E-5 Professional Digital SLR from Olympus. Fastest autofocus in the world* with new TruePic V+ based imaging system providing class-leading resolving power and HD movie capture.

Olympus Imaging Corporation (President Masaharu Okubo) is pleased to announce the launch of the Olympus E-5, the flagship SLR camera of the Olympus E-System. This new camera, designed for the professional and enthusiast photographer, is scheduled for release in late October 2010.

Key Features

Class leading image quality made possible by a specially tuned 12.3-megapixel High-Speed Live MOS Sensor and the new TruePic V+ image processor, which will maximise the imaging performance of Olympus’ renowned professional ZUIKO DIGITAL SLR lenses

Professional grade reliability with a rugged magnesium-alloy chassis, dust/splash-proof construction, award-winning SuperSonic Wave Dust Reduction System and a high-reliability shutter mechanism

World’s only professional digital SLR with a dual-axis swiveling LCD monitor and a high resolution 920,000 dot HyperCrystal 3-inch LCD

The E-5 is the new flagship camera of the Olympus digital SLR range. It is designed as a high-performance camera for both the professional photographer and the creative enthusiast. 

Headlining the array of new features of the E-5 is Olympus’ new Fine-Detail Processing technology that delivers a groundbreaking level of resolving power, exceeding many contemporary APS-C sensor based SLR cameras in the professional class. Utilising a newly-refined 12.3 megapixel High-Speed LiveMOS technology sensor and the latest “TruePic V+” image processor, the E-5 captures a level of detail that is simply quite stunning. This latest image processor retains Olympus’ unique imaging signature, delivering pictures with film-like tonality that have vibrant yet believable colours. A high level of picture detail and colour-tone fidelity is maintained up to the camera’s maximum ISO of 6400. The E-5 will provide a significant image quality upgrade for existing Olympus digital SLR users and pushes the imaging potential of the acclaimed Olympus Zuiko Digital SLR lens system to unprecedented levels.

The E-5 boasts the world's first* 3-inch dual-axis swivel VGA HyperCrystal LCD monitor for enhanced handling flexibility during Live View shooting of stills and video. A large memory buffer enables the capture of up to 16 raw shots** in continuous burst operation, at up to five frames per second. Its 11-Point Full Twin-Cross autofocus system ensures that the E-5 is the fastest auto-focusing SLR camera in the world***; with a remarkable low-light auto-focus sensitivity of -2 EV. Up to 5 EV steps of image stabilisation is possible with the E-5’s Supersonic Wave based Built-In Image Stabiliser. The E-5 supports audio capture for stills and video with its built-in mono microphone, and has a standard 3.5mm microphone socket to enable the direct connection of an external stereo microphone for enhanced audio recording quality.

For the creative photographer, the E-5 adopts the multi-exposure with Live View image overlay capability of Olympus’ enthusiast digital SLR models. It has ten Art Filter digital effects that can be applied directly in real-time to both stills and HD video, to give the photographer added creative options. New with the E-5, Art Filters can be used in manual exposure, as well as shutter and aperture priority exposure modes. The E-5 also features TTL wireless flash control with its built-in flash functioning as commander. Its Super FP flash mode enables wireless flash synchronisation up to 1/8000th of a second.

Designed to withstand the rigours of hard professional use under adverse environmental and handling conditions, the E-5 features a high-strength magnesium alloy body. Thoroughly weather-sealed, the E-5 is both splashproof and dustproof, as is expected of a professional camera. Like all Olympus digital SLR models, the E-5 uses Olympus’ award-winning Supersonic Wave Dust Reduction system. Its pro-grade shutter mechanism is tested to work for a minimum of 150,000 operational cycles. The E-5 supports the use of compact flash memory, as well as SD format memory, with SDXC support.

The Olympus E-5 will be available in late October 2010. Local pricing is yet to be announced.

