OM System’s New OM-3 Astro Camera

credits: OM-System

OM System has officially announced the OM-3 Astro, a specialised version of the OM-3 built specifically for astrophotography. Inside, the camera uses the same 20.4-megapixel stacked BSI Micro Four Thirds sensor as the standard model, but the key difference is what sits in front of it. The infrared cut filter has been modified to allow full transmission of H-alpha light, which is crucial for capturing the deep reds found in nebulae. On most standard cameras, those wavelengths are filtered out, making nebulae look dull or muted without heavy post-processing or external filters.

The company has also added two dedicated colour profiles to the camera. COLOR1, tuned specifically for deep-sky objects like red nebulae, and COLOR2, for wide star-field and night landscape work. The OM-3 Astro also keeps a long list of features that already made the OM-3 appealing for night shooting. Starry Sky AF lets the camera autofocus directly on stars, which can be a huge time saver compared to manual focus. There is also Live Composite for long exposures without blowing highlights, and a Night Vision mode that overlays the interface in red to help preserve your dark adaptation.

High-resolution composite modes are another big part. The camera can combine multiple frames into a 50-megapixel image, and OM System points out that using the Handheld High Res mode on a tripod or equatorial mount effectively mimics traditional stacking workflows, while also reducing noise and compensating for star movement. To make things easier, OM System has preconfigured the C1, C2, and C3 modes for different astro scenarios, from deep-sky stacking to handheld starry landscapes. The OM-3 Astro is scheduled to ship in March for $2,499.99.