Olympus E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (White)

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (White):

The camera is easy to use and has more excellent functions than I expected. The white color is absolutely charming.It has very fast auto-focus that is very convenient while travelling.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Black):

Amateur Photographer, was looking for a more portable camera than my DSLR and am so glad I chose the Pen E-P3.Light weight, feature packed and takes great pictures.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Silver):

After one month of shooting in Asia, I find this Oly to produce fine pictures with the 17 mm lens. A long learning curve, helped by some tips from depreview.com forums. I tested the camera under a variety of circumstances, using Auto, Speed, and Aperture Settings, changing focusing points and ISO. In some cases, excellent results that enabled me to blow up photos with little distortion. The kit 40-110 lens is less valuable. It produced good pictures under perfect conditions, but clearly a better lens is required.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Black):

Just getting started and did not want a large DSLR camera. I can take this camera and extra lenses with me anywhere.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Silver):

I bought the E-P3 as my everyday camera (7D and L lenses were just too much to carry everywhere) and it hasn't disappointed. It may not be as fast in terms of FPS, but the AF speed is amazing. Add to this a very short shutter lag and really strong image quality. An excellent package.

The menus could be better organised and easier to navigate, but that's my only criticism. With an excellent range of lenses (the 45mm F1.8 in particular) and a great add-on electronic view finder if needed, you simply can't go wrong.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Silver):

Last august I bought an E5 and have been very happy with it and my SHG lenses. Two weeks ago my brother gave me an E-P3 as a birthday present, together with the MZD 12mm f2. SInce then, the E5 has been sitting at home. The E-P3 is so much fun to use and its image quality is perfectly comparable to the E5. I just got the 45mm f1.8 and results are superb. Now I´m thinking on getting rid of all my DSLR stuff.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Silver):

Olympus have came a long way with their "live view" relatively large sensors camera. I wanted the EP1 when they first came out but I decided to wait and I'm glad I waited. Focus is fast enough for what I use the camera for. The combination of IS and the lack of mirror really helps eliminates blurry images. The dials are much smaller than my E420 which takes a little bit of getting used to, and the functions that you can choose to assign to the function buttons are limited. One of my concern when making the purchase is the focus speed with the 17/2.8 lens because from my understanding, the zoom lens would be alot quicker than this lens, but this lens is not slow at all. Which is a great relief.
Would definitely make this purchase again.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Black):

I have an eclectic collection of cameras. The ones I love the most are big, bulky, and typically use film but don't use batteries. I love the discipline and focus associated with capturing images unassisted by auto-everything technology. I also have a decent semi-pro Digital SLR, and some pro-quality lenses.

So why the little E-P3?

Well, because I don't always have the luxury or the mind-space to focus exclusively on photography. I have a family, and a social life, and lugging along the Hasselblad or the dSLR demands a level of commitment to the photographic process that takes away from enjoying the other things and people I love. However, I still can't bring myself to completely leave a camera behind.

The E-P3 lets me have both worlds. It is portable, it allows me to use all my old lenses. Given practice, it is flexible and configurable enough to feel like I have as much control as I need, and the results quality-wise are enough to feel like I won't be compromising should some amazing photographic opportunity arise.

Basically, I'm enjoying it. It won't replace my other cameras, but it will probably get used more than them. I expect I'll take a whole lot of photos with it that my friends and family will love. When I have the time to focus on photography exclusively, I still drag out the big guns. But after having this camera for only short time I am certainly growing a little fond for it, and it rarely leaves my side.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Silver):

I used a Nikon D90 for over two years and I loved it. I sold all that gear a month ago to get this camera. Why? Well lets say I am lazy and the fact that it is compact, virtually weightless and the quality of the photos were something in between my old Nikon D60 and D90...it was enough for me.

Its also a µ4/3 system camera, which means its sensor size its not as small as a point & shoot and I can get a variety of lenses from Olympus and Panasonic. I am not a "pro" by any means, just a normal guy who loves photography...this camera is too much fun, every time I see it I want to grab it and just go out and shoot. Also, its AF system its the fastest I have seen to date.

