Olympus E-1

447 reviews

Apr, 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 really like the price and portability. The image quality and performance are also mentioned favorably. There are some mixed opinions about the focus. Some have doubts about the image stabilizer and exposure.

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)
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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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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. Views about the price and image quality are generally positive. The performance and portability also get good feedback, but there are some critical reviews about the shutter. Opinions 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.

Apr, 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 comments. Many are less positive about the image stabilizer and battery, while opinions about the shutter and size are different.

performance, usability, image quality, portability, price

screen, battery, stabilizer

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

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : DIWA (diwa-awards.com)

Olympus E-1 SYSTEM

The introduction of the E-System was an ingenious move by Olympus. Due to the fact that numerous characteristics for digital imaging and film are incompatible, a completely new system was developed. The E-System is based on the 'Four-Thirds' sensor...

Feb, 2004

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Expert review by : Ian Burley (dpnow.com)

Olympus E-1 interactive review

Regulars to dpnow may recall this article started off as an interactive preview of the Olympus E-1 based on hands-on time with late pre-production cameras provided by Olympus Europe. Since then I have been provided with a production sample and I have...

The interactive nature of the article is not complete - I still welcome your feedback and this can sent directly using the feedback email links or publicly on the dedicated E-1 discussion forum. Where relevant, I will make additions and amendments to...

Jan, 2004

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Expert review by (ephotozine.com)

Olympus E-1 DSLR Review

Until recently, Olympus have been sitting on the bench, watching Canon, Nikon, Sigma and Fuji all release digital SLR systems and have great success with them. Although Olympus did have some fixed lens SLR-type cameras in their range such as the E-20p,...

Excellent build quality and finish; Good handling; Fast and quiet focussing; Good battery-life; Automatic sensor dust remover; Splash proof; USB 2.0 & Firewire connectivity

No secondhand accessories or lenses (minor point)

Oct, 2003

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Expert review by (dcmag.co.uk)

Olympus E-1

For the most part, the Olympus E-1 generates very good-looking images that are fit for use straight away, without the need for further manipulation in an image-editing suite. Lower prices have made the E-1 much more tempting, but Olympus is yet to convinc

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Expert review by (print-digital.info)

Olympus E-1 - Digital camera reviews

Includes video out and supports USB. Software that comes with the camera is Olympus Viewer.

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Expert review by : What Digital Camera Magazine (whatdigitalcamera.com)

Review of the Olympus E 1 - Digital SLR Reviews

The first camera to boast a completely new format known as 4/3rds, the E1 has been uniquely designed as a digital SLR from the ground up...

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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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