Two Giants from Different Eras: Nikon D3S vs. Olympus E-1 – A Hands-On Comparative Review

In the realm of professional DSLRs, it’s fascinating to revisit cameras that defined their times. Here, I dive deep into a spirited head-to-head comparison between the Nikon D3S, a powerhouse flagship from 2010, and the Olympus E-1, a pioneering pro model launched back in 2003. Both heralded for their rugged reliability and professional appeal, they come from distinct technological epochs – which makes this comparison as much about evolution as evaluation.

Having spent extensive hours testing each in studio and field conditions, I aim to provide a pragmatic, experience-based perspective. This will help professionals, enthusiasts, and collectors alike understand the capabilities and trade-offs inherent between these two professional DSLRs - tools designed for wildly different photographic environments yet unified by a pro ethos.

Touching on Their Footprints: Physical Size and Ergonomics

Right off the bat, it’s worth grounding ourselves in the tangible, physical differences these cameras bring to the table. The Nikon D3S is a hefty full-frame beast - sturdy, robust, and very much built for the intensity of professional sports and wildlife work where durability meets rapid response. Contrast this with Olympus’s E-1, somewhat lighter and more compact, yet still solidly constructed to endure fieldwork.

At 160x157x88 mm with a weight tipping the scales near 1240 grams (without lens), the D3S commands presence. Its large grip and thoughtfully positioned buttons provide excellent hold during extended shoots. Meanwhile, the E-1 measures 141x104x81 mm and weighs 735 grams, noticeable in hand as more nimble but still reinforcing its professional-grade construction.

Ergonomically, Nikon wins hands-down regarding comprehensive control layout geared for rapid-fire shooting under pressure - an impression confirmed during marathon sports sessions. Olympus’s interface feels a bit dated and limited by comparison but respectable given its era, offering a cleaner, if somewhat Spartan, user interface that emphasizes simplicity over sheer breadth of controls.

You can also see the contrast in design philosophy further in the top view comparison:

Nikon’s expansive top LCD and dedicated dials underscore its intelligence for quick settings changes. Olympus chooses minimalism with fewer external controls, better suited for slower-paced shooting scenarios or manual setups.

The Heart of the Matter: Sensor Technologies and Image Quality

Arguably the most decisive difference between these two cameras lies in their sensor technology.

The Nikon D3S sports a full-frame 36x23.9 mm CMOS sensor with a native resolution of 12.1 megapixels. By 2010 standards, the sensor offered an exceptional balance of resolution and exceptional high ISO performance, crucial for professional photojournalism and sports photography. Nikon’s Expeed processor works seamlessly here, delivering impressive dynamic range (12 stops), excellent color depth (23.5 bits), and outstanding noise control with usable ISO up to 12800 native and expanded to 102400 - ideal for low-light work without a hitch.

On the flip side, the Olympus E-1 is powered by a 4/3-inch (17.3x13 mm) CCD sensor delivering just 5 megapixels resolution. While its sensor size is significantly smaller (224.9 mm² area compared to Nikon’s 860.4 mm²), its CCD technology was cutting-edge at launch and notable for excellent color rendition. However, the smaller sensor and older processing constrain image quality in low light and dynamic range, limiting creative latitude for professional-grade prints and high-ISO scenarios.

In practical tests, landscape and studio shots reveal a clear boundary: the D3S delivers sharper images with more detail and broader tonal gradation, while the E-1 images feel softer in comparison, with narrower latitude but remarkable color accuracy when well-lit.

Navigating Autofocus and Speed: Tracking the Moment

Autofocus (AF) is where a camera’s ability to “keep up” comes into sharp focus - especially in action, wildlife, and sports photography. Nikon’s D3S autofocus is legendary, featuring 51 AF points with 15 cross-type sensors and full AF tracking capabilities, including continuous AF modes designed for fast subjects.

Olympus E-1’s autofocus system, by contrast, showcases just 3 AF points with phase-detection capability, lacking the sophistication or speed required for high-action or unpredictable subjects.

This disparity is felt acutely when shooting wildlife or sports: the D3S tracks erratically moving subjects reliably and sustains autofocus during rapid bursts, while the E-1 requires more manual intervention or pre-focusing and struggles with active tracking.

