The OM-3, rebirth of a legend

[Jorgen Udvang]

I have the original OM-3, in my view the best OM Series camera Olympus made during the film era. It was expensive but functional. A high-end, no frills camera that sat somewhere between the Nikon F3 and Leica M6 when it comes to desirability. The new OM-3 seems to be built along the same guidelines; high quality, excellent build quality and able to produce any photo that one could dream of when placed in the right hands. It's an all out photographers camera. Expensive, simple and functional. I want one!

Unfortunately, it's released just when I'm about to buy into full frame again with Canon. It's a dilema.

 

[AlanS]

I think if they had put it in a Pen F body with the high res viewfinder I would be much more interested

 

[Jorgen Udvang]

I think if they had put it in a Pen F body with the high res viewfinder I would be much more interested

The much smaller size of the Pen-F body probably doesn't offer enough cooling capacity for the advanced video or even high burst rates that this camera offers.

 

[AlanS]

I don't do video Jurgen so that would not bother me one bit!

 

[Jorgen Udvang]

I don't do video Jurgen so that would not bother me one bit!

I'll ask them to do a Pen-F just for you

 

[raist3d]

There's no advanced video on this camera. And this class of camera doesn't need to shoot at 30, 60, 120 fps. Heck, doesn't the EM5 Mark III already shoot high FPS enough on e-shutter also?

Some say people wanted a compact and OM systems comes out with this and people complain. But that's because people were asking for a real compact camera: either PenFII or EM5 Mark II class size. OM-5 tops.

Then that asking price. I am sure as a camera by itself is nice... here in the USA you can get a dual card 40MP high FPS, higher resolution EVF fast almost same size Fuji X-T5 which also has IBIS, is weather sealed. Certainly there will be an appeal by itself on the looks for both but that Fuji is $300 USD less.

I have been saying now for years that the main issue of m43rds is that it has let its unique selling proposition - size and weight - erode away vs the competition. This camera in the Body of a PenF would be a modern PenF and compact. The OM-3 is not exactly a compact camera.

At least OM Systems is starting to re-release the small primes in weather sealed form. That was a major hole that Olympus kept for years which made zero sense to me, this is more than anything the most sensible move OM Systems has done in book here- as finally you could match an OM-5 body with a small lens and still be weather sealed without having to resort to the F1.2's or the single somewhat recent F1.4.

 

[raist3d]

As for the video linked- this is part of the influencer avalanche of videos that do little to highlight a true balanced view and push a hyper positive image. Emily may say she hasn't been bought, but she does remind us to please click on that OM Systems link at the end so OM Systems know she referred us to them.

These people are not doing this for free. Anyway, I still want to see one in person, but I don't think t his is the way to make m43rds viable long term. If the OM-3 sells mainly to those who already own m43rds, the platform doesn't grow market share - which has been shrinking year by year- which means it goes extinct.

I don't want that to happen honestly. Let's see if they do something sensible quick with an OM5 Mark II.

 

[Jorgen Udvang]

There's no advanced video on this camera. And this class of camera doesn't need to shoot at 30, 60, 120 fps. Heck, doesn't the EM5 Mark III already shoot high FPS enough on e-shutter also?

Some say people wanted a compact and OM systems comes out with this and people complain. But that's because people were asking for a real compact camera: either PenFII or EM5 Mark II class size. OM-5 tops.

Then that asking price. I am sure as a camera by itself is nice... here in the USA you can get a dual card 40MP high FPS, higher resolution EVF fast almost same size Fuji X-T5 which also has IBIS, is weather sealed. Certainly there will be an appeal by itself on the looks for both but that Fuji is $300 USD less.

I have been saying now for years that the main issue of m43rds is that it has let its unique selling proposition - size and weight - erode away vs the competition. This camera in the Body of a PenF would be a modern PenF and compact. The OM-3 is not exactly a compact camera.

At least OM Systems is starting to re-release the small primes in weather sealed form. That was a major hole that Olympus kept for years which made zero sense to me, this is more than anything the most sensible move OM Systems has done in book here- as finally you could match an OM-5 body with a small lens and still be weather sealed without having to resort to the F1.2's or the single somewhat recent F1.4.

The OM-3 shoots very high quality 4K/60 10 bit with full sensor width and minimal rolling shutter. I call that advanced. And it has dedicated mic and headphone ports. For a photo centric camera, that's close to perfect video specs. As for compact, it's the same size as my 1983 OM-3. That's compact enough for me.