Its only "con" is because of its "aging sensor" it may be a little noisy in low-light situations...that is why I gave it 4 stars, a more modern sensor/GPU and this camera would have been perfect. Personally, I dont mind that. I love a little grain in pictures, it just looks awesome! The fact that it has a kind of "retro" look sealed the deal for me.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Silver):

good image quality and stabilization. fast shutter speed.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Silver):

very smart camera ever, easy to use and carry around. photo quality is great. love it

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Black):

Great little camera. Very fast start up, auto focus and shutter release.
Menus are a little complicated and some functions can be hard to get to quickly.
I got it to take with me when I don't want to carry my DSLR and it's perfect for that.
Quality of images seems to be very good although I haven't shot much at high ISO yet.
Too many bells and whistles like a large assortment of effects/filters that I will never use.
Blue indicator light is way too bright and is annoying when shooting in a dark room.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Black):

Just returned from vacation in Malaysia, and used the E-P3 with 17mm (my first fixed lens), and am very pleased with the result.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Silver):

i use the camera to take just about every kind of picture. Photos of my kids and family, work photos of live performance shows (oftentimes low light), travel photos, etc.
i am not an expert photographer and i wanted a camera that was compact but offered SLR type quality photos and features. So far the camera has done a pretty good job of this; i like the various features, and filters that come with the camera, but it is pretty complicated. i havent gotten the quality that i expected out of some of my photos. this probably has a lot to do with my learning more about the way the camera focuses and adjusts in the pre-programmed modes. More than half my pictures are very good.
i think the average photographer will need a little time to figure this out. more advanced photographers will possibly have an easier time.
i love the design of the camera and how compact it is - its nice to not be carrying around that big bad i used to for my SLR.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Silver):

Warning, emotional review ahead with no technical observations:

I have always lusted after the silver bodied PEN E-P1 when I was introduced to it a couple years ago. Simple, elegant and had the potential to shoot SLR-quality pictures. However, at the price point and features (no flash, no hotshoe) I settled for it's (new at the time) sibling, the E-PL1.

Ever since I purchased an E-PL1 I have been elated with it's portability and image quality (especially when equipped with the LUMIX 20mm f1.7) My only gripe was it's focusing speed, lack of buttons, and the tangible quality that made me fall in love with the first digital PEN.

Fast forward another year and Olympus announces the E-P3. It addresses every issue and brings back the body of the original Pen. Upon initial inspection and startup it just oozes quality and shoots lightning fast. Sure, there will be another successor in a year or so, but everything about this camera just encourages me to go out and shoot.

Although, it's price of entry right now is rather expensive, I believe Olympus has another modern classic. I seldomly express this with any camera or media recording device I have purchased, but this one is a definite keeper. You can wait for prices to drop, but no amount of money can make up for the time that I am out enjoying this wonderful little camera.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Black):

Fantastic camera that will fit in a big pocket. Not enough available to buy
(E-P3 or E-PL3). Olympus underestimated response or maybe they just exist in their own sphere of influence with none from the outer world. The pancake lens is sharp and makes the camera very convenient "walking around". Good high ISO performance but not above 1600. However, a pair of high speed prime lenses (f:2 and f:1.8 12mm & 45mm Zuiko) makes shooting at lower ISO's possible. The 1.4 million pixel ccessory electronic viewfinder (VF-2) is superb. Wished it locked on like the new cheap, lower res version (VF-3). The 28-300mm equivalent 42-150mm Zuiko zoom for E-P3 is every bit as good as my 18-200VR DX for the Nikon D7000 at half the size and weight. The speed of the auto focus lenses is very impressive. Too bad Olympus couldn't deliver on all their newly announced Micro FourThirds cameras and lenses once each was announced. Annoying long waits resulted.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Black):

I use this for street photography, and it is an excellent camera for this purpose -- fast, quiet, and unobtrusive. I don't mind a lack of a viewfinder, the lcd screen is very accurate in visualizing color and light and shadow. There are guidelines to help you compose and level. I don't use high ISOs a lot, but on occasion I will do ISO 1600 (for a night time shot) and it comes out fine without too much noise. The in camera stabilization is a bonus, especially if you like to use other lenses -- in my case, a Voigtlander 25mm .95 lens. It feels good in my hand (I have large, artist painter's hands) and it feels substantial but not heavy, and not bulky. The controls are easy to use, with the spin wheel to sdjust shutter speed being slightly sensitive to pushing down on it ( and causing the menu to pop up on the lcd screen), but I got used to it by using my fingernail more than the pad of my finger. Images come out great -- sharp, and great colors. I love it!

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Black):

I was looking for a relatively small digital camera with high quality images. I'm not a fan of DSLRs because of their bulky design, and up until recently most 4/3 cameras have been unsatisfactory for a variety of reasons. The inclusion of a fill flash on this model was a selling point. The auto focus was also greatly improved. Obviously a viewfinder like the Fuji x100 would be nice, but it has not been missed all that much. I have no real complaints because it is what I expected it to be. Its files are good for a camera this size, but not as good as a DSLR. The camera is fun to carry around and use, and it is easily transportable.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Black):

Still getting used to the new features on this camera but it is clear already that it is going to be an extremely valuable addition to the arsenal. I bought it mainly for street photography but I can see already that this will start competing with my Nikon as the "go to" option when I have the chance to add some lens alternatives.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (White):

