Olympus E-300 SLR Review



First sample photos posted 12/20/2004
Final review posted 02/07/2005
Click on the E-300 to take a QuickTime VR tour
The EVOLT doesn't look like other digital SLRs because Olympus has eliminated the bulky pentaprism found on the top of traditional SLR cameras. The EVOLT uses a new Olympus TTL Optical Porro Finder coupled with a side-swing mirror box, that gives the camera its unique "flat-top" appearance. Subjects framed within the EVOLT's optical viewfinder are 94% centered for accurate composition. And because it's an SLR, when you look through the viewfinder you're seeing the subject exactly as it will be photographed. Most other digital SLR cameras use traditional 35mm film lenses which deliver insufficient light at the edges of a digital camera's image sensor. This can result in reduced sharpness and color definition, particularly when shooting with wide-angle lenses. The EVOLT does not have this problem, it accommodates the full line of interchangeable Zuiko Digital Specific Lenses™ designed specifically for digital capture. You don't need a degree in photography to shoot like a pro with the EVOLT. Programmed Auto Mode lets the EVOLT do all the thinking for you and selects just the right settings for any given situation. Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual Modes allow you to take control of the EVOLT to customize the camera for the ultimate in artistic expression. Select from one of the camera's 5 quick-access Scene Program Modes on the dial, or get creative with 15 Select Scene Program modes within the menu that make it easy to get the results you want, whenever and wherever you want them. The Olympus TruePic TURBO Image Processor enhances processing speed for more responsive camera operation. More than just speeding up image data processing for the large image files generated by this 8.0-megapixel digital camera, TruePic TURBO also improves overall camera responsiveness and operating ease. The 64MB memory buffer and separate working memory lets you shoot at 2.5 frames per second up to 4 frames in either TIFF or RAW at full resolution. JPEG resolutions are also available when more shots are required. The 1.8-inch HyperCrystal LCD monitor has 134,000 pixels and offers three times the contrast of conventional LCD monitors so captured images are displayed in vivid color on the screen with exceptional clarity. This LCD features a wide, 160° viewing angle on both the vertical and horizontal axis, ensuring excellent visibility and image quality even to a group of people next to the photographer.
Transferring images to the computer is easy with Auto-Connect USB, no software drivers
required (for most computers/operating systems.) Images may also be viewed on a
television using the video cable. For fast and easy PC-free printing, the EVOLT
connects to any PictBridge-enabled printer via USB, you select the images
to be printed on the camera's LCD.
E-300 Camera, Zuiko Digital Specific Lenses, and Accessories Prices:
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Physical Views






