Micro Four Thirds system
Encyclopedia
The Micro Four Thirds system (MFT) is a standard created by Olympus
and Panasonic
, and announced on August 5, 2008, for mirrorless interchangeable lens digital cameras and camcorder
s design and development. However, unlike the preceding Four Thirds System, it is not an open standard.
MFT shares the original image sensor
size and specification with the Four Thirds system
, designed for DSLR
s. Unlike Four Thirds, the MFT system design specification does not provide space for a mirror box and a pentaprism
, allowing smaller bodies to be designed, and a shorter flange focal distance
and hence smaller lenses to be designed. Virtually any lens can be used on MFT camera bodies using the proper adapter. For instance, Four Third lenses can be used with auto focus
using the adapters designed by Olympus and Panasonic.
The image sensor of Four Thirds and MFT is commonly referred to as a 4/3" type or 4/3 type sensor (inch-based sizing system is derived from now obsolete video camera tube
s). The sensor measures 18 mm × 13.5 mm (22.5 mm diagonal), with an imaging area of 17.3 mm × 13.0 mm (21.6 mm diagonal), comparable to the frame size of 110 film
. Its area, ca. 220 mm², is approximately 40% less than the APS-C
sensors used in other manufacturers' DSLRs, yet is around 9 times larger than the 1/2.5" sensors typically used in compact digital cameras.
The Four Thirds system used a 4:3 image aspect ratio
, in common with other compact digital cameras but unlike APS-C or full-frame DSLRs which usually adhere to the 3:2 aspect ratio of the traditional 35 mm
format. Thus "The Four Thirds refers to both the size of the imager and the aspect ratio of the sensor". Note that actual size of the chip is considerably less than 4/3 of an inch, the length of the diagonal being only 22.5 mm. The 4/3 inch designation for this size of sensor dates back to the 1950s and vidicon
tubes, when the external diameter of the camera tube was measured, not the active area.
The MFT design standard also calls for being able to record multiple formats, 4:3, 3:2 (traditional DSLR formats which have origins with 35mm film still cameras), 16:9 (the native HD video format specification), and 1:1 (a square format). With the exception of two MFT cameras, all MFT cameras record in a native 4:3 format image aspect ratio, and through cropping of the 4:3 image, can record in 16:9, 3:2 and 1:1 formats. This multiple recording format flexibility is a MFT system design standard, which also incorporates seamless integration of HD video recording in the same camera body.
The 2009 introduction of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
camera extends the 4:3 format image aspect ratio recording capabilities to native 16:9 and 3:2 image aspect ratio formats, rather than crops of a native 4:3 image. The GH1 uses a bigger sensor matrix that uses the full diagonal of the image circle
in all three formats. This is called multi-aspect capability. To date, the multi-aspect sensor is common only to the Panasonic GH1 and its successor the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2
.
In addition, all current Micro Four Thirds cameras have sensor dust removal technologies, but this is not exclusive to the format.
with a flange focal distance
of slightly under 20 mm – half as deep as the Four Thirds system design. By avoiding internal mirrors the MFT standard allows a much thinner camera body. Viewing is achieved on all models by live view electronic displays with LCD screens. In addition some models feature a built-in electronic viewfinder
while others may offer optional detachable electronic viewfinder
s, or even as an option an independent optical viewfinder
typically matched to a particular non zoom "prime" lens. The flange diameter is about 38 mm, 6 mm less than that of the Four Thirds system. Electrically, MFT uses an 11-contact connector between lens and camera, adding to the nine contacts in the Four Thirds system design specification. Olympus claims full backward compatibility
for many of its existing Four Thirds lenses on MFT bodies, using a purpose built adapter with both mechanical and electrical interfaces.
The shallow but wide MFT lens mount also allows the use of existing lenses including Leica M, Leica R
, and Olympus OM system
lenses, via Panasonic and Olympus adapters. Aftermarket adapters include Leica Screw Mount
, Contax G
, Canon, Nikon, and Pentax, among others. In fact, almost any still camera, movie or video camera interchangeable lens that has a flange focal distance greater than or marginally less than 20 mm can often be used on MFT bodies via an adapter. While these so called "legacy" lenses can only be used in a manual focus, manual aperture control mode on MFT cameras, hundreds of lenses are available for use, even those that survive for cameras no longer in production.
The Four Thirds system design standard specifes a 40 mm flange focal length distance, which allowed for using a single lens reflex design, with mirror box and pentaprism. Four Thirds DSLR cameras designed by Olympus and Panasonic initially used exclusively PDAF focusing systems. Olympus then introduced the first live view DSLR camera, which incorporated both traditional DSLR phase focus and also optional contrast detection focus. As a result, newer Four Thirds system lenses were designed both for PDAF and contrast focus. Several of the latter Four Thirds lenses focus on Micro Four Thirds proficiently when an electrically compatible adapter is used on the Olympus and the later Panasonic Micro Four Thirds cameras, and they focus on Micro Four Thirds cameras much quicker than earlier generation Four Thirds lenses can.
It had been suggested at the announcement of the MFT system design standard that the contrast-detection autofocus used by compact cameras and MFT requires powerful focusing motors and may not operate properly on at least some of the existing Four Thirds lenses designed for phase-detection autofocus. Many PDAF Four Thirds system lenses, when using adapters with proper electrical connections on a Micro Four Thirds cameras, end up focusing much more slowly than "native" designed MFT lenses. Although some Four Thirds bodies did not focus as quickly as others, or always as accurately as does contrast focus, which is a downside of phase focus, which can shift focus to the front or behind the calculated focus position for each lens. Micro Four Thirds will also focus Four Thirds lenses faster than a Four Thirds camera can focuses using the Four Thirds "Live View" focus. Most Four Thirds lenses still work on Mircro Four Thirds, and the relative speed will depend on the camera model and the lenses used. Overall native Micro Four Thirds lenses focus much faster than the majority of Four Thirds lenses. An advantage to the newly introduced MFT system designed cameras is the immediately available existing family of very high quality, large aperture, automatic exposure, autofocusing, and sometimes even optical image stabilized Four Thirds lenses made by Olympus, Panasonic and Leica.
The latest range of Olympus Pen cameras (the E-P3, the light E-PL3 and the new mini version) are claimed to be the fastest focusing removable lens cameras, including those which use phase technology (DSLR cameras). Comparative tests and the basis for all the speed improvements and whether the technology can track like a phase focus designed for sport applications are not yet known.
For comparison of the original Four Thirds with competing DSLR system see Four Thirds system#Advantages, disadvantages and other factors
In comparison with most digital compact cameras, Micro Four Thirds cameras are superior in that they possess larger sensors (which may offer better image quality) and interchangeable lenses. Some lenses feature wider apertures than those available on many compacts, allowing more control over depth-of-field and yielding greater creative possibilities. However, Micro Four Thirds cameras also tend to be larger, heavier and more expensive than compact cameras.
