Olympus E-1

447 reviews

Nov, 2024

Positive
usability (84)
performance (82)
image quality (69)
durability (54)
price (53)

Negative
screen (10)
shutter (6)
stabilizer (2)
exposure (2)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 447 reviews of Olympus E-1. The average rating for this product is 4.4/5, compared to an average rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras for all reviews. Reviewers are impressed by the price and portability. The image quality and performance also get good comments. Some have doubts about the image stabilizer and exposure, and there are some mixed reviews about the focus.

usability, performance, image quality, portability, price

screen, shutter, exposure, stabilizer

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other Digital Compact Cameras the Olympus E-1 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 86/100 = Very good quality.

See all Olympus Digital Cameras

Review analysis

(Based on 447 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

(55% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews (36% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews (6% of reviews)
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Show all 2 star reviews (2% of reviews)
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Features

usability
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performance
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image quality
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portability
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price
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More features

Showing 154 review(s)

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Showing 1 - 117 of 154 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (293)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Olympus E-1

alaTest has collected and analyzed 47 user reviews of Olympus E-1 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 4.7/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.3/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.co.uk. Reviews about the price and image quality are overall positive. The performance and portability also get good reviews. Some have doubts about the shutter, and views are divided on the screen.

usability, portability, performance, image quality, price

shutter

98% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Nov, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Olympus E-1

alaTest has collected and analyzed 60 user reviews of Olympus E-1 from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 4.6/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.2/5 for other Digital Compact Cameras on Amazon.com. People are impressed by the price and portability. The image quality and usability also get good feedback, but views about the shutter and size are mixed. Many are negative about the image stabilizer and battery.

performance, usability, image quality, portability, price

screen, battery, stabilizer

95% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Nov, 2024

Expert review by : Eamon Hickey (cnet.com)

Olympus E review

Intro The uniquely styled 8-megapixel Evolt E-300 from Olympus enters the expanding field of entry-level, sub-$1,000 digital SLR (dSLR) cameras. As with the more pro-oriented Olympus E-1, the E-300 conforms to the Four-Thirds standard for...

High resolution for its price; effective dust elimination; speedy, pleasing performance; unusually solid construction for its class; top-notch images when properly exposed at low to moderate ISO sensitivities.

Inconsistent, too-often inaccurate metering; short battery life; only one command dial; somewhat noisier images than competitors at ISO 800 and ISO 1,600.

This beauty-challenged Olympus offers unmatched build quality, snappy performance, and top resolution for its class, but low-light shooters and metering novices may prefer alternatives.

Mar, 2005

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Expert review by : Jeff Keller (pcworld.com)

Olympus E-1

Well built ; All the benefits of a D-SLR ; Long battery life ; USB 2.0 and FireWire ; Robust performance ; Splash-proof ; Great image quality ; Innovative dust-removal system ; AF illuminator

Expensive compared with other cameras in class ; Nonstandard lenses ; Images sometimes underexposed

Apr, 2004

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Expert review by : Sally Wiener Grotta, Daniel Grotta (pcmag.com)

Olympus E-1

The long-awaited Olympus E-1 is sure to impress even the toughest critics.

Image quality is excellent, with great dynamic range, accurate color, and very good sharpness. In fact, the E-1's 5-megapixel files can produce better enlargements than the images from some 6-megapixel cameras. Olympus doesn't bundle or offer exciting,...

Dec, 2003

Partner Source

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Expert review by : Phil Askey (dpreview.com)

Olympus E-1 Review

The Olympus E-1 is the first removable lens digital SLR with a lens mount and imaging system specifically designed for digital. As such it is also the first removable lens digital SLR from Olympus and marks the beginning of a whole new camera system...

Good tonal balance, average resolution, neutral color, almost no sharpening artifacts Wide range of image parameter adjustment (color, tone, sharpness) Selectable sRGB or Adobe RGB color space (with embedded profile) Hybrid white balance system...

Bayer interpolation and moiré artifacts Resolution not as good as we would expect from large five megapixel sensor Noise levels higher than the competition from ISO 800 upwards (especially RAW) Noise filter and lens shading features have only limited...

The E-1 is the first lens removable digital SLR which is based around a totally new lens system designed specifically for a smaller sensor. This means smaller, lighter lenses and body. Our side-by-side example of the E-1 with the E 14-54 mm lens...

Nov, 2003

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Expert review by : Steve's Digicams (steves-digicams.com)

Olympus E-1 SLR

Physical Views Olympus E-1 and Nikon D100 for size comparison (both cameras shown with optional battery grip) Continue on to Page Two Olympus E-1 Specifications Type Interchangeable lens digital SLR camera Body Magnesium alloy Lens Mount Four-Thirds...

Jun, 2003

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Expert review by (letsgodigital.org)

Olympus E-1 review

This year Olympus faced a great challenge. De market for digital reflex cameras seemed to have already been divided amongst brands like Canon and Nikon. The one goes on telling about his vision and the other one sticks to a different view of how to...

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Expert review by (imaging-resource.com)

Olympus E1 SLR Digital Camera Review: Intro and Highlights

At the Photokina show in Germany in September of 2002, Olympus and Kodak announced plans to jointly develop a new digital SLR system, based on a standard sensor size and lens mount specification, that presumably will be open to other manufacturers to...

To see how E-1's images compare to other cameras you may be considering

Jun, 2003

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Expert review by : The Digital Journalist (digitaljournalist.org)

Expert Review

Eli Reed is a prize-winning documentary photographer, and a member of Magnum. He also works in the motion picture industry as a special photographer.

May, 2010

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Expert review by : Michael J. Mcnamara (popphoto.com)

Olympus E-1: Digital SLR with an edge

According to the voice from Mount Olympus, there are two kinds of interchangeable-lens digital SLRs. The most prevalent type mates digital camera bodies with lenses originally designed for 35mm or medium-format film SLRs. But compromises in performance...

Dec, 2008

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Expert review by : Hardware Zone (hardwarezone.com)

Olympus E-1 Digital SLR

As a result of the smaller image sensor used, the Olympus E-1 manages to produce an ergonomic lightweight body and lens design that is durable and splash proof. Not forgetting its interlock controls as a preventive measure against accidental switching...

Oct, 2005

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