OM System OM-3: A Vintage Camera with Modern Features

OM System Releases Retro OM-3

Today OM System released the retro OM-3 in response to the public’s desire to step back in time. Fujifilm started this trend with its retro-styled cameras. Nikon, also took a step in this direction with the Nikon ZF which looks like one of the Nikon cameras I used to shoot in the 80s. The desire to go back to the early days of photography seems to be in the photographer’s blood.

Retro Style With 21st Century Technology

Even though it looks like a yesteryear camera, it definitely is not. For example, OM System is doing some amazing things when it comes to computational photography. Some of those tools include Live ND, Graduated ND, High Res Shot, and Focus Stacking. All of these features are part of the OM-1 Mark ll I’m currently using. But OM System has taken those same components and added them to the OM-3 as well. These tools are now available via the new “CP” button. With a single press, you can seamlessly access multiple advanced computational photography features, simplifying the creative process.

This past three weeks, I’ve been shooting in the Lofoten Islands in Norway, where I’ve been elated with the built-in Graduated ND filter on my OM-1 Mark ll, a feature the the OM-3 also has. With so much rain, wind, and overall inclement weather, it’s been incredibly helpful to no longer rely on clunky, flight-prone lens filters. Once you experience how well the built-in GND and ND filters work, you’ll never want to go back to all those painful filters.

IP53 Rating – Best Protection Against Water and Dust In The Industry

Like my OM-1 Mark ll, the OM-3 has a dust and water rating of IP53. What does that mean? First off, the prefix IP stands for Ingress Protection Code. It’s comes from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) which is widely known as a legitimate international technical standards body.

What do The Numbers Mean?

The numbers each stand for something different. The number 5 is a rating specifically for Dust protection. The IEC states, “Ingress of dust is not entirely prevented, but it must not enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with the safe operation of the equipment.” The second number, 3, refers to how much protection is provided against water spraying directly onto the product. Based on this number it would seem that the IP53 is not all that protective, especially when you read that a rating of 4 specifically refers to “splash-resistance.” This is all a bit confusing when you see the video below that Olympus originally put out promoting the amazing water resistance of the OM-1. It certainly looks more than splash resistant to me.

How Do They Test?

Testing to qualify for a rating of ‘3’ for liquid ingress is: “Water falling as a spray at any angle up to 60° from the vertical shall have no harmful effect, utilizing either: a) an oscillating fixture, or b) A spray nozzle with a counterbalanced shield. Test a) is conducted for 5 minutes, then repeated with the specimen rotated horizontally by 90° for the second 5-minute test. Test b) is conducted (with shield in place) for 5 minutes minimum.” Pretty drastic soaking in my opinion and sounds similar to what we see in the video above.

Interestingly, no other camera company advertises a specific IP rating other than OM System. Nikon, Canon, and Sony all state that their cameras are Water and Dust Resistant. But none of them back it up with a rating by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Back in November of 2020 I posted a video detailing the loss of my Sony RX100 Mark Vll due to short exposure to a moderate rain. That happened because I had come to rely on the Olympus weather sealing. Shooting Olympus gear in similar conditions never produced any problems. But then I tried it with the RX100 Mark Vll. OK, yes, the RX100 Mark Vll may not be considered a truly professional camera. But I was so used to not worrying I got caught off guard. It was a $1200 mistake. OK, so you get my point. I’m impressed with the OM System weather sealing.

Super Sonic Wave Filter

I’m not sure if we have this same filter in the OM-1 but there really is something different to what OM System does to keep your sensor clean. Ever since I moved from Lumix to OM System I’ve not had to clean my sensor even once.

When shooting Nikon digital and Lumix, I regularly had to break out the blower and often a sensor swab to remove dust specs and other debris from my sensor. The new OM-3 has the Super Sonic Wave Filter that vibrates up to 30,000 times per second every time you turn the camera on. A similar system on the OM-1 has made cleaning my sensor unnecessary.

IBIS, Auto Focus, and Sequential Shooting

In-Body Image Stabilization

With IBIS OM System is claiming up to 7.5 with Sync IS lenses and 6.5 stops EV internally. I’ve found the IS on the OM-1 to be simply amazing. It works so well.

Quad Pixel AF

The OM-3 features OM System’s latest backside-illuminated Stacked Live MOS sensor with 100% autofocus coverage and 1,053 AF points for unmatched accuracy and versatility. It will be interesting to see if its AF is even better than the OM-1. The OM-3 does have the added advantage of additional subject detection modes. Including Humans/eyes, cars and motorcycles, airplanes/helicopters, trains, birds, and dogs/cats.

120 Frames Per Second

The OM-3 delivers incredible speeds, with 120 fps sequential shooting in S-AF mode. In C-AF mode, the camera can track subjects at up to 50 fps, ensuring precise focus on fast-moving objects. Hopefully things like puffins, swallows, and others speedy creatures.

Creative Dial

Creative Dial is your gateway to creative photography. With color and Mono modes, you can choose from eight distinct film-like profiles to match your vision. The Color Creator mode allows you to craft unique monochromatic looks and fine-tune colors to suit your exact preferences. Art Mode brings all the art filters into easy access.

Color and Monochrome Profiles

Color and monochrome profiles can be saved as presets to unleash your creativity. You can customize each film-like profile to your liking and share them with others. 4x Color Profiles, 4x Monochrome Profiles

Sharing Your Film-like Profiles

After customizing your color and monochrome profiles, you can share them with other users, who can then upload them to their camera via OM Workspace. OM Workspace is OM SYSTEM’s free photo editing and image management software.

Video

Quick & Slow Video Switch

Easily record slow-motion videos that capture movements too fast for the eye to follow and hyperlapse videos that condense long recording times.

OM Cinema 1 & 2

OM-3 introduces all-new creative video modes, OM Cinema 1 & 2. With these new modes you can capture cinematic videos without need of color grading.

OM-Log400 & RAW

OM-3 is capable of capturing internal 10-bit H.265 video with OM-Log400 color profile, preserving more data in highlights and shadows. ProRes RAW capture is also available through external recorder.

Don’t Forget The Lenses

Along with the new camera OM System also released the updated 100-400mm version ll. This new lens brings Sync IS to the OM-3 and OM-1 bodies and lists for $1499. The first iteration of this lens, selling for USD 999, is Lens IS only. So Sync IS is a nice update. OM System is also offering a deal on my favorite all-around lens, the 12-40mm F/2.8. I use this for all my travel and much of my landscape work.

Conclusion

All in, this new camera looks to be a nice update. I was hoping they might surprise us with a new, larger megapixel sensor, but alas they did not. Even so, the 20 megapixel sensor the OM-3 has, identical to the OM-1 by the way, has satisfied my needs since I decided to move to OM System, so it’s not a big deal. But I do look forward to the day we have an update in sensor technology.