In comparison with most digital SLRs
, Micro Four Thirds cameras are smaller and lighter. However, they also have smaller sensors (and therefore typically have inferior image quality, especially in low light conditions), and often lack features such as viewfinders and built-in flash units. Micro Four Thirds cameras afford greater depth-of-field than SLRs. They are not necessarily cheaper than SLRs.
The much shorter flange focal distance
enabled by the removal of the mirror allows normal and wideangle lenses to be made significantly smaller because they do not have to use strongly retrofocal designs.
The Four Thirds sensor format used in MFT cameras is equivalent to a 2.0 crop factor
when compared to a 35mm film camera. This means that the field of view of a MFT lens is the same as a Full Frame lens with twice the focal length. Practically speaking, this means that a 50mm lens on a MFT body would have a field of view equivalent to a 100mm lens on a full frame camera. Said another way, normal lenses on MFT cameras would be only 25mm. For this reason, MFT lenses can be smaller and lighter because to achieve the equivalent 35mm film camera field of view, the MFT focal length is much shorter. See the table of lenses below to understand the differences better. Typical DSLR sensors such as Canon's APS-C sensors, have a crop factor of 1.6, compared to full frame's (35mm) 1.0, and Four Thirds 2.0.
(EVF) has the following advantages, though many DSLRs also have "live view" functionality, although these function relatively poorly compared to Micro Four Thirds
Olympus and Panasonic approach the implementation of electronic viewfinders in two ways, the built-in EVF, and the optional hotshoe add-on EVF.
As of mid-2011, Olympus design has forgone the built-in EVF design, and has three available add-on hotshoe viewfinders. The Olympus VF-1 is an optical viewfinder, that slips into the accessory hotshoe. The optical angle of view is 65 degrees, equivalent to the 17mm pancake lens field of view, and was designed primarily for the EP-1. Olympus has since introduced the high resolution VF-2 EVF, and a newer, less expensive, slightly lower resolution VF-3 for use in all its MFT cameras after the Olympus EP-1. These EVF's not only slip into the accessory hotshoe, but also plug into a dedicated proprietary port for power and communication with Olympus cameras only. Interestingly, both the VF-2 and VF-3 may also be used on high-end Olympus compact point and shoot cameras such as the Olympus XZ-1
As of mid-2011, Panasonic G and GH series cameras have built in EVF's, while two of the three GF models are able to use the add-on LVF1 hotshoe EVF. The LVF1 must also plug into a proprietary port built into the camera for power and communication. This proprietary port, and the accessory is omitted in the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
design. Similar to Olympus, the LVF1 is usable on high-end Panasonic compact point and shoot cameras, such as the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
, Panasonic
, Cosina (Voigtlander), Carl Zeiss AG, Jos. Schneider Optische Werke GmbH, Komamura Corporation and Sigma Corporation
have a commitment to the Micro Four Thirds system.
The first Micro Four Thirds system camera was Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1
, which was launched in Japan in October 2008. In April 2009, Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
with HD video
recording added to it.
The first Olympus
model, Olympus PEN E-P1
was shipped in July 2009.
As of , the following Micro Four Thirds system lenses, which can be used by all MFT camera bodies, except as noted, have been released or announced with availability within 3 months of announcement:
Standard zoom lenses
Superzoom lenses
Telephoto zoom lenses
Wide-angle zoom lenses
Prime lens
es
Macro lenses
Fisheyes
3D lenses
Digiscoping lenses
Pinhole
Image Stabilization - Different approaches
Olympus and Panasonic approach image stabilization differently. Olympus uses sensor image stabilization, which it calls IBIS. IBIS stabilizes the image by shifting of the entire sensor. Panasonic uses optical image stabilization, which it calls MEGA OIS. MEGA OIS stabilizes the image by shifting of a small optical block within the lens.
Panasonic claims that OIS is more accurate because the stabilization system can be designed for the particular optical characteristics of each lens. A disadvantage of this approach is that the OIS motor and shift mechanism must be built into each lens, making each lens physically larger, heavier and more expensive than a comparable non-OIS lens. As of mid-2011, Of the available and announced Panasonic lenses, the 8 mm fisheye, 7–14 mm wide angle zoom, 14mm and the 20 mm primes are not image stabilized (IS).
Whilst none of the Olympus lenses have built-in IS, all Olympus Micro Four Thirds cameras have in-camera IS, and therefore all Olympus M.Zuiko Digital lenses benefit from the camera's stabilization system. The advantage with Olympus' in-body IS is that Olympus lenses are smaller and lighter than comparable Panasonic lenses, and even vintage manual focus lenses can make use of the body-stabilization when used with an appropriate mount adapter. This latter fact has added to interest in Micro Four Thirds cameras by many hobbyists, especially amongst users of traditional Leica or Voigtlander rangefinder cameras.
Lens compactness and mount adaptability
A promise of the Micro Four Thirds standard is reduced lens size and weight. Of particular interest in illustrating this fact are the Panasonic 7-14mm ultra-wideangle (equivalent to 14-28mm in the 35mm film format) and the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm ultra wide-angle lens (equivalent to an 18-36mm zoom lens in the 35mm film format). The reduced flange focal distance
of Micro Four Thirds enables such extreme wideangle lenses to be made significantly smaller and cheaper than for a traditional DSLR, because the retrofocus optical schemes can be avoided or made less extreme. On the telephoto end, the Panasonic 100-300mm zoom and Olympus 75-300mm zooms show how small and light extreme telephotos can be made. The 300 mm focal length in Micro Four Thirds is equivalent to 600mm focal length in more traditional full frame cameras. When compared to a full frame camera lens providing a similar angle of view, instead of weighing several pounds, and looking like a two large coffee cans end to end, the optically stabilized Panasonic 100-300mm lens weighs just 520 grams or 18.3 ounces, and is only about six inches long, and uses a relatively petite 67mm filter size. As a point of comparison, the Nikon 600mm f5.6 telephoto weighs 3600 grams or 7.9 pounds, is over 20 inches in length and uses a custom 122 mm filter.
While not necessarily recommended as good technique, the Micro Four Thirds lens can be easily hand held, and does not feel like wrestling with a dumbbell.
Further, both Panasonic and Olympus manufacture an adapter to enable use of any Four Thirds lenses on Micro Four Thirds cameras. While many Four Thirds lenses accept firmware updates to enable contrast autofocusing, some are slow to autofocus, and some others are manual-focus-only. A variety of companies manufacture adapters to use lenses from nearly any legacy lens mount (such lenses, of course, support no automatic functions.)
Since most Micro-Four-Thirds lenses have neither a mechanical focussing ring nor an aperture ring, adapting these lenses for use with other camera mounts will be impossible or compromised.
