OM System announced the OM-3 Astro on February 9, 2026, a dedicated version of its OM-3 body tailored for astrophotography. The company changed the camera’s infrared (IR) cut filter and added software and shooting presets to improve capture of red nebulae and night-sky scenes. The OM-3 Astro preserves the OM-3’s 20.4-megapixel stacked BSI Micro Four Thirds sensor while enabling full transmission of hydrogen-alpha (Hα) light, a key emission for many nebulae. OM System also introduced body-mount filters and new color profiles aimed at hobbyists and pros who prioritize nebulae and starry-landscape imaging.
- The OM-3 Astro uses a 20.4MP stacked BSI Micro Four Thirds sensor; its modified IR-cut filter allows 100% transmission of Hα wavelengths, improving red nebula capture.
- OM System adds two astrophotography color profiles: COLOR1 optimized for red nebulae and COLOR2 for starry landscapes.
- Key shooting tools include Starry Sky AF, Live Composite mode, Night Vision UI, and High-Res Composite (12 frames → 50MP) with stacking-friendly workflow.
- Three dial presets (C1–C3) are preconfigured: C1 for astrophotography stacking, C2 for starry landscapes stacking, and C3 for handheld starry-landscape shots.
- Two body-mount filters launch alongside the camera: BMF-LPC01 (light-pollution suppression) and BMF-SE01 (soft/star-glow effect); both mount between body and lens.
- Compatibility extends to OM-3, OM-1, OM-1 II and Olympus E-M1 Mark III bodies; OM-3 Astro listed pricing: US $2,499.99, Canada $2,999.99.
- Filter pricing: BMF-LPC01 at US $339.99 (CAD $399.99) and BMF-SE01 at US $229.99 (CAD $279.99); all ship in March 2026.
Background
Deep-sky objects such as emission nebulae emit strongly in the hydrogen-alpha (Hα) line at 656.3 nm; many standard camera IR-cut filters reduce sensitivity in that band to preserve color rendering for daylight photography. As a result, conventional consumer cameras tend to under-represent the reds and pinks of nebulae without long narrowband exposures or specialized filters. Over the past decade, astrophotographers have used sensor conversions, narrowband filters, and specialized cameras to recover Hα details; manufacturers have begun offering milder, purpose-built solutions that retain general-use capability while improving nebula performance.
OM System’s OM-3 lineup has targeted advanced amateurs and professionals with rugged bodies and computational modes (High-Res Composite, Live Composite). The OM-3 Astro is the company’s first factory-tuned OM-3 specifically for night-sky imaging, addressing both optics-level transmission and in-camera color rendering. By combining an altered IR-cut element with tailored color profiles and star-focused autofocus, OM System aims to reduce the technical barriers that typically keep nebula photography within a niche of experts.
Main Event
The central hardware change is the IR-cut filter placed in front of the 20.4MP stacked BSI Micro Four Thirds sensor. OM System reports the modified filter permits 100% transmission of Hα wavelengths, enabling native capture of the red emissions common in many nebulae. That change is paired with a new COLOR1 profile, tuned to render red nebulae more vividly, and a COLOR2 profile for starry-landscape work that emphasizes stars against darker skies.
Beyond the optics, the OM-3 Astro carries software and shooting features aimed at night-sky workflows. Starry Sky AF lets the camera lock autofocus to stars, reducing the need for precise manual focusing under dark conditions. Live Composite mode supports long-exposure stacking in-camera without blowing highlights, while Night Vision adds a red overlay to the UI to preserve the photographer’s dark-adapted eyesight.
High-Res Composite remains available: the body can combine 12 frames into a single 50-megapixel file in-camera; OM System notes the mode can be used on a tripod or equatorial mount to emulate stacking processing typically performed in astrophotography, improving detail and reducing noise. The mode’s built-in correction accounts for diurnal star motion when the appropriate workflow is used. The mode plus Starry Sky AF and the new color profiles make the OM-3 Astro a more turnkey option for nebula imaging.
OM System also introduced two new body-mount filters that attach between the camera body and lens. The BMF-LPC01 Body Mount Light Pollution Suppression Filter is designed to reduce city-glow impact—especially near the horizon—during eastward rises or westward sets. The BMF-SE01 Body Mount Soft Filter slightly blurs and enlarges point sources to create a more prominent star “bloom,” making bright stars appear larger and more colorful. Both filters work with the OM-3 Astro and with OM-3, OM-1, OM-1 II and Olympus E-M1 Mark III bodies.
