OM-3vs Pentax 17
OM System
OM-3 (2024)
Starting from £999 new
Best for Travel, outdoor & adventure photography
View OM-3
VS
Pentax
Pentax 17 (2024)
Starting from £400 new
Best for Film photography enthusiasts & diptych storytelling
View Pentax 17
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Travel, Outdoor & Adventure Photography — OM-3 (2024): The ideal mid-range OM System camera — weather sealed, class-leading IBIS, and superb computational features in a compact body.
Film Photography Enthusiasts & Diptych Storytelling — Pentax 17 (2024): The best new film camera of the decade — manual controls, a sharp lens, and a half-frame format that doubles your roll and forces a new way of seeing.
Who should buy what
OM-3 (2024)
- 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
Quick take: The pentax 17 is the most affordable; only the om-3 is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | OM-3 (2024) | Pentax 17 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £999 | £400 |
| Sensor | 20.4MP Live MOS Micro Four Thirds | 35mm half-frame (18 × 24mm) |
| Resolution | 20.4MP | — |
| Video | 4K/60p (10-bit), C4K/30p, 1080p/120p | N/A — film camera |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect AF — subject recognition (human, animal, bird, vehicle) | Zone focus (0.35m / 1m / 3m / ∞) |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — up to 6.5 stops (7.5 stops with Sync IS lenses) | N/A — film camera |
| Burst Rate | 10fps mechanical, 30fps electronic with AF | Manual wind-on |
| Battery Life | ~400 shots (CIPA) | 2× CR2 lithium batteries |
| Weight | 414g (with battery) | ~165g (without batteries) |
| Dimensions | 122.3 × 84.6 × 49.4mm | 113 × 66 × 44mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.74× magnification | Optical viewfinder with half-frame framelines |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | N/A |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | 35mm film (ISO 25–3200 via DX coding + manual dial) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II slot | 35mm 135-format film cartridge |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | N/A |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | OM-3 | Pentax 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | ||
| Wildlife | — | |
| Landscape | ||
| Street | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Everyday | — | |
| Low Light | — |
More comparisons with OM-3
Camera family history