Fresh OM System OM-3 retro M4/3 camera leak dashes mid-range price hopes as official images reveal rear control scheme
OM System itself has confirmed that it will be launching a new product on February 6. It seems all but certain that this will be the recently leaked OM System OM-3, a Micro Four Thirds camera that is slated to deliver retro styling and analogue controls in a full-metal chassis.
While previous rumours claimed that the new camera would launch at around $1,500, new supposed leaks from ubiquitous camera leaker, Andrea Pizzini, indicate that the OM-3 will actually launch closer to $2,000. It's still entirely possible that there will be a variant of the OM-3 available at the originally proposed $1,500 and that the $2,000 pricing refers to a lens kit.
OM System has promised that it will launch two updated lenses in 2025, so it's entirely possible that the OM-3 will launch with one of those new lenses. It also seems unlikely that the OM-3, which is positioned below the OM-1 II in the brand's line-up, will be less than $400 cheaper than the brand's flagship (which retails for $2,399.99 on Amazon).
New OM-3 leaked images
The pricing leak from Pizzini comes with additional real-world images and video of the OM-3 in the hands of what appear to be influencers or test photographers. In the leaked footage, the OM-3 appears to be in a snowy outdoor setting, suggesting the OM-3 will feature some form of weather sealing, again supporting the new higher price tag. That said, the OM System OM-5 features weather sealing, and that sells for a fairly affordable $999.99 on Amazon. This is purely speculation, but it seems unlikely that OM System would leave such a massive gap between the mid-range OM-5 and the flagship OM-1 II, especially given how well that mid-range seems to be doing for Fujifilm.
The new leaked footage is also accompanied by a hidden sneak from OM System itself in a brand YouTube video, seemingly revealing what the back of the OM-3 will look like. At around two seconds into the video, the OM-3 can be seen sitting on a table amongst other photography gear. At first glance, this looks like the OM System OM-5, but the top control scheme on the left side of the EVF prism is distinctly different. While the retro metal design of the OM-3 we've seen before runs through to the back of the camera, too, there is a rather chunky-looking articulating touch screen beneath the centrally located EVF. The right back panel also looks to have a small lip for added grip, again similar to the OM-5. It would almost make sense for OM System to use parts of the body from the OM-5 for the OM-3, since that would likely bring the price down substantially.
Source(s)
Andrea Pizzini on YouTube, OM System
