OM System OM-3 Camera Body

OM System OM-3 Camera Body Summary

Arriving as an entirely new model in the lineup is the OM System OM-3 Camera Body. This OM System micro four thirds camera is designed for urban creatives who want to incorporate content creation into their everyday lives. It combines a durable, lightweight metal body with a striking vintage-inspired aesthetic, which is reminiscent of old school 35mm film cameras.

Despite its lightweight sub-500g retro design, the OM-3 is a surprisingly capable hybrid camera, boasting high-speed burst shooting up to 50fps with Continuous AF, 4K 60p 10-bit video recording and a rugged weather-sealed design, which is perfect for cityscapes, street portraits, and urban nature escapes.

At the heart of the OM-3 is a 20.4MP Quad Pixel Bayer Pattern Stacked CMOS sensor, which is capable of up to 50fps burst shooting while utilising 1053 cross-type phase detection AF points. The MFT sensor and powerful TruePicX processor provide advanced AI subject detection and tracking for a variety of subjects, and OM System has developed a selection of new features to accompany the all-new body design.

These include a computational photography button, which offers creative tools such as Live ND and GND filters, enabling photographers to achieve excellent results more easily in the camera. A new dedicated creative dial further enhances creativity and ease of use, while built-in colour profiles including the new OM-Cinema1, and OM-Cinema2, allow for creative expression while colour grading.

For video content the OM System OM-3 camera features 10-bit H.265 4K 60p recording with OMLog400, a new S&Q switch for effortless slow and quick motion capture, and reliable USB-C connectivity with charging.

With a lightweight IP53 weather-sealed MFT body, and around 500 RAW shots from the BLX-1 battery, the OM-3 excels in any urban setting, especially when paired with compact and lightweight lenses such as the second-gen. OM System M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/1.8 II Lens and OM System M.Zuiko Digital 25mm f/1.8 II Lens.

OM System OM-3 Key Features

• Vintage-inspired metal body with a classic film camera aesthetic
• Sub 500g lightweight design
• Quad Pixel Bayer Pattern Stacked CMOS sensor
• Up to 50fps with Continuous AF and 1053 cross-type phase detection AF points
• AI subject detection of humans, select animals and vehicles
• Computational photography button
• Creative dial simplifies access to artistic filters and colour profiles
• New movie colour profiles include OM Cinema 1 and 2
• Supports 4K 60p 10-bit video recording in H.265 with OMLog400
• A new S&Q switch for slow and quick motion capture
• Handheld and TripodHigh Res Shot modes
• Made for content creation with Vertical Video, high-res audio and UVC webcam
• IP53 weather sealing (when combined with a splash-proof lens)
• The BLX-1 battery provides around 500 RAW shots
• USB-C connectivity supports USB-C charging

OM System OM-3 Camera Body in More Detail

Unique Body Design

The OM System OM-3 boasts a durable metal body with a compact form, weighing just 496g with a battery and memory card. Its stylish, vintage-inspired design is perfect for urban photographers who incorporate creativity into their everyday lifestyle. The camera body is weather sealed to IP53 standards offering protection against dust, moisture and freezing conditions when paired with a weather-sealed OM System lens. This ensures that the OM-3 provides a high degree of reliability whether capturing cityscapes or braving unpredictable weather on an outdoor shoot.

Advanced Imaging Capabilities

At the heart of the OM-3 is a 20.4MP Stacked BSI Live MOS sensor paired with OM System’s TruePic X Dual Quad-Core Processor, enabling high-resolution imaging with exceptional detail and low noise results. The camera supports both handheld and tripod high-res shot modes, delivering images up to 80MP in JPEG or RAW formats. A built-in digital teleconverter provides an additional 1.4x zoom, further extending creative possibilities without compromising image quality.

Advanced Autofocus Performance

Equipped with 1,053 cross-type phase detection AF points and AI-powered subject detection, the OM-3 camera offers advanced autofocusing accuracy. It automatically recognises and tracks a variety of subjects, including human faces, birds, animals, cars, and trains, ensuring sharp results even in dynamic shooting scenarios.

