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OM System OM-3: two-minute evaluate
The OM System OM-3 is a surprising digital camera – simply take a look at it – even when it nonetheless stings for Olympus followers that you just’re studying OM System on that viewfinder hump.
With its flush fake leather-based frontage and silver high plate adorned with publicity dials, the OM-3 is pretty much as good as retro will get within the digital camera world. Oh, and there is additionally a brand new coloration mode dial – that is so on-trend.
Opposite to what its old-school exterior may recommend, this is not a digital camera that is caught previously, and below the hood the OM-3 packs critical energy. Its stacked 20MP Micro 4 Thirds sensor delivers blazing-fast burst-shooting efficiency, as much as 50fps with steady autofocus; clever subject-tracking autofocus that works a deal with (more often than not); and an array of computational images modes that make gentle work of inauspicious taking pictures strategies akin to focus stacking, which might in any other case require time-consuming edits (even when among the finish outcomes aren’t excellent).
I am an enormous fan of what OM System has achieved with the OM-3. That is its finest digital camera since its acquisition of Olympus in January 2021. From mind-bogglingly spectacular in-body picture stabilization (I’ve shot sharp photos handheld with seconds-long shutter speeds – that is smartphone night-shot-like expertise), to computational images modes that encourage artistic strategies akin to lengthy exposures, extremely efficient autofocus, a large selection of lenses and a light-weight construct (notably the lenses), I’ve had a blast taking pictures with the OM-3 over a number of weeks.
As an on a regular basis digital camera, a lot of the enjoyable and inventive computational images modes really feel extra related within the OM-3 than they do within the serious OM-1 II, an alternate that is the higher choose for critical images akin to wildlife.
There’s a lot in regards to the OM-3 that simply feels proper. That stated, I want it was a rangefinder by design, just like the Pen-F. Do not get me incorrect: the OM-3 is 2025’s best-looking digital camera to date. I simply suppose that as an on a regular basis digital camera that is finest used with small and light-weight lenses, the Pen-F’s smaller rangefinder-style physique would have been the higher technique to go. In any case, we already produce other OM System cameras with the same kind issue to the OM-3, such because the OM-5.
At $1,999 / £1,699 / AU$3,199 for the physique solely, the OM-3 can also be an expensive digital camera, particularly when you think about that the Fujifilm X-T5 with its 40MP APS-C sensor is round $100 / £100 much less. The underside line for me, nevertheless, is that the OM-3 is a digital camera that I need to shoot with greater than most. Its compact and retro design, along with its super-fun taking pictures modes, have inspired me to new ranges of creativity, and I can’t actually put a worth on that.
OM System OM-3: worth and launch date
- The OM-3 prices $1,999 / £1,699 / AU$3,199 body-only
- It is obtainable bundled with the wonderful 12-45mm F4 Professional lens for $2,299 / £1,999 / AU$3,799
- Out there to pre-order now, with inventory anticipated late February
On the one hand, the OM-3 is great worth. It is the most cost effective digital camera obtainable with a stacked sensor, and packs most of the identical options because the pricier OM System OM-1 II flagship. It appears like even higher worth when bundled with the 12-45mm F4 Professional lens for $300 / £300 / AU$600 extra – that is no peculiar equipment lens, however a super-sharp and versatile zoom.
Nonetheless, when you think about rival cameras that you could choose up for across the identical cash or much less, such because the Fujifilm X-T5 with its bigger APS-C sensor and 40MP stills, instantly the OM-3 feels costly. Its stacked sensor is a pricey element and can restrict potential worth reductions, however I would hope that the value of OM-3 will settle at round $300 / £250 / AU$500 lower than the record worth by the tip of 2025.
