A Fabulous New Camera Enters the Arena: Welcome the New OM-3

OM System just announced their new camera and a raft of new lens versions. The new camera is an exciting addition to their stable and will be aimed at a completely different type of photographer. Street and urban wildlife photographers and photographic artists, check out the OM-3.

I'll start by saying this is not a technical review; I will write one of those later when it is released. This is about the experience of using a new and unique camera.

The Lead up to the OM-3

There’s no denying that the two versions of the OM-1 cameras are aimed mostly at wildlife and landscapes. Consequently, there has been a huge migration from other systems to that camera because of its innovative computational photography features that leave other brands always playing catch-up. To name a few, there are Live Composite, Live Time, Live ND, and Live ND Grad. It has high-resolution shooting up to 80 megapixels. Those work alongside the recent massive leap forward with subject detection for birds, animals, people, and vehicles, including its Starry Sky autofocus, plus its incredible in-body and synchronized image stabilization. That’s not forgetting the unique sensor cleaning that leaves the sensor dust-free.

Furthermore, its stacked sensor, high-powered processor, and fast buffer give fast recording speeds, and shutter speeds of up to 1/32,000 second are possible. It also delivers up to 120 RAW frames per second. I should also mention the camera and lens size and weight advantage, as well as the shallower depth of field at any given subject distance, focal length, and aperture setting compared to other cameras. Oh yes, it’s IP53 weather-sealed, meaning when shooting in a heavy rainstorm, I am never concerned about water ingress.

On the other hand, the pocketable OM-5 carries most of those features and has been widely adopted by lifestyle photographers and adventurers. It’s smaller, lighter, and thus more portable. It’s adopted by photographers who want better quality images of family and friends, bloggers and vloggers, people looking for mushrooms in the forest, and those who hike up mountains, paddle canoes on rivers, and head out to sea. Now, a new camera is set to fit between these two models: we welcome the OM-3.

Now, a new camera is set to fit between these two models: we welcome the OM-3.

What Is the OM-3?

Aimed at a different market but versatile enough to cross over into other fields, the OM-3 oozes style and packs an arsenal of features almost the same as the OM-1. However, it has the added appeal of advanced color control that will attract artists. Street photographers and urban wildlife photographers will also be drawn to the camera. It’s a camera aimed at creativity and allows photographers to develop their styles inside the camera. Thus, it can negate the need for time-consuming post-processing.

The original designer of the half-frame Olympus PEN and PEN-F, the compact XA, and the OM range of 35mm SLR film cameras, the late Yoshihisa Maitani, realized that the size and weight of SLRs were a barrier to photographers. Subsequently, OM Digital Solutions is following the Olympus legacy and producing highly innovative, smaller cameras.

The OM-3 looks and feels like one of Maitani’s Olympus SLRs. Following the same ideals as its predecessors, it is smaller and lighter than its competitors. It is reminiscent of old Olympus film SLRs combined with the much-loved and reimagined Olympus PEN-F released in 2016.

When I picked it up, I was instantly transported back in time. Its look and feel are similar to my Olympus OM SLRs that I cut my serious photography teeth on nearly 50 years ago. In fact, sitting it side by side with my vintage Olympus OM-2, it has virtually the same dimensions, although it weighs considerably less.

It’s a thing of beauty, which isn’t something many modern cameras can claim.

With recent technological improvements, the historical noise issues with the Micro Four Thirds sensors are a thing of the past. Furthermore, the ever-increasing aging global population wants cameras that are easier to carry. There’s also the desire of a growing number of younger photographers not to carry hulking lumps of ugly plastic with them, despite them still wanting to capture photos beyond what is possible with a phone.

The Camera's Design and Build

This is a beautiful camera. Although a few photographers called for a new rangefinder-style camera like the PEN-F, market research clearly showed greater demand for one that looks like an SLR. Why else would they choose this design? I prefer the pentaprism-type body as it gives more room for additional controls.

Despite its retro styling, the OM-3 inherited most of the performance features from its big brother, the OM-1. It’s smaller than the OM-1 but slightly bigger than the OM-5. The retro look of this camera is boosted by its all-metal body and the silver and black casing, reminiscent of older SLR cameras. (There isn’t an entirely black version.) Despite its all-metal body, it weighs less than 500 g. All the switches and dials on the camera have a firm, solid feel to them.

On the front is a creativity dial, much like the one on the digital version of the PEN-F. Instead of delving deep into the menus, the front body dial switches between different creative color types. That is something that sets the camera apart from the OM-1. There are four color and four black-and-white profile options. Each is adjustable and can be saved in the camera as a preset. Consequently, hundreds of variations are possible, so photographers can create a look that suits their photographic style. Moreover, those looks can be saved and transferred to other cameras.

Immediately below are two default black-and-white presets before adjustment. The following illustrative images are unedited JPEGs from the camera demonstrating a tiny selection of the different looks achievable.

Like film SLR cameras, there’s no bulging grip at the front. However, the right-hand side (looking from the back) is longer, making it easy to grip, especially with the camera's rear thumb support.

It has front and rear exposure adjustment dials (called command dials by some manufacturers). For me, having two dials is essential for photography. Then, on top of the body are the mode dial, the hot shoe, the shutter release button, and other functional dials and buttons, plenty of which are customizable.

The rear sports a fully articulated Live View screen, along with more control buttons.

The camera has the same stacked sensor as the OM-1, which gives first-class image quality and shooting speeds. It also has 6.5 stops of image stabilization, plus an extra stop with Sync IS if the lens supports it.

Pleasingly, it takes the same high-capacity battery as the two OM-1 models and also supports in-body charging through its USB-C port.