* Among 3-inch VGA LCD monitors

* * In tests with Sandisk Extreme Pro 16GB

*** In tests with the Olympus Zuiko Digital 12-60mm SWD lens

Other features

11 Point-Full-Twin Cross AF Sensors
High-speed shutter of 1/8000 sec., high-speed sequential shooting of five frames/sec.
Responsive Live View shooting featuring imager AF compatible with any Four Thirds System lens and High-Speed Imager AF
Built-in image stabilisation mechanism with compensation up to 5 EV steps*
Ten Art Filters including the new "Dramatic Tone" effect
720p HD movie and HDMI output for high-quality image
CF/SD dual slots
Large optical viewfinder with 100% field of view and 1.1x magnification
Extended function buttons and "My Set"
Underwater white balance control
Copyright owner information input
2-frame and 7-frame AE bracketing functions added
Indication of the level gauge in/on the viewfinder, Control panel, Rear LCD monitor
Two dials plus cursor keys with high operability convenient for playback view
Multiple-exposure function to superimpose current view on top of previously captured image
Built-in flash with Commander function for wireless off-camera flash synchronisation
Durable high-speed shutter tested to 150,000 releases*
* In-house testing

Main Feature Details

 
High-Speed Live MOS Sensor that maximises the superior imaging potential of ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses together with the "TruePic V+" image processing engine with new "Fine-Detail Processing" technology

Tested and proven in the acclaimed Olympus PEN series digital cameras, the 12.3-megapixel High-Speed Live MOS sensor renders images with extraordinary fidelity to detail, high resolution, rich gradations and bright, natural colour reproduction. To achieve its new groundbreaking level of image clarity, the E-5 features newly developed optical filters and the latest "TruePic V+" image processing engine with new "Fine-Detail Processing" technology

While previous attempts to improve the resolution of fine subjects often led to problems such as pseudo-colours and moiré, Olympus's new "Fine-Detail Processing" technology uses sophisticated algorithms to enhance the sense of resolution whilst minimising these aberrations. This results in an enhanced level of clarity than previous Olympus models sporting the same type of sensor. The new E-5 is thus able to offer the highest picture quality ever achieved by an Olympus SLR camera, with imaging performance exceeding many competing APS-C format professional SLR cameras

Professional grade reliability with a rugged magnesium-alloy body, dust/splash-proof construction, and high-power Dust Reduction System

The E-5 features a rugged magnesium alloy body and dust-/splash-proof design and high-power Supersonic Wave Dust Reduction System

The E-5’s magnesium alloy body is extremely strong, durable, and light in weight. It is manufactured using a special “thixomold” process that results in a chassis that’s lighter, stronger and more accurately finished than is possible using traditional die-casting methods.

The E-5 is dust and splash-proof, with extensive weather sealing used to ensure a high level of reliability when shooting in adverse environmental conditions

Olympus' award-winning Dust Reduction System features original supersonic wave technology, ensuring that routine dust problems are eliminated. The supersonic vibrations generated by the SSWF (Super-Sonic Wave Filter) installed in front of the image sensor are so powerful that even the tiniest dust particles tightly bound by molecular attraction that cannot be removed by simple shaking or anti-static measures, can be dislodged, ensuring genuinely fuss-free clean and clear imaging

Olympus Supersonic Wave based dust reduction technology has been in use since Olympus began its development of interchangeable lens type digital SLR cameras in 2005 and has been critically acclaimed by professionals and industry associations worldwide, winning the Asahi Shimbun Invention Prize in Japan’s 2010 prestigious National Commendation for Invention Awards

Free-angle shooting of both still images and movies using the super clear 3-inch VGA HyperCrystal LCD monitor with the world's first* dual-axis swivelling system

The LCD monitor on the rear panel of the E-5 uses a 3-inch high-definition VGA HyperCrystal LCD with approximately 920,000-dots. It's the first on camera monitor of its type to feature a dual-axis swivelling system that allows free movement in both horizontal and vertical directions. It enhances flexible handling of the camera and provides enhanced comfort and convenience for LiveView based shooting of stills and video.

Other Feature Details

11 Point-Full-Twin Cross AF Sensors

The 11-point AF sensor incorporated in the E-5 features a fully crossed array of 11 points, each of which is composed of two horizontal and vertical lines. This means that, effectively, 22 cross-sensors are used in eleven overlapping positions to give an extreme degree of auto-focus accuracy and superb low-light sensitivity. Determination of the position of the 11 AF points was based on statistical analysis of the positions of the main objects in thousands of different photos, as well as input from professional photographers.

High-speed shutter of 1/8000 sec., high-speed sequential shooting of five frames/sec

The E-5’s maximum shutter speed is 1/8000 sec., with flash synchronisation at 1/250 sec. When used with the FL-50R or FL-36R external flash units, it also supports the use of Super FP flash for daylight synchronisation (fill-in flash) shooting at shutter speeds up to 1/8000 sec., and its maximum continuous shooting speed is five frames per second.