OM System OM-3: specs
|
Sensor: |
20MP Micro 4 Thirds stacked CMOS sensor |
|
Video: |
4K 60p / FHD 240p / Gradual & Fast modes |
|
Cont. taking pictures |
50fps with steady AF |
|
Viewfinder: |
2.36m-dot EVF |
|
LCD: |
3-inch vari-angle touchscreen, 1.62m dots |
|
Battery: |
590 photographs |
|
Weight: |
17.5oz / 496g (with reminiscence card and battery, 413g with out) |
|
Dimensions: |
139.3 x 88.9 x 45.8mm |
OM System OM-3: design and dealing with
- A factor of magnificence, modelled on 1973’s Olympus OM-1 analog SLR
- Encompasses a helpful vari-angle touchscreen and dated 2.36m-dot EVF
- Helpful devoted dials for coloration modes and computational images modes
For me, the OM-3 is sort of the proper embodiment of Micro 4 Thirds images; it’s compact and light-weight, extremely rugged and enticing, and outright enjoyable.
It’s the digital camera system that you just need to slip right into a jacket pocket for a day trip or take away for a weekend break, and one which makes you obsessively artistic – household and associates who’ve been with me throughout my evaluate course of have needed to present excessive ranges of persistence whereas I’ve performed round with the digital camera!
The OM-3 feels nice within the hand with a small lens connected, and it’ll turns head too, if that seals the deal for you.
I say it’s nearly excellent as a result of for an on a regular basis digital camera like this I believe a rangefinder-style physique would have been the higher design selection – very similar to 2016’s Pen-F (which we’re informed the OM-3 is the pure successor to).
In any case, we have already got various OM System cameras with a raised viewfinder hump, just like the OM-5, so why not simply squeeze the OM-3’s modest 2.36m-dot EVF unit into the nook of a smaller rangefinder-style digital camera?
It is disappointing that we get a dated 2.36m-dot EVF, particularly when the OM-1 II has a 5.76m-dot unit with clearer 0.82x magnification. I believe the viewfinder placement and dated specs are my principal design criticism of the OM-3; in any other case, it’s wider-than-average physique permits house for controls to breathe, even when its grip-less physique counts out straightforward dealing with with bigger lenses.
Picture 1 of 6
If you happen to just like the OM-3’s seems, then you definately’ll additionally love how rugged and effectively constructed it’s. OM System is without doubt one of the few digital camera manufacturers to formally charge its cameras for weather-sealing, and the OM-3 is IP53-rated – that’s decently proof against mud and water spray. So despite the fact that you received’t need to get this lovely-looking digital camera soaked in a rain bathe, it could actually take it.
I additionally admire the brand new devoted button and dials to immediately entry the OM-3’s coloration modes and computational images modes, two artistic choices which can be extremely addictive and enjoyable to play with.
You’re spoilt for selection for getting the look you want with 4 coloration mode settings, together with a devoted monochrome possibility, along with a virtually infinite diploma of customization.
Fanatic filmmakers are effectively catered for too, with headphone and microphone ports and USB-C connectivity, though the micro HDMI port will not impress critical videographers, nor will the digital camera’s single SD card slot.
Picture 1 of 6
Computational images modes are the closest you get in a mirrorless camera to the smartphone images expertise and options just like the Google Pixel’s long-exposure mode.
For instance, the Dwell ND Capturing possibility can scale back the quantity of sunshine the digital camera gathers, very similar to an ND lens filter, to allow long-exposure images – and because of the digital camera’s extremely spectacular in-body picture stabilization you may get this impact when taking pictures handheld too.
You don’t want a tripod and lens filters to get the long-exposure impact; you’ll be able to merely take the digital camera out of your pocket, entry one of many ND filter results, with a max ND64 (6EV) energy, and begin taking pictures. The benefit with which you may get artistic is what actually makes the OM-3 such an addictive digital camera.
OM System OM-3: options and efficiency
- Stacked sensor delivers as much as 50fps with steady AF
- Very spectacular 590-shot battery life
- Excellent picture stabilization efficiency
- Some computational modes take time to course of
I’ve no complaints relating to the OM-3’s options and efficiency – it is a surprisingly highly effective little digital camera.
I’ve to start out with its spectacular stacked sensor, which delivers unimaginable pace; there are few cameras that may higher its 50fps burst taking pictures with steady autofocus, sustained for sequences of round 5-6 seconds earlier than the digital camera begins to down.
