Last Updated on 02/10/2026 by Chris Gampat
Astrophotography is something we all love, but many of us struggle with this challenging genre. Camera brands don’t often bring out specialized astrophotography camera models. The two of note from the last decade that come to my mind are the Nikon D810A and the Canon EOS Ra, both full-frame models. Bringing in an m43 model to this genre is the all-new OM System OM3 ASTRO mirrorless camera.
What’s Special About The OM System OM-3 Astro?
At first glance, this camera looks almost exactly like the regular OM-3 we tested some months ago. But inside this camera is where the stellar magic resides. Built to capture red nebulae, the OM-3 Astro has a dedicated IR filter tuned for Hα wavelengths. Coupled with the TruePic™ X processing engine in the camera, you can expect close to 100% transmission of Hα (Hydrogen-alpha) wavelengths to the sensor, the very wavelengths that make astrophotography look stunning.
Granted, we’re not exactly sure what the processing engine is doing that makes it any different.
Regular camera sensors aren’t tuned to capture reds from Hα, so you can expect much higher saturation in your night skies when shooting with this camera. Capturing nebulae, stars, and deep-sky cosmic wonders becomes a lot more easier for OM System fans.
Fantastic Features
You’ve got the familiar m43 20.4-megapixel sensor and 1053 AF points. Why would you use autofocus for stars, you ask – because this camera comes with ‘Starry Sky AF’, which helps you lock focus on the stars in an instant. You’ll definitely appreciate the IP53-certified weather-sealing, which can help keep out damp on cold nights. USB-C PD charging capabilities let you shoot starry timelapses and star-stacked shots for hours, so the OM-3 Astro can stay on via a power bank.
Specs aside, OM System has included many other features in this camera tailored for astro photographers. Colour profile control helps you creatively apply preset color modes specific to the night sky, even allowing you to tailor parameters to your preferences and save them separately. Mount the OM-3 Astro to your sturdiest tripod and switch to the Handheld High Res Shot mode, which lets you create in-camera stacked star-trail photos that automatically correct for the diurnal motion of the stars. Yes, you might say the mode name suggests otherwise, but using this on a tripod allows the stacking to be completed in the camera itself. The Night Vision live-view mode ensures your eyes remain sensitive to the night sky but not at the cost of you being unable to see what’s on the LCD.
My favorite addition has to be the Astro-tuned colour and custom modes. Choose between C1, C2, and C3 on the dial to quickly switch between stacking for astrophotography, stacking for starry landscapes, and handheld shooting for starry landscapes
Optional Body-Mount Filters
OM System has also announced two body-mount filters for astrophotography, compatible with the OM-3 Astro and a handful of other models. The
BMF-LPC01 Body Mount Light Pollution Suppression Filter helps to reduce light pollution from artificial lights, especially those from street lights in nearby towns and cities. Using this helps make the sky look darker, reducing the glow near the horizon that’s often reflected in night shots from areas far from the city (typically places astrophotographers chase). The BMF-SE01 Body Mount Soft Filter helps you enhance stars by adding a soft glow to them when needed.
Who Is The OM System OM-3 Astro For?
Well, the designation in the name pretty much answers that question. One might argue that the purchase of a separate Hα-wavelength IR filter in front of any camera might do the trick, but the power of this camera isn’t just in that filter alone. It’s in the combination of that and all the aforementioned customized features that OM System has introduced in this camera to make photographing the night sky easier, more vivid, and more visually stunning in-camera itself. Available for pre-order today for 2499.99 USD. If we ever review this camera, I wonder how many stars it would get. See below sample images taken using this camera
Tech Specs
| Effective Resolution (approx.) | 20.4 MP |
| AF System | Cross-type phase detection AF (1,053 points), Contrast AF (1,053 points) |
| Image Stabilisation | Built-in 5-axis, up to 7.5 EV steps |
| Construction | Magnesium / Aluminium |
| ISO Sensitivity | AUTO ISO: Customisable, LOW (approx. 80) – 102400 (Default: 200–25600); Manual ISO: LOW (approx. 80, approx. 100), 200–102400 (adjustable in 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV steps) |
| Sequential Shooting | SH1: 120fps, 100fps, 60fps, 30fps | Mechanical Shutter: 6fps C-AF & AE Tracking (RAW) | Electronic Shutter: 120fps S-AF (RAW) |
| Top Shutter Speed | Mechanical: 1/8000 sec | Electronic (Silent): 1/32000 sec |
| RAW Capture | Yes (12-bit lossless compression) |
| Video Recording | C4K: 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p | 4K: 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p | Full HD: 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p | High Speed Movie: 1920×1080 (FHD) / 240fps, 200fps, 120fps, 100fps |
| Video Quality | 4K, C4K, Full HD, High Speed Movie FHD |
| Flash | Compatible with all OM SYSTEM / Olympus flashes |
| Viewfinder | Eye-level OLED electronic viewfinder, approx. 2.36M dots |
| Monitor | 3.0-inch vari-angle monitor (electrostatic capacitance touch panel), approx. 1,620k dots (3:2) |
| WiFi Function | Yes |
| GPS | Yes (smartphone connection) |
| Technology Innovation | AE Bracketing, Focus Bracketing, Handheld Hi-Res, HDR, Intelligent Subject Detection, Keystone Compensation, Live Composite, Live ND, Live Time, Multi Exposure, Silent, Tripod Hi-Res |
| Weatherproofing | Dustproof, freezeproof, splashproof |
| Microphone | Built-in stereo microphone; φ3.5 stereo mini jack for external microphone |
| USB Charging | Yes |
| USB PD Bus Power | Yes |
| Dimensions | Approx. 139.3 mm (W) × 88.9 mm (H) × 45.8 mm (D) (based on CIPA standards, excludes protrusions) |
| Weight (body only) | 413 g |
| Box Contents | OM-3 camera body, CB-USB13 USB cable, shoulder strap, instruction manual, warranty card, BLX-1 Li-ion battery |
Images seen in this article were provided for use by our OM System reps