Roundup of the surprisingly enthusiastic reviews of the OM-3: Finally a camera for true photographers!
Preorders
OM-3 at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, OM store USA.
OM-3 in Europe at Amazon DE, FotoErhardt, Fotokoch, WexUK, Amazon UK. OM store Europe. Amazon IT, Amazon ES, Amazon FR, Amazon NL.
100-400mm lens at BHphoto, Adorama.
17mm lens at BHphoto, Adorama.
25mm lens at BHphoto, Adorama.
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I’ve now had time to read the many OM-3 reviews and I’ve noticed that most of them are really enthusiastic about the camera. The reasons are not the specs, but the ‘feel’, the ‘look’ and the ‘JPG results’ that the camera delivers. It is a real and honest photo camera, something we have missed in recent years. In short, the experience of shooting with this camera has made these reviewers extremely happy!
ThePhoBlographer (and second field review here),
The OM System OM3 is a pretty cool classic-styling camera. In some ways, this is a glorified compact camera that OM System doesn’t feel like they’re holding back on. That’s evident with features like the film simulation dial — something you don’t get with any other camera that the system currently holds and was made famous with the Pen F.
Don’t even bother editing the images because they’re beautiful right out of the camera.
The best part of the new OM3 for street photographers is the durability and the battery life. Often you’ll want to shoot in the rain — and as long as you have a durable lens attached to the camera, it will resist the elements with ease. We’d know, we tested it! Beyond that, this is some of the best battery life we’ve experienced with a mirrorless camera. You’ll barely ever need to charge it up.
OM-3 is a wonderful everyday-carry camera that is well suited to street and travel photography. Much of what makes the OM-1 great is here as well, and the OM-3 is by far the better-looking camera. It has to be appreciated that the OM-3 is built, and feels, like a very prestigious product that provides a unique shooting experience unlike any other M43 camera. It may come down to more of a think with your heart instead of your head kind of situation but can you really put a price on true love?
The OM System OM-3 is quite simply a camera that will make you fall in love with photography again
Slotting in as the second tier camera in the OM System range, the new OM-3 takes virtually all of the key specs of the flagship OM-1 Mark II and presents them in a gorgeously designed, immaculately constructed metal retro body that clearly draws inspiration from film SLR cameras of the 1970s, specifically the Olympus OM-1.
The OM-3 isn’t about the high-ISO noise measurements, it’s about the vibes, it’s about how shooting with it makes you feel. And this is the most joyously creative camera I’ve used since the PEN-F. If you just want a boring black box with a full-frame sensor, you can buy one of those elsewhere. You may get more dynamic range, but will it make you happier? I don’t think so.
Ultimately, this camera is all about getting out there, taking pictures, being creative, having fun. It’s about understanding that your stories are much, much more important than your pixels. That you’re more likely to carry your camera kit if your bag weighs a kilogram rather than three. It’s a triumphant return to form from OM System that’s destined to be seen as an outright classic.
The OM System OM-3 squeezes digital camera tech into a gorgeous throwback body. Its Creative Dial interface lets you command color profiles, and it can go pretty much anywhere, thanks to its svelte frame and weather-sealed construction
I truly believe that photographic artists should be inspired by their equipment. I appreciate that is not a universally held belief, and if you disagree, that’s fine. However, if you are convinced that artists should surround themselves with inspiring things, then the OM-3 is a camera that will inspire.
If I were looking for a camera to use mainly for photographing the local streets, visiting festivals, creating a gallery of artistic photos, regularly meeting with other camera enthusiasts for photo walks, doing home portraits, or illustrating a book—all things I do on top of my work—this would be the camera I would choose. I would also pack it in my bike panniers when I head off on my early morning ride or take it on a walk along the beach or through a forest. Furthermore, my son is a concept artist, and this would be the perfect camera for taking photos for inspiration or photo-bashing.
It’s a fun and easy camera to use, the results are great, and it has a beautiful design. There’s not much more I could ask for.
Here are some beautiful OM.3 product shot by Kitamura:
Preorders
OM-3 at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, OM store USA.
OM-3 in Europe at Amazon DE, FotoErhardt, Fotokoch, WexUK, Amazon UK. OM store Europe. Amazon IT, Amazon ES, Amazon FR, Amazon NL.
100-400mm lens at BHphoto, Adorama.
17mm lens at BHphoto, Adorama.
25mm lens at BHphoto, Adorama.