This is an enthusiast camera. $300 more or less is hardly a deal breaker for this class of gear. If you want cheaper, there are cheaper alternatives. If you want a camera for professional use, there are the OM-1 II, G9 II and GH7.

Will MFT go extinct? Maybe. People have talked about that since before the format was launched, since the Olympus E-1. Too small sensor, too few pixels, bad high ISO, too large camera bodies, too expensive etc. I don't care. I probably have enough gear to last the rest of my life. To be on the safe side, I'll soon buy another doomed camera, the Canon R.

 

[raist3d]

"The OM-3 shoots very high quality 4K/60 10 bit with full sensor width and minimal rolling shutter. I call that advanced. "

No open gate. Poor quality bit rate and encoding. No real time LUT/film sim encoded with the video- you have to grade it out of camera, increasing workflow, etc.
No, I don't call that advanced.

Just having a stacked sensor by itself doesn't mean the rest of features become advanced.

"And it has dedicated mic and headphone ports. For a photo centric camera, that's close to perfect video specs. "

So do several other cameras around.

"As for compact, it's the same size as my 1983 OM-3. That's compact enough for me."

Compact is the EM5 Mark 2. Compact is the Penf. Compact is the GM5. Compact is the G100.
This is smaller than the OM-1 and may be compact enough for you but it's not really a compact camera.

"This is an enthusiast camera. $300 more or less is hardly a deal breaker for this class of gear."

That's hardly the issue. The issue is that this camera is not coming in a vacuum and there's plenty of enthusiast competitive cameras around.
The question is, will this camera bring more customers outside of the already "converted m43rds" owners.

This is not what people in MFT that wanted a compact modern camera were asking in m43rds land either. We were asking for a GM5 successor, a PenF successor, a GX9 class successor, an OM-5 successor, and EM5 Mark 2 successor.

This doesn't mean this is a bad camera per se but this is not exactly what people were asking for in m43rds land.

"Will MFT go extinct? Maybe. People have talked about that since before the format was launched, since the Olympus E-1. "

Except 4/3rds did die, didn't it? And contrary to the YouTuber Tony's, there's an argument to be made about the fact that the marketshare of m43rds has continued to shrink and shrink. I expect the OM-3 to sell great the first two months like most cameras do at first due to pent-up demand or influencer advertorials, but would it sustain at the 6-8 month bracket?

It's possible, but the unique selling proposition of m43rds to really stand out by being small I dont' think it's exactly made with the OM-3.

I am not talking about the perspective or just your needs- you buy whatever yo want, carpe diem, we only live once. Hey, I totally get that . I am wondering about the health of the mount and if this model, while better than nothing because it shows OM Systems seems to have a "pulse", I think we still need that small modern compact. I am looking forward to see what the OM-5 Mark II will be- hopefully more than "just USBC."

- Ricardo

 

[raist3d]

I am going to see one and try (probably rent) at the end of the month. I want to get a better feel how big is it, and how the AF is.

 

[Jorgen Udvang]

OM-Systems and Panasonic can be criticised for not offering new compact, high quality cameras. However, they also need to make money. The GM5 was a fun camera, but they broke easily, the viewfinder was the size of a pinhead and they were probably just as expensive to make as a GX9 or GX8. If Panasonic made a profit from it, you can be sure that they would have offered a GM6 by now.

What they have probably realised is that the profits are in specialised cameras like the GH7, the G9 II and the OM-1 II, all cameras with fantastic reputations... and possibly the OM-3.

I don't any longer buy MFT cameras only for the compact size, but for their feature sets and ergonomics. If I want really compact, I can buy a Canon R8 and get full frame thrown in. But then I would have to say farewell to lots of features that I use every day.

Yes, 4/3 died early, and you can blame Panasonic for that. They simply believed that MFT was superior in most respects, and of course the saw the importance of offering good quality video. Still, I wouldn't hesitate for a second to bring an E-1, E-3 or E-5 to a paid assignment. They are still good cameras.

 

[Oren Grad]

I am going to see one and try (probably rent) at the end of the month. I want to get a better feel how big is it...

