customizing an image to make it their own,” said John Knaur, senior marketing manager, Digital SLR, Olympus Imaging America Inc. “The camera’s Art Filters and Multiple Exposure capabilities enable incredible individual artistic control over an image within the camera, in many cases eliminating the need for time spent applying image effects in the computer. Additionally, it delivers the same proven image quality of our E-System DSLR line.”
Art Filters Make Your Vision Come to Life
New to the E-30 is technology that conveniently helps photographers transform a basic image that faithfully represents the scene into an image that carries emotional impact. Olympus recognizes that some of the most iconic images ever captured were intentionally altered through exposures to render contrast beyond normal levels, or are alive with saturated colors or the gritty graininess of film. All have wonderful artistic merit.
The new Art Filters take this capability to a higher level, replicating these dramatic effects as you shoot using the Autofocus Live View LCD:
Ø Pop Art: Enhances colors, making them more saturated and vivid, creating high-impact pictures that express the joyful, lighthearted feeling of the Pop Art style of the 1960s.
Ø Soft Focus: Creates an ethereal, otherworldly atmosphere that renders subjects in a heavenly light without obscuring details.
Ø Pale & Light Color: Encloses the foreground of an image in flat gentle light and pastel colors reminiscent of a flashback scene in a movie.
Ø Light Tone: Renders shade and highlight areas softly to lend an elegant air to the subject.
Ø Grainy Film: Evokes the feeling of documentary footage shot in monochrome with grainy, high-contrast film.
Ø Pin Hole: Reduces the peripheral brightness of an image as though it were shot through a pin hole, connecting the viewer intimately with the subject at the center of the picture.
Art Filters are easily activated via the mode dial on the left side of the camera body, and the effects are viewable right on the new camera’s 100 percent accurate swivel 2.7-inch Live View HyperCrystal™ LCD when using the E-30 in Live View mode or when reviewing the captured image.
Multiple Exposures Create Something Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts
With the new camera’s Multiple Exposure function it is possible to alter space and time by combining images shot in different locations and moments, lending your photos another dramatic dimension. For instance, take one shot of the full moon with the E-30 and the image will appear on the camera’s LCD. Then take another shot while the moon still appears on the LCD and superimpose a close-up of an owl perched on a tree branch. The two images will merge together seamlessly to form one dramatic image that has the haunting effect of a Halloween night.
Or take a self-portrait posing far away from the camera, and then another close-up shot to capture you and your “identical twin” both in sharp focus. Wedding photographers can capture an image of newlyweds posing together and then overlay a portrait of the blushing bride and a shot of the sunset to create a lasting wedding memory. The creative possibilities are endless and only limited by your imagination. The E-30 can combine up to four images in a single photograph, overlaying various subjects to create a montage that blends all the elements together. Thanks to the new TruePic III+ Image Processor you are able to accurately compose, capture and combine your images on the fly directly on the camera’s LCD.
Digital Leveler
The E-30 is equipped with an internal Digital Level Sensor that detects the camera’s pitch and roll and indicates it in the optical viewfinder, on the control panel and during Live View operation. This Digital Leveler is a tremendous benefit for architectural photographers who must ensure that images they take of buildings are as centered and true as the walls of the buildings themselves. Rather than spend time rotating an image in computer software, you can use the new camera’s Digital Leveler to make sure your subjects are where they should be in the frame.
Superior Image Quality
The new camera’s high-performance 12.3-megapixel Live MOS image sensor delivers excellent dynamic range, accurate color fidelity and a state-of-the-art amplifier circuit to eradicate noise and capture fine image details in both highlight and shadow areas.
Its Live MOS image sensor is complemented by Olympus’ TruePic III+ Image Processor that produces crystal-clear photos using all the pixel information for each image to provide the best digital images possible with accurate natural color, true-to-life flesh tones, brilliant blue skies and precise tonal expression in between. TruePic III+ also lowers image noise in images shot at higher ISO settings, enabling great results in low-light situations.
Two Fast Autofocus Systems
Ø Fast Autofocus with AF Live View – When it comes to measuring camera speed, autofocus is a key factor. If a camera’s AF system does not meet photographers’ demands and lock focus accurately and quickly, they will miss shots regardless of the camera’s shot-to-shot speed or start-up time. Thanks to the new 14-54mm II lens with high-speed Imager AF, shooting with Live View is faster than ever – a key element in utilizing the new camera’s art filters. AF accuracy is further ensured by precise 11 point imager AF with the 12.3 megapixel Live MOS sensor; and
Ø Phase Detection AF – This 11 point twin cross sensor provides world-class fast and accurate focusing. The E-30 takes advantage of the SWD lens speed. The alignment of the optical axis from the lens to the AF phase detection sensors combined with accurate mounting of the sensors within the AF unit delivers accurate and fast focusing.
