The new OM System OM-3 blends an avowedly retro SLR look with an advanced feature list and brings it all in for under $2k.
Another day, another upgraded camera, though compared to the light retread of yesterday’s announced COOLPIX P1100 there is a lot more going on inside the body of the new OM System OM-3.
From the outside you wouldn’t think it, obviously, but that’s part of the whole OM thing. This is a nod back to the 1970s when the original OM-1 was released and the likes of the Olympus Trip could feature in mainstream ad campaigns with leading photographers such as David Bailey. So it takes that aesthetic and it crams it full of new electronics such as a 20.4MP stacked BSI CMOS Four Thirds sensor and TruePic X image processor—the same from the OM-1 mirrorless camera — or puts an electronic viewfinder in that signature pentaprism.
There might be dials and switches all over it, but some of them do things that would probably be thought of as close to science fiction half a century ago. For example, there is a computational photography button. With an accompanying control dial, this gives access to Live ND, Live GND (up to ND64 and ND8 respectively), HDR, Focus Stacking, and Multi Exposure.
It also features the return of the Creative Dial for the first time since the Olympus PEN-F. In addition to both color and monochrome presets, users can adjust the saturation of 12 colors across 11 levels, along with highlight & shadow control, shading effects, a film grain effect, and a Monochrome color effect. Various Art filters are also available, all of which can be saved and shared.
It supports 4K recording at up to 60p, easily selectable Slow & Quick motion videos (indeed, these can be selected using a dedicated physical switch) and provides the option for color profiling in either of its two OM-Cinema modes. Additionally, the camera's heat management system permits continuous filming for up to 30 minutes at 104°F (40°C) or indefinitely at 77°F (25°C).
The OM-3 is capable of capturing internal 10-bit H.265 video with OM-Log400 colour profile. ProRes RAW capture is also available through external recorder.
Subject detection autofocus is powered by AI and a 1053-point phase detection system. The camera’s 5-axis image stabilisation offers up to 6.5 stops of image compensation within the frame, with an additional stop when combined with Sync IS and compatible lenses. High-speed sequential shooting reaches a maximum of 120 fps, while the camera can capture up to 50 frames per second with AF tracking enabled. Pro Capture mode give you 70 frames of capture before fully pressing the shutter.
The OM-3 is 139.3 mm x 88.9 mm x 45.8 mm (5.5 x 3.5 x 1.8 inches), and weighs in at 496 grams (17.5 ounces).
Released alongside the new OM System OM3 camera are three M.ZUIKO DIGITAL lenses, the 17mm f/1.8 II and 25mm f/1.8 II prime lenses and the ED 100-400mm f/5.0-6.3 IS II super-zoom lens. The two primes are full-frame equivalents of 35mm and 50mm, respectively.
The OM System OM-3 will begin shipping in late February for a body-only $1999.