Main trade-off
OM SYSTEM OM-3 body
Supported stacking lenses only, final composite JPEG and a tighter crop.4K60 is its ordinary high-rate limit, not 4K120.
Head-to-head
OM SYSTEM OM-3 vs Sony a6700: OM-3 finishes supported close-ups in camera, Sony slows action in 4K
The short answer
OM-3 creates a supported in-camera focus stack, while Sony records 4K120 with crop and media limits. Choose OM-3 for compatible-lens close-up JPEGs and its documented outdoor setup. Choose a6700 for 4K slow motion or to retain compatible E-mount lenses. Both offers are body-only and have one card. Sony’s 120p mode narrows the view and cannot record internal proxies. OM’s Live ND is a composite still-photo effect, not an optical filter for movies.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
For a weekend close-up hobby, count the editing step as part of the purchase
OM-3 can finish a focus-stacked JPEG from three to fifteen exposures with a supported lens. Sony’s focus bracket records a sequence with selectable focus positions for a stacking workflow. Someone photographing craft pieces after work may prefer receiving the OM composite without a separate merge, provided the subject stays still and the tighter final crop is acceptable. Sony’s larger possible sequence can suit a more controlled workflow, but it is not evidence that the body produces a better finished stack automatically. Check the actual lens, required focus depth and software step before comparing only the number of frames.
What this is based on
OM documented composite JPEG, crop and lens restrictions, Sony documented bracket sequence and tripod guidance. No comparative image-quality result.
Main trade-off
Sony a6700 body
4K120 adds crop, format-dependent card requirements and no internal proxies at 120p. One card slot remains.
OM SYSTEM OM-3 body
- Choose it for
- You want the camera to finish a supported close-up stack as JPEG and accept its crop and lens restrictions.
- A rated compatible outdoor lens setup and computational stills fit more of your outings than 4K120.
- Main trade-off
- Supported stacking lenses only, final composite JPEG and a tighter crop.4K60 is its ordinary high-rate limit, not 4K120.
Sony a6700 body
- Choose it for
- You need 4K slow motion and have space, a suitable lens and the correct card for the cropped 120p mode.
- Keeping compatible Sony E lenses avoids rebuilding the most expensive part of the kit.
- Main trade-off
- 4K120 adds crop, format-dependent card requirements and no internal proxies at 120p. One card slot remains.
About this comparison
OM-3 vs Sony a6700 for nature hobbies and family video. Compare finished close-ups,4K slow motion, lens-filter needs and the cost of changing the whole kit.
These compact stabilized bodies compete for a buyer who wants one camera for outdoor hobbies and family video. Body weights are almost identical, so finished outputs and existing lenses provide better decision boundaries.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
Finish a supported close-up stack as an in-camera JPEG
OM performs the merge, while Sony’s documented bracket captures the sequence.
- OM SYSTEM OM-3 body
- Better fit
- Sony a6700 body
- Caution
Make quarter-speed 4K from 120p in a 30p edit
Sony has the required mode, with crop and media limits.
- OM SYSTEM OM-3 body
- Not suitable
- Sony a6700 body
- Better fit
Keep existing compatible Sony E lenses
OM uses a different mount.
- OM SYSTEM OM-3 body
- Not suitable
- Sony a6700 body
- Better fit
Use a documented rated outdoor body/lens arrangement
OM’s rating has explicit compatible-lens and closed-cover conditions. This is not a survival test.
- OM SYSTEM OM-3 body
- Better fit
- Sony a6700 body
- Caution
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
For a weekend close-up hobby, count the editing step as part of the purchase
OM-3 can finish a focus-stacked JPEG from three to fifteen exposures with a supported lens. Sony’s focus bracket records a sequence with selectable focus positions for a stacking workflow. Someone photographing craft pieces after work may prefer receiving the OM composite without a separate merge, provided the subject stays still and the tighter final crop is acceptable. Sony’s larger possible sequence can suit a more controlled workflow, but it is not evidence that the body produces a better finished stack automatically. Check the actual lens, required focus depth and software step before comparing only the number of frames.
How we reached this conclusion
OM documented composite JPEG, crop and lens restrictions, Sony documented bracket sequence and tripod guidance. No comparative image-quality result.