Canon Digital Rebel and E-300 for size comparison


Olympus E-300 and E-1 for comparison


Differences Between the E-300 and E-1
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E-300
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E-1
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Number of Pixels | 4/3-type Full Frame
Transfer CCD, 8 million pixels effective, Primary color filter (RGB) |
4/3-type Full Frame
Transfer CCD, 5 million pixels effective, Primary color filter (RGB) |
Adjustable Resolutions (Still Pictures) |
3264 x 2448 (RAW/TIFF/SHQ/HQ) 3200 x 2400 (SQ) 2560 x 1920 (SQ) 1600 x 1200 (SQ) 1280 x 960 (SQ) 1024 x 768 (SQ) 640 x 480 (SQ) <Compression Rate> SHQ: 1/2.7 HQ: 1/4 or 1/8 SQ: 1/2.7, 1/4 or 1/8 |
2560 x 1920 (RAW/TIFF/SHQ/HQ) 1600 x 1200 (SQ: HQ) (SQ: Standard) 1280 x 960 (SQ: HQ) (SQ: Standard) 1024 x 768 (SQ: HQ) (SQ: Standard) 640 x 480 (SQ: HQ) (SQ: Standard) |
Recording Mode | RAW (12bit)/ TIFF (non compression, RGB 8bit each)/ JPEG (Design rule for Camera File system)/ RAW+JPEG | |
Recording Format |
Exif2.2/ DPOF/ PRINT Image
Matching II
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Memory | Compact Flash Card (Type I, II)/ Microdrive | Compact Flash Card (Type I, II)/ Microdrive (32bit Format compatible) |
Viewfinder | Optical eyelevel
single lens reflex viewfinder TTL SLR View field coverage: Approx 94% Focusing screen: Fixed |
Eye level Pentaprism
"High Eye Point" type Optical Viewfinder View field coverage: Approx 100% Focusing screen: Interchangeable |
Monitor | 1.8" Hyper Crystal TFT Color CCD (Semi-transmissive), approx. 134,000 pixels | 1.8" TFT Color CCD, approx. 134,000 pixels |
Shutter: Type |
Electronic Controlled Focal
Plane Shutter
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Shutter: Speed | 1/4000-30 seconds
(have limitation in some modes) Bulb: up to 8 minutes by limiter |
1/4000-60 seconds
(have limitation in some modes) Bulb: up to 8 minutes by limiter |
Focus Mode |
S-AF (Single AF)/ C-AF
(Continuous AF)/ MF (Manual Focus)
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Auto Focus: Type |
TTL Phase Difference Detection
System
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Exposure (Shooting Mode) | P (Program Auto with Program Shift)/ A (Aperture Priority)/ S (Shutter Priority)/ M (Manual)/ 5 selective Scene Programs/ 14 Scene Select programs | P (Program Auto with Program Shift)/ A (Aperture Priority)/ S (Shutter Priority)/ M (Manual) |
White Balance | Auto/Preset (8 types)/Custom WB (storable up to 4 types)/One-touch | Auto/Preset (12 types)/ One-touch (storable up to 4 types) |
ISO Sensitivity | AUTO (100-400)/ 100/ 200/ 400 Expandable to 800/ 1600 | AUTO (100-400)/ 100/ 200/ 400/ 800 Expandable to 1600/ 3200 |
Sequential Shooting | 2.5 fps Max. frame number on sequential shooting: - RAW, RAW+JPEG, TIFF and SHQ (up to 4 frames) -In other recording modes, number of frames may vary depending on the shooting condition or the writing speed of data into media. |
3 fps Max. frame number on sequential shooting: 12 frames in all recording modes. |
Remote Control |
Optional remote control
(sold separately), 0 or 2 seconds (selectable)
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Self Timer |
12 or 2 seconds (can be
cancelled)
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Remote Cable | Yes/ through optional power battery holder: HLD3. | Yes/ through built-in remote cable connector |
Flash Mode | Auto/ Red-eye Reduction/ Slow Synchronization: 1st Curtain, 2nd Curtain/ Slow Synchronization+Red-eye Reduction/ Fill-in/ Fill-in+Red-eye Reduction/ Fill-in+2nd Curtain Slow Synchronization/ Manual (FULL, 1/4, 1/16 or 1/64) | Auto/ Red-eye Reduction/ Slow Synchronization: 1st Curtain, 2nd Curtain/ Slow Synchronization+Red-eye Reduction/ Fill-in/Fill-in+Red-eye Reduction/ Fill-in+2nd Curtain Slow Synchronization |
External Flash Connector | Hot Shoe | Hot Shoe/ External Flash Connector (X-synchronization) |
Selective Menu Language | Japanese/ English Additional languages can be added through web site. |
Japanese/ English/ French/ German/ Spanish/ Korean |
Video Signal Output |
NTSC/ PAL selectable
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External Connector | USB connector/ DC-IN Jack/ Video Out Jack | USB connector/ IEEE1394/ DC-IN Jack/ Video Out Jack/ Remote Cable connector |
Power Supply | Rechargeable Li-ion
battery: BLM-1 - Optional AC adapter: AC-1 * Two packs of BLM-1 battery can be used concurrently through optional Power Battery Holder: HLD-3. |
Rechargeable Li-ion
battery: BLM-1 - Optional AC adapter: AC-1E Optional Rechargeable Li-ion battery: BLL-1 * BLL-1 can be used through optional Power Battery Holder: HLD-2. |
Dimensions (WHD) |
5.77
x 3.35 x 2.52 in. 146.5 x 85 x 64 mm (excluding protrusions) |
5.55 x
4.09 x 3.19 in. 141 x 104 x 81 mm (excluding protrusions) |
Weight | Approx. 580g/ 20.5oz. (without batteries and media) |
Approx. 660g/ 23oz. (without batteries and media) |
Others | PictBridge-enabled |
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Continue on to
Page Two
Olympus EVOLT E-300 Specifications
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NOTE: These specifications are as represented by the manufacturer.
Continue on to
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