OM System set U.S. pricing for the OM-3 Astro at $2,499.99 and Canadian pricing at $2,999.99, with availability in March 2026. The BMF-LPC01 is priced at $339.99 (CAD $399.99) and the BMF-SE01 at $229.99 (CAD $279.99), also shipping next month.
Analysis & Implications
Allowing full Hα transmission in a general-purpose mirrorless body narrows the gap between consumer cameras and specialized astrophotography equipment. For many hobbyists, the OM-3 Astro could shorten learning curves and workflow steps by capturing nebula color and detail straight from the camera, reducing reliance on narrowband filters or sensor conversions. That said, an Hα-friendly IR-cut can change daytime color balance and may require different white balance handling for general photography; users who keep the camera for mixed shooting should expect some trade-offs or the need for custom profiles.
From a market perspective, OM System joins a trend of manufacturers offering niche, task-specific variants rather than forcing full sensor conversions. This approach preserves warranty and multi-role utility while addressing common astrophotography complaints. The inclusion of Starry Sky AF and stacking-ready High-Res Composite processing points to a broader strategy: marry optical changes with computational tools to make night-sky imaging more approachable for non-experts.
Price positioning places the OM-3 Astro within reach of serious enthusiasts but above entry-level offerings; at US $2,499.99 it competes with full-frame mirrorless bodies that can deliver low-light performance through larger sensors. For users committed to nebula work, the IR-cut modification plus the dedicated modes and compatible body-mount filters could deliver outsized value compared with buying conversion services or specialized cooled astro cameras. Pros who require ultimate color fidelity and low thermal noise for long narrowband runs may still prefer cooled mono sensors and dedicated astro setups, so the OM-3 Astro likely complements rather than replaces that high-end segment.
Comparison & Data
| Feature | OM-3 Astro | Standard OM-3 |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 20.4MP stacked BSI Micro Four Thirds | 20.4MP stacked BSI Micro Four Thirds |
| Hα Transmission | 100% (modified IR-cut) | Reduced by standard IR-cut |
| High-Res Composite | 12 frames → 50MP (handheld/tripod use) | Same mode available |
| Special Color Profiles | COLOR1 (nebula), COLOR2 (starry landscape) | Standard profiles |
| Price (US) | $2,499.99 | Varies by model |
The table summarizes how the OM-3 Astro differs from the standard OM-3: the hardware change is concentrated in the IR-cut element and the software in new color profiles and presets. Practical benefits include improved native red response for emission nebulae and integrated shooting workflows to reduce post-processing time. The High-Res Composite stacking workflow also helps lower noise and increase apparent detail when combining multiple short exposures.
Reactions & Quotes
“By allowing full Hα transmission, the camera can vividly capture the shapes and colors of nebulae emitting Hα light,”
OM System (official product statement)
“Using Handheld High Res Shot with a tripod or equatorial mount can produce stacking-quality results while reducing noise,”
OM System (product notes)
Those official comments frame the product around two promises: better native nebula color and a simplified stacking workflow. Independent reviewers and early users will need to validate how these changes perform across different lenses, mounts, and light-polluted locations.
Unconfirmed
- How the OM-3 Astro’s daylight color accuracy compares to a standard OM-3 under mixed lighting remains to be quantified by third-party tests.
- Real-world performance of the body-mount filters across ultra-wide and fisheye lenses (vignetting, flare) needs independent validation.
- Exact global shipping details and regional launch timing outside the U.S. and Canada were not specified in the announcement.
Bottom Line
The OM-3 Astro is OM System’s most direct attempt to make nebula and night-sky imaging more accessible without forcing users into full sensor conversions or dedicated cooled astro cameras. Its 100% Hα transmission claim, new COLOR1 profile, Starry Sky AF and stacking-focused High-Res Composite create a compelling package for enthusiasts who want richer nebula color and simplified workflows.
Trade-offs are likely: altered IR-cut characteristics can affect daylight color balance and some professionals will still prefer mono cooled sensors and narrowband filters for the deepest, highest-contrast narrowband work. For many hobbyists and traveling astrophotographers, however, the OM-3 Astro’s combination of optical, software and accessory changes may represent the most practical path to vivid nebula photography straight from the camera.