OM System
OM-3 ASTRO
Astrophotography-focused OM-3 variant with 20.4MP stacked sensor, H-alpha-friendly filter tuning, IP53 sealing, and 7.5-stop Sync IS.
$2,499
Launch priceReleased Jul 2025
OM System
OM-5 Mark II
Updated compact MFT travel body with 20MP sensor, 7.5-stop IBIS, IP53 sealing, and Live ND.
$1,299
Launch priceReleased Jan 2025
OM-3 ASTRO is 5 months newer.
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Wins
OM-3 ASTRO
Wins
OM-5 Mark II
5 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AOM-3 ASTRO has higher AF points / zones (1053 vs 121)
- AOM-3 ASTRO has higher ISO max (native) (102,400 vs 25,600)
- AOM-3 ASTRO has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- AOM-3 ASTRO has lower ISO min (native) (80 vs 200)
- AOM-3 ASTRO has higher Battery life (CIPA) (640 shots vs 310 shots)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareOM-3 ASTRO
139 × 89 × 46 mm
496 g (1.09 lb / 17.50 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
OM-5 Mark II
125 × 85 × 50 mm
414 g (0.91 lb / 14.60 oz)
OM-3 ASTRO is 4mm thinner than OM-5 Mark II but it is also 14mm wider and 4mm taller.
OM-3 ASTRO is 82 g heavier than OM-5 Mark II.
Depth (front-to-back): 46mm OM-3 ASTRO · 50mm OM-5 Mark II
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
OM-3 ASTRO
139 × 89 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
OM-5 Mark II
125 × 85 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
OM-3 ASTRO
139 × 46 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
OM-5 Mark II
125 × 50 mm
Sensor size, to scale
OM-3 ASTRO
17.4 × 13 mm · Compact / large-type
226 mm² area
OM-5 Mark II
17.4 × 13 mm · Compact / large-type
226 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
OM-3 ASTRO
✓ more lensesMicro Four Thirds
130+
native lenses available
OM-5 Mark II
✓ more lensesMicro Four Thirds
130+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
OM-3 ASTRO
AF low-light limit
-8 EV vs -7 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Animals…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 139.3, 88.9, 45.8
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II, SD UHS-I
AF points / zones
1053 vs 121 — higher is better
ISO max (native)
102,400 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds H.265, MOV
Reasons to choose
OM-5 Mark II
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 125.3, 85.2, 49.7
Card types
Adds SD, SDHC, SDXC
Codecs
Adds MPEG-4 AVC
Headphone jack (3.5mm)
Only OM-5 Mark II supports it
EVF magnification
1.48 × vs 0.78 × — higher is better
Max video bit rate
240 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better
Weight
414 g vs 496 g — lower is better
Both cameras share
- ✓Resolution — Both 20.4 MP
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 100 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
OM-3 ASTRO
Pros
- ✓Astro-tuned sensor filter
- ✓20.4MP stacked BSI Live MOS
- ✓IP53 weather sealing
- ✓7.5-stop Sync IS
Cons
- –Specialized astro variant
- –Micro Four Thirds sensor
- –Premium price
OM-5 Mark II
Pros
- ✓7.5-stop IBIS
- ✓IP53 weather sealing
- ✓Live ND & computational modes
- ✓Compact travel body
Cons
- –MFT sensor
- –Single card slot
- –Premium for MFT
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the OM-3 ASTRO and OM-5 Mark II at major authorized retailers.
OM System OM-3 ASTRO
OM System OM-5 Mark II
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, OM-3 ASTRO or OM-5 Mark II?
OM-5 Mark II scores 9.0/10 versus 6.5/10 for OM-3 ASTRO — 30fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the OM-3 ASTRO and OM-5 Mark II?
Both cameras share the same 20.4 MP resolution.
Do the OM-3 ASTRO and OM-5 Mark II have in-body image stabilization?
OM-3 ASTRO has 6.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while OM-5 Mark II has 7.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the OM-3 ASTRO or the OM-5 Mark II?
OM-3 ASTRO reaches 120 fps electronic. OM-5 Mark II reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the OM-3 ASTRO and OM-5 Mark II?
OM-3 ASTRO weighs 496 g and OM-5 Mark II weighs 414 g, so the OM-5 Mark II is 82 g lighter.
Do the OM-3 ASTRO and OM-5 Mark II record 4K video?
OM-3 ASTRO: 4K up to 60p. OM-5 Mark II: 4K up to 30p.
Are the OM-3 ASTRO and OM-5 Mark II weather sealed?
OM-3 ASTRO: Yes. OM-5 Mark II: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the OM-3 ASTRO and 310 shots for the OM-5 Mark II, giving the OM-3 ASTRO the edge.
How much does each cost?
OM-3 ASTRO launched at $2,499 and OM-5 Mark II at $1,299. The OM-5 Mark II is $1,200 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way OM-3 ASTRO vs OM-5 Mark II vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of OM System press materials.