While you're waiting for a chance to see it in the flesh, this should give you at least a rough idea:

https://camerasize.com/compact/#918,939,897,ha,f

 

[raist3d]

Thanks much for the link. Already compared to within and outside m43rds size just to get a rough idea. But again, thanks.

 

[raist3d]

I honestly don't blame Panasonic for 4/3rds death. Olympus was going down too already.

I understand not necessarily making a GM5, but It think an EM5.2 body or PenF II with that body, now, modern would be very compelling and "desirable." Given the EM5.2 and EM5.3/OM-5 are the same line, it would be great if we could return to the EM5.2 body.

I was thinking imagining something like this:
- Use EM5.2 body
- Add GND live ND but 1 stop less than OM-3
- Add 1 stop to live ND over the OM-5's
- Add 14-bit raw HHHR capture and Tripod HR capture
- New AI AF/AI Jpeg noise reduction but use

Either OM-5 sensor OR ($1500 USD MSRP)
that stacked sensor ($1700 USD MSRP)

The EM5.2 Body was already weather sealed too. I think having this kind of power in that size is very compelling and stands out in the market.

Like someone said elsewhere "Imagine making a new camera mount that's supposed to be small and light and then not... doing those."

Anyway, I think there's still hope to see something interesting on the size on the OM-5 MKII.

- Ricardo

 

[ptomsu]

@Jorgen:
the reason that you are maybe going FF with what else camera system (Canon) should not stop you from further using m43 if that camera and lenses fits your bill. I am shooting L-mount with a Leica SL2-S since years now and I could not be more happy with that choice as it also allows me to make use of my M-lens collection if I desire so, but also of new modern lenses as for example the Lumix 28-200 for travel photography.
Having said that, I sometimes would prefer a camera like the OM-3 with a 12-45 attached as my small travel companion and I probably will also go that route just because of that!

@Ricardo:
why can you not just be happy to see any new life signs from m43 and especially OM System? I think it also will benefit you if they and m43 survives. And I must say that the response I saw so far for the OM-3 is magnificent all over the world, because that is just something what people are looking for. Well done OM System and I wish them similar sales like Fuji had in the past with models like the X100V and X100VI, both also very nice looking retro style cameras!

One of the main reasons for me to acquire the OM-3 is definitely that it suits my nostalgic memories to my own OM-2, OM-4 and OM Zuiko lens collection, which most of it I have unfortunately sold long ago.

 

[Oren Grad]

I like the E-M5III/OM-5 body as is. The only features from the OM-1 that I would especially like to have are the new menu system and the larger battery. The OM-3 offers both, through the increase in body size to accommodate the battery is a bit more than I was hoping for and the initial price is far disproportionate to current OM-5 pricing. So I'm not likely to get one any time soon.

But given the financial situation at OMDS as well as overall market conditions, I'm happy to see that they're able to offer a new model at all, and I hope it is successful for them.

 

[ptomsu]

The longer I think about it the more I like the thought to get this camera just to have a small and nice everyday companion that reminds me on my long ago time with the OM-2n

Then It also can easily stack up as a wildlife camera for the occasional times I do this when adding that new Zuiko 100-400 Mark2, which finally brings now dual IS - and all of that for a bargain compared to the cost of any FF combination. Well done OM System!!!!!

This video gives another refreshing glimpse of m43 and especially the OM-3 in 2025 - just enjoy!

I want an OM-3 very much!

 

[raist3d]

"@Ricardo:
why can you not just be happy to see any new life signs from m43 and especially OM System? I think it also will benefit you if they and m43 survives. And I must say that the response I saw so far for the OM-3 is magnificent all over the world, because that is just something what people are looking for. "

@ptomsu - eh? Excuse me?! First of all I am not sure we qualify happy the same way. A part of me is indeed happy the company is showing a pulse. I dialed back a tiny bit my "I think43rds is going extinct" because of this.

I simply call it as I see it. It's not about being happy or sad, but about being honest. This is very simple: had this been a PenF or EM5.2 body I would have been ecstatic. What may were asking for was a *compact modern* m43rds camera. This om-1 is not a compact camera or "tiny" as I saw some call it, even if it's smaller than the OM-1. I def. want to see what the OM-5 MarkII will look like.

I still want to check one out. I have more than enough camera equipment as it is anyway, so not like I need necessarily more. I need to sell a bunch of stuff or get rid of it if I get one, not because I can't afford to keep it all but because I want to simplify.