Build Quality and Environmental Sealing

Both cameras wear their professional heritage in their weather sealing and build robustness.

The Nikon D3S features magnesium alloy body construction with extensive weather sealing that holds up admirably in dust, moisture, and adverse conditions - a vital asset when shooting in challenging outdoor environments.

The Olympus E-1, likewise, features a magnesium alloy frame and boasts environmental sealing, though its protection doesn’t quite reach the D3S’s rigorous standards.

For users prioritizing ruggedness in the field, especially for travel or wildlife photography, both cameras are sturdy choices - though the D3S adds a level of confidence with its proven endurance in extreme climates and demanding assignments.

Viewing Experience: LCD and Viewfinder Insights

The quality of your viewing tools often determines framing precision and workflow speed.

The Nikon D3S has a large 3-inch LCD with 921k-dot resolution, making image review clear and detailed. It also supports live view, lending flexibility for studio and tripod shooting. The optical pentaprism viewfinder offers 100% coverage and a sturdy, bright image with 0.7x magnification, aiding manual focus precision.

Olympus’s E-1 possesses a smaller 1.8-inch LCD at a far lower resolution (134k dots), less suitable for detailed image assessment in the field. Critically, the E-1 lacks live view functionality, which, although common in its generation, restricts preview flexibility. Its optical pentaprism offers 100% coverage but at a noticeably lower magnification of 0.48x, making critical manual focus a bit trickier.

For professionals used to fast-paced shooting with instant feedback, the Nikon’s screens and viewfinder setup present an unmistakable advantage.

Lenses and System Compatibility: Expanding Your Creative Arsenal

Lens ecosystems often decide long-term user satisfaction and versatility.

The D3S uses the Nikon F-mount, boasting compatibility with an enormous selection of over 300 lenses including AF-S, AF-I, and legacy optics, ranging from ultra-fast primes to super-telephoto zooms. This enormous choice addresses every niche - macro, wide, portrait, and telephoto needs - plus access to third-party specialists.

In contrast, the Olympus E-1 utilizes the Four Thirds (not Micro Four Thirds) mount, which supports close to 45 lenses native to its system at its time - generally high-quality primes and zooms provided also by third-party lens manufacturers. However, the Four Thirds mount’s crop factor of 2.1x effectively doubles focal length, which is beneficial for telephoto but compromises wide-angle perspectives.

For profound versatility in professional and travel contexts, Nikon’s extensive F-mount system is a significant boon, although Olympus delivers respectable but niche capability.

Battery Life and Storage: Endurance in the Field

When shooting professionally, battery endurance and ample storage flexibility are critical.

The Nikon D3S excels here: its EN-EL4a battery is notorious for delivering roughly 4200 shots per charge, far outpacing many contemporaries. Dual CompactFlash slots with UDMA support provide redundancy or extended capacity - indispensable when working in intense professional settings.

The Olympus E-1’s battery specifications are less documented, with a smaller capacity battery and reportedly shorter life. It offers a single CompactFlash slot, which limits backup options and storage flexibility.

This discrepancy clearly favors the Nikon for extended assignments where powering through a day’s shoot without interruptions matters.

Connectivity and Modern Features

By modern standards, neither camera offers wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, or NFC - a reflection of their production eras. However, the Nikon D3S does include USB 2.0 and HDMI ports, facilitating tethered shooting and external monitor connections. Optional GPS functionality enhances geo-tagging on assignments.

The Olympus E-1 offers USB 2.0 but lacks HDMI and GPS functionalities, limiting its workflow integration options.

Video Capabilities: A Throwback vs. Modest Offering

The Nikon D3S includes basic video support: 1280x720p at 24fps captured in Motion JPEG format, with no microphone or headphone jacks - thus minimal for video producers today but a nod to evolving DSLR multifunctionality in 2010.

The Olympus E-1, being firmly pre-video era, lacks any video capability entirely.

If video is a component of your workflow - even as a secondary aspect - the Nikon D3S is the clear, if modest, winner.

Real-World Performance in Photography Genres

To provide actionable insights, I tested both cameras across key genres, summarizing findings with sample imagery and scores.

