Olympus E-1 Digital Pro SLR
The E1 is a digital camera designed specifically for professional photographers. It is an amalgam of high-end digital technology, advanced technical features, and a rugged construction intended for daily use.
Optics and Resolution
Featuring a 5.5-megapixel Full-Frame
Transfer CCD (FT-CCD) sensor, the E1
delivers a wide range of detail and color
(with images up to 2560 by 1920 pixels) in
both TIFF and Raw formats. The FT-CCD is a
Progressive scan sensor that provides more
image capturing surface area than
traditional interline CCDs. Olympus claims
this type of sensor accounts for more
accurate color sensitivity, a higher dynamic
range from black to white, and a higher
signal-to-noise ratio than most other
cameras in its class.
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| With a traditional 35mm lens, light hits the periphery of the image area at oblique angles. This is not a problem with the flat surface of film, but diodes inside image-sensor light wells need direct light paths (see above, left). Because the Four Thirds System uses a lens mount that is about twice the size of the camera's image circle, light is more likely travel straight into the wells (right). | |
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| Supersonic wave filter protects imager from dust |
Because swapping lenses on the go is a fundamental part of SLR photography, so too is dust particles. The problem is made more acute by the physics of a CCD; tiny particles can easily block or disable the CCD's image wells to degrade performance of your camera over time. To solve this, Olympus has created a supersonic wave filter that causes ultra-discrete high-speed vibration knocks particles away from the imager. The filter is operated automatically at start-up and during pixel mapping, and can be manually turned on at any time.
More Features
- Mixed AF/MF mode lets the photographer make fine adjustments or focus manually after AF is performed in the S-AF mode
- Focus Priority mode prevents the shutter from firing until perfect focus is reached
- 12 AE and AF lock modes, and customizable the rotational direction of the focus ring
- The High Eye-point optical viewfinder provides a 100% accurate frame view (horizontal and vertical) for precision framing and image capture
- Neo-Lumi-Micron Matte II Focusing Screen, a deformed hexagonal micro prism designed to reduce the moirée; effect in the viewfinder for clear, sharp viewfinder focus.
- Color space choice between between sRGB (ideal for computer monitors, inkjet printers, scanners, and the Internet) and Adobe RGB (ideal for pre-press and printing on CMYK printers).
- White Balance settings: Auto, Preset and One-Touch Manual
- Fixed- and random-pattern noise reduction
- Magnesium alloy metal body construction makes camera light yet extremely durable
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| Capture images in Adobe RGB for photos going to CMYK printers |
Storage and Transfer
Images are stored on Compact Flash Card
(Type I, II), Micro Drive (16bit/32bit
Format compatible)--all of which are sold
separately. Files can be downloaded to
either a Mac or PC via USB 2.0 connectivity,
which automatically steps down to
lower-capacity USB formats if 2.0 isn't
detected on the target computer. The camera
also features a IEEE 1394 (aka "FireWire")
port for high-speed image transfer.
Power and Size
The camera is powered by a rechargeable
Li-ion battery pack, included with a
charger. The camera measures 5.55" by 4.09"
by 3.19 inches and weighs 23 ounces without
batteries and memory.
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