Olympus Corporation
is a Japan-based manufacturer of optics and reprography products. Olympus was established on 12 October 1919, initially specializing in microscope and thermometer businesses. Its global headquarters are in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan, while its USA operations are based in Center Valley, Pennsylvania,...
and Panasonic
Panasonic
Panasonic is an international brand name for Japanese electric products manufacturer Panasonic Corporation, which was formerly known as Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd...
, and announced on August 5, 2008, for mirrorless interchangeable lens digital cameras and camcorder
Camcorder
A camcorder is an electronic device that combines a video camera and a video recorder into one unit. Equipment manufacturers do not seem to have strict guidelines for the term usage...
s design and development. However, unlike the preceding Four Thirds System, it is not an open standard.
MFT shares the original image sensor
Image sensor
An image sensor is a device that converts an optical image into an electronic signal. It is used mostly in digital cameras and other imaging devices...
size and specification with the Four Thirds system
Four Thirds System
The Four Thirds system is a standard created by Olympus and Kodak for digital single-lens reflex camera design and development.The system provides a standard that, with digital cameras and lenses available from multiple manufacturers, allows for the interchange of lenses and bodies from different...
, designed for DSLR
Digital single-lens reflex camera
Most digital single-lens reflex cameras are digital cameras that use a mechanical mirror system and pentaprism to direct light from the lens to an optical viewfinder on the back of the camera....
s. Unlike Four Thirds, the MFT system design specification does not provide space for a mirror box and a pentaprism
Pentaprism
A pentaprism is a five-sided reflecting prism used to deviate a beam of light by 90°. The beam reflects inside the prism twice, allowing the transmission of an image through a right angle without inverting it as an ordinary right-angle prism or mirror would.The reflections inside the prism are not...
, allowing smaller bodies to be designed, and a shorter flange focal distance
Flange focal distance
For an interchangeable lens camera, the flange focal distance of a lens mount system is the distance from the mounting flange to the...
and hence smaller lenses to be designed. Virtually any lens can be used on MFT camera bodies using the proper adapter. For instance, Four Third lenses can be used with auto focus
Auto Focus
Auto Focus is a 2002 American biographical film directed by Paul Schrader that stars Greg Kinnear and Willem Dafoe. The screenplay by Michael Gerbosi is based on the book The Murder of Bob Crane by Robert Graysmith....
using the adapters designed by Olympus and Panasonic.
Sensor size and aspect ratio
Video camera tube
In older video cameras, before the mid to late 1980s, a video camera tube or pickup tube was used instead of a charge-coupled device for converting an optical image into an electrical signal. Several types were in use from the 1930s to the 1980s...
s). The sensor measures 18 mm × 13.5 mm (22.5 mm diagonal), with an imaging area of 17.3 mm × 13.0 mm (21.6 mm diagonal), comparable to the frame size of 110 film
110 film
110 is a cartridge-based film format used in still photography. It was introduced by Kodak in 1972. 110 is a miniaturised version of Kodak's earlier 126 film format. Each frame is , with one registration hole....
. Its area, ca. 220 mm², is approximately 40% less than the APS-C
APS-C
Advanced Photo System type-C is an image sensor format approximately equivalent in size to the Advanced Photo System "classic" size negatives...
sensors used in other manufacturers' DSLRs, yet is around 9 times larger than the 1/2.5" sensors typically used in compact digital cameras.
The Four Thirds system used a 4:3 image aspect ratio
Aspect ratio (image)
The aspect ratio of an image is the ratio of the width of the image to its height, expressed as two numbers separated by a colon. That is, for an x:y aspect ratio, no matter how big or small the image is, if the width is divided into x units of equal length and the height is measured using this...
, in common with other compact digital cameras but unlike APS-C or full-frame DSLRs which usually adhere to the 3:2 aspect ratio of the traditional 35 mm
135 film
The term 135 was introduced by Kodak in 1934 as a designation for cartridge film wide, specifically for still photography. It quickly grew in popularity, surpassing 120 film by the late 1960s to become the most popular photographic film format...
format. Thus "The Four Thirds refers to both the size of the imager and the aspect ratio of the sensor". Note that actual size of the chip is considerably less than 4/3 of an inch, the length of the diagonal being only 22.5 mm. The 4/3 inch designation for this size of sensor dates back to the 1950s and vidicon
Video camera tube
In older video cameras, before the mid to late 1980s, a video camera tube or pickup tube was used instead of a charge-coupled device for converting an optical image into an electrical signal. Several types were in use from the 1930s to the 1980s...
tubes, when the external diameter of the camera tube was measured, not the active area.
The MFT design standard also calls for being able to record multiple formats, 4:3, 3:2 (traditional DSLR formats which have origins with 35mm film still cameras), 16:9 (the native HD video format specification), and 1:1 (a square format). With the exception of two MFT cameras, all MFT cameras record in a native 4:3 format image aspect ratio, and through cropping of the 4:3 image, can record in 16:9, 3:2 and 1:1 formats. This multiple recording format flexibility is a MFT system design standard, which also incorporates seamless integration of HD video recording in the same camera body.
The 2009 introduction of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 is a digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera adhering to the Olympus and Panasonic developed Micro Four Thirds System system design standard...
camera extends the 4:3 format image aspect ratio recording capabilities to native 16:9 and 3:2 image aspect ratio formats, rather than crops of a native 4:3 image. The GH1 uses a bigger sensor matrix that uses the full diagonal of the image circle
Image circle
The image circle, or circle of illumination, of a lens is the circular area in the image plane formed by the cone of light transmitted by the lens . Within this circle is the smaller circle for which image definition is acceptable, the circle of good definition ; however, some authors make no...
in all three formats. This is called multi-aspect capability. To date, the multi-aspect sensor is common only to the Panasonic GH1 and its successor the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 is a digital camera with HD video recording capability that uses the Micro Four Thirds System. Though commonly referred to as a DSLR camera, it has no mirror or optical viewfinder, but has instead both a fold-out LCD screen and a electronic viewfinder...
.
In addition, all current Micro Four Thirds cameras have sensor dust removal technologies, but this is not exclusive to the format.