Swivel Live View LCD: Freedom to Move You
Unlike others with fixed LCDs, the new camera’s 100 percent accurate 270 degree swivel 2.7-inch Live View HyperCrystal™ LCD can be rotated freely so photographers can compose at tough angles, including overhead and down low, without feeling like a contortionist. Because Live View enables an E-30 photographer to communicate face-to-face with subjects and still have everything in the frame with the camera body out of the way, an encouraging smile or wink of the eye can be used with a shy or nervous subject to get the desired results.
During composition, settings like white balance and exposure can be selected, and their impact is seen instantly on the LCD, thanks to Live View. Real-time monitoring offers amazing versatility and creative control. The LCD displays 230,000 pixels in vivid color and includes HyperCrystal technology, which offers many times the contrast of conventional LCD monitors for easier viewing in both preview and playback. It also provides a wide viewing angle of 176 degrees, which ensures images can be composed from even the most obscure angles. The 2.7-inch LCD makes viewing icons and text on the camera’s menu a squint-free process.
Multi-Aspect Ratio Shooting
Since photography is a form of expression that is essentially based on clipping a scene, framing is an important component of style. The E-30 provides nine aspect ratios including the standard 4:3, as well as 16:9 for impressive, cinematic-style images, and 6:6, which is available with medium format cameras, plus 3:2, 5:4, 7:6, 6:5, 7:5 and 3:4. By selecting the aspect ratio before shooting and easily reviewing images on the LCD throughout the shoot, the Multi-Aspect function adds a new means of expression to your photography.
As with all Olympus E-System DSLRs, the E-30 offers the following features:
- Face Detection recognizes up to eight faces;
- Shadow Adjustment Technology controls highlights and shadow exposure automatically;
- Perfect Shot Preview shows how various settings will enhance the image before actually capturing it;
- Wireless Flash System provides control for multiple wireless flashes (FL50R or FL36R) without needing an external commander unit;
- Large Optical Viewfinder offers 98 percent field of view and 1.02 x magnification; and
- Proven Dust Reduction with SSWF (Super-Sonic Wave Filter) system cleans the tiniest particles of dust and dirt for spot-free images.
Availability
The Olympus E-30 DSLR will be available in January 2009. It includes E-30 Body, USB Cable, Video Cable, Li-Ion Battery Pack (BLM-1), Li-Ion Battery Charger (BCM-2), Shoulder Strap, OLYMPUS Master 2 Software CD-ROM, Manuals and Registration card. The ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 II lens will also be available in January 2009.
U.S. Pricing / Product Configurations
E-30 Body Estimated Street Price: $1,299
ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-54mm f2.8-3.5 II lens Estimated Street Price: $599
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jcbenten - Monday, November 10, 2008 - link
Interesting that the price for the E3 has dropped to $1299 on Amazon. Is the E30 designed to be a higher level camera? I know the sensor has more megapixels but are any sample shots available? I liked the design/ergonomics of the E3 but could not bring myself to pay full price 8 months ago.melgross - Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - link
The E-3 is their top model.http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_digi...">http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_digi...
computerfarmer - Sunday, November 9, 2008 - link
Unique features, higher ISO ability with this new(12.3mp) sensor and traditional style DSLR. Higher ISO ability is becoming more common than in the past. This sensor at 12.3mp is the same as the one in Panasonic G1 that has a 12.1mp(effective) sensor. This means the Olympus E-30 is using the full sensor as compared to the G1.3/4" size VS "C" does not mean anything unless there is a quality difference. This new 3/4" sensor does challenge the slightly lager "C" sensor in all areas of quality photos. Perhaps this will help lower the prices of Nikon and Canon?
The Camerea and kit lens look excellent.
melgross - Monday, November 10, 2008 - link
Challenge does not mean "equal".Smaller sensors will always be at a disadvantage when compared to larger sensors.
The reason why most point and shoot cameras have adopted a 4/3 format is because it requires fewer pixels. therefor, the sensor is cheaper to make. Since 8 x 10 is still a common format, as is 8.5 x 11, almost the same, it seems like a good idea.
Of course, long ago, minilabs, such as the one I had,went to the larger 6 x 8 format.
How are most people getting their prints these days? No consumer lab had printed 4 x 5's for many years. 3.5 x 5 was the popular format.
This equires a re-thinking.
The same thinking went into the 4/3 format from Olympus when they were first working on it.
In response to the "It's the same as APS-C in quality", I always bring up the point that when Olympus first had its ads for this, they said:
"A compromise between size, weight, price, and image quality".
These cameras were never intended to compete directly with the APS-C models.
he problem with it was that until now, with this new Micro camera size, the cameras were no smaller than the APS-C cameras, cost about the same, weighed about the same, but did have lower IQ.
