Check the E-20 or E-10 Firmware Version

November 1, 2001
This is an undocumented E-10 feature that was carried forward into the E-20. I can't tell you who originally discovered it or leaked the information from Olympus, but it seems to have been generally known by hard core E-10 users since the early days. It's a fast and easy way to check the firmware of a camera while you're still in the store - before you accept it. This may never be an issue with the E-20, but it was with early E-10s. Here's how to do it.

Start by making sure the camera power is turned off. If you've just used the camera, be sure all images have been written to the media. Then, open the media door - that's the "card cover", as Olympus calls it.

Next, set the mode dial to playback and turn the switch to the ON position. The camera will display an error message stating that the card cover is open. Ignore this.

Press and hold the Exposure Compensation button while you go on the the next step. This button is located on the left side of the camera, just above the word Camedia.

Press and release the Record Mode button once. You can release the Exposure Compensation button now too. And what you get is . . . .

Olympus
E-20, E-20N, E-20P
Version: 1.102
NTSC

The camera will stay in this condition until you turn off the power switch, close the card door, or change the mode dial. Try it . . . it works!