Last updated:- 11th November 2025 (Several updates)
Corporate and marketing values were different when Olympus introduced their flagship digital SLR to professionals and serious amateurs. Interestingly, it was the same year that Apple introduced the first iPhone. While photographing with the E-410 in 2007, I recall the excitement of the new E-3 with high-performance features like 1/8000th shutter speed, 5fps, and the "world's fastest AF" with 11 full-twin focus points. I unfortunately sold mine in 2010 but found another one for $60 in 2025.
Digital cameras like the Konica Minolta A2 and the Olympus E-3 formed the foundation of my digital photography skillset. I continue to value and use the basic experience and skillset I gained with these and other M43 cameras like the E-M1 series. What made the "world's fastest AF" technology special is the E-3's ability to almost instantaneously focus and lock onto the subject. The 11 full-twin-focus points also improved the E-3's continuous AF performance while following a subject.
I trust you will appreciate my thoughts as we discuss these cameras...
I converted and cropped the OM-3 raw files in Workspace and the Fuji XT-5 raw files in RAW Studio. The converted XT-5 files were sized and cropped in Affinity Photo 2. Fuji's RAW Studio and Workspace are unique with them having access to the image processors of these two cameras. Workspace offers exceptional value when compared to the features of RAW Studio. For example, the tonal adjustments of Olympus cameras and Workspace are superior to anything else I tried. The OM-3 and Workspace let us paint with light (4th exposure variable) without the need for special AI masking.
I recently cancelled my Adobe Photoshop subscription and bought Affinity Photo 2. In fact, the latest version of Affinity is now free. It took a while to familiarize myself with Affinity Photo. I also found it's surprisingly powerful with similar tonal adjustments to those of Workspace. I use a basic concept of converting my raw files in Workspace or RAW Studio and editing the exported TIFF files in Affinity. Manufacturers are much better at converting and processing their own raw files. The focus changes from "recovering" highlights and shadows to emphasizing the natural flow of light...
The tonal adjustments for this article varied from +2 to -2, and for 3 to 4 images, +4 to -4. Another unique "adjustment" is the iEnhance Picture Mode. In some cases I used the standard iEnhance option in Workspace. My default camera adjustment is iEnhance-Low. Please let me know if you'd like more information about reflected light, tonal adjustments, and the 4th exposure variable.
The OM System OM-3 and the Fuji XT-5 are excellent but very different digital cameras. Both offer something unique with a strong resemblance to their professional counterparts. The X-T5 is unique with its traditional dials and more hands-on operating style, while the OM-3 is unique with its ability to target and adjust specific colors. The general trend is global adjustments, whereas the OM-3 lets us create global color effects as well as specific color adjustments and profiles. What makes the OM-3 really special is the link to the OM-1 series, powerful color and computational features, and the integration of the TruePic X image processor with Workspace and our PCs.
Would you say it's crucial to support manufacturers focusing on the M43 segment? Do you prefer the benefits of high-sensitivity sensors, or would you invest any technical "growth" in more megapixels? The XT-5 is an example of investing technical improvements in more megapixels. Did you know that it's possible to explain the claimed 2EV benefit of the OM-1 and the OM-3? Finally, do you think those manufacturers selling M43 cameras in FF bodies are committed to the M43 segment?
Considering that the dynamic range and image noise discussion are more applicable to those with no knowledge of the 4th exposure variable, it's worth mentioning that these cameras use high-sensitivity sensors. I couldn't find any noticeable differences under similar conditions. You do know it's possible to capture an X-T5 image with more noise than the OM-3 while using the same exposure settings. The technical similarities and differences of these cameras are fascinating, to say the least.
The XT-5 highlighted the optical characteristics and differences of larger sensors. Being familiar with the deeper DOF of M43 cameras, I only saw the smaller "in-focus" areas as I edited my XT-5 photos. As you know, sensor sizes change the diameter of the sensor's image circle and the physical size of especially Pro lenses. It also changes aspects like depth of field and background blur. Technical variables like dynamic range (DR) are not linked to the size of the image sensor. For example, sensor design and budget versus high-sensitivity sensors impact DR and noise more than sensor size.
These basics are more relevant when using the OM-3 and the XT-5 simultaneously. Anything other than portrait photography requires special care to create a deeper DOF with the XT-5. The experience needed to manage the technical aspects of these two cameras can be applied to ALL cameras. Basic photography skills, editing, and creative experience are a general advantage, especially when using these two cameras. Folks, I have been studying and experimenting with the AF functions of different cameras while working on my next article about filming with Olympus cameras. The more I learn, the more difficult it gets to accept any advice from forums, camera reviewers, or YouTubers.
I have been experimenting with used cameras to improve my technical skills on digital cameras over the years. The plan is to sell most of these cameras and to focus on Olympus and OM System cameras. The most difficult one to let go is the Fuji XT-5. Cameras like Canon, Olympus, and Fuji are known for having excellent image quality and flexibility when editing their photos. Until more recently, I seldom experienced a similar "editing-friendly" environment from Sony and Panasonic cameras.
The OM-3 and the XT-5 are excellent examples of edit-friendly cameras. It's a joy to photograph with these cameras and to process their images, which was also the most critical criterion when I searched for a replacement for Photoshop. As mentioned elsewhere, my photography style focuses on natural light and the art of painting with light, which includes converting and editing my RAW files. It also explains my preference for Workspace, RAW Studio, and Affinity.
The following image collection was captured with my OM System OM-3 and the Fuji XT-5. I converted the OM-3 raw files in Workspace and the XT-5 raw files in RAW Studio. The web versions were done in Workspace, and the converted XT-5 files in Affinity Photo. It's possible to get amazing results with the OM-3 or Workspace, whereas the XT-5 needs more editing with something like PhotoLab or Affinity. I applied almost no additional post-processing to the XT-5 photos in this article.
Folks, one can write many articles about these amazing cameras...
Best
Siegfried
My OM System OM-3 photos.
My Fuji XT-5 photos.
