photoxels
QUICKFACT SHEET
- Micro Four Thirds Mirrorless
- 20.4MP Sensor
- EVF: 2.36M-dots; 0.69x (equiv.) magnification
- LCD: 3.0-in. 1.62M-dots Vari-angle Touch
- IBIS: 5-Axis 6.5-steps EV for both still and video
- 4K/60P Video
- Computational Photography (CP) button
- Creative Dial
- Continuous Shooting: 6 fps (mechanical shutter), 120 fps (S-AF, e-shutter), 50 fps (C-AF, e-shutter); Pre-Release Capture
- Single SD card (UHS-II)
- Built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Weather Sealed
- US $1,999.99 / CAD $2,799.99 / £1699
- Beautiful and elegant classic retro styling with an all metal body.
- IP53-certified weather sealing for excellent weather protection.
- Creative Dial on front of camera and Computational Photography button on back of camera put creative modes, filters and computational photography features at fingertips so they are quickly, easily and readily accessible.
- Colour and Monochrome Profiles simulate classic films.
- Still, Video and S&Q Dial on top plate: allows you to quickly switch between Still photography, Video recording, and Slow and Quick Motion Video modes. The S&Q mode allows shooting slow motion and hyperfast motion videos. Still and Video have separate settings.
- Pro Capture (“Pre Release Capture”) mode makes capturing the right moment easy.
- Blackout-free Continuous Shooting at 50 fps (C-AF, e-shutter).
- Industry-leading 5-Axis 6.5-steps IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) allows handholding camera even at slow shutter speeds.
- High Res Shot allows capture of detailed landscape photos at 80MP (tripod) or 50MP (handheld).
- Built-in WiFi, Bluetooth allows seamless wireless transfer to phone or tablet to share your photos and stories to the world on social media sites using the free OI.Share app. Wireless remote control and addition of GPS metadata is also possible via the OI.Share app.
- Can be used as a webcam. Tethered shooting is also possible.
- OM Cinema 1 & 2; 10-bit H.265 video with OM-Log400 colour profile; ProRes RAW capture through external recorder.
| OM SYSTEM OM-3 SPECS AT A GLANCE (FEB 06 2025) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: | Mirrorless, MFT | Sensor: | 20.4MP 4/3″ Stacked BSI Live MOS |
| Lens Mount: | Four Thirds | ISO: | 80, 200 – 25600, 51200, 102400 |
| AF: | 1,053 Phase-detect AF and 1,053 Contrast-detect AF points; AF Sensitivity down to -8EV; Subject recognition: Aircrafts, Birds, Bullet trains, Cats, Dogs, Formula cars, Helicopters, Motorcycles, Ralley cars, Standard trains, Steam locomotives, Human. Special Astrophotography mode. No automatic Subject Recognition | ||
| Viewfinder: | OLED 2.36M-dots; 0.68x (equiv.) magnification; 27mm eye point | LCD: | 3.0-in. 1.62M-dots Vari-angle (fully articulating) Touch Panel |
| I.S.: | 5-Axis 6.5-steps EV (7.5-steps EV with Synch IS lenses) IBIS for both still and video; additional electronic IS for video (1.18x crop) | Video: | 4K/24P/60P; Tally Light, Red Frame video indicator; Zebra patterns |
| Shutter: | 1/32000s (e-shutter) / 1/8000s (mechanical shutter) – 60s, B (30 min). Bulb includes LIVE BULB, LIVE TIME, LIVE COMPOSITE (up to 6 hours) | X-Sync Speed: | 1/250s (mechanical shutter), 1/100s (e-shutter) |
| Continuous Shooting: | 6 fps (mechanical shutter), 120 fps (S-AF, e-shutter), 50 fps (C-AF, e-shutter) — depending on lenses | High-Speed Recording/Slow motion: | 100/120/240 fps (FHD 1920×1080) |
| Pro Capture mode: | 20 fps, 50 fps, 120 fps | Multiple Exposure: | 2 frames |
| High Res Shot: | 14-bit 80M (tripod), 50M (handheld) | ||
| Computational Photography: | HIGH RES SHOT, LIVE ND (ND2 1EV – ND64 6 EV), LIVE GND (GND2 1EV – GND8 3 EV). FOCUS STACKING, HDR, MULTIPLE EXPOSURE | ||
| Creative Dial: | 4 colour (Natural, Chrome Film Vivid, Chrome Film Rich Color, Chrome Film Soft Tone) and 4 B&W (Monotone, Classic Film B&W, Classic Film IR, Classic Film Low Contrast) film profiles, Colour Creator, Art filters (16 preset filters + 7 special effect filters) | ||
| ART Filters: | Bleach Bypass, Cross Process, Diorama, Dramatic Tone, Gentle Sepia, Grainy Film, Instant Film, Key Line, Light Tone, Pale & Light Colour, Partial Colour*, Pin Hole, Pop Art, Soft Focus, Vintage, Water colour | ||
| Weatherproofing: | IP53 certified: Splashproof, Freezeproof, Dustproof; Freezeproof (-10°C) | ||
| Microphone: | 3.5mm | Headphone: | 3.5mm |
| Connectivity: | USB-C, Type-D micro HDMI port, Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.2+LE | ||
| Other: | Anti-shock mode, Silent mode, Flicker Scan, Focus Bracketing, Interval shooting, Time lapse, Vertical Video, Super Control Panel | ||
| Battery: | 590 shots | Storage: | 1 SD (UHS-II) |
| Dimensions (W x H x D): | 139.3 x 88.9 x 45.8 mm / 5.5 x 3.5 x 1.8 in. | Weight: | 413g / 14.6 oz (body only); 496g (including battery and memory card) |
| Price: | US $1,999.99 / CAD $2,799.99 / £1699 | Buy: | B&H |
4 Reasons to Buy the OM-3:
It Is Beautiful
Admit it: Most of you reading this are considering buying the OM-3 because it is simply beautiful. From the flat front with no handgrip, the pointed prism, the tactile and beautifully finished control dials and switches that put creative features at your fingertips — all the way to the return of the silver metal top and bottom plates, OM System has successfully recreated (from the front, at least) the legendary OM-1 film SLR classic look. The OM-3 definitely tugs at our heartstring (and our purse strings).