Slow-motion sport changes the lens and laptop requirements together
Sony’s 4K120 can play at one quarter speed in a 30p edit, while OM-3’s 4K60 gives one half speed on the same basis. Sony’s extra crop makes the action fill more of the frame, which can help a distant subject but become awkward in a small room. Its 120p mode also removes internal proxy recording, so a laptop that relies on lightweight copies may need to create them afterward. Match the card to the exact codec and normal versus S&Q mode. Choose Sony when this slow-motion output is a recurring need, not because 120 is automatically better for every family recording.
How we reached this conclusion
120/30=4 and 60/30=2 playback factors. Sony extra crop, proxy restrictions and mode-specific V60/V90 requirements. No predicted laptop speed or focus success.
Live ND does not remove the movie filter from the bag
A nature walk may include a blurred-water still photograph and then a short film of the same stream. OM-3’s Live ND can help create the slow-shutter still by combining exposures, but it does not reduce the light reaching the sensor. It therefore does not replace a physical lens filter when the movie needs less light at a chosen shutter speed and aperture. Sony can also use an appropriate physical filter. Before changing systems for fewer accessories, check the filter thread of the actual lens and which kind of output you make most. With only 3g between the bodies, those lens and filter choices matter far more to the bag.
How we reached this conclusion
Live ND manual expressly distinguishes simulated exposures from reduced incoming light.496-493=3g. Filter need conditional on exposure and lens, no included-filter claim.
Choice A
OM SYSTEM, V210050SW000
OM SYSTEM OM-3 body
You want the camera to finish a supported close-up stack as JPEG and accept its crop and lens restrictions.
- Best matched use
- You want the camera to finish a supported close-up stack as JPEG and accept its crop and lens restrictions.
Checked facts
- Body with battery/card: 496g
- Close-up sequence: Three to fifteen, finished cropped JPEG
- High-rate4K: Up to 60p
- Sound monitoring: Separate mic and headphones
Choice B
Sony, ILCE6700/B
Sony a6700 body
You need 4K slow motion and have space, a suitable lens and the correct card for the cropped 120p mode.
- Best matched use
- You need 4K slow motion and have space, a suitable lens and the correct card for the cropped 120p mode.
Checked facts
- Body with battery/card: 493g
- Close-up sequence: Two to 299 bracketed positions
- High-rate4K: Up to 119.88p with extra crop
- Sound monitoring: Separate mic and headphones
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | OM SYSTEM OM-3 body | Sony a6700 body | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Body with battery/card | 496g | 493g | Three grams is too little to decide the complete kit. |
| Close-up sequence | Three to fifteen, finished cropped JPEG | Two to 299 bracketed positions | The difference includes what you must do after taking the sequence. |
| High-rate4K | Up to 60p | Up to 119.88p with extra crop | Sony can provide a slower 4K edit from ordinary 120p recording. |
| Sound monitoring | Separate mic and headphones | Separate mic and headphones | Both offer a documented direct monitoring route. |
| Lens mount | Micro Four Thirds | Sony E | Existing lenses and actual framing should lead the total-kit comparison. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose OM SYSTEM OM-3 body
- Both offers exclude lenses. Check the lens’s stacking and weather support, and keep a physical ND option for filming if needed.
If you choose Sony a6700 body
- Budget the required V60 or V90 card for the exact mode and a lens wide enough after the crop. Test the editing workflow.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
Finished close-ups and the rated outdoor setup lead
Choose OM SYSTEM OM-3 body. OM’s supported in-camera workflow addresses those jobs.
4K slow motion or existing E lenses lead
Choose Sony a6700 body. Sony supplies 120p and preserves the compatible lens kit.
What matters in practice
Before you choose
You want to spend less time editing close-up photos, but also want slow-motion clips of children or sport that remain 4K.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- No measured autofocus, weather-survival or stacking-quality comparison.
- Three grams does not make one full system lighter.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current mirrorless cameras comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
See the checked facts and calculation notes
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| OM SYSTEM OM-3 body |
|
|
|
| Sony a6700 body |
|
|
|
Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
OM SYSTEM OM-3 body
You want the camera to finish a supported close-up stack as JPEG and accept its crop and lens restrictions.
A rated compatible outdoor lens setup and computational stills fit more of your outings than 4K120.
See price & reviews on AmazonSony a6700 body
You need 4K slow motion and have space, a suitable lens and the correct card for the cropped 120p mode.
Keeping compatible Sony E lenses avoids rebuilding the most expensive part of the kit.
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.