I used to be in a position to squeeze barely longer sequences out of the OM1-II, however the OM3’s efficiency is greater than sufficient contemplating the sorts of on a regular basis images individuals will doubtless use it for.
The OM-3’s sensor can also be stabilized – and OM System cameras, together with predecessors bearing the Olympus title, supply distinctive picture stabilization efficiency. With a gradual hand you’ll be able to shoot sharp photos with shutter speeds which can be a number of seconds lengthy, relying on the lens you are utilizing, and for video it is completely potential to shoot smooth-looking clips when on the transfer.
It is the spectacular stabilization that makes the computational images modes notably accessible. For instance, using the Dwell ND Capturing mode with as much as 6EV ND filter impact for long-exposure results would not be the identical for those who needed to mount the digital camera to a tripod. However right here we’re, in a position to obtain the impact handheld – see my avenue and ocean photographs within the gallery under.
The identical will be stated for the Excessive Res Shot mode, which will increase decision to 50MP (with a tripod mount possibility additional growing element to 80MP). We additionally get the newest graduated ND filter impact to scale back the distinction in brightness between land and sky by as much as 3EV, plus HDR modes.
A few of these modes go some technique to nullifying the perceived shortcomings of the OM-3’s 20MP Micro 4 Thirds sensor and its lesser dynamic vary, whereas different modes are merely downright enjoyable.
Then there’s the autofocus efficiency. In some regards it is distinctive – for instance when detecting sure topics akin to birds – and there are subtle choices for individuals, akin to eye precedence that may be additional narrowed right down to left or proper eye precedence.
Nonetheless, there are different eventualities the place I discovered the OM-3’s autofocus much less dependable than rival cameras, akin to in dim, low-contrast gentle. General although, autofocus efficiency is superb.
I need to additionally commend the OM-3’s battery life. A good-sized unit is squeezed into the digital camera and this delivers a 590-shot capability, which for a digital camera this measurement is fairly spectacular.
- Options and efficiency rating: 5/5
OM System OM-3: picture and video high quality
- Identical picture high quality because the flagship OM-1 II
- 20MP stills, with a 80MP high-res shot mode
- 4K video as much as 60fps, and no rolling shutter
In comparison with the sensors in full-frame and APS-C cameras from the likes of Sony, Canon, Nikon and Fujifilm, the OM-3’s Micro 4 Thirds sensor is smaller, and comes with sure downsides by way of picture high quality.
At 20MP, the OM-3 has much less decision than equally priced rivals, a narrower dynamic vary, and comparatively modest low-light efficiency. Nonetheless, I am nonetheless very proud of the images and movies that I have been in a position to seize, and for a lot of eventualities the OM3’s picture stabilization and computational modes can flip the tables to ship excellent finish outcomes.
Not the entire computational modes will be relied upon for each situation, nevertheless. As an illustration, focus stacking, which is used to extend depth of discipline and is particularly helpful for macro images, displays a delicate however spottable ghosting impact in shiny topics, which I notably seen in a close-up picture of a backlit mushroom.
Inventive coloration
Picture 1 of 10
The brand new coloration mode dial is price highlighting too. This affords 4 choices, together with monochrome settings, new artistic seems with 4 customizable settings, the long-present Artwork Filters, plus a Image mode for a purely personalized coloration profile.
Most of the Artwork Filters really feel a bit dated now, however I nonetheless like among the results. I believe most individuals will discover that one of many new artistic seems fits their model, particularly given that you could manually tweak the look of every one, with management over curves, shading, sharpness, distinction, and coloration temperature.
OM System OM-3 pattern video
There’s additionally OM System’s Log coloration profile for video, HLG, plus a few Cinelike coloration profiles for pleasing straight-out-of-the-camera grades.
Video decision tops out at 4K with body charges as much as 60fps. If you happen to’re glad to drop to Full HD, then slow-motion 240fps is feasible, whereas a Gradual & Fast mode will be utilized for timelapse results along with gradual movement.
The OM-3 is a photography-first digital camera, nevertheless it’s completely potential to get gorgeous-looking and {smooth} video clips if what you are doing.