These companies are not non-profit organizations that simply are entitled to my hard earned cash.

As for the "overwhelmingly positive marketing bridade we saw"- that's exactly that. Influencers/ambassadors and other reviews that have early access. I am not sure how come this isn't obvious at this point- this happens with every new camera of every brand- these are hardly reviews- even if they are useful to see what the new features are.

Remember the stupidity of the OM1 MarkI when announced when several ran with the incredibly absurd physics defying idea that somehow this stack sensor pretty much achieved FF DR/ISO performance and better than best APSC. It was absurd then, it was debunked rather quickly, and I don't think anyone should drink the koolaid at face value but check- again this applies to *all brands*. And I am just voicing my opinion- everyone can spend on whatever the heck they want with their money.

If you want to acquire the OM-3 for feeding your nostalgia- that's you and great. Nothing I say should feel "threatening" in any form to your desires and wish.

 

[ptomsu]

"@Ricardo:
why can you not just be happy to see any new life signs from m43 and especially OM System? I think it also will benefit you if they and m43 survives. And I must say that the response I saw so far for the OM-3 is magnificent all over the world, because that is just something what people are looking for. "

@ptomsu - eh? Excuse me?! First of all I am not sure we qualify happy the same way. A part of me is indeed happy the company is showing a pulse. I dialed back a tiny bit my "I think43rds is going extinct" because of this.

I simply call it as I see it. It's not about being happy or sad, but about being honest. This is very simple: had this been a PenF or EM5.2 body I would have been ecstatic. What may were asking for was a *compact modern* m43rds camera. This om-1 is not a compact camera or "tiny" as I saw some call it, even if it's smaller than the OM-1. I def. want to see what the OM-5 MarkII will look like.

I still want to check one out. I have more than enough camera equipment as it is anyway, so not like I need necessarily more. I need to sell a bunch of stuff or get rid of it if I get one, not because I can't afford to keep it all but because I want to simplify.

These companies are not non-profit organizations that simply are entitled to my hard earned cash.

As for the "overwhelmingly positive marketing bridade we saw"- that's exactly that. Influencers/ambassadors and other reviews that have early access. I am not sure how come this isn't obvious at this point- this happens with every new camera of every brand- these are hardly reviews- even if they are useful to see what the new features are.

Remember the stupidity of the OM1 MarkI when announced when several ran with the incredibly absurd physics defying idea that somehow this stack sensor pretty much achieved FF DR/ISO performance and better than best APSC. It was absurd then, it was debunked rather quickly, and I don't think anyone should drink the koolaid at face value but check- again this applies to *all brands*. And I am just voicing my opinion- everyone can spend on whatever the heck they want with their money.

If you want to acquire the OM-3 for feeding your nostalgia- that's you and great. Nothing I say should feel "threatening" in any form to your desires and wish.

All good Ricardo!

I feel the OM-3 being rather very compact and small coming from a Leica SL-2 ..... and as I said it reminds me very much on my Olympus OM2n from the 1970's - so definitely I am biased.

For me the OM-3 could easily become my everyday camera for accompanying my daily life as well when I go on vacation. SO I am very happy to see this incarnation of m43.

And please do not forget - it is years since m43 generated such waves on the Internet and on Youtube and amongst influencers, so this I find especially encouraging for OM System. I really want that company to survive!

All the best

Peter

 

[raist3d]

I also want the company to survive! This is why I think we need a true compact *and modern* camera model. I am thinking a lot of the Om-3 packed in a PenF2 or EM5.2 model would do.

The biggest thing to me is that finally we are starting to get long overdue small weather sealed primes. I want to see what the OM-5 II will be. I could live with this:
- OM-5 Mark II but in an EM5 Mark II body
- Same sensor of OM-5 but
- new processor of OM-1/OM-3
- AI AF, AI jpeg noise reduction (already there in OM-1)
- IBIS one stop less than OM-3
- FPS - keep like OM-5 I guess
- HHHR/tripod HR with 14-bits RAW option
- 1 stop less live ND (so what the EM1.3 had basically, one more over OM-5)
- 1 stop less GND ND than OM-1/OM-3.

Price- $1,400 USD to $1700 USD MSRP. (if $1700 it should be the stacked sensor again, not the OM-5 sensor).

Of course, that's just me planing from the armchair/couch. I just think this would stand out by virtue of being small and weather sealed.