It Is Smart(er)
The heart wants it, but what about the brain? Thankfully, the OM-3 is not all good looks only. This beauty hides a beast inside: Indeed, inside the beautifully finished all metal body are the OM System’s latest mirrorless technology (basically inheriting most of the good stuff from its flagship OM-1 II mirrorless) and unique creative computational photography features that make the OM-3 a smart(er) camera than most of its competitors. These computational photography features are no gimmicks, but have proven to be highly practical and effective, making taking pictures that used to be highly challenging (involving lots of trial and error or hours of post-processing) now both fun, easy and in-camera. These features simply make you a better photographer.
It Is rugged
Some cameras are good only when the weather is fine, but you wouldn’t risk using them in inclement weather. Unlike other cameras that claim to be weatherproof but hides disclaimers in small prints, the OM-3 is IP53-certified weather sealed. This means that it is splashproof, dustproof and freezeproof (-10 C/14 F) using internal seals that are reinforced with rubber gaskets to ensure reliable protection against nature’s elements. It is such a relief to know that your camera will perform in any environment and weather condition and not have to worry about damaging the camera.
It Is Light
OM System mirrorless cameras use a Four-Thirds sensor which is slightly smaller than an APS-C or a full-frame sensor. This allows it to design cameras that are more compact and lighter than its competitors. One big advantage is that it can also design lenses that are much more compact and lighter. This means that the OM-3 is not only a light camera (413g) but so are its lenses (especially the long telephoto lenses). If you are tired of hauling around large, cumbersome and back-breaking camera and lenses, you will be pleasantly surprised with the OM-3 and lenses.
And 1 Reason Not To:
It’s (Almost) Retro
Photographers who grew up using DSLRs and their Mode Dial, and love or have no problem using the Mode Dial, can safely disregard this section.
However, if you are looking at the OM-3 because you hope to use not only a retro-looking camera but also a retro-operated camera with dedicated analog-style Shutter Speed Dial, ISO Dial, Exposure Compensation Dial and Aperture Ring, then this is of utmost importance to you.
The OM-3 is still basically very much a Mode Dial-operated camera. That is, to select a shutter speed or an aperture, you need to first select the appropriate Shooting Mode on the Mode Dial. That is the PASM you see on the Mode Dial: Program, Aperture-priority, Shutter-priority and Manual. So, if you want to select a shutter speed, you need to first turn the Mode Dial to S, then dial in your desired shutter speed using the Rear Dial. If you want to select an aperture, you must first turn the Mode Dial to A, then dial in an aperture using the Rear Dial. This is traditional Mode Dial operation that should not faze photographers who grew up, are familiar with and love using the Mode Dial.
On a camera that has retro operations (like the Fujifilm XT Series, or the original Olympus OM-1 film SLR), there is no Mode Dial that comes between you and the camera exposure settings. If you want to set a shutter speed, you select it directly on the Shutter Speed Dial. Ditto for the ISO (just dial it on the ISO Dial) and Exposure Compensation (Exposure Compensation Dial).If you want to select an aperture, you select it directly on the lens aperture ring. It’s intuitive and how photographers who prize direct exposure controls like — and want — it to work.
So, again, if you are used to Mode Dial-operated cameras and that’s not an issue for you, then ignore this section altogether.
However, if you are looking for direct analog-style controls with dedicated Shutter Speed, ISO and Exposure Compensation dials (plus an Aperture Ring on your lens), you will be disappointed that these are not present on the OM-3.
So, that’s it. It is just something to be aware of if you are thinking of buying a retro-looking and retro-operated camera for yourself. If you are thinking of surprising a loved one who has expressed a love for retro design, just be sure to ask about this Mode Dial vs direct analog-style controls first; you want them to be fully happy and not disappointed.
In conclusion, the OM System OM-3 is a wonderful mirrorless camera, beautiful in its retro look and unmatched in its computational photography features. It’s rugged and light. If you don’t mind its Mode Dial operations, then it should bring you lots of joy and years of creative photo shooting. Highly Recommended.
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