DigitalCameraWorld reviewed the OM-3 and writes and the camera is praised as a stunning heir to both the PEN‑F-inspired design and the flagship tech of the OM‑1 Mark II:
Strengths:
– High-end computational photography with creative flexibility
– Pocketable power ideal for travel, street, and everyday shooting ()
– Gorgeous metal build, vintage styling, and ergonomic refinement ()
Drawbacks:
– No joystick and only a single SD card slot
– Slightly less stabilization and lower EVF resolution than OM‑1 Mark II
In conclusion, the OM‑3 blends classic OM aesthetics with cutting‑edge features—appealing to enthusiasts who prize both beauty and technical excellence in a micro four‑thirds body.
PCmag tested the new 100-400mm II lens and concluded:
Wins us over with its wildlife-friendly focal length, fully weather-sealed construction, and reasonable carry weight, all of which make it a worthwhile addition to a Micro Four Thirds kit. If you use Micro Four Thirds gear and want a lens that brings distant scenes into close view, put the OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 100-400mm F5.0-6.3 IS II on your shopping list. It includes full weather protection to match OM cameras, captures images rife with detail, and is appropriately sized for the system. We also like its close focus capability, which is good for macro images in a pinch, and find it to be a decent value, though shy of a bargain. Put together, it’s enough to earn the M.Zuiko 100-400mm II our Editors’ Choice award.
Micro Four Nerds tested the OM System OM-5 Mark II on a rugged photography trip to Iceland, showcasing its weather sealing, portability, and landscape photography strengths.
Key Strengths:
– Compact and lightweight – ideal for hiking and long handheld shooting
– Excellent weather sealing – handled waterfalls, sea spray, and rain with no issues
– Live ND filter – made long exposures effortless without physical filters
– Mechanical burst mode – sufficient for erupting geysers
– Very travel-friendly – never fatiguing to carry
Criticisms:
– Poorly placed computational photography (CP) button – prone to accidental activation
– Only one custom mode on the dial – fewer than OM-1 or OM-3
– Autofocus struggled with birds in flight – reverted to OM System OM-1 for that task
– Plastic base plate unchanged – may be prone to cracking like older models
– On/off switch on the left – ergonomically awkward for quick use
Performance Summary:
– JPEGs looked excellent using custom presets; RAW not yet tested
– Ergonomics mixed – great size and weight, but poor button layout choices
– Subject detection AF needed for fast wildlife – missing on OM-5 M II
– Great build confidence – camera endured sand, water, salt, and impacts
Best Use Case: Landscape photographers, hikers, travel shooters, and anyone needing compact rugged gear.
Upgrade Value: Minor refresh, not a must-upgrade for OM-5 users. More suited for new users entering OM System or Micro Four Thirds.
Quote: “The most Micro Four Thirds Micro Four Thirds camera you can buy.”
Final Thoughts: The OM-5 Mark II is a small, tough, capable camera for outdoor adventures. While not groundbreaking, it’s a great travel companion with serious durability and excellent JPEG image quality straight out of camera. Needs more innovation from OM System to stay competitive.
If I may joke a little—I’m genuinely impressed he managed to produce a one-hour review, given how few changes there are in the new camera!
That said, we should be fair: with its full weather-sealing and competitive price, the new OM-5 II still has no real competition in its segment.
Chris Niccols posted this Love Letter, Not a Review of the Panasonic Lumix GM5. It’s a personal ode to a camera that nails the balance between size, simplicity, and shooting joy. While it lacks modern tech like IBIS, a high-res EVF, or fancy autofocus, the GM5 delivers where it counts: portability, manual controls, and just enough power to inspire creativity.
What Makes the GM5 So Special?
Interchangeable lenses in a truly pocket-sized body
A decent 16MP CMOS sensor with surprisingly good color and black & white output
Hot shoe support for external flashes
Travel-ready build — perfect for street and documentary photographers
Chris has taken the GM5 everywhere: Prague, Tokyo, New York, Hawaii, and more. It’s a camera that fits in a shirt pocket but delivers images he still loves.
It’s Not Perfect
The EVF is low-res and suffers from rainbow artifacts
The rear screen is fixed and dim in sunlight
Battery life is poor (220 shots rated)
No built-in flash
Yet none of this seems to matter when the goal is to shoot for the joy of it.
Why Micro Four Thirds Still Matters
Chris argues that modern micro four thirds hasn’t changed much since the GM5’s release — and that’s a good thing. The camera’s simple mechanical shutter, lightweight design, and extensive lens compatibility make it a pleasure to use. He praises Panasonic’s natural color rendering, especially for monochrome work, and notes that even at high ISOs like 1600 or 3200, the noise mimics organic film grain beautifully.
A Call to Action for Camera Makers
The second half of the video becomes a rallying cry: why aren’t manufacturers making cameras like this anymore? Chris believes there’s still a huge market for compact, enthusiast-focused cameras — especially in today’s age of film nostalgia and the booming demand for pocketable, fixed-lens digital gear.
“This is an appeal for modern manufacturers to get back to making cameras like this.”
He suggests OM System as the most logical company to revive this concept, combining their retro PEN heritage with a new ultra-compact interchangeable-lens body.
The Panasonic GM5 may not be the fastest, most feature-packed, or most celebrated digital camera ever made. But it might just be the most lovable — and in the end, that’s what keeps photographers coming back. Whether you agree or disagree, one thing’s clear: photography is about the experience, not just the specs.
