The Olympus E-System hails a new chapter in the history of photography. Now, the world's first SLR digital camera system realises the advantages of the Four Thirds Standard and is dedicated to the special requirements of digital SLR photography, presenting new benchmarks for professional image quality and performance.
All components and accessories of the Olympus E-System from the camera body, through flash units, to interchangeable lenses have been expressly designed for digital use and ensure the system's performance potential is maximised in every instance. The Olympus E-System breaks the mould of previous digital SLR solutions and frees itself from the obstacles of the past.
The Olympus E-System adheres to the guidelines defined by the Four Thirds Standard that regulate type and diameter of the lens mount as well as the size of the image sensor and the flange back distance. These guidelines not only guarantee complete lens interchangeability between any manufacturer complying with the set norms but also enable production of lenses fully optimised to digital camera requirements.
A five megapixel 4/3-type CCD ensures the light transmitted by the lens is captured in flawless detail. But it is not the pixel-count alone that is responsible for the professional image results. Unlike most digital cameras, the Olympus E-1 utilises a Full Frame Transfer CCD sensor, a type specifically developed for the capture of still images. In comparison to Interline Transfer counterparts found in the majority of digital models, the FFT-CCD is distinguished by a larger pixel area, with bigger photodiodes and transfer channels. This means more electrons can be captured. A high signal/noise ratio can therefore be achieved together with a wider dynamic range. Final images benefit from more exposure latitude, greater detail and less noise.
All ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses are designed to maximise the performance of digital SLRs based on the Four Thirds Standard. They feature telecentric optics meaning that transmitted light hits the CCD virtually at right-angles which is required by digital cameras to give images perfect colour, clarity and brightness from the centre to the periphery of the frame. The lens' high resolving power ensures the image sensor obtains the detail it needs to achieve its full potential.
Moreover, because of the set communication standard, lenses are capable of supplying the camera body with information about any potential shading or distortion which can then be compensated for to return perfect results. A further substantial benefit made possible by the Four Thirds Standard is that lenses maintain a compact form and light weight despite offering a large aperture.
