OM System
OM-3
Retro-styled MFT body with modern AF and creator-friendly design.
$1,699
Released Jan 2025
OM System
OM-D E-M1 Mark II
Pro MFT body with 60fps stills and rugged build before the OM-1 era.
$1,699
Released Nov 2016
OM-3 is 8.3 years newer.
Wins
OM-3
Wins
OM-D E-M1 Mark II
8 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- AOM-3 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 20 fps)
- AOM-3 has higher ISO max (native) (102,400 vs 25,600)
- BOM-D E-M1 Mark II has higher Card slots (2 vs 1)
- BOM-D E-M1 Mark II has higher EVF resolution (3,690,000 vs 2,360,000)
- AOM-3 has lower ISO min (native) (80 vs 100)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
OM-3
139 × 89 × 46 mm
496 g (1.09 lb / 17.50 oz)
OM-D E-M1 Mark II
134 × 91 × 72 mm
580 g (1.28 lb / 20.46 oz)
OM-3 is 2mm shorter and 26mm thinner than OM-D E-M1 Mark II but it is also 5mm wider.
OM-3 is 84 g lighter than OM-D E-M1 Mark II.
Depth (front-to-back): 46mm OM-3 · 72mm OM-D E-M1 Mark II
Sensor size, to scale
OM-3
17.4 × 13 mm · Compact / large-type
226 mm² area
OM-D E-M1 Mark II
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 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
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
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 20 fps — higher is better
ISO max (native)
102,400 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Card types
Adds SD UHS-I
Codecs
Adds MOV
ISO min (native)
80 vs 100 — lower is better
Reasons to choose
OM-D E-M1 Mark II
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 91, 72
AA filter
Only OM-D E-M1 Mark II supports it
Card slots
2 vs 1 — higher is better
Headphone jack (3.5mm)
Only OM-D E-M1 Mark II supports it
EVF resolution
3,690,000 vs 2,360,000 — higher is better
IBIS effectiveness
7 stops vs 6.5 stops — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓Resolution — Both 20.4 MP
- ✓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 Mark II
Pros
- ✓60fps stills
- ✓Pro build
- ✓Great wildlife MFT
Cons
- –Superseded
- –20MP
- –MFT sensor
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for wildlife, OM-3 or OM-D E-M1 Mark II?
OM-D E-M1 Mark II scores 9.0/10 versus 6.5/10 for OM-3 — 20fps burst captures fleeting moments.
What's the resolution difference between the OM-3 and OM-D E-M1 Mark II?
Both cameras share the same 20.4 MP resolution.
Do the OM-3 and OM-D E-M1 Mark II have in-body image stabilization?
OM-3 has 6.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while oM-D E-M1 Mark II has 7-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the OM-3 or the OM-D E-M1 Mark II?
OM-3 reaches 120 fps electronic. OM-D E-M1 Mark II reaches 20 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the OM-3 and OM-D E-M1 Mark II?
OM-3 weighs 496 g and OM-D E-M1 Mark II weighs 580 g, so the OM-3 is 84 g lighter.
Do the OM-3 and OM-D E-M1 Mark II record 4K video?
OM-3: 4K up to 60p. OM-D E-M1 Mark II: 4K up to 60p.
Are the OM-3 and OM-D E-M1 Mark II weather sealed?
OM-3: Yes. OM-D E-M1 Mark II: 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 Mark II, giving the OM-D E-M1 Mark II the edge.
How much does each cost?
Both launched at $1,699.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.