• Autofocus is not available.
• OM- series autofocus lenses cannot be manually focused.
• Stop-down metering is used.
• Spot metering does not work properly.
• Although it is possible to use the A (Aperture priority AE) shooting mode in auto exposure, the aperture display is not available.
• The aperture display in the M (Manual) shooting mode is not available.
• In P (Program AE) or S (Shutter speed priority AE) shooting mode, the shutter releases, but the auto exposure control does not work.
• The distance scale on the OM- series lens may not indicate the actual distance. Always use the viewfinder or Live View for focusing.
  

1. Press the [IS] button to display the IMAGE STABILIZER screen.
2. Press and release the [] button.
3. Set the focal length using the Control Dial or the Up or Down arrow keys, and then press the [OK] button.

1. RAW: This is the highest-quality record mode available in the E-3, and it allows the photographer the most creative control in post-production. Images are saved to the memory card from the camera sensor with minimal image processing. Factors such as white balance, sharpness, contrast and color are unchanged so they can be modified later on a computer. Some photographers prefer to shoot RAW all the time for all subjects, while others may shoot RAW in situations that pose complicated exposure problems, such as wedding photography.
   
   Each camera manufacturer has its own version of RAW tailored to its cameras; therefore, special software is required to process RAW files and convert them to other image file formats such as JPEG and TIFF. OLYMPUS Master and OLYMPUS Studio contain RAW processing and conversion software for the OLYMPUS RAW format, which bears the file extension *.orf. Third-party imaging software and operating systems may use RAW plug-ins or upgrades to process Olympus RAW files. Without them, they would not be able to read RAW images from Olympus digital cameras. Most photo kiosks, printers and photo labs cannot read unconverted RAW images.
   
   
2. JPEG: Four record modes in the E-3 create compressed JPEG image files. When the camera processes a captured JPEG image and saves it to the memory card, it uses algorithms to discard some of the data to make the file size smaller. The process of mathematically reducing a file's size by discarding some of its data is called compression. The greater the compression ratio, the more data will be discarded and the smaller will be the file size. When the image is opened on a computer, the JPEG algorithms reconstruct the discarded data.
   
   The E-3 allows the photographer the option to customize the four JPEG record modes by mixing and matching their quality settings. The factors that define a JPEG record mode are image size (determined by number of pixels) and compression ratio.
   
   The table below shows all of the combinations of image size and compression ratio available in the E-3.
3. 
   
   

   	Applicatlon Image size Pixel count Compression ratio SF(Super Fine) 1/2.7 F (Fine) 1/4 N (Nomal) 1/8 B (Basic) 1/12 Select for the print size L (Large) 3648 x 2736 LSF LF LN LB M (middle) 3200 x 2400 MSF MF MN MB 2560 x 1920 1600 x 1200 S (Small) 1280 x 960 SSF SF SN SB 1024 x 768 For small-sized prints and use on a web site 640 x 480

   
   Customization of the quality settings is performed via the SET option, which is found in the / COLOR / WB. Pixel counts are expressed as either L (Large), M (Middle) or S (Small). The PIXEL COUNT menu item, also in menu , further customizes the M and S settings by offering a choice of display resolutions.
   
   RAW+JPEG: Four record modes in the E-3 save both a RAW and a JPEG image when a picture is taken. This can be advantageous when shots are intended for use in multiple media or when the medium in which the images will ultimately be published has not been determined.
   
   The quality settings used to process the JPEGs in the RAW + JPEG record modes are tied to the quality settings defined for the four JPEG record modes. The first RAW + JPEG record mode uses the JPEG settings of the first registered JPEG record mode; the second RAW + JPEG mode uses the JPEG settings of the second registered JPEG mode; and so on. Changing the JPEG quality settings via the SET menu and PIXEL COUNT menus affects both a JPEG record mode and its RAW + JPEG record mode "counterpart."

• 5300K - Use for shooting outdoors on a clear day, or to capture the reds in a sunset or the colors in a fireworks display.
• 7500K - Use for shooting outdoors in the shadows on a clear day. The light in shadows areas is bluer, so this setting compensates for the color shift.
• 6000K - Use for shooting outdoors on a cloudy day. This setting makes the color slightly warmer in tone.
• 3000K - Use for shooting under a tungsten light. This setting keeps the images from coming out with a yellow color cast.
• 4000K - Use for shooting under white fluorescent lighting.
• 4500K - Use for shooting under a neutral white fluorescent lamp.
• 6600K - Use for shooting under a daylight fluorescent lamp.
• 5500K - Use for flash shooting.

1. RED - The red filter darkens blues and greens and lightens reds. In landscape photography, it produces dark skies that make clouds look more dramatic. The red filter can also cut through atmospheric haze to some degree. It can be used in portraiture to diminish skin blemishes on light-skinned people.
   
