Okay, let’s talk about the Olympus OM-3 or should I say, the OM System OM-3? Heck, I’m still getting used to that name change especially because I’m still using some Olympus branded lenses and Olympus PEN EP-7 camera. However, now when OM-3 has joined my camera line-up, finally PEN EP7 may go on a well-deserved rest.
Let me be fully honest with you. This post might be a little bit exaggerated and a little bit more enthusiastic about OM-3 but not because I don’ want to see its shortcomings (and there are a couple, like with everything, albeit not serious). It’s because I’ve been impressed by OM1 mk2 since day one and at the same time I love retro styled cameras. So OM-3 is a dream come true - OM1’s soul in a retro body and then some more. Yeah, you heard me right, OM-3 brings a couple of things that are missing from OM-1 and OM-1 mk2. More on this below.
If you’re not a stranger to my blog, you might be aware that I gave a try to Fuji X-T50 several months ago. No matter how I wanted to love that camera, it didn’t work. I’ve described this in a greater detail in this post. And while I was hoping the new Fuji X-E5 would become my retro-styled companion, it still has a couple of deal-breakers for me. Which brings me to OM-3.
Oh god, this thing is a love letter to retro design and a sneaky powerhouse that punches way above its weight. If you’re hunting for a camera that looks like it time-traveled from the film era but shoots like a sci-fi gadget from the future - this is it. Go get it. Have no fear. Hey, not that fast. Let me first break down why the OM-3 is, no joke, the best retro camera you can buy right now.
That Stacked Sensor Is Still Stupid Fast
Despite not being brand-new, the stacked sensor in the OM-3 is still one of the fastest on the market. It gives you blackout-free shooting, lightning-fast readouts, and that snappy, instant feel you normally only get on high-end flagship cameras. The response is so quick, it makes other cameras feel like they’re stuck in a group chat with bad connection.
While some people argue OM-3 did not need that sensor, I firmly disagree. THAT sensor is one of the biggest reasons why I got OM-3.
Image Quality That Slaps
Let’s be honest, Micro Four Thirds has always had a bit of a reputation for being “lesser” than full frame or APS-C. Forget that. The OM-3’s image quality is fantastic. Detail? Sharp. Dynamic range? Impressive. Colors? Chef’s kiss. If you don’t need billboard-sized prints, this camera has you totally covered - and then some.
SOOC JPGs That Are Actually Good
You know how most cameras give you washed-out JPEGs that scream, “Please edit me”? Not the OM-3. Its color profiles are actually usable straight out of camera. Between the built-in looks, color and tone curves, and that Fuji-esque charm, you can just shoot and post without needing to babysit RAW files.
And of course you can adjust color profiles to your taste. Did you know that color profiles are present in PEN-EP7 but not in big and mighty OM-1? So if you can’t or don’t want to buy OM-3, you can get access to the color profiles with PEN EP7, albeit with the limitations that the baby Olympus has.
Low Light Game Is Strong (Yes, Really)
Small sensor? Who cares. The OM-3 does surprisingly well in low light thanks to again the great sensor, clever noise reduction, fast glass (because you have fast lenses that are still small), and powerful in-body stabilization. I’ve taken clean handheld shots in near-dark alleys that would have needed a tripod on other systems. ISO 6400 isn’t scary anymore and even at 12800 the images are quite good. While I still need to shoot low light video with OM-3, you can see what can be done with OM-1. Mind you, these cameras deliver the same capabilities so there’s no reason to expect something different from OM-3.
High-Res Mode. Yes, Handheld Too.
This is where Olympus (sorry - OM System) flexes hard. You’ve got high-res tripod mode and handheld high-res mode (HHHR for short). That means 50MP+ shots while moving around. If you’re shooting landscapes or product shots, this feature alone makes the OM-3 a secret weapon.
