Olympus PEN–New generation system camera

Fastest AF. Latest engine. Beautiful design. The ultimate PEN.

The PEN E-P3 takes all the key elements of camera performance to another level while retaining the classic design of its predecessor. The all-new E-P3 features new advanced technology, including the Fast AF System which achieves the world's fastest AF speed, a new image sensor and image processing engine that provide the highest image quality of any PEN series camera, and a touchscreen panel for intuitive fingertip control.

Basic Performance

Lens mount
Micro Four Thirds Mount

Effective Pixels number
12.3 million pixels

File format
RAW, JPEG, RAW+JPEG, MP (3D still)

Image Stabilizer
Built in (Imager shift image stabilizer)

Monitor
3.0 inches OLED Touchscreen Display

Movie recording
AVCHD / AVI Motion JPG

PEN QUALITY

Instant response - World’s fastest AFsystem.

• Fast AF System achieves world's highest speed
• Versatile AF functions increase your photographic comfort zone
• New 12.3-megapixel Live MOS Sensor
• New image processing engine supporting high image quality and fast response

OPERATION

New touchscreen panel makes operation more intuitive and comfortable.

• Live Guide for easy background defocusing
• Good-looking,sophisticated user interface
• Built-in flash
• Tone control
• Detachable customizable grip

ART FILTER

Express yourself! Art Filters offer real creative flexibility and control.

• Ten Art Filters
• Art Effects
• Art Filter Bracketing

Various function

• Full HD movie
• Built-in image stabilization
• Accessory Port 2
• Face and Eye detection AF/Tracking AF
• e-Portrait
• i-ENHANCE
• Multi-Aspect
• 3D Photo Shooting
• One-push digital teleconverter
• Multi-Exposure
• New slideshow effects

PEN QUALITY

Instant response - World’s fastest AF^*1 system.

Try pressing the shutter button of the E-P3, and you'll find that the image comes into focus much faster than you've ever experienced before. Almost instantly, in fact. The E-P3 achieves the world's fastest^*1autofocusing speed, making sure you never miss the moment that moves your heart. To obtain that extraordinary AF speed, we reviewed and redesigned everything related to the AF system in both the camera and lens. The result is an autofocus system that works about three times faster than previously, capturing the scene as it is when you shoot it, and not a few seconds later after the moment is gone. In addition, because the new 12.3-megapixel High Speed Live MOS sensor has been improved to offer higher speed and higher sensitivity, quickly turning that captured moment into a clear, sharp image, which is then reproduced with high fidelity by the newly developed TruePic VI image processing engine which boasts significant enhancements in image quality and speed. With the E-P3's instant response, you don't have to hope for a good picture, you can be sure of it.

Fast AF System achieves world's highest speed

In the E-P3 AF system, the Live MOS sensor is driven at double the previous speed (120 fps), allowing the image signals required for AF to be obtained very quickly. 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 increased. The synergy with the MSC (Movie & Still Compatible) mechanism in the lens makes it possible to increase the AF speed by about three times. Together these improvements have made possible the AF at the world's fastest speed.

Versatile AF functions increase your photographic comfort zone

The 35-area AF has 35 focus selection areas, compared to 11 points on previous models, enabling detailed, pinpoint AF across a wider area than before. Other functions for improving AF versatility include the "group area AF", which selects an area composed of 3 x 3 points from the 35 points to capture a fast-moving subject accurately, as well as the "fulltime AF function", which keeps the Live View image focused even when the release button is not pressed, enabling quick tracking of a moving subject.

New 12.3-megapixel Live MOS Sensor

The E-P3 incorporates a new 12.3-megapixel High Speed Live MOS sensor that is a high-sensitivity, high-speed version of the E-P3itional Live MOS sensor. The sensor is also compatible 1920 x 1080/59.94i full HD-format movie recording. The use of the line addition method for readout of lines in movies and Live View images improves image reproduction. Maximum sensitivity has also been boosted to as high as ISO12800, which can improve shooting under low light, indoors or using a faster shutter speed.

New image processing engine supporting high image quality and fast response

The E-P3 incorporates the new TruePic VI image processing engine to improve image quality and quicken response. In addition to using the same Fine Detail processing that provided the E-5 with such high resolution, the E-P3 incorporates Real Color Technology to improve the reproduction and gradation expressions of specific colors, so that they appear more natural and closer to the way the actually look to the human eye. Dedicated image processing cores are used separately for the recorded image and Live View image to improve the response in sequential shooting.