The Olympus E-1, introduced in 2003, was the first DSLR system camera designed from the ground up for digital photography^[1] This contrasts with its contemporaries which offered systems based on reused parts from previous 135 film systems, modified to fit with a sensor size of APS-C.

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Olympus E-1

Overview
Type	Digital single-lens reflex
Lens
Lens	Interchangeable (Four Thirds System)
Sensor/medium
Sensor	Kodak KAF-5101C Four Thirds System FFT CCD
Maximum resolution	2,560 × 1,920 (4.9 million)
Film speed	ISO 100-800 with 1600 or 3200 in 'ISO Boost' mode
Storage media	CompactFlash (CF) (Type I or Type II), Microdrive compatible
Focusing
Focus modes	Single, continuous, manual
Focus areas	3 auto-focus points, selectable
Exposure/metering
Exposure modes	Program, shutter-priority, aperture-priority, manual
Exposure metering	TTL, evaluative (ESP), center-weighted, spot
Metering modes	ESP multi patterned, Center-weighted average (60%), Spot (2%)
Shutter
Shutter	Focal-plane shutter, all speeds electronically controlled
Shutter speed range	1/4,000 to 60 s, bulb up to 8 minutes
Continuous shooting	3.0 frame/s, up to 12 frames in any format
Viewfinder
Viewfinder	Optical TTL with pentaprism 100% field of view
General
LCD screen	1.8 inch TFT LCD, 134,000 pixels
Battery	Olympus BLM-1 1500mAh Lithium-ion battery
Weight	23 oz (650 g) without battery or storage card
Made in	Japan

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The E-1 uses the Four Thirds System lens mount and imaging system. This design choice means that because the CCD is smaller than a 35 mm negative, Four Thirds System lenses and camera bodies can be made smaller and lighter than those of preceding SLRs.

Characteristics:

• Lighter/more compact than contemporary DSLR bodies
• 5 megapixel CCD
• Good dynamic range and exposure
• Magnesium-alloy body
• Environmental sealing (splash proof)
• "Supersonic Wave Filter" dust reduction system cleans CCD at each camera start-up (dust is shaken off the CCD)
• USB 2.0 and FireWire connectivity
• Continuous shooting 3 frames per second up to 12 frames
• Hybrid white balance sensor (on external surface of camera and using CCD)
• User upgradeable firmware

Sometimes the user experiences bright spots in long (greater than a few seconds) exposures. This is called long exposure noise. By turning on the "Noise Removal" (not "Noise Filter"), the E-1 will do a “dark frame subtraction” to get rid of these erroneous bright spots.

The development of the E-1 involved the revitalization of Olympus' old Zuiko lens brand, through a new range named "Zuiko Digital" with the Four Thirds system lens mount. The E-1 was usually sold bundled with a splash proof Zuiko Digital 14–54 mm 1:2.8–3.5 zoom lens.

Olympus initially gave away free adapters to connect OM lenses to the new Four Thirds System mount. This adapter allowed a wide range of OM lenses to be used with the new Olympus DSLRs. The adapter is no longer given away for free, but is still available for purchase from authorised Olympus resellers.