Responsive Live View shooting featuring imager AF compatible with any Four Thirds System lens and High-Speed Imager AF

With all Four Thirds lenses, auto focusing in Live View shooting is performed by an imager AF that adjusts focus according to the AF signals received from the image sensor. When a lens compatible with the High-Speed Imager AF is used, auto focusing is possible at even higher speeds, while the expanded-frame AF makes it possible to select the distance-measuring focus points regardless of the predetermined AF points. This makes Live View shooting much easier, almost as easy as the PEN series cameras.

In the C (Continuous) - AF mode, both the focusing rate and the number of successively recordable frames have been significantly increased compared to the E-3.*

* Firmware updating is required with some lenses. The release of the firmware is scheduled to coincide with the official launch of the E-5

Built-in image stabilisation mechanism with compensation up to EV steps*

The E-5 is equipped with a sensor-shift image stabilisation system to facilitate handheld, low-light and telephoto shooting. Driven by proprietary Olympus SWD (Supersonic Wave Drive) technology, it applies advanced image stabilisation control algorithms to motion data sent from a high-precision gyro sensor, and instantly shifts the sensor via SWD actuators that offer outstanding response and controllability. Thanks to the system's outstanding effectiveness, users can enjoy the equivalent of up to EV steps of image stabilisation compensation*. Because it is built into the camera body, the E-5's image stabilisation can be used with all ZUIKO DIGITAL and other lenses that comply with the Four Thirds System standard, providing effective image stabilisation with everything from super wide-angle to super telephoto lenses, as well as fisheye and macro lenses. As a result, users can enjoy blur-free handheld shooting not only on telephoto shots, but also on long-exposure fisheye and super wide-angle shots in low light.* In-house testing

Ten Art Filters including the new "Dramatic Tone" effect

Introduced to popular acclaim on the PEN series and featured on previous digital SLR cameras, the Art Filter function has proven to be a big hit with users, as it creates sophisticated special effects photography with one-touch. The version found on the E-5 offers all ten of the filter effects available with other Olympus digital SLR cameras, including the new "Dramatic Tone" effect. These filters allow anyone to easily create artistic images that reflect their own unique vision. Effects can be applied to both still images and movies*, and can be used in sequential shooting.* When a movie is shot with an Art Filter effect, the frame rate and the ability to record audio vary, depending on the effect type

*New* Dramatic Tone

Provides a dramatic appearance of light and dark tones in the picture

Pop Art

Colour intensifying filter that intensifies colour saturation whilst maintaining good colour tone.

Soft Focus

Simulates the effects of a high-end, front-of-lens soft focus filter

Pale & Light Colour

Subdues highlights and shadows for muted colour tones

Light Tone

Enhances shadow detail and evokes a lighter feeling image

Grainy Film

Recreates the look of push-processed traditional black and white film with enhanced grain and high contrast

Pin Hole

Provides a colour shift and creates a trendy toy-camera vignetted look

Diorama

Simulates the limited focus plane effect of a tilt-lens

Cross Process

Simulates the look and contrast of a positive film emulsion is processed in negative film chemistry

Gentle Sepia

Gives images the look of a vintage sepia-tone print, with gentle contrast and well-defined shadows

720p HD movie and HDMI output for high-quality image

HD-quality movies can be recorded with the widescreen 16:9 (1280 x 720, 30 fps) aspect ratio, as well as with the standard 4:3 (640 x 480, 30 fps) ratio. Because the image sensor is much larger than those used in normal camcorders, this camera not only delivers higher image quality, but also makes it possible to exploit a variety of effects unique to interchangeable-lens photography, such as the defocused image backgrounds produced by controlling the aperture or the arresting perspectives that can be achieved with different interchangeable lenses. The electronic image stabilisation mechanism is built into the body so it can stabilise movie images and reduce camera shake regardless of the lens used. Manual controls (exposure, shutter speed, ISO sensitivity) and Art Filters can also be used when shooting movies. The camera can be connected to an HDMI-equipped TV set via a commercially available HDMI–HDMI Mini cable to view high-quality HD movies and still images.

Audio is recorded in linear PCM format — an uncompressed digital format noted for its super sound quality. Drawing on Olympus expertise in digital IC recorder technology, it assures outstanding fidelity and dynamic audio presence. After-the-fact audio and sound memos can also be easily added to previously taken photos. The camera body incorporates a monaural microphone but is also equipped with a stereo microphone jack so that stereo recording with higher audio quality is possible using external microphones.

