Comparing the E-1 with its predecessors
Check the dedicated Olympus E-1 interactive forum
Here is a set of pictures showing, in this case an Olympus E-10, side by side with an E-1 fitted with the 'standard' Zuiko Digital 14-54 lens. An E-20 is externally identical apart from gold lettering instead of white.

You don't get any prizes for noticing that the older E-10/20 body design has been used as the base for the E-1. Here you can see exactly how close:

The E-1, fitted with the 14-54 (3.8x) lens is bigger than the E-10/20. Although this f/2.8 lens is less bright than the f/2.0 4x fixed lens on the E-10/20, it has to serve a sensor with four times as much area to illuminate.

The left side flank (viewed from behind) of the E-1 is the most altered. However, many of the controls and port covers are where an E-10/20 user would expect to find them.

This view shows the family heritage even more starkly. The E-1 adds more controls but most of the E-10/20 controls remain where they were.

The E-1 is taller than the E-10/20, even without the latter's built-in pop-up flash.

Most noticeable in this view are the E-1's removable viewscreen protector and the extra sculpting of the right hand side of the grip to the right.

Again the prominence of the top side of the grip shows and it does make a positive difference to the feel of the camera in the hand.

The radical side view of the E-10/20 versus the more conventional look of the E-1. Note how far the E-10/20's viewfinder eyepiece protrudes compared to the E-1.

This is perhaps the most conventional aspect of the E-1 and it does have that Olympus OM-2SP look about it.

Just visible in this picture is the relatively smooth surface finish of the E-1 compared to the knobbly relief of the E-10/20 finish.

Is the omission of the built in flash a mistake? The E-10/20 have a very useful and relatively powerful flash unint and it only appears to take up space when it's deployed.

Although the 14-54 lens of the E-1 is chunkier, it is also shorter than the E-10/20 fixed lens.

From underneath differences in the two grips are even more apparent. The battery cover hides a lithium ion battery in the E-1 and a conventional disposable battery compartment in the E-10/20.

Finally, back to the back and let's not forget that very handy, if annoyingly poor display quality, tilting LCD viewscreen of the E-10/20. Like all conventional mirror reflex digital SLRs, the E-1 can't show a live view through its screen.

Are you a E10 or E-20 user? Got any comments on the E-1 compared to your camera. Join in the discussion at the E-1 interactive review forum - click here.