Lens mount
The MFT system design specifies a new bayonet type lens mountLens mount
A lens mount is an interface — mechanical and often also electrical — between a photographic camera body and a lens. It is confined to cameras where the body allows interchangeable lenses, most usually the single lens reflex type or any movie camera of 16 mm or higher gauge...
with a flange focal distance
Flange focal distance
For an interchangeable lens camera, the flange focal distance of a lens mount system is the distance from the mounting flange to the...
of slightly under 20 mm – half as deep as the Four Thirds system design. By avoiding internal mirrors the MFT standard allows a much thinner camera body. Viewing is achieved on all models by live view electronic displays with LCD screens. In addition some models feature a built-in electronic viewfinder
Electronic viewfinder
An electronic viewfinder or EVF is a viewfinder where the image captured by the lens is projected electronically onto a miniature display. The image on this display is used to assist in aiming the camera at the scene to be photographed.-Operation:...
while others may offer optional detachable electronic viewfinder
Electronic viewfinder
An electronic viewfinder or EVF is a viewfinder where the image captured by the lens is projected electronically onto a miniature display. The image on this display is used to assist in aiming the camera at the scene to be photographed.-Operation:...
s, or even as an option an independent optical viewfinder
Viewfinder
In photography, a viewfinder is what the photographer looks through to compose, and in many cases to focus, the picture. Most viewfinders are separate, and suffer parallax, while the single-lens reflex camera lets the viewfinder use the main optical system. Viewfinders are used in many cameras of...
typically matched to a particular non zoom "prime" lens. The flange diameter is about 38 mm, 6 mm less than that of the Four Thirds system. Electrically, MFT uses an 11-contact connector between lens and camera, adding to the nine contacts in the Four Thirds system design specification. Olympus claims full backward compatibility
Backward compatibility
In the context of telecommunications and computing, a device or technology is said to be backward or downward compatible if it can work with input generated by an older device...
for many of its existing Four Thirds lenses on MFT bodies, using a purpose built adapter with both mechanical and electrical interfaces.
The shallow but wide MFT lens mount also allows the use of existing lenses including Leica M, Leica R
Leica R bayonet
The Leica R bayonet lens mount is the standard method of connecting a lens to the Leica R series of 35 mm single-lens reflex cameras. The mount is descended from those used for the Leicaflex, Leicaflex SL and Leicaflex SL2 SLR cameras, but differs in the cams used to communicate lens aperture...
, and Olympus OM system
Olympus OM system
The Olympus OM System was a line of 35mm single-lens reflex cameras, lenses and accessories sold by Olympus between 1972 and 2002 ....
lenses, via Panasonic and Olympus adapters. Aftermarket adapters include Leica Screw Mount
M39 lens mount
The M39 lens mount is a screw thread mounting system for attaching lenses to 35 mm cameras, primarily rangefinder Leicas. It is also the most common mount for Photographic enlarger lenses....
, Contax G
Contax G
The Contax G1 and Contax G2 are interchangeable-lens cameras sold by Kyocera under the Contax brand in competition with the Leica M7, Voigtlander Bessa R, and Konica Hexar RF. The G1 was introduced in 1994 with the G2 joining it in 1996...
, Canon, Nikon, and Pentax, among others. In fact, almost any still camera, movie or video camera interchangeable lens that has a flange focal distance greater than or marginally less than 20 mm can often be used on MFT bodies via an adapter. While these so called "legacy" lenses can only be used in a manual focus, manual aperture control mode on MFT cameras, hundreds of lenses are available for use, even those that survive for cameras no longer in production.
Autofocus design
The MFT system design specifies the use of contrast-detection autofocus (CDAF) which is a common autofocus system for compact or "point-and-shoot". By comparison, virtually all DSLR use a different autofocus system known as phase-detection autofocus (PDAF). The use of separate PDAF sensors has long been favored in DSLR systems because of mirror box and pentaprism design.The Four Thirds system design standard specifes a 40 mm flange focal length distance, which allowed for using a single lens reflex design, with mirror box and pentaprism. Four Thirds DSLR cameras designed by Olympus and Panasonic initially used exclusively PDAF focusing systems. Olympus then introduced the first live view DSLR camera, which incorporated both traditional DSLR phase focus and also optional contrast detection focus. As a result, newer Four Thirds system lenses were designed both for PDAF and contrast focus. Several of the latter Four Thirds lenses focus on Micro Four Thirds proficiently when an electrically compatible adapter is used on the Olympus and the later Panasonic Micro Four Thirds cameras, and they focus on Micro Four Thirds cameras much quicker than earlier generation Four Thirds lenses can.
It had been suggested at the announcement of the MFT system design standard that the contrast-detection autofocus used by compact cameras and MFT requires powerful focusing motors and may not operate properly on at least some of the existing Four Thirds lenses designed for phase-detection autofocus. Many PDAF Four Thirds system lenses, when using adapters with proper electrical connections on a Micro Four Thirds cameras, end up focusing much more slowly than "native" designed MFT lenses. Although some Four Thirds bodies did not focus as quickly as others, or always as accurately as does contrast focus, which is a downside of phase focus, which can shift focus to the front or behind the calculated focus position for each lens. Micro Four Thirds will also focus Four Thirds lenses faster than a Four Thirds camera can focuses using the Four Thirds "Live View" focus. Most Four Thirds lenses still work on Mircro Four Thirds, and the relative speed will depend on the camera model and the lenses used. Overall native Micro Four Thirds lenses focus much faster than the majority of Four Thirds lenses. An advantage to the newly introduced MFT system designed cameras is the immediately available existing family of very high quality, large aperture, automatic exposure, autofocusing, and sometimes even optical image stabilized Four Thirds lenses made by Olympus, Panasonic and Leica.
The latest range of Olympus Pen cameras (the E-P3, the light E-PL3 and the new mini version) are claimed to be the fastest focusing removable lens cameras, including those which use phase technology (DSLR cameras). Comparative tests and the basis for all the speed improvements and whether the technology can track like a phase focus designed for sport applications are not yet known.
Advantages, disadvantages and other factors
In comparison with most digital compact cameras, Micro Four Thirds cameras are superior in that they possess larger sensors (which may offer better image quality) and interchangeable lenses. Some lenses feature wider apertures than those available on many compacts, allowing more control over depth-of-field and yielding greater creative possibilities. However, Micro Four Thirds cameras also tend to be larger, heavier and more expensive than compact cameras.
In comparison with most digital SLRs
Digital single-lens reflex camera
Most digital single-lens reflex cameras are digital cameras that use a mechanical mirror system and pentaprism to direct light from the lens to an optical viewfinder on the back of the camera....
, Micro Four Thirds cameras are smaller and lighter. However, they also have smaller sensors (and therefore typically have inferior image quality, especially in low light conditions), and often lack features such as viewfinders and built-in flash units. Micro Four Thirds cameras afford greater depth-of-field than SLRs. They are not necessarily cheaper than SLRs.
The much shorter flange focal distance
Flange focal distance
For an interchangeable lens camera, the flange focal distance of a lens mount system is the distance from the mounting flange to the...
enabled by the removal of the mirror allows normal and wideangle lenses to be made significantly smaller because they do not have to use strongly retrofocal designs.
