The OM-System OM-3: My Dream Camera
OM-3 = OH MY WOW
Some cameras come and go. Others just become part of my creative vision.
For me, that camera is the OM-System OM-3.
It’s not even a close call: the OM-3 is the best camera I’ve ever used, hands down.
Why?
Because it’s the perfect combination of three key elements: performance, image quality, and design.
Performance: Fast as Lightning
The OM-3 is a rocket.
Every action from startup to shooting to changing focus points seems nearly instantaneous.
It’s like holding a Ferrari in your hands. It just goes, effortlessly. You’re never waiting on the camera, it’s always ready and responsive.
The speed is integrated into everything the camera does. Even the fun and actually incredibly useful computational modes, which still take some time to complete (locking up the camera), are much faster than previous M43 cameras.
All this speed and cool stuff doesn’t impact battery life. In fact, it’s wild how long this thing lasts on one battery charge. I was in Texas for a week recently, and I only replaced the battery once. I shot a LOT.
Image Quality: Stunning, Every Time
Colors are rich. It resolves incredible detail (with Micro Four-Thirds best lenses). The RAW files have a ton of latitude.
Image Quality: Creative Colors - Fantastic Files
The jpegs? They might be even better, especially if you dial in your color settings. Here are a few that are SOOC:
It’s… just a beautiful camera (subjectively, of course!)
The creative dial (shown above) makes it easy and fun to tweak color profiles on the go, helping tie together a series of shots into a cohesive, visually striking story.
The OM-3 isn’t just a camera, it’s an example of thoughtful design.Every button, dial, and function is placed exactly where it should be. You don’t fight the camera; you flow with it.
The dials feel luxurious. The shutter sounds satisfyingly crisp. Even without a joystick, autofocus control is quick and precise.
And best of all? It’s small and lightweight and capable of anything. It's the fully-realized dream of having a camera that can do almost anything possible with EASE, all in a small, light system.
What About the Drawbacks?
The micro four-thirds sensor does come with trade-offs: lower resolution, less dynamic range, and more noise compared to larger sensors.
But with skill and care, these limits are easy to work around. Personally, I’m confident printing images up to 70 inches wide even at higher ISO values (denoising is so easy these days!).
The sensor isn't perfect, but in return, you get a smaller, lighter camera that goes everywhere and does everything. When you add in the computational modes OM-System is known for, and the camera ends up capable of MORE than most other cameras.
Also - you have to hold this thing yourself. It makes or breaks the camera, honestly. I spent a lot of years with a Pentax K-1000, and the OM-3 is a dream to handle compared to those old dinosaurs. The body is small and sleek, and it’s always on a strap by my side. I use it just like the old days: mostly resting it in my left hand while my right hand controls the settings.
The only time I’ve found it uncomfortable is with larger lenses like the 300 f/4. Even then though, the insanity of having a 600mm f/4 (full frame equivalent) lens that can autofocus lightning fast in such a small and light package - it’s the entire reason M43 is awesome.
Some other things to consider that might be a dealbreaker for you:
There’s only one card slot. It’s here where I have to be honest with you. I tell younger photographers to always back up their stuff, use multiple memory cards, cameras, etc. But I have only used one big memory card in each camera for years now. I’m going to knock on wood for good luck right now - but still… not a big deal to me (but it might be for you - wedding photographers especially!).
The EVF isn’t cutting edge. I still would have liked a better EVF here. I don’t notice it when shooting - but when I’m shooting side-by-side with the OM-1 MarkII, it would have been nice to have both cameras match with more resolution in the OM-3.
It has a flippy screen. I don’t care.
Some people say it’s too big. I… just can’t imagine that… and I wouldn’t want this any smaller - in the field, while I’m shooting, a larger body feels more robust in the hand and makes bigger lenses just a touch easier to handle.
Final Verdict:
You already know what I think.
The OM-System OM-3 isn’t just another camera.
It’s the most complete, beautiful, and capable photography tool I’ve ever used.
There's never been a camera produced that can do so much in such a small body - it's a truly professional yet joyous-to-use machine.
It’s not perfect, nothing is, but for me, it’s as close as it gets, and going forward at this point in my life, it's everything I need in a camera.
I want to create art, and use a camera that's fast and capable.
I want a camera that's small and gets out of the way. I want a camera that seems designed by other photographers.
I get all of this with the OM-3, and I can see myself shooting with this camera until it dies. Then I’ll buy another one.
Check out this gallery of other images taken exclusively with the OM-3 and about eight M43 lenses:
Have a question about the OM-3 or anything else? Just ask!
I’ve been using Olympus since the c5060. That was the camera that made me switch from film to digital. It wasn’t about how fast or big the files were but how the images looked. I now own several omd cameras but my favourite is the m5mkii. Great handling built like a tank, dropped several times, perfect size. For me it was the best camera. Your post about the om3 has me considering a new camera for the first time in years
I can hear your enthusiasm in your writing, Jerred! I switched to the Fuji X system back in 2014 and don't see myself changing in the future, but you're a great salesman. And, of course, the proof is in the photos. Which I love! You have so many great images of exactly the type of subjects I like to shoot. Great post! Thanks for sharing!