The full list of subjects includes:

• Human
• Formula cars, rally cars, motorcycles
• Aircraft, helicopters
• Bullet trains, standard trains, steam locomotives
• Birds, dogs, cats

The AF working range is also impressive, with the camera’s AF system capable of handling lighting conditions between -5.5 EV and 19 EV. This provides versatility for shooting in a range of environments, from near darkness to bright daylight.

Industry-Leading In-Body Image Stabilisation

The OM System OM-3 includes exceptional in-body image stabilisation (IBIS) for which the MFT system is well known, ensuring sharp handheld shots and smooth video. Its 5-axis sensor-shift IS compensates for yaw, pitch, and roll movements, providing up to 6.5 stops of stabilisation when using compatible lenses.

For even greater stability, Sync IS pairs the camera’s IBIS with supported M.Zuiko lenses to deliver up to 7.5 stops of compensation, which is ideal for handheld telephoto shooting or low-light photography without a tripod. The system supports multiple stabilisation modes, including S-IS AUTO, S-IS1, S-IS2, and S-IS3, allowing photographers and videographers to fine-tune IBIS settings for each specific situation.

High-Speed Shooting and Lens Compatibility

The OM System OM-3 offers an extensive range of sequential shooting modes, enabling creators to capture fast-moving subjects with precision. The mechanical shutter supports speeds of up to 6fps, while the electronic first curtain shutter achieves the same range with a minimum shutter speed of 1/320s. For silent operation, the electronic shutter delivers up to 20fps, making it ideal for events and wildlife where discretion is essential.

For extreme action, the OM-3 features Silent Sequential Shooting SH1 and SH2 modes. SH1 provides an incredible 120fps, while SH2 offers 50fps with full resolution and C-AF. These modes ensure you never miss a moment, even with the fastest subjects.

Pro Capture modes are also included, allowing users to record up to 120fps with a pre-capture buffer that starts recording frames as soon as the shutter button is half-pressed.

The camera supports continuous shooting with exceptional buffer capacity. When using a compatible high-speed UHS-II SD card, it can capture up to 151 RAW frames or 375 JPEG frames continuously in silent mode at maximum speeds. For Pro Capture and SH modes, the buffer supports approximately 88 RAW or 125 JPEG images at the highest frame rates.

Compatible Lenses for High-Speed Modes

To fully utilise the OM-3’s advanced sequential shooting capabilities, certain lenses are required for maximum performance in SH2 50fps mode and Pro Capture SH1/SH2 modes. Supported lenses include:

• M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm F2.8 PRO II
• M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS PRO
• M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm F2.8 PRO
• M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm F4.5 TC 1.25x IS PRO
• M.Zuiko Digital ED 300mm F4.0 IS PRO

These and other lenses, are known for their sharpness and performance, pairing seamlessly with the OM-3 to deliver consistent focus tracking and high-speed operation.

Powerful Video Features

The OM System OM-3 delivers powerful video capabilities, making it a compelling choice for hybrid creators. It supports internal 4K 60p and C4K recording in 10-bit HEVC (H.265) and H.264 formats, ensuring excellent image quality with efficient compression. The newly introduced OM-Cinema1 and OM-Cinema2 colour profiles, alongside OMLog400, provide greater flexibility for post-production, enabling precise colour grading and extended dynamic range for professional filmmaking workflows.

Comprehensive Recording Formats

With a range of internal recording options, the OM-3 offers Long GOP and ALL-I compression, covering resolutions from C4K (4096x2160) and 4K UHD (3840x2160) down to Full HD (1920x1080). It records at various bit rates to accommodate different workflows, with 4K and C4K 60p at up to 205Mbps in H.264 and 155Mbps in H.265. High-quality 96kHz/24-bit audio recording ensures professional-grade sound capture.

Professional Video Assist Tools

In order to achieve the best image quality the OM-3 includes advanced video assist features such as focus peaking (four colours), zebra pattern (two selectable levels), a centre marker, and a red REC frame indicator. A dual-level recording lamp ensures clear visual confirmation during recording, while timecode support (Rec Run / Free Run, Drop Frame / Non-Drop Frame) enables seamless multi-camera synchronisation.