CF/SD dual slots

Two slots are provided to allow use of both a CompactFlash (CF Type I) and an SD card (SDHC or SDXC). Data can be copied between different media and a second card can be used to backup the main card used for recording.

Large optical viewfinder with 100% field of view and 1.1x magnification

To enable accurate framing all the way to the corners of the image, the E-3’s large, high-precision pentaprism employs high refractive index glass, while its eyepiece optics use glass lenses. The result is a large, easy-view optical viewfinder with 100% field of view and 1.1x magnification. A highly reflective silver coating is used in the pentaprism and all of the lenses are surface-coated to minimise optical loss, thereby ensuring bright, high-resolution viewfinder images. The focusing screen is equipped with a Neo Lumi-Micro Mat for bright, easy-to-adjust manual focusing.

Extended function buttons and "My Set"

In addition to the traditional [Fn] (Function) button functions, the functions of the [・・・] (AF Target) button and Preview button can also be set as the button functions. This expands the range of camera customisation according to suit the shooting style of each user. Additionally, a Custom Reset function for registering desired reset targets and My Mode for registering frequently used settings, which were provided separately on previous models, are now integrated into a single "My Set" function. This function features greatly improved ease of use; for example, it enables temporary recall using a [Fn] button or setting during exposure mode selection.

Underwater white balance control

The newly developed "underwater white balance" is capable of automatically detecting and controlling the underwater colour tone, which can vary depending on such factors as depth, weather and seawater conditions. This makes it easy to shoot underwater pictures with vivid colours, including taking still pictures without the help of lighting and shooting movies with reduced blue cast. This function can be utilised on land as well as in the water, so there's no need to change the white balance before and after diving. As with the E-3, an aluminium-made underwater case from Anthis Co., Ltd. will be available for the E-5, under the model name of "NEXUS D-1"*. The E-5 can also use Olympus lens ports as well as the UFL-2 underwater flash (with the optical cable compatibility), and the release of gears for use with various lenses is also planned.*for details on the product, release timing and MSRP, please contact Anthis Co., Ltd

Copyright owner information input

A function has been added to enable input of photographer and copyright owner information in the Exif tag. These items of information can automatically be written in the Exif tag by setting the photographer and copyright owner information in the camera in advance. The information can be browsed on software such as OLYMPUS Viewer 2 or Adobe Photoshop.

2-frame and 7-frame AE bracketing functions added

The E-5 is compatible with 2-frame AE bracketing of standard exposure & + correction or standard exposure & - correction. Whether the + or - correction is applied can be selected on a menu. Furthermore, the E-5 is also capable of 7-frame AE bracketing.

Level gauge display in the viewfinder, control panel and Live View monitor

The built-in acceleration sensor of the camera displays two level gauges for the "roll" and "pitch" of the camera. The level gauge display is available in the viewfinder, on the LCD control panel and on the Live View monitor*. These gauges are convenient when the image does not contain a horizontal line or when the monitored image is too dark during nighttime shooting.* only the horizontal pitch is indicated when the optical viewfinder is used

Two dials plus cursor keys with high operability convenient for playback view

The sub dial forwards the image to display while the main dial allows you to magnify or reduce the image as well as to display the divided image. The cursor keys can be used to shift the magnified section while you check where the displayed section is positioned on the screen.

Multiple-exposure function with LCD monitor display of current view on top of previously captured image

Multiple-exposure photos can be taken when using either the optical viewfinder or Live View. During Live View shooting, previously captured RAW image data can be displayed on the LCD monitor and used as the base for a multiple exposure, with the currently visible scene overlaid on the base image. Up to 4 exposures can be made on a single frame, with or without auto gain adjustment according to the user's preference. In addition, RAW format images already recorded on the camera's memory card can also be composited together in the same way. So in addition to conventional multiple exposure images, they can also easily create multiple exposures of subjects widely separated in space and time.

Built-in flash with Commander function for wireless off-camera flash synchronisation

The E-30 is equipped with a GN13 (ISO 100) built-in flash with TTL flash control. It also supports wireless multi-flash control without the use of an external commander unit when used with FL-50R and/or FL-36R external flashes, enabling users to easily control flash mode, flash compensation, and other settings for up to three groups of remote flash units, with an unlimited number of flash units per group.

Durable high-speed shutter tested to 150,000 operational cycles*

To withstand heavy-duty professional use, the shutter unit uses a highly durable focal plane shutter with a vertical-travel metal blade mechanism that has been successfully tested to 10,000 shooting operation cycles*.

* In-house testing