Yes, HHHR is present in competing cameras like Fuji X-T5 but neither X-T50, nor the new X-E5 provide that. Fuji fanboys argue that the 40mp sensor found in those cameras makes HHHR irrelevant. You decide.
Built-in GND, ND, and Magic Tricks
The computational photography features are wild. Need a graduated ND filter? It’s built in. Want to do long exposures in daylight without a physical ND filter? Done. Want to shoot star trails or car light streaks live on screen? That’s Live Composite. Want to blend multiple exposures in-camera? Easy. Want to get your tax computed? …wait no. Not that one.
But still, no other camera system does this. Period.
And I’ve heard OM system is considering to use AI for image upscaling in future cameras. Yeah, right in the camera. That’s wild.
Weather Sealing from Olympus’ Mad Scientists
This thing is built like a tank with weather sealing that’s legendary. Pouring rain, dusty mountain trails, coastal salt spray - no problem. If you’re the “I go where the shot is” type, this camera won’t blink.
One of the latest videos that I shot with OM-1 is very dear to me. We were visiting my son who lives on the north of Spain and the days were rainy. Without OM-1 I would probably have missed those shots that I cherish so much. OM-3 can do the same!
High-End Build Without the Bulk
The OM-3 looks retro, but it feels like luxury. It’s compact, solid, perfectly weighted, and those dials and buttons are a joy to use. It doesn’t creak, it doesn’t rattle - it feels like something that will still be working in 20 years. Even OM-1 doesn’t have that build.
Video Is… Actually Decent
Okay, it’s not a video beast like a GH6 or an FX3, but the OM-3 holds its own. Clean 4K, nice color profiles like OM Cinema 1 and OM Cinema 2, 10-bit internal recording, and great IBIS make it more than capable for travel vlogs, YouTube, or casual filmmaking. And it doesn’t overheat ever. I sold my Sony A7IV because constant overheating in summer was simply unbearable.
And now there are two lesser known things about OM-3. The first is that like its bigger brother OM-1, it can output RAW video to the external recorder like Atomos Ninja. Yeah, raw video in all its glory.
OM-3 also brings two improvements over OM-1. The first is much better separation between stills and video. Now we have a dedicated dial to switch between stills, video and S&Q. If you don’t care about video, you might not appreciate this but if you’re a hybrid shooter, this is godsend.
The other improvement over OM-1 is somewhat improved AF for video. AF now has an additional speed level making it even more usable for video and fast moving subjects. Speaking of AF…
Autofocus Is Rock Solid
The OM-3 uses a hybrid AF system that’s fast, accurate, and honestly just reliable. Eye AF? Works great. Continuous tracking? Surprisingly sticky. It even works really well in video mode - something older Olympus cameras really struggled with.
Also… It’s Just Drop-Dead Gorgeous
Let’s not pretend this doesn’t matter - the OM-3 is beautiful. That classic SLR-style body with modern touches, those textured dials, that clean minimalist finish - it turns heads. If Apple ever designed a retro camera, it’d look like this.
Some people complain because there is no black version. So good. It’s a signal from OMDS that OM-3 is unique. One and only. You can’t even get in black. I love that approach.
Now the Bad News: Price Hurt$$$… A Bit
Here’s the only downside. The MSRP is still high. Like, ouch-level high. But the good news? Discounts are starting to pop up. I snagged mine recently for €1589 from a photo store called FotoK in Barcelona running a summer promo. That’s a huge drop from launch price, and honestly a steal for what you’re getting. This price is still not mainstream but discounts will be coming here and there. Like now during Amazon Prime days you can get kit version for around 1700 pounds in UK.
So yeah - it’s not cheap. But it is worth it.
Final Thought
The OM-3 isn’t for everyone. If you want the biggest sensor or need Netflix-certified video specs, look elsewhere. But if you want a beautifully made, insanely capable, weatherproof, fast, creatively inspiring camera that also happens to be stunning to look at - the OM-3 is the one.
Retro soul, modern guts. What more do you want?