Flagship of PEN series “OLYMPUS PEN E-P3” New generation System launch

Olympus Imaging Singapore is pleased to announce the introduction of the “OLYMPUS PEN E-P3”, the flagship of the PEN series of new generation system cameras conforming to the Micro Four Thirds System standard, scheduled for release on July 22, 2011.

Main Features

1. 1. World’s fastest AF (autofocusing)* achieved through the FAST (Frequency Acceleration Sensor) AF system and a lens incorporating the MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) mechanism
2. 2. Higher-than-ever image quality and high ISO12800 sensitivity, thanks to the new 12.3-megapixel High Speed Live MOS Sensor with full HD movie compatibility and new TruePic VI image processing engine
3. 3. Advanced graphical user interface featuring a 3.0-inch OLED display with touchscreen panel. High-quality design with full-metal body and sophisticated detachable camera grip

*Among interchangeable lens type digital cameras available as of June 30, 2011. Focusing time between infinite and 1 meter, measured at the 35mm (70mm at 35mm camera equivalent) of an M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 II R lens mounted on the OLYMPUS PEN E-P3 camera. According to our in-house test conditions.



The OLYMPUS PEN E-P3 is an interchangeable lens type digital camera that conforms to the Micro Four Thirds System standard. Designed as the new flagship of the PEN series of new generation system cameras, the E-P3 is aimed at camera buffs looking for a camera that combines traditional style and functionality with advanced digital capabilities and top-notch performance.

Like previous models in the PEN series, the E-P3’s remarkably compact design has been made possible by the elimination of the quick-return mirror, while maintaining key SLR advantages such as high performance and high image quality.

In fact, the E-P3 easily outperforms any other camera on the market with its powerful new FAST AF system. When combined with a lens incorporating the new MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) mechanism, which increases the speed and decreases the noise of autofocusing, the combination of AF’s double-speed sensor drive and the double-speed detection processing allows the E-P3 to achieve the world’s highest AF speed. At the same time, better-than-ever image quality is made possible by the new 12.3-megapixel High Speed Live MOS Sensor with 1080i full HD movie compatibility and the new TruePic VI image processing engine. High-sensitivity shooting at ISO12800 is also possible.

Simplicity and ease of use have always been the hallmark of the PEN series, and the E-P3 is no exception. In addition to its convenient Main and Sub dials, the new E-P3 is equipped with a 3.0-inch, 610,000-dot OLED display whose excellent colour reproduction and touchscreen panel provide the superior display capability and intuitive operability needed for creative image composition. The user interface’s high-definition text and graphics support attractive graphical menus that are easy to see, easy to understand, and easy to use.
Recreating the timeless style of the classic Olympus PEN series, the E-P3’s advanced performance is housed in an elegant, retro design with a durable metallic finish that exudes quality, reliability, and performance. A work of art in itself, the E-P3 features a new detachable grip, giving the user the opportunity to choose a grip most suitable to his or her shooting style; for example, an optional large grip can be used in place of the provided standard grip or the grip can simply be detached for a simpler look. Available in a choice of three colours — Silver, Black and White — the OLYMPUS PEN E-P3 brings a new level of performance to the world’s most stylish line of cameras.

Another example of Olympus's commitment to relentlessly enhancing and advancing its line of new generation system cameras, this new camera is certain to expand today's fast growing market for lens interchangeable type digital cameras.

Other Features

• Advanced Art Filters

• Incorporates ten Art Filters (with variations and Art Effects)
• Addition of a new variation (Pale & Light Colour II) and new Art Effects (Starlight and White Edge)
• Art Filter bracketing for recording multiple Art Filter pictures with a single shot
• Full HD Art Filter compatible with full HD movie (AVCHD)
• 3D Art Filter compatible with 3D Photo Shooting scene mode

• Advanced Live Guide

• Instant recall of Live Guide with Fn button in P/A/S/M modes

• Advanced movie recording
  • - Incorporates full HD movie shooting (AVCHD)
  • - Built-in stereo microphone
• Built-in GN10 (ISO200) flash with wireless controllability
• Built-in sensor-shift type image stabilization plus electronic movie image stabilization using the multimotion-compatible movie IS system
• Tone control for individual variations of the tones of bright and dark sections
• One-push digital teleconverter function
• Two Fn buttons (Fn1/Fn2)
• Menu Guide to clarify menu items
• New scene mode: 3D Photo Shooting
• Proven, reliable dust reduction system
• Level Gauge display on Live View monitor

Main Feature Details
World’s fastest AF (autofocusing)* achieved through the FAST AF system and lens incorporating the MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) mechanism

New AF system boasts world’s highest speed
One of the primary areas Olympus concentrated on when developing the E-P3 was the AF (autofocusing) system. The result is the world's highest AF speed, faster than any traditional SLR with mirrors. Because the new FAST AF system drives the Live MOS Sensor at double the previous speed (120 fps), image signals can be obtained more quickly than with previous systems. The speed of the AF computations that generate the contrast signal from the image signal in order to determine the degree of focusing has also been doubled. The advantages made possible by these improvements are further enhanced by the increase in the speed of communication for controlling the lens motion and the synergy of the MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) mechanism which facilitates fast, quiet movement of the AF system in the lens, as well as faster response time from shutter release to the start-up of AF system. Together, all of these improvements have resulted in imager AF speed that is almost three times faster than before, making it by far the world's fastest.