Computational images pattern photos
Picture 1 of 5
For the above long-exposure-effect images, I set the OM-3 to the Dwell ND Capturing ND64 setting, which reduces the quantity of sunshine the digital camera takes in by 6EV. That is the utmost energy obtainable, and is ample to gradual the shutter pace right down to seconds lengthy on a grey day, as within the London avenue and UK coastal photos above.
All of the above photos had been captured handheld, and element in nonetheless topics such because the rock and the bottom is completely sharp. As such, I’ve felt assured sufficient to go away my tripod at dwelling for many of this evaluate. Not needing a tripod or ND filters makes creating long-exposure results a breeze, and I generally discovered myself getting carried away creating such photos, a lot to the annoyance of the individuals with me on the time!
OM System OM-3 additional pattern photos
Picture 1 of 14
- Picture and video high quality rating: 4/5
OM System OM-3: testing scorecard
|
Attributes |
Notes |
Score |
|---|---|---|
|
Worth |
The most affordable technique to get a stacked sensor, however rivals at this worth level excel in additional areas. |
3.5/5 |
|
Design |
Pretty retro really feel, full with sturdy IO53-rated waterproof physique, however with no grip that is no digital camera for large lenses. |
4.5/5 |
|
Efficiency |
A stacked sensor and quad-pixel autofocus make this retro charmer a really fashionable performer. |
5/5 |
|
Picture and video high quality |
Wonderful lens selection, and computational images makes difficult strategies a cinch, however the 20MP sensor does not examine with rivals. |
4/5 |
Ought to I purchase the OM System OM-3?
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
OM System OM-3: additionally take into account
For round $100 / £100 lower than the OM-3 much less you’ll be able to choose up the Fujifilm X-T5, which is a extremely succesful mirrorless digital camera in the same mould, sporting a retro physique and providing highly effective efficiency. You get a bigger APS-C sensor with spectacular 40MP decision and 6K video expertise, plus a stable construct high quality and dealing with, with neat publicity dials and respectable in-body picture stabilization.
Learn our in-depth Fujifilm X-T5 review
For a much bigger outlay, the Nikon Zf is our favourite retro mirrorless digital camera total. Just like the OM-3 it is impressed by an analog SLR – on this case the Nikon FM2 – and it is a compelling Fujifilm rival for retro followers. The complete-frame 24MP sensor, excellent guide focus-assist instruments, easy accessibility to black and white images, plus Nikon’s best-ever picture stabilization, mix to nice impact.
Learn our in-depth Nikon Zf
If you happen to love the trendy tech of the OM-3, together with its stacked sensor, computational images smarts, and excellent monitoring autofocus, you will get all of that with the more expensive OM-1 II, which is best suited to wildlife and motion images because of its pronounced grip and cozy dealing with with giant lenses. It affords the identical picture high quality and efficiency because the OM-3, plus it prices extra, however you get a greater design for demanding pursuits.
Learn our in-depth OM System OM-1 II review
How I examined the OM System OM-1 II
- OM System loaned me the OM-3 with the 12-45mm F4 Professional lens for a number of weeks
- I additionally used a few of my very own OM System gear with the digital camera – the 90mm F3.5 Macro lens and tiny 45mm F1.8 portrait lens
- I put the OM-3 via its paces in lots of and various picture and video eventualities, and tried out the computational images modes
I shot with the OM-3 for a number of weeks, along with the 12-45mm F4 Professional, 90mm F3.5 Macro, and 45mm F1.8 lenses. I used to be additionally utilizing the OM-1 on the identical time, which has enabled me to make comparisons between the dealing with of the 2 varieties of OM System designs.
The digital camera and lenses had been with me come rain or shine, each day and evening, throughout which period I examined the gear recurrently, together with the OM-3’s images modes, coloration profiles, and computational images smarts.
I examined the Excessive Res Shot and Lengthy Publicity modes, each handheld and with the digital camera mounted to a tripod. I’ve additionally examined burst taking pictures efficiency, with commonplace cameras settings that we use for all of TechRadar’s digital camera exams.
First reviewed February 2025