The camera is easy to use and has more excellent functions than I expected. The white color is absolutely charming.It has very fast auto-focus that is very convenient while travelling.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Black):

Amateur Photographer, was looking for a more portable camera than my DSLR and am so glad I chose the Pen E-P3.Light weight, feature packed and takes great pictures.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Silver):

After one month of shooting in Asia, I find this Oly to produce fine pictures with the 17 mm lens. A long learning curve, helped by some tips from depreview.com forums. I tested the camera under a variety of circumstances, using Auto, Speed, and Aperture Settings, changing focusing points and ISO. In some cases, excellent results that enabled me to blow up photos with little distortion. The kit 40-110 lens is less valuable. It produced good pictures under perfect conditions, but clearly a better lens is required.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Black):

Just getting started and did not want a large DSLR camera. I can take this camera and extra lenses with me anywhere.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Silver):

I bought the E-P3 as my everyday camera (7D and L lenses were just too much to carry everywhere) and it hasn't disappointed. It may not be as fast in terms of FPS, but the AF speed is amazing. Add to this a very short shutter lag and really strong image quality. An excellent package.

The menus could be better organised and easier to navigate, but that's my only criticism. With an excellent range of lenses (the 45mm F1.8 in particular) and a great add-on electronic view finder if needed, you simply can't go wrong.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Silver):

Last august I bought an E5 and have been very happy with it and my SHG lenses. Two weeks ago my brother gave me an E-P3 as a birthday present, together with the MZD 12mm f2. SInce then, the E5 has been sitting at home. The E-P3 is so much fun to use and its image quality is perfectly comparable to the E5. I just got the 45mm f1.8 and results are superb. Now I´m thinking on getting rid of all my DSLR stuff.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Silver):

Olympus have came a long way with their "live view" relatively large sensors camera. I wanted the EP1 when they first came out but I decided to wait and I'm glad I waited. Focus is fast enough for what I use the camera for. The combination of IS and the lack of mirror really helps eliminates blurry images. The dials are much smaller than my E420 which takes a little bit of getting used to, and the functions that you can choose to assign to the function buttons are limited. One of my concern when making the purchase is the focus speed with the 17/2.8 lens because from my understanding, the zoom lens would be alot quicker than this lens, but this lens is not slow at all. Which is a great relief.
Would definitely make this purchase again.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Black):

I have an eclectic collection of cameras. The ones I love the most are big, bulky, and typically use film but don't use batteries. I love the discipline and focus associated with capturing images unassisted by auto-everything technology. I also have a decent semi-pro Digital SLR, and some pro-quality lenses.

So why the little E-P3?

Well, because I don't always have the luxury or the mind-space to focus exclusively on photography. I have a family, and a social life, and lugging along the Hasselblad or the dSLR demands a level of commitment to the photographic process that takes away from enjoying the other things and people I love. However, I still can't bring myself to completely leave a camera behind.

The E-P3 lets me have both worlds. It is portable, it allows me to use all my old lenses. Given practice, it is flexible and configurable enough to feel like I have as much control as I need, and the results quality-wise are enough to feel like I won't be compromising should some amazing photographic opportunity arise.

Basically, I'm enjoying it. It won't replace my other cameras, but it will probably get used more than them. I expect I'll take a whole lot of photos with it that my friends and family will love. When I have the time to focus on photography exclusively, I still drag out the big guns. But after having this camera for only short time I am certainly growing a little fond for it, and it rarely leaves my side.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Silver):

I used a Nikon D90 for over two years and I loved it. I sold all that gear a month ago to get this camera. Why? Well lets say I am lazy and the fact that it is compact, virtually weightless and the quality of the photos were something in between my old Nikon D60 and D90...it was enough for me.

Its also a µ4/3 system camera, which means its sensor size its not as small as a point & shoot and I can get a variety of lenses from Olympus and Panasonic. I am not a "pro" by any means, just a normal guy who loves photography...this camera is too much fun, every time I see it I want to grab it and just go out and shoot. Also, its AF system its the fastest I have seen to date.

