OM SYSTEM OM-3 - Style without compromises?
The camera market is huge! Whether professional, content creator or amateur photographer - there is a suitable camera for everyone. But what about the compact, stylish, always-with-you cameras? The cameras you like to take with you on vacation? The choice is again surprisingly slim.
OM SYSTEM is now launching just such a camera with the new OM-3. Under the motto "Born to Create", they are bringing back a true icon from the 80s - just with a modern twist!
Packed with really exciting and smart features, the OM-3 could become your next favorite camera. Let's take a closer look at this camera and the three new Lens!
Design
One thing was particularly important in the development of the OM-3: the design. Without wanting to give too much away straight away: Technically, this is more or less "simply" an OM-1 Mark II. It is obvious that the focus here is on the design. The camera is completely inspired by its namesake and feels surprisingly good old-fashioned. The feel is extremely well done and every wheel, every button feels like the good old analog cameras of the 70s and 80s.
- 20 megapixel stacked BSI Live MOS sensor
- creative dial: 4 color profiles, 4 monochrome profiles, color creator + art filter
- Button for computer-aided photography: quick access to 6 computational photography functions
- Still, video and S+Q video dial: switch between photos, videos and slow + quick motion videos
- absolute reliability: IP53-certified weatherproofing
- professional quality - compact shape: Lightweight metal housing, 7.5 EV in-body IS,
- timeless design meets advanced performance
- customizable controls for monochrome color profiles
- state-of-the-art computing functions
- cinema-grade video functions
A small break in the otherwise very classic design are the small labels that tease the many technical features of the cameras. Before we delve any deeper, let's take a quick look inside the camera. This is where the 20 MP micro four thirds sensor is at home. The same one we know from the OM-1 Mark II. The powerful TruePic X processor is also back, giving the OM-3 all the popular features of the OM-1 II. But more on that in a moment.
But first to a feature that some may have almost forgotten: If we take a look at the camera from the outside, one thing stands out in particular: the Creative Dial on the front of the camera.
Creative Dial
We already know the dial from the Olympus Pen F, which is now almost 10 years old, but now it is better positioned and offers the choice between four color profile modes, which we can then adjust in more detail.
In "Color" mode, there is a choice between four different color profiles, which can also be configured with various settings such as the color intensity per color channel, the tone curve or even sharpness, contrast and effects.
In "Monochrome" mode, the whole thing looks similar, but with adjustments for four different monochrome presets. The "Color Creator", with which looks can be created based on special color tones, and the "Art" mode, in which we can play with a range of effects, are also exciting. Many of these effects are rather gimmicky, but if you want to quickly simulate a cross-development or the look of a pinhole camera from time to time, you have the option here.
The Creative Dial is particularly useful when you're out walking or on vacation. Especially if you want to quickly switch between a color and a black and white look on a city trip, for example. What we particularly like here, however, is the implementation of the color adjustment. Here we can choose between 12 different color tones and easily change the intensity of these 12 or all colors globally using the control wheel. Once you've got the controls down, you can change the various settings really quickly and precisely.
Computational Photography
But let's move on to the second rather unusual control element: the "CP" button next to the viewfinder. CP stands for "Computational Photography", i.e. computer-aided photography. However, this is not a new feature from OM SYSTEM, as the manufacturer has already integrated some of these intelligent features into its last cameras. In the case of the OM-3, we have the same range of functions as in the OM-1 Mark II:
In addition to the Live ND filters, popular functions such as high-resolution photos from a tripod and even handheld are also included. However, the most exciting computational photography feature is, as with the OM-1 II, the Live Gradient ND. Here we can set a gray gradient filter in the camera to darken the sky or other areas of the image, for example. The image is then processed directly in the camera. The operation is really cleverly implemented, as we can rotate and move the gradient using the various selection wheels - in small or large steps.
The Live Gradient ND is one of the features that make the camera so special. It is particularly suitable for taking a perfect sunset picture or a small long exposure of a waterfall on vacation. And all without having to take a filter and tripod with you.
The "CP" button allows us to access the various functions quickly and easily and therefore use them quickly and flexibly. Maybe you want to take a high-resolution 80MP photo of a special building on your next city trip in 14-bit color depth, for example for a high-quality print. With the new OM-3 this is possible without any problems.
You can find out more details about the computational photography features in our detailed live talk.
Video
Of course, we can also film with the camera and here too the camera offers us all the options we could wish for from a modern camera. OM has integrated two particularly cinematic color profiles for filming: OM Cinema 1 +amp; 2, which have a somewhat lower-contrast look. However, if you want to go all-in, you can also film in OM Log 400 and keep all post-processing options open.
In contrast to the OM-1 Mark II, however, the new OM-3 only has an SD card slot.
Comparison with the OM-1 II
And while we're on the subject of the differences between the two cameras - there aren't that many. From the sensor to the processor, the photo specs, the autofocus and the battery, the two cameras are technically identical. The only fundamental difference is the design and therefore the target group.
The body of the OM-1 II is much better suited for long focal lengths. The lack of an ergonomic handgrip is very good for the design of the OM-3, but this makes it much more difficult to handle - especially with longer and heavier Lens.
The target groups also differ accordingly. The OM-3 is more of a daily companion in everyday life or when traveling, whereas the OM-1 II is designed for intensive use in nature or wildlife photography.
In principle, however, you get the same picture from both cameras and we are pleased that the two cameras are so technically similar. If you are interested in the OM models, you only have to decide between the two designs without having to compromise or even cut back on one of the two cameras.
New Lens
Oh yes, and then there are the new Lens. Whereby the lenses are actually "only" a new edition of the popular M.Zuiko 17mm f/1.8, 25mm f/1.8 and 100-400 f/5.0-6.3. The two fixed focal lengths have now been given a new body in the Mark II, which is dust and splash-proof. However, the switch between manual and autofocus has fallen victim to this.
The 100-400 has been given a new fluorine coating. Much more important here, however, is the update to the image stabilizer, which now communicates with the camera's IBIS and can correct up to 7 exposure levels in Sync-IS mode.
Conclusion
The OM-3 is a lifestyle camera that combines good design with functionality. If you are still looking for a really compact "always with you" camera that not only looks good but also has lots of modern features on board, you should definitely take a closer look at this camera.
If you would like to know more about the new OM-3, take a look at our live talk on the new product:
