The new OM System OM-3 has just launched, following fast in the footsteps of the flagship OM-1 II, which debuted in 2024. At first glance, the specs for these two cameras look remarkably similar, but there are some key differences.
According to OM System, “the OM-3 delivers the exceptional image quality of the OM-1 Mark II, reimagined for versatility.” And that’s exactly what you get with this slick new model, in spades.
Over the past decade, OM System has carved a comfortable niche for itself as the maker of cutting-edge Micro Four Thirds format mirrorless cameras at a time when such a sensor size may seem antiquated if not dead in the water.
With the sustained popularity of the OM-1 II and the travel-friendly OM-5, however, OM System has recently proved that Micro Four Thirds is alive and well, not only surviving but also thriving among a certain segment of the photographic community.
In its marketing for the OM-3, the company identifies them as “urban creatives for whom photography is part of their lifestyle,” which translates into casual shooters who appreciate something more sophisticated than a smartphone camera for everyday use or semi-professionals who want a nice light package that punches above its weight and reliably delivers the goods.
View OM System OM-3 Pricing and Availability at Vistek
Compact, lightweight portability is clearly key to the success of the lineup: with a durable full-metal build and vintage-inspired aesthetics, the classically handsome OM-3 weighs in at just 413g (body only), falling roughly between the heftier OM-1 II (at 511g) and the svelte OM-5 (366g).
From the OM-1 II, the new OM-3 inherits the same stacked BSI Live MOS sensor and TruePicX engine with 25600 maximum ISO, 1053 AF points, 50 fps burst shooting, 4K 60p video and more.
The OM-3 also retains the OM-1’s computational photography button for quick access to six cool features, including focus stacking, a multiple exposure function and the ability to apply a graduated ND filter effect to specific areas of your frame.
The “reimagined for versatility” part of this story makes itself felt in multiple clever and convenient ways, most evidently in the creative dial on the front of the camera, putting four customizable colour profiles and four monochrome profiles at your fingertips, along with access to the new colour creator to adjust hue and saturation on the fly.
Content creators and other shooters for whom video is a priority will appreciate this camera’s ability to record 4K 60p in 10-bit depth, enhanced autofocus performance and the versatility engendered by two new video modes: OM Cinema 1 (for a “relaxed, inviting feel”) and a less saturated OM Cinema 2 (for a “gentle, softer look”).
Last but not least, there’s a handy still, video and S&Q (slow and quick) video dial on top for effortless toggling between these modes to match your chosen shooting preference at the flick of a switch in the moment.
Features
- 20.4MP 4/3 stacked BSI Live MOS sensor
- TruePic X dual quad core processor
- 5-axis image stabilization with up to 7.5 steps of compensation
- IP53-rated dust-, splash- and freeze-proof protection
- 2.36M-dot eye-level OLED electronic viewfinder
- 1620k-dot 3.0-inch vari-angle touch-panel monitor
- Creative dial on the front of the camera
- Still, video and S&Q video dial on top plate
- Computational photography button