The Four Thirds sensor format used in MFT cameras is equivalent to a 2.0 crop factor
Crop factor
In digital photography, a crop factor is related to the ratio of the dimensions of a camera's imaging area compared to a reference format; most often, this term is applied to digital cameras, relative to 35 mm film format as a reference. In the case of digital cameras, the imaging device would be a...
when compared to a 35mm film camera. This means that the field of view of a MFT lens is the same as a Full Frame lens with twice the focal length. Practically speaking, this means that a 50mm lens on a MFT body would have a field of view equivalent to a 100mm lens on a full frame camera. Said another way, normal lenses on MFT cameras would be only 25mm. For this reason, MFT lenses can be smaller and lighter because to achieve the equivalent 35mm film camera field of view, the MFT focal length is much shorter. See the table of lenses below to understand the differences better. Typical DSLR sensors such as Canon's APS-C sensors, have a crop factor of 1.6, compared to full frame's (35mm) 1.0, and Four Thirds 2.0.
Advantages of Micro Four Thirds over Four Thirds DSLR cameras
- Smaller and lighter
- The shorter flange focal distanceFlange focal distanceFor an interchangeable lens camera, the flange focal distance of a lens mount system is the distance from the mounting flange to the...
means that most manual lenses can be adapted for use, though C-mount lenses have a slightly shorter flange focal distance and are trickier to adapt. - The shorter flange focal distance may also allow for smaller and lighter lenses.
- Phase shift's forward or back focus does not occur with contrast focus, and likewise each lens does not have to be individually calibrated to each camera, which can be required for DSLR to have accurate focus.
- The absence of a mirror eliminates the need for an additional precision assembly, along with its "mirror slap" noise and resultant camera vibration/movement.
- Viewfinders can be used when filming videos.
- The autofocus performance is the same for stills and videos, so the speed is much faster than conventional DSLRs in video mode.
- Because of the reduced sensor-flange distance, the sensor is easier to clean than with a DSLR, which also have delicate mirror mechanisms attached.
Advantages of Micro Four Thirds over larger DSLR cameras
Other advantages compared with larger format sensor full frame are:- The smaller sensor size may allow for smaller and lighter telephoto-lens equivalents.
- The smaller flange distance allows for easier to manufacture wide lenses.
- Smaller and lighter cameras and lenses allow discretion and portability with high quality.
- The smaller sensor size gives deeper depth-of-field for the same equivalent field of view and aperture.
- Combination of near-professional video and still photo in one package
Advantages of electronic viewfinder
The electronic viewfinderElectronic viewfinder
An electronic viewfinder or EVF is a viewfinder where the image captured by the lens is projected electronically onto a miniature display. The image on this display is used to assist in aiming the camera at the scene to be photographed.-Operation:...
(EVF) has the following advantages, though many DSLRs also have "live view" functionality, although these function relatively poorly compared to Micro Four Thirds
- Real-time preview of exposure, white balance and tone.
- Brighter viewfinder in low light.
- The viewfinder can zoom into one's preview, which a mirror cannot do. Hence as an example, manual focus can be much more precise
- The viewfinder looks at how the sensor will see one's potential picture, rather than an optical view, which may differ
- Larger view than many optical screens
- Not reliant on a moving mirror
- No weight or size penalty for better quality of materials and design as optical viewfinder quality varies greatly across all DSLRs
Olympus and Panasonic approach the implementation of electronic viewfinders in two ways, the built-in EVF, and the optional hotshoe add-on EVF.
As of mid-2011, Olympus design has forgone the built-in EVF design, and has three available add-on hotshoe viewfinders. The Olympus VF-1 is an optical viewfinder, that slips into the accessory hotshoe. The optical angle of view is 65 degrees, equivalent to the 17mm pancake lens field of view, and was designed primarily for the EP-1. Olympus has since introduced the high resolution VF-2 EVF, and a newer, less expensive, slightly lower resolution VF-3 for use in all its MFT cameras after the Olympus EP-1. These EVF's not only slip into the accessory hotshoe, but also plug into a dedicated proprietary port for power and communication with Olympus cameras only. Interestingly, both the VF-2 and VF-3 may also be used on high-end Olympus compact point and shoot cameras such as the Olympus XZ-1
Olympus XZ-1
The Olympus XZ-1 is a high-end 10.0 megapixel compact digital camera announced and released in January 2011. Its key features are a fast f/1.8-2.5 i.Zuiko Digital lens, a built in imager shift image stabilizer and Olympus' 6 Art Filters that are also present in the E-PEN series.-Features:Key...
As of mid-2011, Panasonic G and GH series cameras have built in EVF's, while two of the three GF models are able to use the add-on LVF1 hotshoe EVF. The LVF1 must also plug into a proprietary port built into the camera for power and communication. This proprietary port, and the accessory is omitted in the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 is the eighth camera in Panasonic's Lumix G-series, adhering to the Micro Four Thirds System design standard, and was announced in June, 2011. The model number implies that it is the successor to the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2...
design. Similar to Olympus, the LVF1 is usable on high-end Panasonic compact point and shoot cameras, such as the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5, or LX5, is a high-end compact "point and shoot" camera launched by Panasonic in 2010 to succeed the LX3.- Features :The LX5 has:.* High sensitivity 1/1.63-inch CCD...
Disadvantages of Micro Four Thirds compared to DSLRs
- The sensor is 40% smaller in area (2.0 crop factor) than APS-C (1.6 crop factor) sized sensors and 75% smaller (i.e. a quarter of the area) than a Full Frame sensor (1.0 crop factor) (35mm equivalent) which can lead to lower image quality than an APS-C and much lower quality than Full Frame based DSLR cameras with a similar pixel count; typically this is seen as increased levels of ISO noise in darker situations.
- Contrast detect autofocus systems were typically slower (albeit more accurate) than the phase detect systems used in advanced DSLRs. This gap was essentially eliminated for single shot focusing with the introduction of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 and G3, followed by Olympus's 2011 cameras. Olympus now claim their 3 series of Pen cameras to be the fastest focusing kit zoom removable lens camera package, including DSLR cameras. The improved focusing relates mostly to constant distance subjects rather than subjects moving very quickly to or away from the camera, hence DSLRs remain superior for sports focusing.
- Due to the absence of a mirror and prism mechanism, there is no ability to use a through-the-lens optical viewfinder. A through-the-lens electronic viewfinder (available on all but the first Olympus Pen E-P1 model ), a separate optical viewfinder (similar to a rangefinderRangefinder cameraA rangefinder camera is a camera fitted with a rangefinder: a range-finding focusing mechanism allowing the photographer to measure the subject distance and take photographs that are in sharp focus...
or TLRTwin-lens reflex cameraA twin-lens reflex camera is a type of camera with two objective lenses of the same focal length. One of the lenses is the photographic objective or "taking lens" , while the other is used for the viewfinder system, which is usually viewed from above at waist level...
