OM System puts creative functions and style at the heart of OM-3
It is a case that embodies both a tribute and a turn. A tribute, because the OM-3 announced today by OM System is inspired by its ancestor L'Olympus OM-3, a reflex camera launched in 1983.
On the left, the Olympus OM-3, a silver reflex launched in the early 1980s. On the right, the new OM-3. © OM System
A turn, since the more creative public targeted by this OM-3 is not the same as the public of outdoor photographers (outdoor) that OM System has been courting for the past three years, whether with its optics or its
OM System OM-1
Operation of the price board
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More civilized in the approach and endowed with simplified ergonomics, OM-3 is however a brother of OM1/OM1 II whose electronics it recovers. On the design side, OM System has treated the touch of the device, with a metal case taking advantage of the same protection guarantees against humidity and dust. What applies to the device the same IP53 certification as the other OMs.
Creativity highlighted
Based on OM-1 Mark II, OM-3 offers a more elegant and wiser grip. But it should produce the same type of images. Its flagship argument is not only the look, but ergonomics. More specifically, its ability to highlight its features.
OM1 Mark II: a nervous case cut for land photography
Small thumbnail of the photo compared to Canon, Nikon, Sony and the others, OM System is however a brand that innovates a lot and which offers unique functionalities: light painting, stack of images (Focus Stacking), neutral density filters and Virtual graduated neutral density filter, etc. Its boxes have always played the extra functionality card to stand out. But very often, these features were a little hidden in the menus and tedious to implement. This is where OM-3 plays its card with the CP button.
Meaning “computational photography” (with effects from calculations, editor's note), this CP button gives direct access to the ND filter, GND filter, in high resolution photo (on tripod or raised hand), HDR, focus stacking and multiexposition. No need to go rummage in the menus or program shortcut keys.
Pen F front wheel
In addition to its ergonomics and simplified knobs, its CP button and its sleek look, OM-3 is inspired by its ancestor Pen F – A 4/3 micro -launched housing launched in 2016 – by recovering a filter selection wheel. Located on the front of the case, this wheel facilitates quick access to color filters. Four profiles are integrated basic (standard, deep, intense, soft), but users can configure their own filters.
OM System also facilitated access to the adjustment of these rendering profiles, whether in color or black and white. On this subject, OM System offers, from the Digital Olympus era, very good black & white rendering, capable in particular of reproducing a very nice grain.
Simplified video
As capable of video as its big brothers (understand here: up to 4K60P), OM-3 is still distinguished by its ergonomics thanks to its simplified wheel. Only three modes are available: photo, video and an enigmatic S&Q.
Two letters which mean “slow” and “quick”, in reference to “slowed down” (slow-motion) and “accelerated” (Quick-Motion) modes of this mode. Which therefore allows you to configure the speed of capture of the frames from 1 to 120 images per second.
More suitable for vlogging by its greatest lightness and simplification, OM-3 also benefits from two new modes of color rendering in video: OM Cinema 1 mode, in vibrant colors. And OM Cinema 2, with softer tones. In both cases, they behave like the OM-LOG400 in the highlights to avoid overflowing the whites too much.
This is not an entry -level case
With the same stacked and processor sensor as the OM-1 and OM-1 Mark II, it goes without saying that OM-3 benefits from advanced electronics. If he could therefore not position himself as an entry-level case, the OM-3, however, surprises by remaining a high-end case (for micro 4/3): at € 1,999, it is between € 200 and € 400 cheaper than OM-1 Mark II.
While some were waiting for a successor to the Pen F with his remotely remote electronic viewfinder, OM System therefore launches an OM-1 tamed. A robust, but neat style, which prefers to highlight the creative tools (present in OM-1) rather than performance (which are however still there).
OM-3 will be available during the month of February.
It will be available in two forms:
- OM-3 Naked box at € 1,999
- OM-3 + 12-45 mm f/4.0 to 2,399 €
