Oh, and there’s also a new color mode dial that’s so on-trend.
I’m a big fan of what OM System has done with the OM-3.
This is its best camera since its acquisition of Olympus in January 2021.
Isn’t she lovely?
There’s so much about the OM-3 that just feels right.
If you like the OM-3s looks, then youll also love how rugged and well built it is.
It’s the impressive stabilization that makes the computational photography modes particularly accessible.
Then there’s the autofocus performance.
Overall though, autofocus performance is very good.
I must also commend the OM-3’s battery life.
Not all of the computational modes can be relied upon for every scenario, however.
Creative color
The new color mode dial is worth highlighting too.
Many of the Art Filters feel a bit dated now, but I still like some of the effects.
Video resolution tops out at4Kwith frame rates up to 60fps.
As such, I’ve felt confident enough to leave my tripod at home for most of this review.
4.5/5
Performance
A stacked sensor and quad-pixel autofocus make this retro charmer a truly modern performer.
4/5
Should I buy the OM System OM-3?
The OM-3 is a small camera befitting the Micro Four Thirds sensor format(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
I like the wider-than-average body – the design gives controls more space to breathe.(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Such a classic-looking camera(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
The top plate is decked with plenty of dials and controls.(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
With the LCD screen packed away, the OM-3 looks even more old school.(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
The OM-3 has a decent flip-put touchscreen(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
The color mode dial on the OM System OM-3(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Closeup of the OM System OM-3’s Computational Photography button(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Just the single SD card slot here.(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
A new shooting mode dial offers photo, video and S&Q (slow and quick) modes. I often found myself moving this dial accidentally when changing lenses.(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
There are plenty of dials to make quick adjustments to camera settings.(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
The stacked 20MP Micro Four Thirds sensor is seriously fast
The OM-3 squeezes in an impressively large battery with decent 590-shot capacity.
One of the many Art Filter effects(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
One of the many Art Filter effects(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
One of the many Art Filter effects(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
One of the many Art Filter effects(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
One of the many Art Filter effects(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Here is one of the new creative color looks, with no customization(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Here is one of the new creative color looks, with no customization(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Here is one of the new creative color looks, with no customization(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Here is one of the new creative color looks, with no customization(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
One of the monochrome looks - the one with harshest contrast.(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
I employed the Live ND Shooting mode and a 4 second exposure time to get this blurred water effect(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
I employed the Live ND Shooting mode and a 4 second exposure time to get this blurred water effect(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
A 1 second exposure time and Live ND Shooting mode was just right to blur the movement of passers-by.(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
The Live Graduated ND filter effect, maximum 3EV strength(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
The same photo without the graduated filter effect(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Being able to shoot this static scene handheld with a 1-second shutter speed and still get a sharp image meant I could select a lower ISO and enjoy a cleaner end image, virtually free from noise.(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Taken with the 90mm F3.5 macro lens(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
2 seconds shutter speed, handheld, and detail is sharp(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Image quality is ok here, but the low light and ISO 6400 setting needed mean that detail isn’t quite so crisp(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
Lovely natural colors(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
(Image credit: Tim Coleman)
