OM System
OM-3
Retro-styled MFT body with modern AF and creator-friendly design.
$1,699
Launch priceReleased Jan 2025
OM System
OM-D E-M1
Original pro MFT body that established Olympus as a serious wildlife and macro system.
$1,399
Launch priceReleased Sep 2013
OM-3 is 11.3 years newer.
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Wins
OM-3
Wins
OM-D E-M1
5 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AOM-3 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 20 fps)
- BOM-D E-M1 has lower ISO min (native) (100 vs 200)
- BOM-D E-M1 has higher Card slots (2 vs 1)
- AOM-3 has higher EVF magnification (1.23 × vs 0.78 ×)
- BOM-D E-M1 has higher EVF resolution (3,690,000 vs 2,360,000)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to share
OM-3
139 × 89 × 46 mm
413 g (0.91 lb / 14.57 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
OM-D E-M1
147 × 94 × 82 mm
443 g (0.98 lb / 15.63 oz)
OM-3 is 8mm narrower, 5mm shorter, and 36mm thinner than OM-D E-M1.
OM-3 is 30 g lighter than OM-D E-M1.
Depth (front-to-back): 46mm OM-3 · 82mm OM-D E-M1
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
OM-3
139 × 89 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
OM-D E-M1
147 × 94 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
OM-3
139 × 46 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
OM-D E-M1
147 × 82 mm
Sensor size, to scale
OM-3
17.4 × 13 mm · Compact / large-type
226 mm² area
OM-D E-M1
17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds
225 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
OM-3
✓ more lensesMicro Four Thirds
130+
native lenses available
OM-D E-M1
✓ 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
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Animals…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 139.3, 88.9, 45.8
Card types
Adds SD, SDHC, SDXC
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 20 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds MOV, MPEG-4 AVC
EVF magnification
1.23 × vs 0.78 × — higher is better
Max video bit rate
205 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — higher is better
Resolution
20.4 MP vs 16.3 MP — higher is better
Reasons to choose
OM-D E-M1
AF low-light limit
-7 EV vs -5.5 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 146.8, 93.6, 82.1
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II
AA filter
Only OM-D E-M1 supports it
ISO min (native)
100 vs 200 — lower is better
Card slots
2 vs 1 — higher is better
EVF resolution
3,690,000 vs 2,360,000 — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 25,600
- ✓AF points / zones — Both 1053
- ✓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
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
OM-3
Pros
- ✓Retro design
- ✓Modern AF
- ✓Compact
Cons
- –MFT sensor
- –Premium for MFT
- –Smaller lens selection
OM-D E-M1
Pros
- ✓Pro build
- ✓Weather sealed
- ✓Fast AF for era
- ✓Compact pro system
Cons
- –16MP dated
- –Superseded
- –MFT limits
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the OM-3 and OM-D E-M1 at major authorized retailers.
OM System OM-3
OM System OM-D E-M1
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, OM-3 or OM-D E-M1?
OM-D E-M1 scores 9.0/10 versus 5.5/10 for OM-3 — 20fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the OM-3 and OM-D E-M1?
OM-3 is 20.4 MP and OM-D E-M1 is 16.3 MP, so the OM-3 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the OM-3 and OM-D E-M1 have in-body image stabilization?
OM-3 has 6.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while OM-D E-M1 has 7-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the OM-3 or the OM-D E-M1?
OM-3 reaches 120 fps electronic. OM-D E-M1 reaches 20 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the OM-3 and OM-D E-M1?
OM-3 weighs 413 g and OM-D E-M1 weighs 443 g, so the OM-3 is 30 g lighter.
Do the OM-3 and OM-D E-M1 record 4K video?
OM-3: 4K up to 59.94p. OM-D E-M1: 4K up to 60p.
Are the OM-3 and OM-D E-M1 weather sealed?
OM-3: Yes. OM-D E-M1: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the OM-3 and 640 shots for the OM-D E-M1, giving the OM-D E-M1 the edge.
How much does each cost?
OM-3 launched at $1,699 and OM-D E-M1 at $1,399. The OM-D E-M1 is $300 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way OM-3 vs OM-D E-M1 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.