OM-3vs ZV-E1
OM System
OM-3 (2024)
Starting from £999 new
Best for Travel, outdoor & adventure photography
View OM-3
VS
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.
Video Creators, Vloggers & Filmmakers — ZV-E1 (2023): Full-frame video quality in a vlogging body — exceptional low-light performance and a genuinely compact form factor.
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
ZV-E1 (2023)
- Video creators who want full-frame low-light quality in a compact body
- Vloggers stepping up from APS-C who prioritise image quality over resolution
- Filmmakers who want S-Log3 and cinematic colour in a run-and-gun package
- A7S III users who want the same sensor in a smaller, lighter body
Quick take: The om-3 has the highest resolution at 20mp; the om-3 is the most affordable; only the om-3 is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | OM-3 (2024) | ZV-E1 (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £999 | £1,999 |
| Sensor | 20.4MP Live MOS Micro Four Thirds | 12.1MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS Exmor R |
| Resolution | 20.4MP | 12.1MP |
| Video | 4K/60p (10-bit), C4K/30p, 1080p/120p | 4K/60p (S-Cinetone, S-Log3), 4K/120p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect AF — subject recognition (human, animal, bird, vehicle) | Real-time Tracking AF with subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — up to 6.5 stops (7.5 stops with Sync IS lenses) | IBIS — Active Mode for video |
| Burst Rate | 10fps mechanical, 30fps electronic with AF | 10fps |
| Battery Life | ~400 shots (CIPA) | ~570 shots (CIPA) / ~105 min video |
| Weight | 414g (with battery) | 483g (with battery) |
| Dimensions | 122.3 × 84.6 × 49.4mm | 121.4 × 71.6 × 54.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.74× magnification | None — screen only |
| Screen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-II slot | Single CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3.5mm mic, Multi-Interface Shoe |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | OM-3 | ZV-E1 |
|---|---|---|
| Travel | ||
| Wildlife | — | |
| Landscape | ||
| Street | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Low Light | — |
More comparisons with OM-3
Camera family history