Live HDMI Output and RAW Recording

For recording to an external video recorder, the OM-3 supports live view HDMI output in Monitor, Record, and RAW modes. RAW mode outputs 4K/C4K 12-bit RAW video, perfect for obtaining the best quality, with frame rates following the camera’s internal settings. In Record mode, HDMI output quality is YCbCr 4:2:2 8-bit, supporting simultaneous 4K/C4K/FHD recording in-camera.

Advanced Stabilisation for Smooth Footage

The OM-3 integrates advanced M-IS1 and M-IS2 stabilisation modes. M-IS1 combines sensor-shift and electronic stabilisation for ultra-smooth handheld footage, while M-IS2 uses sensor-shift only, preserving the full field of view. For lenses with built-in stabilisation, the camera prioritises the lens IS to ensure the most effective compensation against shake.

Flexible Shooting Modes and Vertical Video Support

The camera’s Slow & Quick (S&Q) dial allows for instant switching between real-time, slow-motion, and time-lapse video. It supports frame rates ranging from 1fps to 500fps, offering creative flexibility for slow and quick playback effects. Vertical video mode automatically saves files in vertical orientation, optimising content for vertical social media without requiring any post-processing adjustments.

With its professional-grade recording formats, external RAW recording, advanced stabilisation, and intuitive filmmaking tools, the OM-3 provides a powerful and super compact solution for content creators looking to produce cinematic video.

Creative Tools for Photographers

The OM-3 features a dedicated computational photography button, providing quick access to advanced creative tools, including Live ND, Live GND, focus stacking, and multiple exposure modes.

A creative dial provides access to four colour profiles, four monochrome profiles, and Olympus’s renowned Art Filters, giving photographers the ability to experiment and refine their style in-camera.

Intuitive Handling and Usability

The OM-3 is perfect for creators who want to push the boundaries, and the body features a 3.0-inch vari-angle touchscreen with 1.62M dots for intuitive navigation and easy image composition. The high-resolution OLED electronic viewfinder with 2.36M dots ensures a clear and accurate view of the scene and includes various overlays for composing such as trichotomy and golden grid.

Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enable quick file sharing, while the USB-C port supports charging and connectivity for seamless workflows. While easy for beginners, the OM System OM-3 supports your creative journey with advanced features as your skills develop.

Connectivity Input/Output Options

The OM System OM-3 provides a range of hybrid connectivity features to support creative workflows and provide day-to-day convenience. For creators looking to broadcast or live stream, the camera functions as a UVC/UAC-compliant webcam, delivering high-quality 4K and audio over a single USB connection. This makes it ideal for live streaming, virtual meetings, or remote presentations.

The camera includes built-in Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g/n) and Bluetooth Low Energy 4.2 for seamless file sharing and remote control. You can instantly transfer images or control your camera settings using the OM Image Share app, ensuring you stay connected to your audience or team even while on the go.

For professional setups, the OM-3 offers a wide range of input and output options, including a USB Type-C interface for charging and fast data transfer, a Micro HDMI Type D connector for external monitors, and both microphone and headphone jacks (3.5mm) for high-quality audio recording and monitoring at resolutions which include Stereo linear PCM/24-bit, sampling frequency 96kHz. The hot shoe enables the use of external flashes and accessories, while a timecode feature adds precision to multi-camera video shoots.

With robust connectivity and I/O options, the OM-3 supports a variety of workflows, whether you're starting out on YouTube and growing your channel or producing professional content for paying clients.

Extended Battery Life

The OM-3 uses the high-capacity BLX-1 battery, offering up to 500 RAW shots or up to 590 shots in standard mode on a single charge. Its efficiency supports longer stills or video content with a maximum 120 minutes continuous recording time when zoom and other operational functions are not used.

What’s in the box

• OM System OM-3 Camera Body
• CB-USB13 USB cable
• Shoulder strap
• Instruction manual
• Warranty card
• BLX-1 Li-ion battery

OM System OM-3 Camera Specifications