), or the universally supplied LCD screen can be used instead. - Theoretically changing lenses can expose the sensor to more dust in a 'mirrorless' camera design, compared to DSLRs which have both a mirror and a closed shutter protecting the sensor. However, mirrorless cameras have dust removal systems.
- Larger crop factor (2x multiplier versus APS-C's 1.6x) means greater depth-of-fieldDepth of fieldIn optics, particularly as it relates to film and photography, depth of field is the distance between the nearest and farthest objects in a scene that appear acceptably sharp in an image...
for the same equivalent field of view and f/stop on full frame cameras. This is a slight disadvantage in achieving out-of-focus backgrounds compared to APS-C but significant compared to Full Frame (1.0x multiplier).
Advantages of Micro Four Thirds over compact digital cameras
- Greatly increased sensor size (5–9 times larger) gives much better image quality, e.g. low light performance and greater dynamic range, with reduced noiseImage noiseImage noise is random variation of brightness or color information in images, and is usually an aspect of electronic noise. It can be produced by the sensor and circuitry of a scanner or digital camera...
; - Interchangeable lenses allow more optical choices including niche, legacy, and future lenses;
- Shallower depth of field possible (e.g. for portraits).
Disadvantages of Micro Four Thirds compared to compact digital cameras
- Increased physical size (camera and lenses are both larger due to increased sensor size);
- Extreme zoomSuperzoomThe term hyperzoom or superzoom is used to advertise photographic zoom lenses with unconventionally large focal length factors, typically more than 5× and ranging up to 15×, e.g., 35 mm to 350 mm. The largest ratio for digital SLR cameras is held by the Tamron 18–270 mm, giving 15×....
lenses available on compacts (such as 10×-30× models) are more expensive or simply not available on large sensor cameras due to physical size, cost, and practicality considerations; - Similarly, larger sensors and shallow depth-of-field make bundled macro capability and close focusing more difficult, often requiring separate, specialized lenses.
- Cost.
Micro Four Thirds system cameras
As of , OlympusOlympus Corporation
is a Japan-based manufacturer of optics and reprography products. Olympus was established on 12 October 1919, initially specializing in microscope and thermometer businesses. Its global headquarters are in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan, while its USA operations are based in Center Valley, Pennsylvania,...
, Panasonic
Panasonic
Panasonic is an international brand name for Japanese electric products manufacturer Panasonic Corporation, which was formerly known as Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd...
, Cosina (Voigtlander), Carl Zeiss AG, Jos. Schneider Optische Werke GmbH, Komamura Corporation and Sigma Corporation
Sigma Corporation
is a Japanese company founded in 1961, manufacturing cameras, lenses, flashes and other photographic accessories. All Sigma products are produced in the company's own Aizu factory in Bandai, Fukushima, Japan...
have a commitment to the Micro Four Thirds system.
The first Micro Four Thirds system camera was Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 is the first digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera adhering to the recently developed Micro Four Thirds System system design standard...
, which was launched in Japan in October 2008. In April 2009, Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 is a digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera adhering to the Olympus and Panasonic developed Micro Four Thirds System system design standard...
with HD video
High-definition video
High-definition video or HD video refers to any video system of higher resolution than standard-definition video, and most commonly involves display resolutions of 1,280×720 pixels or 1,920×1,080 pixels...
recording added to it.
The first Olympus
Olympus Corporation
is a Japan-based manufacturer of optics and reprography products. Olympus was established on 12 October 1919, initially specializing in microscope and thermometer businesses. Its global headquarters are in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan, while its USA operations are based in Center Valley, Pennsylvania,...
model, Olympus PEN E-P1
Olympus PEN E-P1
The Olympus PEN E-P1 announced on 16 June 2009 is Olympus Corporation's first camera that adheres to the Micro Four Thirds system design standard. The first camera to use the Micro Four Thirds mount was the Panasonic's G-1 camera.-Features:...
was shipped in July 2009.
Micro Four Thirds Camera introduction roadmap
| Item | Model | Sensor | Electronic View Finder (EVF Electronic viewfinder An electronic viewfinder or EVF is a viewfinder where the image captured by the lens is projected electronically onto a miniature display. The image on this display is used to assist in aiming the camera at the scene to be photographed.-Operation:... ) | Announced |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 is the first digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera adhering to the recently developed Micro Four Thirds System system design standard... |
4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.1 mp effective) | EVF; 1.4x magnification; 1.44M dots | 2008, October |
| 2 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 is a digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera adhering to the Olympus and Panasonic developed Micro Four Thirds System system design standard... |
4:3; 3:2; 16:9 (multi-aspect); 14.0 mp (12.1 mp effect) | EVF; 1.4x mag; 1.44M dots | 2009, April |
| 3 | Olympus PEN E-P1 Olympus PEN E-P1 The Olympus PEN E-P1 announced on 16 June 2009 is Olympus Corporation's first camera that adheres to the Micro Four Thirds system design standard. The first camera to use the Micro Four Thirds mount was the Panasonic's G-1 camera.-Features:... |
4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.3 mp effect) | optional hotshoe optical VF-1; 65 degree AOV Angle of view In photography, angle of view describes the angular extent of a given scene that is imaged by a camera. It is used interchangeably with the more general term field of view.... |
2009, July |
| 4 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF1 is the third camera in Panasonic's Lumix G-series, using the Micro Four Thirds System. Its body design similar to that of the recently released Olympus E-P1, the GF1 is 35% smaller than earlier G models... |
4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.1 mp effect) | opt hotshoe EVF LVF1; 1.04x mag; 202K dots | 2009, September |
| 5 | Olympus PEN E-P2 Olympus PEN E-P2 The Olympus PEN E-P2 announced on 5 November 2009 is Olympus Corporation's second camera that adheres to the Micro Four Thirds system design standard... |
4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.3 mp effect) | opt hotshoe EVF VF-2; 1.15x mag; 1.44M dots | 2009, November |
| 6 | Olympus PEN E-PL1 Olympus PEN E-PL1 The Olympus PEN E-PL1, announced on 3 February 2010 is Olympus Corporation's third camera that uses the Micro Four Thirds mount after the Olympus PEN E-P1 and Olympus PEN E-P2.... |
4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.3 mp effect) | opt hotshoe EVF VF-2; 1.15x mag; 1.44M dots | 2010, February |
| 7 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10 The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10 is the sixth digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera introduced that adheres to the recently developed Micro Four Thirds System system design standard, and the fourth Panasonic model MFT camera introduced... |
