The Olympus OM-4 is a professional 35mm SLR manufactured in Japan and released in 1983 as the top model in Olympus's single-digit OM line, succeeding the OM-2N. Built on a compact aluminum alloy chassis with gasket weatherproofing, it packs professional specifications into a body measuring 84 × 136 × 50 mm at 540 g.

Its defining feature is the multi-spot metering system: the OM-4 can record up to eight independent 2% spot readings and average them, with separate modes to bias exposure toward the darkest or brightest point in the frame. A graduated LCD at the bottom of the viewfinder shows shutter speed readings in real time against the actual camera settings. Exposure modes are manual and aperture priority, with a shutter range of 1s to 1/2000s plus Bulb. The meter covers ISO 6 to 3200. The camera accepts the full range of OM-mount Zuiko lenses and runs on two LR44/SR44 cells.

Good fit: A strong choice for photographers who need precise control over exposure in difficult lighting: the multi-spot metering lets you take up to eight individual readings and average them, or bias toward the darkest or brightest point in frame. It's a deliberate, deep tool rather than a fast point-and-shoot experience; simpler metering is available lower in the OM range if that level of control isn't needed.

Fun fact: Olympus discontinued the original OM-4 in 1987 and replaced it with the titanium-bodied OM-4Ti, which continued selling until 2002. The combined production run stretched nearly 20 years, covering the entire decline of manual-focus 35mm SLRs and outlasting almost every camera it competed with at launch.