Finding My Way Around the Camera

As a long-time user of Olympus and OM System cameras, the OM-3 felt familiar. The camera has inherited the improved menu structure from the OM-1, so setting it up was a doddle. The menu is sensibly organized and easy to navigate.

The model I received on loan to test came with the 12-45mm f/4 PRO lens. The camera was well-balanced with that lens and my 40-150mm f/4 PRO. I did try it with my physically wider and more highly featured 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO, and that was okay too, but aesthetically, the f/4 lenses were better and slightly better balanced.

Various buttons around the camera are programmable. I changed the function button from [+/-] to ISO, as exposure compensation is fully accessible through the dials anyway. The mode dial has a generous five custom settings—one more than the OM-1.

The front-of-body creative dial is what makes this camera stand apart from the other OM models, and indeed, any other camera. I won’t go into the full details of setting it up, but it gives a creative versatility beyond anything else I have come across. Combining the various color and tone settings gives an enormous range of creative effects that can be adopted as a personal style.

Although it has no specifically named film emulations, creating film looks is easy. Whether it’s a faded Polaroid or a grainy, high-contrast black-and-white, you can make adjustments to match them.

Ergonomics of the OM-3

When I attended a presentation about this camera, the representative from OMDS said that at first, they were unsure about the camera's shape and especially the lack of a forward grip. However, that fear was soon dispelled, and I agree. The elongated shutter button side of the camera is easy to grip, especially with the thumb rest at the rear of the body.

A problem I have with many other makes and models is due to my big hands and long fingers. I find that the side-mounted strap lug on the right-hand side can sit uncomfortably against my hand. Without a strap fitted, the D-ring was uncomfortable as it pressed against the base of my middle finger. However, fitting a strap negated that problem. Furthermore, my wife, with her small hands, didn’t experience that issue.

The controls are easy to reach and operate.

Like most cameras, it is designed for right-eyed people. However, testing it against my left eye, I found I had more peripheral vision with my right eye than with many cameras.

The supplied strap is a bit disappointing. Early adopters of the camera might get the excellent OM System leather strap included in the deal, but that may depend on your location.

In use, the camera was a joy. It had the best mechanical shutter sound of any camera I’ve used, with a deeper note than the OM-1. The viewfinder was bright and clear, and the controls were easy to reach. Shooting with it was fun.

All the switches and dials on the camera have a firm, solid feel to them.

It's for Video Too

At the time of writing, I hadn't tested the video, but the OM-3 comes with a host of advanced video capabilities that I will go into more in the technical review.

What I Liked and What Could Be Improved Next Time

What I Liked

• Versatile
• Solid all-metal body
• Great picture quality
• Inherited the wide array of unique features of the other cameras from the OM System stable
• It looks great
• Advanced video functionality
• Fun to use

What Could Be Improved Next Time?

• I would change the size and position of the strap anchor point, which doesn’t sit comfortably in my hand—although only when a strap is not attached. I would prefer a front- or top-mounted eye or, better still, an indented bar. (One of the reasons I like the OM-1 is that its anchor point is better placed than most cameras on the market.)
• The strap supplied with the camera could be of much better quality. However, most camera straps can be improved upon by aftermarket models.
• Although I could suggest a second memory card slot and a joystick, anyone needing those is more likely to buy one of the OM-1 models.

In Conclusion

A lot of new releases are underwhelming. We’ve reached a point where all cameras are good enough for what we want to do. I can understand some professionals wanting tiny incremental changes. But wedding, sports, and product photographers were taking great shots ten years ago with cameras that are now several generations away from where we are now. Therefore, it makes sense for this company to diversify with a great-looking camera, targeting its strengths to a new audience.

Walking around town to take test shots was a challenge because six people in an hour came to ask what the camera was. I had the brand name and model taped over—I had signed an NDA before borrowing it—and I quickly hid it under my coat as soon as people approached me. It really does look great, attracting interest from ordinary people and photographers alike. The last time I had that much interest in a camera was when I owned an Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II.

I truly believe that photographic artists should be inspired by their equipment. I appreciate that is not a universally held belief, and if you disagree, that’s fine. However, if you are convinced that artists should surround themselves with inspiring things, then the OM-3 is a camera that will inspire.

I had a lot of fun shooting with this and playing with different creative looks within the camera settings. The stacked sensor provided excellent dynamic range and fast shutter speeds, just like the OM-1, and all the special features mentioned above were easily accessible.

This is a camera aimed at enthusiasts more than professionals. I conclude that because there’s no joystick and only one memory card slot. Yes, this camera performs in the same exceptional way as the OM-1, but as a professional photographer, I would choose the OM-1 to shoot a wedding because of the dual card slots. Similarly, although it has bird identification autofocus, I would be unlikely to attach my 150-400mm f/4.5 lens and head out to photograph puffins. It’s a camera capable of doing that, but the OM-1 Mark II's size and design are better suited. I might take it up a mountain or pack it in a canoe—it’s small and light enough—but if I were buying a camera specifically for those, I would be more inclined to get an OM-5 or even an OM System Tough because of their even smaller sizes.

However, if I were looking for a camera to use mainly for photographing the local streets, visiting festivals, creating a gallery of artistic photos, regularly meeting with other camera enthusiasts for photo walks, doing home portraits, or illustrating a book—all things I do on top of my work—this would be the camera I would choose. I would also pack it in my bike panniers when I head off on my early morning ride or take it on a walk along the beach or through a forest. Furthermore, my son is a concept artist, and this would be the perfect camera for taking photos for inspiration or photo-bashing.

It's a fun and easy camera to use, the results are great, and it has a beautiful design. There's not much more I could ask for.