These new models balance out the equation. The IQ remains the same, but the rest promised years ago is finally here, except for price, which is still much too high.
It's interesting that with the new red and blue models, they are acknowledging that sales of this camera isn't really to the serious amateur, but is rather an upgrade from the colorful point and shoots.
Better drop the list to $799 for those sales to materialize.
In todays market, even that may be too much.
computerfarmer - Monday, November 10, 2008 - link
melgros,I agree with your comment => Challenge does not mean "equal".
I am looking for a camera. I am reading as much as possible but do not have experience with good quality cameras. My camera is a Panasonic FZ8. The quality of this camera's photos are top's compared to my pocket camera. What I am looking for is to take the next step forward. I am not willing to spend more than $1000.
I like taking Macros of flowers, Zoom in on Birds and family photos.
Perhaps a Nikon D40X or D60
I need to know how much of a zoom a 45mm-200mm lens will give or is a Kit lens good for general photo taking.
Reviews are good but I need to learn more about every aspect.
I am taking between now and Spring to choose.
melgross - Tuesday, November 11, 2008 - link
It's not simple if you already have lenses, as many do.If you are starting from scratch, you have to decide what you will be taking pictures of most of the time, how important those pictures are, how large you will make them, etc.
Truthfully, if you shoot for yourself, and don't plan to print bigger than about 12 x 18, most any D-SLR is just fine, though I'd stay away from anything under 10 MP for that size.
When you check, you have to decide if you use flash whenever you are in low lighting, or prefer more candid photos, with no flash. If the latter, then you need to check the higher ISO quality. Noise becomes a distraction. some are better than others. That's one area in which the 4/3 format D-SLRs are behind. But, it may not matter if you always shoot at ISO 400 and below.
Zooms are pretty good these days, including the inexpensive ones, unless you plan on large prints of architecture, where they will fall down in quality.
I usually recommend two shorter zooms with some overlap, rather than one long zoom, because you rarely need the entire range, and they are smaller and lighter, which means you will be more likely to actually take the camera with you. They will also have better quality than the longer one, which will fall when you get to the longest lengths, and wide open.
A wide to short tele, and a short tele to long tele would be best.
But for macro, remember that most zooms don't get you that close. You could use an adapter, but then the quality drops further.
For macro, a lens labeled for that would be required, but again, some less expensive zooms may call themselves macros, but aren't really.
A good place to go for quality, but not too technical reviews of lenses and cameras (and articles) is:
http://www.popphoto.com/">http://www.popphoto.com/
For more technical info along with good reviews, and articles, and a tremendous database of past tests:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/">http://www.steves-digicams.com/
There are quite a few more.
computerfarmer - Tuesday, November 11, 2008 - link
melgross, Thank you for the info.I am now off to visit the sites you posted.
Most of my photos are flowers(up close) and people, in and out doors. Most photos are printed no larger than 8 1/2 x 11 inches.
I was looking at a Canon EOS 450D with the kit lens EF-S 18-55mm.
melgross - Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - link
You're welcome. That should work just fine.ste76 - Friday, November 7, 2008 - link
Alot of people seem to think that an APS-C sensor is much bigger than the 4/3 sensor used by both Panasonic & Olympus, but in reality the 4/3 sensor is only "slightly smaller"Noise level's wise you would be hard pushed to tell the diffrence from ISO 100-400, it's only from IS0 800 onwards were slightly more noise creeps in on the 4/3 sensor but as most people print 8x10 or 12x10 even then you be hard pushed to see anything unless you pixel peep or view pictures at 100% or print poster size which 99% of hobbyist don't.
One of the problems Olympus do need to sort out thou is banding at ISO1600+ pictures need to be exposed correctly to avoid this, were as the Nikon & Canon APS-C camera are abit more forgiving.
Another problem is the lack of DR thou not as bad as it once was even with the current E-420/520 & E-3 DR is still around 0.7 of a stop less than say the Nikon D90/D300 & Canon 40/50D so highlights can be easily blown and shadow detail lost on thou really bad contrasty days but in reality if you don't know what your doing even with both Canon & Nikon you can still blow & loose detail.
But as the 4/3 sensor get better with every new sensor released both Noise & DR get better to.
This new Panasonic 12.3mp sensor is reportly have much better noise control and much better DR than the current 10mp NMOS sensor.
The E-30 has alot of features not found on similar priced DSLR's & if the new 12.3mp sensor lives up to it claims of both less noise at high ISO & greater DR then Olympus will have a good seller on it's hands once the price comes down abit.
jcbenten - Friday, November 7, 2008 - link
Am I missing something? What is the benefit to a 4/3 sensor vs. APS-C?Oly needs to drop the price to $1K and give the E-3 a FF sensor or they will quickly become irrelevant.