OM System OM-3
A camera that will charm any lover of classics with its retro design, reminiscent of iconic analog devices from the last century. However, beneath its nostalgic exterior hides cutting-edge modern hardware that opens the door to unlimited creativity in photography. Welcome to the new OM System OM-3 - a combination of the elegance of the past and the technology of the future.
The body of this camera is made of solid magnesium alloy, which gives it a durable and premium feel - no plastic, just pure quality. It weighs a pleasant 500 grams, making it the ideal companion for longer shoots. Like the flagship OM-1 Mark II, it boasts IP-53 sealing, which means it can easily cope with rain, frost and other weather vagaries - I personally tested it in various weather vagaries.
The display is fully rotatable, as we are used to, and inside you will find the BLX-1 battery, which is compatible with the OM-1. There is a single slot for a UHS-II SD card, which ensures fast data processing. Trust me, this camera is incredibly fast, so a quality and fast card is key to capturing every perfect moment before it passes.
You can conveniently charge the camera via the USB-C connector, not only from a classic charger, but also directly from a power bank. A great feature is that you can continue to take photos while charging, which you will appreciate especially on long trips or shooting in the field.
OM-3 in quick overview - in czech language only
The camera is incredibly intuitive to operate thanks to two convenient rollers that allow you to easily and quickly change the aperture, shutter speed, ISO or exposure compensation with just a twist. What's even better is the ability to set the direction of rotation to your own preferences - for example, if you want the aperture to increase when turning to the right, you can simply adjust this option in the menu. Add to this 5 fully customizable buttons that you can set to any of dozens of functions, thus perfectly adapting the camera to your own needs.
The OM-3 lacks the classic joystick on the back for convenient movement of focus points, but don't worry, this feature is still present - just a little unobtrusively. Just look into the viewfinder and gently move the screen with your right thumb as if you were operating a joystick. The focus point will instantly move to where you want it, all with complete comfort.
And to make your photoshoot even more comfortable, the manufacturer has added several new improvements that significantly expand the settings and comfort of use.
On the front of the camera, you’ll find a dial inspired by the iconic PEN F model for quick color mode selection. It offers a wide range of options – from MONO (with 4 different black and white profiles), to COLOR (with 4 color profiles), ART (with several artistic modes), to CRT (with color toning). What’s even better is that you can fine-tune each mode to your liking. Black and white photography offers a lot of variation, where you can adjust sharpness, contrast, shadow effects or add grainy film effects. And the other modes are just as flexible. These effects only affect the JPG output, while RAW files remain unchanged and retain their original appearance.
Another new feature is the CP button, located next to the FN lever, which opens up a world of advanced computing functions. If you hold down the CP button while turning the front wheel, you will immediately access various options such as:
High-res shooting both from a tripod, which results in an 80 Mpx photo, and from a handheld, which results in a 50 Mpx photo
ND filter up to intensity 64
gradient filter up to power 8
stacked macro - up to 15 frames, but up to 999 frames can be set for focus bracketing
HDR modes
multiple exposure
And if you press the CP button just briefly, the last selected function, such as stacked macro, is activated, saving you time and allowing you to react quickly to current needs. All these functions are accessible directly, without having to navigate through the menu, ensuring maximum flexibility when shooting.
Another new feature is the elegant mode dial that switches between stills, video and slow-motion video. Its design is reminiscent of the traditional film winding wheel on analog cameras, but it also serves as a practical way to split the settings between stills and movie modes with a single turn. This has led to the addition of a new User mode, so you now have a total of five personalized settings available.
Inside the camera you will find a stacked BSI Live MOS sensor with TruePic X processor and 1053 focus points, already proven from the OM-1 models. The processor is fully stabilized with an effect of up to 6.5EV, which in the real world means that anyone can hold a five-second exposure hand-held. The stabilization effect is even greater when using a stabilized lens.
This powerful hardware allows you to achieve incredible speeds - up to 120 frames per second in S-AF mode or 50 frames per second in C-AF mode. And all this in RAW format and without any flickering in the viewfinder. Such speeds are ideal for action scenes such as athletics or car racing, or for any other fast movement where it is crucial to capture the right moment. And if that is not enough, you can use the ProCapture mode, which allows you to capture up to 35 frames in the past - perfect for situations where it is difficult to capture a unique moment on the first try. This feature is an absolute trump card for anyone who wants to be sure that "the right moment" is never lost.
The camera is equipped with an intelligent automatic object detection system - it easily recognizes people, motor vehicles, airplanes, trains, birds and mammals. And for night photography lovers, it offers an invaluable Starry AF function that can automatically focus on stars and capture the magic of the night sky in its sharpest form.
Of course, I couldn't miss a long exposure - that wouldn't be me! Even though January was marked by illness and there wasn't much time left for photography, I still found some time to try something. The result is two selfies and most of the photos you see right now. I used the LiveComposite mode to take the photos, which turned out to be an absolutely great helper. And what's even better? The live preview function, which allows you to instantly preview how the photo is developing during the exposure. Thanks to this, I was able to accurately estimate whether I had already exposed too much light or if I could still add a little more light. In addition, this mode also helped me eliminate unwanted light reflections from the walls, which could otherwise unintentionally brighten the photo.
If you are fascinated by long exposures and would like to create abstract images, eye-catching effects with models or original product photos, I have a great offer for you. I’ve created a detailed PDF manual that will share all the tips and tricks – from setting up your camera properly to explaining key features like LiveComposite. You’ll also learn how to work with the lighting tools and master various light painting techniques that will help you take your photography to the next level. It’s available here. And if you enter the code “OM3” at checkout, you’ll get a nice 23% discount, valid until the end of February.
Lenses
The launch of the new OM-3 also sees the introduction of improved versions of the popular F1.8 pocket lenses – the 17mm and 25mm. These models deliver a significant step up in durability thanks to a precision-crafted metal construction and full weather protection with protection level IPX1. At the same time, they retain the superior optical quality that photographers loved about the original versions.
I had the opportunity to compare both generations of the 17mm F1.8 lens and the optical performance remains absolutely identical. What sets the new version apart is its ability to face any weather – without compromise. Being able to shoot without worry even in the most difficult conditions is absolutely essential for me and makes this lens an indispensable tool for my everyday creative work.
To sum it up: When I first saw this camera, my first thought was: “That looks damn good!” But as soon as I picked it up, something was missing – I’m used to the OM-1 Mark II grip, which fits perfectly in my hand, and you simply can’t find one here. That was a bit disappointing. But after a while of using it, I found a comfortable position that allowed me to forget about the absence of a grip, and with the 17mm F1.8 and 20mm F1.4 lenses, it was almost pocket-sized – it fit in my winter jacket without any problems. For fun, I also tried the 40-150mm F2.8, which is the largest lens I have, and surprisingly, it wasn’t bad at all. Although, admittedly, I mostly held it by the lens. But it’s not primarily intended for this camera. For such a body, I would personally recommend fixed lenses, such as the newly introduced 17mm and 25mm F1.8, or even the 45mm F1.8, or the professional version F1.2. But even so, the 20mm F1.4, which has grown on me - from an initially slightly strange focal length, it has become one of my favorites for "home photography" and everyday capturing of moments.
I think this is the perfect "sexy" camera for the city. Not only will it provide you with great photos and capture the right moments, but you will also look great with it. Don't be afraid to shoot action sports or go out into nature with it. Thanks to its robust construction and sealing, it is the perfect companion for any adventure.