For professional photographers, camera choice isn't just about specifications—it's about trust. When your reputation and livelihood depend on delivering consistently exceptional images across diverse shooting conditions, the decision to switch systems requires careful consideration. Michael J. Ng, full-time professional photographer and owner of Cocreate Spaces in Toronto, Ontario, made that switch in early 2025 when he adopted the OM SYSTEM OM-3 for the majority of his professional work.
Building a Creative Community
Ng's photography career centers on portraiture in its many forms: headshots that capture professional presence, lifestyle portraits that tell personal stories, and conceptual work that pushes creative boundaries. His images have graced the pages of prestigious publications including Hollywood Reporter and Deadline, establishing his reputation for striking, publication-quality portraiture.
Beyond his camera work, Ng has built something equally important to Toronto's creative ecosystem: Cocreate Spaces, a rental studio designed to support emerging and established creatives alike. His commitment to accessibility and community building reflects a photographer who understands that great work emerges not just from individual talent, but from supportive creative environments. Through studio access and community events, Ng actively contributes to nurturing the next generation of visual artists.
The Switch: Design Meets Flagship Technology
When OM SYSTEM launched the OM-3 in early 2025, Ng was immediately drawn to its aesthetic appeal. But design alone doesn't justify a professional system switch. "The design was obviously appealing, but what I truly appreciated was the level of attention to the external build quality as well as the internal flagship technology," he explains.
For a working professional, a camera needs to feel like an extension of creative vision rather than a technical obstacle. The OM-3 has delivered on that promise. "In use, it's been fantastic. I think the image quality is great and suits the work that I do," Ng notes. This straightforward assessment carries weight coming from a photographer whose work must meet the exacting standards of major entertainment publications.
Rethinking Sensor Size: The Depth of Field
One of Ng's most compelling insights challenges conventional wisdom about sensor size and performance. He's found that the micro four-thirds sensor's extra depth of field provides a distinct advantage, particularly in the limited light situations common to professional portrait work
"Personally speaking, I like having the extra depth of field that a smaller sensor provides, particularly since I find myself working in limited light situations," he explains. His analysis goes deeper than simple preference—Ng has done the mathematical homework. "In fact, one of the most significant reasons I switched was because of the realization that when attempting to match depth of field across sensor sizes, where lighting is limited, the gap in performance significantly diminishes. I have spent way too much time on photons to photos."
This technical understanding manifests beautifully in his work. His cover shoot for Popternative featuring Cassandra Naud and Emily Tennant showcases the OM-3's studio capabilities. The image, created to promote their feature "Influencers," demonstrates the camera's depth of field control, allowing Ng to handle controlled lighting and deliver the technical precision required for print publication.
Image Stabilization: Redefining Handheld Capabilities
For Ng, one feature stands out as genuinely revolutionary: the OM-3's image stabilization system. "Finally, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention how well the image stabilization performs. There is no other system you can handhold the equivalent of a 400mm focal length at 1 second and get tack sharp results."
This capability isn't just a technical achievement—it fundamentally expands creative possibilities. His photograph taken from the top of Shibuya Sky demonstrates this perfectly: a single capture, handheld, at 0.4 seconds, F8, ISO 200 using the 14-150mm F4-5.6 II lens. These settings would traditionally demand a tripod, but the OM-3's stabilization delivers tack-sharp results while maintaining the spontaneity and flexibility of handheld shooting.
Versatility Across Professional Contexts
Ng characterizes the OM-3 as "the perfect all rounder," and his diverse body of work supports this assessment. The camera performs optimally across three distinct professional contexts:
In Studio: Ng uses continuous lighting heavily in his work for the color versatility. The limited power output in comparison to strobes is a non-issue when working with the OM-3 and achieving the intended depth of field at base iso is easily attained with room to spare. This portrait of the actor Ayaka Wilson, was taken with 300w continuous lights, and modifiers.
In the Street: During a December collaboration with Terry and Abdulla, Ng created a men's fashion editorial outside Toronto's Union Station in brutal minus 15-degree conditions. The OM-3's unobtrusive design allowed him to work effectively in challenging weather while capturing the editorial polish required for fashion work.
For Travel: The camera's compact design makes it ideal for travel photography without sacrificing professional image quality, as evidenced by his stunning Shibuya Sky capture.
The Professional Verdict
Michael J. Ng's adoption of the OM SYSTEM OM-3 represents a thoughtful professional decision based on real-world performance rather than specification-sheet comparisons. His experience challenges assumptions about sensor size, demonstrates the practical value of advanced image stabilization, and proves that compact systems can deliver publication-quality results across diverse professional contexts.
For photographers considering the OM-3, Ng's testimony offers valuable perspective: this is a camera that performs when reputations and client relationships are on the line. From magazine covers to street editorials in freezing temperatures to travel photography, the OM-3 has proven itself as a reliable professional tool in the hands of a photographer who demands excellence.
Biography
You can explore Michael's work on Instagram at @imworkng and learn more about Cocreate Spaces at @cocreatespace—where Toronto's creative community continues to grow, one collaborative shoot at a time.