   
2. YELLOW - The yellow filter darkens the blue in the sky so clouds separate from the sky without producing the dramatic effect of the red filter. Many black and white photographers routinely keep a yellow filter on their camera because the effects appear more natural than those of other filters. In copy photography of old documents, the yellow filter brightens the look of yellowed paper.
   
   
3. ORANGE - The effect of the orange filter falls midway between that of the red and yellow filters.
   
   
4. GREEN - The green filter lightens plants in images. It will also make red subject matter darker and add contrast to sunsets.

1. Press the [MENU] button.
2. Press the Down Arrow button repeatedly until Custom Menu 1 is selected. The menu's icon looks like this:
3. Press the Right Arrow button once to enter the menu.
4. Press the Down Arrow button to select BUTTON/DIAL and then press the Right Arrow button.
5. Use the arrow pad to select the Custom Function menu item. It looks like this: FUNCTION
6. Press the Right Arrow button to view the Custom Function menu. Use the arrow pad to scroll through the functions that can be assigned. The available functions are:
• OFF – This option disables function allocation.
• (One-Touch White Balance)
  This function is useful when you need a more precise white balance than preset White Balance can provide. When this function is registered to [ ], the optimum white balance for the shooting conditions can be saved in the camera by photographing a white piece of paper under the light source that will be used in your shot. While holding down [ ], press the shutter button once. Press the [OK] button to register the white balance. The setting is retained until a new custom white balance is registered by repeating the procedure.
• TEST PICTURE
  This enables a photographer to shoot a picture and see it on the monitor without saving it to the memory card. This can be useful in a studio situation where it would be desirable to shoot setup tests and not use up space on a memory card. Simply hold down [ ] while shooting.
• MY MODE
  If a photographer has registered special settings in MY MODE SETUP, this option allows the photographer to apply those settings without having to go into the menu. Instead, simply hold down [ ] and shoot.
• PREVIEW / LIVE PREVIEW (electronic)
  This is the default factory setting for the [ ] button. It is used to check the depth-of-field while looking through the lens. When [ ] is pressed, the camera will stop down to the selected f-stop.
• [ HOME]
  Press [ ] to switch to the registered AF home position. Press this button again to switch to the original AF target mode.
• MF
  Press [] to switch AF mode to MF. Press the button again to switch to the original AF mode.
• [RAW ]
  Press [ ] to switch the record mode from JPEG to RAW+JPEG or from RAW+JPEG to JPEG. You can change the record mode by turning the main dial/sub dial while holding down [ ].
• P/A/S/M
  You can change the shooting mode by turning the main dial/sub dial while holding down [ ].
• [/ ]
  Press [ ] to switch to the Underwater Wide shooting mode and to switch between the Underwater Wide and Underwater Macro shooting modes. Alternatively, turn the main dial while holding down the [MODE] button to select either underwater shooting mode.
7. Press [OK] to activate the selection, and then press [MENU] to exit the menu.

The functions of the [AEL/AFL] and the [ ] buttons can be interchanged. To swap them:
1. Press the [MENU] button.
2. Press the Down Arrow button until is selected.
3. Next, press the Right Arrow button to enter the menu.
4. Press the Down Arrow button to select BUTTON/DIAL and then press the Right Arrow button.
5. Use the arrow pad to select the function swap icon, which looks like this:
   
6. Press the Right Arrrow button to enter the sub menu. Select ON to have AEL/AFL functions performed when [ ] is pressed, and vice-versa.

• Off: No ruled lines are selected.
• Grid: Horizontal and vertical lines are displayed. These are useful in copy and architectural photography to correctly align the image.
• Golden Section: This pattern is used to aid composition using the “Rule of Thirds.”
  
• Scale: Cross hairs with graduations are displayed. This is useful in centering subjects within an image.

1. Open the menu and use the arrow pad to select DISP//PC.
2. Press the Right Arrow on the arrow pad to enter the submenu.
3. Select FRAME ASSIST.
4. Toggle right to show the options.
   
5. Press the [OK] button to set the option and exit the menu.

1. P (Program shooting)
   - This mode allows shooting using an aperture and shutter speed set by the camera. However, the Program Shift function allows some creative control. When powered on with this mode selected, the E-3 displays P in the upper left of the Control Panel screen. Rotating the main dial or the sub dial changes the P to Ps, which is Program Shift. This permits the selection of a shutter speed or aperture other than the default while maintaining the same exposure. If a higher shutter speed is selected, a wider aperture will be set. If a slower shutter speed is selected, a smaller aperture will be set. In effect, it is an AUTO mode that accepts input from the photographer.
   
   
2. A (Aperture Priority shooting)
   - This mode allows the aperture to be set manually, thereby giving the photographer control over depth-of-field. This mode also uses Program Shift, so the photographer can select any aperture in the range of the lens by rotating the main dial or sub dial. The camera compensates for the exposure by changing the shutter speed automatically as the f-stops are changed. If the shutter speed/aperture combination will result in under- or overexposure, the exposure values in the viewfinder and on the Control Panel screen will blink.
   
