Olympus E-1 Professional DSLR Camera
The Olympus E-1 is a 5MP Type 4/3 DSLR camera — known for its Four Thirds System Pioneer and 5MP Four Thirds Sensor. Check GearFocus for current availability, with buyer protection on every purchase.
Olympus E-1 Professional DSLR Camera
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Overview — Olympus E-1
Key Features — Olympus E-1
Four Thirds System Pioneer: One of the first cameras built on the open Four Thirds standard, offering full compatibility with dedicated Four Thirds lenses from Olympus and other system partners.
5MP Four Thirds Sensor: Type 4/3 sensor with a 2x crop factor delivers a 2560x1920 pixel output, suited for professional print and editorial use at the time of its release.
Magnesium Alloy Body: Robust metal construction keeps the camera lightweight at 660g while providing the rigidity expected of professional-grade equipment.
Weather-Sealed Construction: Dust and moisture resistant body designed for use in demanding outdoor and professional shooting environments.
Optical Pentaprism Viewfinder: Full optical pentaprism provides a bright, accurate view of the scene for a traditional DSLR shooting experience.
Three-Point Phase Detection AF: Three-point phase detection AF system delivers reliable focus acquisition for portraits, events, and general professional work.
Specifications — Olympus E-1
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Use Cases | Studio |
| Type | DSLR |
| Sensor | Type 4/3 (Four Thirds) |
| Resolution | 5MP |
| Processor | TruePic |
| ISO Range | 100 – 3200 |
| AF System | Phase Detection |
| AF Points | 3 points |
| Max Photo Resolution | 2560x1920 |
| Burst Rate | 3 fps |
| Image Stabilization | None |
| Display | 1.8 inches Low Temperature Polysilicon TFT LCD |
Description — Olympus E-1
The Olympus E-1 Professional DSLR is built around a Type 4/3 (Four Thirds) sensor delivering 5MP resolution at a maximum output of 2560x1920 pixels, processed by the TruePic image engine. The camera operates across an ISO range of 100 to 3200 and offers burst shooting at up to 3 frames per second. Color output supports both sRGB and Adobe RGB profiles, suiting a range of delivery needs from digital to print.
The optical pentaprism viewfinder ensures a bright, accurate view of the scene. On the back sits a 1.8-inch Low Temperature Polysilicon TFT LCD with a resolution of 134,000 dots. The Phase Detection AF system provides 3 focus points for straightforward compositional control.
Storage is handled via CompactFlash, and the Li-ion BLM-1 battery delivers approximately 750 shots per charge under CIPA testing. The body is crafted from magnesium alloy with full weather sealing, weighing 660g and measuring 141 x 104 x 81 mm. Flash connectivity includes a hot shoe and PC sync terminal, compatible with the Olympus FL-series system.
Pros — Olympus E-1
- ✓Weather-sealed magnesium alloy body built for durability in demanding conditions
- ✓Broad ISO range of 100–3200 for flexible exposure control across lighting situations
- ✓Adobe RGB color profile support alongside sRGB for professional print workflows
Cons — Olympus E-1
- ✗5MP resolution and 2560x1920 maximum output are modest by modern standards
- ✗Only 3 Phase Detection AF points, limiting subject tracking flexibility
- ✗No image stabilization of any kind — optical, in-body, or digital
Reviews — Olympus E-1
Videos — Olympus E-1
DPReview TV: Olympus OM-D E-M1X Review — DPReview TV