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.

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.

PetaPixel,

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?

DigitalCameraWorld.

The OM System OM-3 is quite simply a camera that will make you fall in love with photography again

Photographyblog.

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.

Amateur Photographer.

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.

PCMag.

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

Fstoppers.

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.

Digitalcameraworld reviews the Olympus E-M10IV: cheap has-been or modern classic?

Digitalcameraworld re-reviewed the soon five year old Olympus E-M10IV:

With a its 20MP sensor, excellent in-body image stabilization and flip-down tiltable monitor, the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV has plenty to shout about. It captures 4K video and has the attractive styling that made the Mark III so attractive to consumers. The OM-D E-M10 Mark IV has the vintage styling that’s in such high demand today, and packs a lot of power into a very small and very affordable little camera. We can recommend it just as strongly today as when it was launched back in 2020.

As you know, there is a “hype” among young people: they love to shoot with affordable compact cameras with a vintage look. Digitalcameraworld believes that the E-M10IV has the potential to be an attractive option for them.

OM-5 vs OM-3 size comparison

Our reader Crusoe (Thanks!) attempted to male a size comparison between the OM-3 and the OM-5. He writes:

I took the dimensions of the flash shoe as a guide. A whole lot bigger than the OM-5:

Soon those preorder links will show the new camera:
OM-3 at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama

OM-3 specs:

  • 20MP sensor (same of OM-1II)
  • Different coating on the cmos sensor to prevent dust
  • 5.76m-Dot OLED Electronic Viewfinder (same of OM-1II)
  • 3.0″ 1.62m-Dot Swivel Touchscreen LCD (same of OM-1II)
  • It has a front dial as the PEN-F to adjust the color saturation
  • Overall build quality just like PEN-F
  • Price around or slightly above 2000 Dollars/Euro

Three new UPDATED lenses coming:

Tom Calton thinks the GM1/GM5 are “The Best Mini Mirrorless Camera Ever Made”

I do own the Lumix GM1 and like Tom Calton think this is a small jewel. I hope Panasonic launches a new GM model with a new sensor and LUT support at an affordable price… that could go down very well with young people!

This is what Tom Calton had to say about both cameras:

Key Features and Strengths

1. Size and Portability:

  • Both the GM1 and GM5 are as small as a pack of cards, making them ideal everyday carry cameras.
  • Paired with a compact lens like the 20mm f/1.7, they offer excellent portability without sacrificing quality.

2. Sensor and Image Quality:

  • Both cameras house a 16MP Micro Four Thirds sensor, offering significant image quality compared to smaller sensor competitors.
  • Image quality is excellent for a 10-year-old camera, with good detail and color. Noise is present when pushing RAW files but can be addressed with modern AI tools.

3. Mechanical Shutter:

  • Unlike many compact competitors, both models include a mechanical shutter (up to 1/500th second), switching to an electronic shutter at higher speeds.

4. Aesthetic Design:

  • The cameras feature a sleek, classic metal-and-leather rangefinder style.
  • A variety of color options adds to their appeal, inspired by brands like Fujifilm and Pentax.

5. Price and Value Retention:

  • GM5 models, despite being over a decade old, retain high value, often selling for $750–$1,000, compared to $400–$600 for the GM1.

Key Differences Between GM1 and GM5

1. Hot Shoe and EVF:

  • The GM5 replaces the GM1’s pop-up flash with a hot shoe and adds an electronic viewfinder (EVF), addressing one of the GM1’s primary limitations.

2. Improved Controls:

  • The GM5 features a command dial, three additional customizable buttons, and improved ergonomics compared to the GM1’s less intuitive D-pad controls.

3. Handling Enhancements:

  • The GM5 adds a thumb grip and better-placed buttons, improving usability without significantly increasing size.

Drawbacks

  • Limited Shutter Speed: The mechanical shutter only works up to 1/500th second, reverting to electronic for faster speeds.
  • Aging Technology: As 10-year-old cameras, both models lack modern sensor advancements, improved autofocus, and features like in-body image stabilization (IBIS).
  • High Price: The GM5’s value retention makes it expensive, often double the cost of the GM1.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The GM5 is clearly the better camera, offering superior handling, an EVF, and a hot shoe, but its high price makes it less appealing to budget-conscious buyers. The GM1 remains a more affordable option for those willing to forgo these extras.
The creator closes with a plea to Panasonic to revive the GM series with modern updates, such as a tiltable touchscreen, IBIS, and improved sensor technology. Until then, the GM1 and GM5 remain excellent choices for those seeking the best pocket-sized mirrorless cameras ever made.