OM SYSTEM announces retro-inspired OM-3 camera

OM System (formerly Olympus) has launched the OM System OM-3, an entirely new interchangeable lens camera with some seriously nostalgic vibes.

The OM-3 is the first entirely new camera in the OM Systems line-up following the company's takeover of Olympus in 2021.

That said, it's not entirely a break from tradition - and is built around a TruePic X processor and a 20.37-megapixel stacked BSI Live MOS sensor, a pretty standard size for M43 cameras. 

Surrounding the sensor, the body features 5-axis image stabilisation that provides up to 6.5 stops of compensation in the center of the frame and 5.5 at the edge.

Combine this with the company's IS image-stabilised lenses, and the stabilisation jumps to 7.5 stops in the center of the frame and 6.5 at the corners.

Autofocus should be snappy thanks to 1053-point Cross-Type On-chip points, and it offers Phase Detection AF. Additionally, there's also AI Detection AF for subjects including people, motorsports, birds, and pets.

As you might expect for an OM camera, the OM-3 features numerous in-body tools, including High-Res Shot (the company's name for pixel-shift high res mode), live ND/GND, HDR, focus stacking, and multi-exposure. Both of these are now assigned to a CP button and the control dial, a nice touch.

In addition, there's also Pro Capture Mode to capture up to 70 frames before fully pressing the shutter, 

Taking a leaf out of other recent cameras we've seen lately, The OM-3 features colour profile controls, which allow for the adjustment in saturation of 12 colours across 11 levels of saturation.

The camera also has film-like presets, including "Chrome Film Rich Colour" and "Chrome Film Soft Tone" along with a number of monochrome options, such as film grain and infrared (IR) and cinema presets.

The OM-3 is built around a (quite gorgeous) magnesium alloy body that only weighs 413g, and has an IP53 rating.

So what is an IP53 rating?

The IP53 rating is an Ingress Protection code that indicates a device's resistance to dust and water. The first digit, '5', signifies that the device is protected against limited dust ingress, ensuring that any dust that enters won't interfere with its operation. The second digit, '3', means the device is protected against water spray falling at any angle up to 60 degrees from vertical. OM says that the camera will operate to -10c.

In the context of cameras, an IP53 rating offers a higher level of weather sealing compared to the more common IPX1 rating, which only protects against vertical water drips.

The OM System OM-3 is available from 17 Feb for $3,199 AUD. You can find out more at OM System.