Nikon D3S screen back Olympus E 1 screen back

Portrait Photography

• Nikon D3S: Remarkably capable with smooth skin tones and natural color rendition aided by full-frame sensor depth-of-field control and 51-point AF for reliable eye detection. The bokeh quality is creamy, separation clean, making it top choice for studio and event portraits.
• Olympus E-1: Color accuracy is excellent, but shallow depth of field control is limited by smaller sensor and Four Thirds crop. Autofocus slower and less precise, with fewer focus points, making fast portrait sessions challenging.

Landscape Photography

• D3S: Its dynamic range of 12 stops captures vast tonal gradations in shadows and highlights, essential for HDR or subtle natural landscapes. The 12 MP resolution balances sharpness and noise well.
• E-1: Benefits from excellent color fidelity and fine tonal gradations in well-lit conditions, but limited resolution and dynamic range constrain large print potential or challenging high-contrast scenes.

Wildlife Photography

• D3S: Thanks to its swift 11 fps burst rate and jampacked AF system, it excels at capturing unpredictable animal movement.
• E-1: A slow 3 fps and less sophisticated AF mean it can’t keep pace in the field.

Sports Photography

• D3S: An all-star with fast shutter (up to 1/8000s), rapid shooting speeds, and precision tracking autofocus.
• E-1: Not designed for the pace and demands of sports shooting.

Street Photography

• E-1: Smaller size and lighter weight offer discreetness, yet the slower AF and lack of silent shutter options limit candid capture.
• D3S: Larger, more conspicuous, with noisier shutter but superior image quality.

Macro Photography

Both cameras lack in-built stabilization but benefit from quality lenses of their systems. Focus precision via manual or autofocus favors the D3S due to more AF points and focus assist features.

Night/Astro Photography

• D3S: High ISO performance and long exposures excel, aided by 12-stop dynamic range and noise reduction.
• E-1: Limited ISO range and sensor capabilities curtail astrophotography potential.

Video

The D3S’s ability to shoot at 720p is a bonus, though basic compared to modern standards; E-1 offers none.

Travel Photography

The lighter weight and smaller profile of the Olympus E-1 suit travel, but I suspect many pros will prefer Nikon’s image quality and features despite its heft.

Professional Workflows

The Nikon shines with RAW support, sturdy build, dual storage, and tethering capabilities, best suited to demanding workflows - fast turnaround, studio shoots, and press. Olympus offers a solid introduction to pro digital but lacks advanced features.

Comprehensive Ratings

After extensive testing, I scored the cameras across various performance facets.

The D3S not only outperforms the E-1 numerically but does so with significant margins in autofocus, speed, low light performance, and versatility - attributes critical to professionals.

Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Nikon D3S if you need:

• Outstanding low-light photographic ability and high ISO performance
• Fast and accurate autofocus with extensive focus point coverage
• Ruggedness and weather sealing for demanding field use
• Broad lens ecosystem and advanced workflow support
• Solid video capture options (even if minimal)
• Longevity and top-tier image quality for sports, wildlife, and professional portraiture

Opt for the Olympus E-1 if you:

• Are fascinated by early digital SLR technology and want a robust, reliable old-school body
• Shoot primarily in controlled or well-lit conditions where resolution and high ISO are less critical
• Prefer a lighter camera offering decent color fidelity with classic CCD imagery
• Value simplicity and straightforward operation over speed and feature richness
• Have a budget that precludes purchasing top-tier full-frame cameras but want a pro-grade Four Thirds system

Final Thoughts

Comparing the Nikon D3S and Olympus E-1 is less about pitting them evenly and more about understanding two distinct chapters of professional DSLR history. The Nikon D3S clearly surpasses the Olympus E-1 in nearly every technical and performance category due to seven more years of rapid sensor and AF innovation.

That said, the Olympus E-1 remains a respected pioneer - the first income-worthy digital SLR for many pros - and will delight those who appreciate its specific sensor characteristics and manageable size accompanied by classic DSLR handling.

Whether you choose the unparalleled prowess of the D3S or the compact dependability of the E-1 depends on your photographic priorities and how much weight you place on modern features versus enduring charm.

In closing, both these cameras offer valuable lessons - and tools - for photographers. Understanding their strengths rooted in real-world use, not just specifications, is key to making an informed purchase in today’s crowded marketplace.

Happy shooting!