4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.1 mp effect) | EVF; 1.04x magnification; 202K dots | 2010, March |
| 8 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 - Introduction :The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 is a digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera adhering to the Olympus and Panasonic developed Micro Four Thirds System system design standard.... |
4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.1 mp effect) | EVF; 1.4x mag; 1.44M dots | 2010, March |
| 9 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 is a digital camera with HD video recording capability that uses the Micro Four Thirds System. Though commonly referred to as a DSLR camera, it has no mirror or optical viewfinder, but has instead both a fold-out LCD screen and a electronic viewfinder... |
4:3; 3:2; 16:9 (multi-aspect); 18.3 mp (16.0 mp effect) | EVF; 1.42x mag; 1.53M dots | 2010, September |
| 10 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2 is the sixth camera in Panasonic's Lumix G-series, using the Micro Four Thirds System. The model number implies that it is the successor to the DMC-GF1, although critics complain that the GF2 is not a true successor to the GF1 because the photographer's interface with... |
4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.1 mp effect) | opt hotshoe EVF; 1.04x mag; 202K dots | 2010, November |
| 11 | Olympus PEN E-PL1s | 4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.3 mp effect) | opt hotshoe EVF VF-2; 1.15x mag; 1.44M dots | 2010, November |
| 12 | Olympus PEN E-PL2 Olympus PEN E-PL2 The Olympus PEN E-PL2, was announced in early January 2011 at the CES. This is Olympus Corporation's fourth camera that uses the Micro Four Thirds mount after the Olympus PEN E-P1, Olympus PEN E-P2 and Olympus PEN E-PL1. At the time it was announced, it had a US dollar MSRP of $599.99... |
4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.3 mp effect) | opt hotshoe EVF VF-2; 1.15x mag; 1.44M dots | 2011, January |
| 13 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 is a digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera adhering to the joint Olympus and Panasonic Micro Four Thirds System system design standard... |
4:3 / 16.6 mp (15.8 mp effect) | EVF; 1.4x mag; 1.44M dots | 2011, May |
| 14 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 is the eighth camera in Panasonic's Lumix G-series, adhering to the Micro Four Thirds System design standard, and was announced in June, 2011. The model number implies that it is the successor to the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2... |
4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.1 mp effect) | N/A | 2011, June |
| 15 | Olympus PEN E-P3 Olympus PEN E-P3 The Olympus PEN E-P3 announced on June 30, 2011 is Olympus Corporation's seventh camera that adheres to the Micro Four Thirds system design standard... |
4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.3 mp effect) | opt hotshoe EVF VF-2; 1.15x mag; 1.44M dots | 2011, June |
| 16 | Olympus PEN E-PL3 Olympus PEN E-PL3 The Olympus PEN E-PL3 announced on June 30, 2011 is Olympus Corporation's seventh camera that adheres to the Micro Four Thirds system design standard... |
4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.3 mp effect) | opt hotshoe EVF VF-2; 1.15x mag; 1.44M dots | 2011, June |
| 17 | Olympus PEN E-PM1 | 4:3 / 13.1 mp (12.3 mp effect) | opt hotshoe EVF VF-2; 1.15x mag; 1.44M dots | 2011, June |
| 18 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX1 | 4:3 / 16.6 mp (16.0 mp effect) | opt hotshoe EVF LVF2; 1.4x mag; 1.44M dots | 2011, November |
Micro Four Thirds lenses
For the Four Third lenses that can be mounted on MFT bodies, see Four Thirds system lenses. For the Four Third lenses that support AF, see http://www.olympusamerica.com/files/oima_cckb/FT-MFT_Lens_Adapter_Compatibility_EN.pdf. For those support fast AF (Imager AF), see http://www.olympusamerica.com/files/oima_cckb/Imager_AF_Compatibility_Statement_EN.pdf.As of , the following Micro Four Thirds system lenses, which can be used by all MFT camera bodies, except as noted, have been released or announced with availability within 3 months of announcement:
Standard zoom lenses
Zoom lens
A zoom lens is a mechanical assembly of lens elements for which the focal length can be varied, as opposed to a fixed focal length lens...
- M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 lensM.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 lensThe M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42 mm f/3.5-5.6 is a Micro Four Thirds System lens by Olympus Corporation. It is sold as a standalone item, and also as part of a kit along with bodies for all cameras in the Olympus PEN series .- External links :* *...
3.5–5.6 (35mm EFL = 28-84mm) - M.Zuiko Digital ED II 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 lens 3.5–5.6 MSC (35mm EFL = 28-84mm)
- Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-42mm lens 3.5–5.6 (35mm EFL = 28-84mm)
- Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 14-42mm lens 3.5–5.6 (35mm EFL = 28-84mm) (announced August 26, 2011)
- Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-45mm lens 3.5–5.6 (35mm EFL = 28-90mm)
Superzoom lenses
Superzoom
The term hyperzoom or superzoom is used to advertise photographic zoom lenses with unconventionally large focal length factors, typically more than 5× and ranging up to 15×, e.g., 35 mm to 350 mm. The largest ratio for digital SLR cameras is held by the Tamron 18–270 mm, giving 15×....
- Panasonic Lumix G Vario HD 14–140mm lens 4–5.8 (35mm EFL = 28-280mm)
- Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-150mm 4.0-5.6 MSC (35mm EFL = 28-300mm)
Telephoto zoom lenses
Telephoto lens
In photography and cinematography, a telephoto lens is a specific type of a long-focus lens in which the physical length of the lens is shorter than the focal length. This is achieved by incorporating a special lens group known as a telephoto group that extends the light path to create a long-focus...
- Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mmM.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm lensThe M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6 is a Micro Four Thirds System lens by Olympus Corporation. It is sold as a standalone item, and also as part of a kit along with bodies for all cameras in the Olympus PEN series .The lens is available in black or silver...
4-5.6 MSC (announced September 2010) (35mm EFL = 80-300mm) - Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 45–175m lens 4–5.6 (35mm EFL = 90-350mm) (announced August 26, 2011)
- Panasonic Lumix G Vario 45–200mm lens 4–5.6 (35mm EFL = 90-400mm)
- Panasonic Lumix G Vario 100-300mm lens 4–5.6, Mega O.I.S. (35mm EFL = 200-600mm)
- Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 75-300mm 4.8-6.7 MSC (35mm EFL = 150-600mm)
Wide-angle zoom lenses
Wide-angle lens
From a design perspective, a wide angle lens is one that projects a substantially larger image circle than would be typical for a standard design lens of the same focal length; this enables either large tilt & shift movements with a view camera, or lenses with wide fields of view.More informally,...
- Panasonic Lumix G Vario 7–14mm lens 4 (35mm EFL = 14-28mm)
- Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mmM.Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm f/4-5.6 lensThe Olympus Corporation M.Zuiko Digital ED 9–18mm f/4-5.6 is a Micro Four Thirds System lens. In the Micro Four Thirds format, it is a zoom ranging from wide to ultra-wide...
