OM System
OM-3
Retro-styled MFT body with modern AF and creator-friendly design.
$1,699
Launch priceReleased Jan 2025
Panasonic
Lumix G9
Original G9 stills flagship with 20MP MFT sensor, 60fps electronic burst, and excellent IBIS.
$1,699
Launch priceReleased Nov 2017
OM-3 is 7.3 years newer.
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Wins
OM-3
Wins
Lumix G9
5 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AOM-3 has higher AF points / zones (1053 vs 225)
- BLumix G9 has higher 1080p max frame rate (180 fps vs 59.94 fps)
- AOM-3 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 60 fps)
- BLumix G9 has higher Card slots (2 vs 1)
- AOM-3 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (640 shots vs 400 shots)
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
Lumix G9
137 × 97 × 92 mm
658 g (1.45 lb / 23.21 oz)
OM-3 is 8mm shorter and 46mm thinner than Lumix G9 but it is also 2mm wider.
OM-3 is 245 g lighter than Lumix G9.
Depth (front-to-back): 46mm OM-3 · 92mm Lumix G9
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
Lumix G9
137 × 97 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
Lumix G9
137 × 92 mm
Sensor size, to scale
OM-3
17.4 × 13 mm · Compact / large-type
226 mm² area
Lumix G9
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
Lumix G9
✓ 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
-5.5 EV vs -4 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, SDHC, SDXC
AF points / zones
1053 vs 225 — higher is better
Codecs
Adds H.265, MOV, MPEG-4 AVC
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 400 shots — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Lumix G9
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Face, Eye…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 136.9, 97.3, 91.6
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II, SD UHS-II
1080p max frame rate
180 fps vs 59.94 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds MP4, AVCHD
Card slots
2 vs 1 — higher is better
EVF resolution
3,680,000 vs 2,360,000 — higher is better
Burst (mechanical)
12 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 200
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 25,600
- ✓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
Lumix G9
Pros
- ✓60fps electronic burst
- ✓Strong IBIS
- ✓Weather sealed
- ✓Large EVF
Cons
- –Older contrast AF
- –MFT sensor
- –Superseded by G9 II
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the OM-3 and Lumix G9 at major authorized retailers.
OM System OM-3
Panasonic Lumix G9
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, OM-3 or Lumix G9?
Lumix G9 scores 6.0/10 versus 3.5/10 for OM-3 — 4K recording.
What's the resolution difference between the OM-3 and Lumix G9?
OM-3 is 20.4 MP and Lumix G9 is 20.3 MP, so the OM-3 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the OM-3 and Lumix G9 have in-body image stabilization?
OM-3 has 6.5-stop in-body image stabilization, while Lumix G9 has 6.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the OM-3 or the Lumix G9?
OM-3 reaches 120 fps electronic. Lumix G9 reaches 60 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the OM-3 and Lumix G9?
OM-3 weighs 413 g and Lumix G9 weighs 658 g, so the OM-3 is 245 g lighter.
Do the OM-3 and Lumix G9 record 4K video?
OM-3: 4K up to 59.94p. Lumix G9: 4K up to 60p.
Are the OM-3 and Lumix G9 weather sealed?
OM-3: Yes. Lumix G9: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the OM-3 and 400 shots for the Lumix G9, giving the OM-3 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Both launched at $1,699.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way OM-3 vs Lumix G9 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed September 2026.
Product images courtesy of OM System and Panasonic press materials.