Its only "con" is because of its "aging sensor" it may be a little noisy in low-light situations...that is why I gave it 4 stars, a more modern sensor/GPU and this camera would have been perfect. Personally, I dont mind that. I love a little grain in pictures, it just looks awesome! The fact that it has a kind of "retro" look sealed the deal for me.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Silver):

good image quality and stabilization. fast shutter speed.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Silver):

very smart camera ever, easy to use and carry around. photo quality is great. love it

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Black):

Great little camera. Very fast start up, auto focus and shutter release.
Menus are a little complicated and some functions can be hard to get to quickly.
I got it to take with me when I don't want to carry my DSLR and it's perfect for that.
Quality of images seems to be very good although I haven't shot much at high ISO yet.
Too many bells and whistles like a large assortment of effects/filters that I will never use.
Blue indicator light is way too bright and is annoying when shooting in a dark room.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Black):

Just returned from vacation in Malaysia, and used the E-P3 with 17mm (my first fixed lens), and am very pleased with the result.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Silver):

i use the camera to take just about every kind of picture. Photos of my kids and family, work photos of live performance shows (oftentimes low light), travel photos, etc.
i am not an expert photographer and i wanted a camera that was compact but offered SLR type quality photos and features. So far the camera has done a pretty good job of this; i like the various features, and filters that come with the camera, but it is pretty complicated. i havent gotten the quality that i expected out of some of my photos. this probably has a lot to do with my learning more about the way the camera focuses and adjusts in the pre-programmed modes. More than half my pictures are very good.
i think the average photographer will need a little time to figure this out. more advanced photographers will possibly have an easier time.
i love the design of the camera and how compact it is - its nice to not be carrying around that big bad i used to for my SLR.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Silver):

Warning, emotional review ahead with no technical observations:

I have always lusted after the silver bodied PEN E-P1 when I was introduced to it a couple years ago. Simple, elegant and had the potential to shoot SLR-quality pictures. However, at the price point and features (no flash, no hotshoe) I settled for it's (new at the time) sibling, the E-PL1.

Ever since I purchased an E-PL1 I have been elated with it's portability and image quality (especially when equipped with the LUMIX 20mm f1.7) My only gripe was it's focusing speed, lack of buttons, and the tangible quality that made me fall in love with the first digital PEN.

Fast forward another year and Olympus announces the E-P3. It addresses every issue and brings back the body of the original Pen. Upon initial inspection and startup it just oozes quality and shoots lightning fast. Sure, there will be another successor in a year or so, but everything about this camera just encourages me to go out and shoot.

Although, it's price of entry right now is rather expensive, I believe Olympus has another modern classic. I seldomly express this with any camera or media recording device I have purchased, but this one is a definite keeper. You can wait for prices to drop, but no amount of money can make up for the time that I am out enjoying this wonderful little camera.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Black):

Fantastic camera that will fit in a big pocket. Not enough available to buy
(E-P3 or E-PL3). Olympus underestimated response or maybe they just exist in their own sphere of influence with none from the outer world. The pancake lens is sharp and makes the camera very convenient "walking around". Good high ISO performance but not above 1600. However, a pair of high speed prime lenses (f:2 and f:1.8 12mm & 45mm Zuiko) makes shooting at lower ISO's possible. The 1.4 million pixel ccessory electronic viewfinder (VF-2) is superb. Wished it locked on like the new cheap, lower res version (VF-3). The 28-300mm equivalent 42-150mm Zuiko zoom for E-P3 is every bit as good as my 18-200VR DX for the Nikon D7000 at half the size and weight. The speed of the auto focus lenses is very impressive. Too bad Olympus couldn't deliver on all their newly announced Micro FourThirds cameras and lenses once each was announced. Annoying long waits resulted.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Black):

I use this for street photography, and it is an excellent camera for this purpose -- fast, quiet, and unobtrusive. I don't mind a lack of a viewfinder, the lcd screen is very accurate in visualizing color and light and shadow. There are guidelines to help you compose and level. I don't use high ISOs a lot, but on occasion I will do ISO 1600 (for a night time shot) and it comes out fine without too much noise. The in camera stabilization is a bonus, especially if you like to use other lenses -- in my case, a Voigtlander 25mm .95 lens. It feels good in my hand (I have large, artist painter's hands) and it feels substantial but not heavy, and not bulky. The controls are easy to use, with the spin wheel to sdjust shutter speed being slightly sensitive to pushing down on it ( and causing the menu to pop up on the lcd screen), but I got used to it by using my fingernail more than the pad of my finger. Images come out great -- sharp, and great colors. I love it!

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Black):

I was looking for a relatively small digital camera with high quality images. I'm not a fan of DSLRs because of their bulky design, and up until recently most 4/3 cameras have been unsatisfactory for a variety of reasons. The inclusion of a fill flash on this model was a selling point. The auto focus was also greatly improved. Obviously a viewfinder like the Fuji x100 would be nice, but it has not been missed all that much. I have no real complaints because it is what I expected it to be. Its files are good for a camera this size, but not as good as a DSLR. The camera is fun to carry around and use, and it is easily transportable.

Comments about E-P3 PEN Digital Camera with 17mm Lens (Black):

Still getting used to the new features on this camera but it is clear already that it is going to be an extremely valuable addition to the arsenal. I bought it mainly for street photography but I can see already that this will start competing with my Nikon as the "go to" option when I have the chance to add some lens alternatives.