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 arise, such as light falloff around the edges and other nasty problems. The other type uses new lenses perfectly matched for the smaller size and mechanics of digital sensors, and thus avoids image-quality pitfalls. This group has a single member, the Olympus E-1 ($2,199 list for body only, $599 list for a 50mm f/2.0 Zuiko Digital macro lens with a 100mm field of view—street prices unavailable at press time).

Why did Olympus choose this path and risk alienating its faithful 35mm SLR owners looking for a more affordable way to go digital? Olympus claims that by optimizing the relationship between the lens and the smaller, flatter CCD sensor (relative to 35mm film), the “pro-level” E-1 will deliver powerful advantages in terms of image quality, low-light performance, durability, speed, and camera and lens size. Olympus has joined with Kodak, the manufacturer of the E-1’s CCD sensor, in an effort to create a new camera-and-lens standard called the Four Thirds System (see side bar on page 62). Kodak claims that its 5.5MP Super Latitude Full Frame Transfer CCD (which captures 5MP, or 2560x1920 pixels of resolution) has the highest dynamic range, lowest noise level, and best color of any imager in its class. Olympus says that the “pure-digital” nature of the E-1 helps it capture details on par with higher megapixel sensors. The company also claims that the camera’s rugged construction, fast AF system, accurate metering, and other features earn it a “pro” designation. But there are more affordable, lighter SLRs with more megapixels these days, so is the E-1 really worth the premium? That’s what we had to find out.