Testing the Olympus E-1: Four Thirds DSLR Revisited 23 Years Later

This retrospective review of the Olympus E-1 is a niche but historically rich piece for photography enthusiasts interested in the evolution of camera systems. The E-1 represents the birth of the Four Thirds standard, a collaborative effort between Olympus and Kodak that ultimately paved the way for the highly successful Micro Four Thirds mirrorless ecosystem used widely today. While not immediately actionable for working photographers, the piece offers valuable context about how sensor size standards and lens mount ecosystems develop and shift over time — a relevant lesson as the industry continues to consolidate around a handful of modern mirrorless mounts.