*Among interchangeable lens type digital cameras available as of June 30, 2011. According to our in-house test conditions, with an M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 II R lens mounted on the OLYMPUS PEN E-P3 camera, with the lens at the infinity position, and with the subject at a distance of 1 meter and the lens focal length at 35mm (70mm at 35mm camera equivalent), AF calculation time is the time between when the shutter button is pressed and the start of exposure, focus to shutter release.

35-area multiple AF with group area selection
The number of focus selection areas has been increased from 11 to 35, enabling detailed, pinpoint AF across a wider area than before. To capture a moving subject accurately, the group area selection can apply AF to a limited region compose of 3 vertical and 3 horizontal areas.

Full-time AF
The full-time AF function keeps the Live View image focused even when the release button is not pressed. As the camera always remains focused on whatever subject it is pointed at, S-AF shooting, which is initiated by a half-press of the shutter release button, can be engaged more quickly.

Improved tracking AF performance keeps moving subject in focus
The functionality of the tracking AF that automatically tracks and focuses on a moving subject has been improved. Unlike the previous method, which tracked the feature points of the luminance signal and tended to lose the tracked subject when the shapes of the feature points changed, the new system used in the E-P3 employs an advanced detection method that uses the chroma signal and face detection data as well as the luminance signal, allowing it to continue focusing on the subject even when its shape changes or temporarily disappears during tracking.

AF illuminator
The E-P3 is the first PEN series camera incorporating an AF illuminator to support autofocusing in low light. The light covers a range of about 3 metres and can be switched ON/OFF.

Improved face & iris detection AF
The iris detection AF introduced on the E-PL2 has been made more versatile, allowing users to choose from “OFF”, “nearer-eye priority", “left-eye priority” and “right-eye priority”. This facility is provided because the orientation of the face in portrait shooting is fixed so the focused eye is also usually fixed. Some photographers may prefer to be able to deliberately focus on the farther eye instead. These selections can be activated directly with a button.

Higher-than-ever image quality and high ISO12800 sensitivity thanks to the new 12.3-megapixel High Speed Live MOS Sensor with full HD movie compatibility and new TruePic VI image processing engine

New 12.3-megapixel High Speed Live MOS Sensor with full HD movie compatibility
Based on the 12.3-megapixel High Speed Live MOS Sensor used with the previous PEN series cameras, the
new High Speed Live MOS image sensor is now capable of recording a full HD, or 1960 x 1080/60i movie. It is also driven at a double speed for AF as described above. Furthermore, the use of the line addition method for readout of lines in movies and Live View images improves image reproduction, reducing jaggy oblique lines and other noise. Maximum sensitivity has also been boosted to as high as ISO12800.

Advanced user interface featuring a 3.0-inch OLED display with touchscreen panel, high-definition text and graphics. High-quality design with full-metal body and sophisticated detachable camera grip



3.0-inch OLED display with touchscreen panel
The 3.0-inch OLED (organic EL) display used as the rear-panel monitor of the E-P3 can display video data equivalent to VGA (approx. 920,000 dots) using a special layout of 610,000 dots. With the ability to reproduce tight black and vivid colours thanks to OLED’s wide colour reproduction characteristic, this display provides a wide angle of view, rich colour expression and high resolution, all of which are sure to enhance the joy of photography. With two colour tone options of “VIVID” and “NATURAL”, the user can take advantage of the properties of the OLED for a vivid picture, or reproduce a tone similar to the LCD display used on PC monitors.
The monitor also features an electrostatic capacitance type touchscreen control in addition to the traditional button and dial control facilities. This allows the following operations to be performed simply by touching the panel surface.

• During recording: Touch shutter release, Touch AF, Touch enlargement, Touch Live Guide, AF area selection

• During playback: Frame advance/backward, enlargement/index (calendar) playback, one-touch enlargement by double-tapping

Of course, these operations are also available using conventional buttons and dials, as well as via the touchscreen panel, which can also be switched OFF if not needed. Long-term durability is assured by solid construction with the space between the cover and the panel sealed with optical adhesive that suppresses reflections due to airspace. The screen itself is treated with Anti-Fingerprint coating.