Lumix
S9 2024
Best for Travel photographers, content creators & L-mount entry buyers
£999
new today at Wex Photo Video
Decision tools · Compare
S9 vs OM-3
Quick take: The S9 has the highest resolution at 24MP; the OM-3 is the most affordable; only the OM-3 is weather sealed.
16 specs side by side·16 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
OM System
OM-3 2025
Best for Travel, outdoor & adventure photography
£1649
new today at Clifton Cameras
Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more
Verdictwhich should you buy?
S9 — Travel Photographers, Content Creators & L-Mount Entry Buyers: The most compact full-frame camera available — a perfect travel and content creation companion with brilliant colour science.
OM-3 — Travel, Outdoor & Adventure Photography: The ideal mid-range OM System camera — weather sealed, class-leading IBIS, and superb computational features in a compact body.
Who should buy what
S9 (2024)
is the right camera for you if…
- Travel photographers who want full-frame quality in the most compact package
- Content creators attracted to Real-time LUT and 10-bit video
- Photographers already in the L-mount ecosystem wanting a lightweight second body
- Lumix S5 II users who want something smaller for travel and casual shooting
OM-3 (2025)
is the right camera for you if…
- Outdoor and adventure photographers who need weather sealing and compact size
- Wildlife and bird photographers wanting improved AF over the OM-5
- Travel shooters who want a rugged, lightweight MFT system
- OM-5 or E-M5 III owners wanting better autofocus without going to the OM-1
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | S9Lumix · 2024 | OM-3OM System · 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £999Best | £1,649 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame CMOS | 20.4MP Live MOS Micro Four Thirds |
| Resolution | 24.2MPBest | 20.4MP |
| Video | 4K/60p (10-bit), C4K/60p, 1080p/240p | 4K/60p (10-bit), C4K/30p, 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | Phase-hybrid AF with subject recognition | Phase-detect AF — subject recognition (human, animal, bird, vehicle) |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5 stops | IBIS — up to 6.5 stops (7.5 stops with Sync IS lenses) |
| Burst Rate | 30fps electronicBest | 10fps mechanical, 30fps electronic with AF |
| Battery Life | ~310 shots (CIPA) | ~400 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 403g (body only)Best | 414g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 124.6 × 73.9 × 52.8mm | 122.3 × 84.6 × 49.4mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | YesBest |
| Viewfinder | None — rear screen only | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.74× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen (touch drag AF) | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Leica L mount | Micro Four Thirds |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II slot | Single SD UHS-II slot |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
S9
OM-3
Portrait
7.3/10
7.3/10
Street
6.9/10
6.9/10
Travel
6.2/10
6.7/10
Wedding & Events
6.0/10
6.8/10
Vlogging & Video
7.0/10
6.5/10
Filmmaking
7.0/10
6.7/10
Documentary
6.9/10
7.9/10
Sports & Action
6.4/10
8.9/10
Landscape
6.5/10
6.2/10
Wildlife
6.7/10
9.0/10
Casual
6.3/10
5.8/10
Food
7.6/10
7.3/10
Macro
8.1/10
8.2/10
Architecture
7.1/10
6.3/10
Astrophotography
7.6/10
6.1/10
Fun & simple
4.7/10
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Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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