- The official preview of an OM system mirrorless camera gives us a glimpse of a new retro design
- Includes color profile dial on the front
- The release date is set for February 6.
We knew an OM System camera was on the way shortly after an official letter in January for next year from the brand’s representative director and CEO, Shigemi Sugimoto. Now, a teaser on OM System’s YouTube channel (see below) has revealed the exact release date, along with glimpses of what looks like retro beauty.
The renderings give us the form factor we can expect: it’s similar to existing models like the OM System OM-5, with a raised bump that’s clearly a scope, but apparently no grip. You’re potentially duplicating a retro design, like the one we have with the Olympus Pen F.
The clearest teaser of what’s to come is at the beginning of the video, when a color mode dial is revealed on the camera’s leatherette finish, with the Color, Mono, and Art settings clearly visible. Quick access to a Mono profile like on the Nikon Zf is welcome, but we don’t know if OM System is expanding its selection of color profiles to emulate the success of Fujifilm’s Film Simulations and Panasonic’s Real-Time LUTs; time will tell.
And it turns out we won’t have to wait long to find out more: the next OM System camera will be announced globally on February 6.
How different will this camera be from the OM system?
I responded cautiously to OM System’s suggestion of an upcoming new camera earlier this month. Since it acquired Olympus four years ago, there has been little new camera technology, just an update of existing models with new branding. That could be about to change in this next model.
The trailer gives us a limited look at the design of the new OM system camera, and there are subtle differences compared to what we’ve seen before. A seemingly OM-5/Pen F hybrid by design, the camera rumored to be called OM-3 looks to be OM System’s most exciting camera yet, in the sense that it’s finally something new.
However, we don’t know any technical specifications yet; Whether it’s an entry-level mirrorless camera or something more expensive; whether you have an existing sensor or a new one; or if there is a new processor and features.
I’m really hoping for more than just design tweaks, because I think a more powerful retro camera with a next-generation processor for the OM System could rival cameras like Fujifilm in 2025. This first preview of the upcoming camera has certainly interested me. – looks impressive.
