Olympus E-1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Olympus E-1 | |
|---|---|
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| Type | Single-lens reflex |
| Sensor | Four Thirds System CCD |
| Maximum resolution | 2,560 x 1,920 (4.9 million) |
| Lens type | Interchangeable (Four Thirds System) |
| Shutter | Focal-plane shutter, all speeds electronically controlled |
| Shutter speed range | 1/4,000 to 60 s, bulb up to 8 minutes |
| Exposure Metering | TTL, evaluative (ESP), center-weighted, spot |
| Exposure Modes | Program, shutter-priority, aperture-priority, manual |
| Metering modes | ESP multi patterned, Center-weighted average (60%), Spot (2%) |
| Focus areas | 3 auto-focus points, selectable |
| Focus modes | Single, continuous, manual |
| Continuous Shooting | 3.0 frame/s., up to 12 frames in any format |
| Viewfinder | Optical TTL with pentaprism 100% field of view |
| ASA/ISO range | ISO 100-800 with 1600 or 3200 in 'ISO Boost' mode |
| Rear LCD monitor | 1.8 inch TFT LCD, 134,000 pixels |
| Storage | CompactFlash(CF) (Type I or Type II), Microdrive compatible |
| Weight | 23 oz (660 g) without battery or storage card |
The Olympus E-1 introduced in 2003 was the first DSLR designed from the ground up for digital photography. This contrasts with its contemporaries which offered systems based on reused parts from previous 135 film systems, modified to fit with a sensor size of APS-C.
It uses the Four Thirds System lens mount and imaging system. This design choice means that because the CCD is smaller than a 35 mm negative, Four Thirds lenses and camera bodies can be made smaller and lighter than those of preceding SLRs.
Characteristics:
- Lighter/more compact than contemporary DSLR bodies
- 5 megapixel CCD
- Good dynamic range and exposure
- Magnesium-alloy body
- Environmental sealing (splash proof)
- "Supersonic Wave Filter" cleans CCD at each camera start-up (dust is shaken off the CCD)
- Dual USB 2.0 and Firewire connectivity
- Continuous shooting 3 frames per second up to 12 frames
- Hybrid white balance sensor (on external surface of camera and using CCD)
- User upgradeable firmware
Sometimes the user experiences bright spots in long (greater than a few seconds) exposures. This is called long exposure noise. By turning on the "Noise Removal" (not "Noise Filter"), the E-1 will do a “dark frame subtraction” to get rid of these erroneous bright spots.
The development of the E-1 also caused the revitalization of Olympus' old Zuiko lens brand, through a new range named Zuiko Digital with the Four Thirds System mount. The E-1 was usually sold bundled with a splash proof Zuiko Digital 14–54 mm 1:2.8–3.5 zoom lens.
Olympus initially gave away free adapters to connect OM lenses to the new 4/3 mount. This adapter allowed a wide range of OM lenses to be used with the new Olympus DSLRs. The adapter is no longer given away for free, but is still available for purchase from various online sources.