   
3. S (Shutter Priority shooting)
   - This mode allows the shutter speed to be set manually, thereby giving the photographer control over stopping action or reducing camera shake. This mode also uses Program Shift, so the photographer can select any shutter speed in the range of the camera body using the main dial or sub dial. The camera compensates for the exposure by changing the aperture automatically as the shutter speeds are changed. If the shutter speed/aperture combination will result in under- or overexposure, the exposure values in the viewfinder and Control Panel screen will blink.
   
   
4. M (Manual shooting)
   - This mode allows the photographer to set the shutter speed and aperture independently. Program Shift is not applied in this mode. Manual mode is invaluable to photographers using studio electronic flash systems and manual hot shoe electronic flashes because it allows the user to set the correct sync speed for flash and set an f-stop determined by a flash meter reading or testing. It also allows for use in exotic photographic situations such as scientific and engineering photography beyond the parameters of the camera firmware. In the Manual shooting mode the shutter speed is set using the main dial and the aperture is set using the sub dial.
   
   

[ / ]

• S-AF (Single AF)
  Every time the shutter button is pressed halfway, the camera focuses. This mode is suitable for taking pictures of still subjects or subjects with limited movement.
  
  
• C-AF (Continuous AF)
  The camera continuously refocuses as long as the shutter button is held down halfway. When the subject is in motion, the camera focuses on the subject in anticipation of its movement using Predictive Autofocus technology. When shooting in the Sequential Shooting Drive mode, Continuous AF resumes after a burst of images when the shutter button is returned to the halfway position.
  
  
• MF (Manual Focus)
  The lens is focused manually by rotating the lens focus ring. Still life and landscape photographers may prefer this focus mode as it allows more creative control. Manual Focus must be used for accurate focus when the EC-25 Extension Tube is mounted between a lens and camera body.
  
  
  
• S-AF+MF (Simultaneous use of the S-AF and Manual Focus)
  This mode allows the photographer the option of fine adjusting the focus using the lens focus ring after the shutter button has been pressed halfway and autofocus has been locked. This mode allows the photographer more creative control over the autofocus to focus on a specific area the autofocus may not have selected.
  
  
• C-AF+MF (Simultaneous use of the C-AF and Manual Focus)
  This mode allows the photographer to manually focus before pressing the shutter button halfway to enable C-AF. It allows the photographer to pre-focus the lens closer to a focus zone to provide the autofocus with a more rapid response in situations such as sports or wildlife photography.

Flash units that are not part of the Four Thirds series may pose problems if used on the E-3.

Thyristor-type flash units can be used with the E-3's Manual shooting mode as long as the sync voltage does not exceed 6 VDC. Third-party TTL flash units will not have TTL capability because the contact pins in the camera hot shoe probably won't align with the contacts on the flash. In addition, the TTL communication with the E-3 may damage the camera circuitry or corrupt the camera firmware.

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1. Select the M (Manual) shooting mode.
2. Using the Main Dial, set the shutter speed to BULB.
3. Aim the RM-1 Remote Control at the Remote Control Receiver and press the [W] button on the RM-1 to open the shutter.
4. Press the [T] button on the RM-1 to close the shutter.

• For best results, the camera should be set up on a tripod.
• If eight minutes elapse after the [W] button is pressed, the shutter will close automatically.
• The shutter will not be released if the subject is not in focus. The photographer should stand behind or to one side of the camera so that the autofocus does not focus on the photographer.
• Under bright light conditions, the remote control lamp may be difficult to see, making it hard to determine whether or not the picture has been taken.
• Zoom is not available on the remote control.

When the E-3 saves a captured image as digital data and writes it onto the memory card, it performs complex mathematical calculations to convert the image into binary code data to be saved and later retrieved. Since images are unique, each calculation is unique. The manual for the E-3 shows that a RAW file is approximately 11 megabytes. However, since the factors comprising each image are unique, each calculation is unique and the results of the calculation will vary. The E-3 writes a lossless RAW file, and one of the ways it does this is by sampling some of the factors in the image.

When the E-3 polls a formatted memory card, it is looking at a blank slate. It has yet to do the math for any images and is programmed to start out with a conservative capacity estimate. As the camera shoots more images, it recalculates the capacity as it "learns" about the image files it is creating. As the card fills up, the estimated capacity of RAW files on the display will become more accurate.

The majority of photographers carry more than one memory card in the event that the memory card in the camera should fill up. The E-3 also features an xD-Picture Card slot to hold a second card. If the capacity of the CompactFlash card is close to maximizing, the photographer can switch to the xD-Picture Card media or can transfer files from the CompactFlash card to the xD-Picture Card media to free up more capacity on the CompactFlash card.

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