4.0-5.6 MSC (35mm EFL = 18-36mm)
Prime lens
Prime lens
In film and photography, a prime lens is either a photographic lens whose focal length is fixed, as opposed to a zoom lens, or it is the primary lens in a combination lens system....
es
- Toy Lens 11mm f/1.4 lens 1.4 (announced May 2011)(35mm EFL = 22mm)
- SLR Magic Hyperprime 12mm 1.6 lens (35mm EFL = 24mm) (announced November 2011)
- M. Zuiko Digital ED 12mm f/2 lensM. Zuiko Digital ED 12mm f/2 lensThe M.Zuiko Digital ED 12 mm f/2 is a Micro Four Thirds System Prime lens by Olympus Corporation. In the Micro Four Thirds format, it is a wide- or ultra-wide lens....
Olympus 12mm 2.0 (35mm EFL = 24mm) - Panasonic Lumix G 14mm lensPanasonic Lumix G 14mm lensThe Panasonic Lumix G 14mm 2.5 lens is a pancake-style prime lens for Micro Four Thirds system cameras. In the Micro Four Thirds format, it is moderately wide. As of its late-2010 release, it is claimed by Panasonic to be the lightest interchangeable digital-camera lens...
2.5 ASPH (35mm EFL = 28mm) - Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 17mmM.Zuiko Digital 17mm f/2.8 lensThe M.Zuiko Digital 17 mm f/2.8 is a wide-angle, pancake-style prime lens by Olympus Corporation, for the Micro Four Thirds System. It is sold in a kit with the Olympus PEN E-P1 camera body and available separately....
2.8 (35mm EFL = 34mm) - Panasonic Lumix G 20mm lens 1.7 (35mm EFL = 40mm)
- VoigtländerVoigtländerVoigtländer is an optical company founded by Johann Christoph Voigtländer in Vienna in 1756 and is thus the oldest name in cameras. It produced the Petzval photographic lens in 1840, and the world's first all-metal daguerrotype camera in 1841, also bringing out plate cameras shortly afterwards...
Nokton 25mm 0.95 (35mm EFL = 50mm) - Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 25mm f/1.4 lens 1.4 (announced 13 June 2011) (35mm EFL = 50mm)
- Toy Lens 26mm f/1.4 lens 1.4 (announced December 2010)(35mm EFL = 52mm)
- SLR Magic 35mm f/1.7 lens 1.7 (announced August 2009)(35mm EFL = 70mm)
- M. Zuiko Digital ED 45mm f1.8 Olympus 45mm 1.8 (35mm EFL = 90mm)
- Noktor Hyperprime 50mm 0.95 lens (announced February 2010) (35mm EFL = 100mm) SLR Magic was recently tapped as a new producer of this lens as of May 2011
Macro lenses
Macro photography
Macrophotography is close-up photography, usually of very small subjects. Classically a macrophotograph is one in which the size of the subject on the negative is greater than life size. However in modern use it refers to a finished photograph of a subject at greater than life size...
- Panasonic Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45mm lens 2.8 Asph. (35mm EFL = 90mm)
Fisheyes
Fisheye lens
In photography, a fisheye lens is a wide-angle lens that takes in a broad, panoramic and hemispherical image. Originally developed for use in meteorology to study cloud formation and called "whole-sky lenses", fisheye lenses quickly became popular in general photography for their unique, distorted...
- SamyangSamyang OpticsSamyang Optics Company Limited is a Korean company founded in 1972, manufacturing optical equipment, CCTV and photographic accessories. All Samyang lenses are produced in the company's plant in Masan, South Korea...
7.5mm 1:3.5 UMC Fish-eye MFT (35mm EFL = 15mm fisheye) - Panasonic Lumix G Fisheye 8mm 3.5 (35mm EFL = 16mm fisheye)
3D lenses
Stereo camera
A stereo camera is a type of camera with two or more lenses with a separate image sensor or film frame for each lens. This allows the camera to simulate human binocular vision, and therefore gives it the ability to capture three-dimensional images, a process known as stereo photography. Stereo...
- Panasonic LUMIX G 12.5mm 3D lens 12 (35mm EFL = 65mm) when using 16:9 format on Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2. This lens is only compatible with newer Panasonic bodies. Not compatible with Panasonic Lumix DMC G-1, GF-1 and GH-1. Not compatible with any Olympus PEN digital cameras.
Digiscoping lenses
- SLR Magic 12-36x50 ED spotting scope for micro four thirds 8-25 (announced September 2011)(35mm EFL = 840-2520mm)
Pinhole
- Wanderlust Pinwide 96 - f/128 'lens' cap
Image Stabilization - Different approaches
Olympus and Panasonic approach image stabilization differently. Olympus uses sensor image stabilization, which it calls IBIS. IBIS stabilizes the image by shifting of the entire sensor. Panasonic uses optical image stabilization, which it calls MEGA OIS. MEGA OIS stabilizes the image by shifting of a small optical block within the lens.
Panasonic claims that OIS is more accurate because the stabilization system can be designed for the particular optical characteristics of each lens. A disadvantage of this approach is that the OIS motor and shift mechanism must be built into each lens, making each lens physically larger, heavier and more expensive than a comparable non-OIS lens. As of mid-2011, Of the available and announced Panasonic lenses, the 8 mm fisheye, 7–14 mm wide angle zoom, 14mm and the 20 mm primes are not image stabilized (IS).
Whilst none of the Olympus lenses have built-in IS, all Olympus Micro Four Thirds cameras have in-camera IS, and therefore all Olympus M.Zuiko Digital lenses benefit from the camera's stabilization system. The advantage with Olympus' in-body IS is that Olympus lenses are smaller and lighter than comparable Panasonic lenses, and even vintage manual focus lenses can make use of the body-stabilization when used with an appropriate mount adapter. This latter fact has added to interest in Micro Four Thirds cameras by many hobbyists, especially amongst users of traditional Leica or Voigtlander rangefinder cameras.
Lens compactness and mount adaptability
A promise of the Micro Four Thirds standard is reduced lens size and weight. Of particular interest in illustrating this fact are the Panasonic 7-14mm ultra-wideangle (equivalent to 14-28mm in the 35mm film format) and the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 9-18mm ultra wide-angle lens (equivalent to an 18-36mm zoom lens in the 35mm film format). The reduced flange focal distance
Flange focal distance
For an interchangeable lens camera, the flange focal distance of a lens mount system is the distance from the mounting flange to the...
of Micro Four Thirds enables such extreme wideangle lenses to be made significantly smaller and cheaper than for a traditional DSLR, because the retrofocus optical schemes can be avoided or made less extreme. On the telephoto end, the Panasonic 100-300mm zoom and Olympus 75-300mm zooms show how small and light extreme telephotos can be made. The 300 mm focal length in Micro Four Thirds is equivalent to 600mm focal length in more traditional full frame cameras. When compared to a full frame camera lens providing a similar angle of view, instead of weighing several pounds, and looking like a two large coffee cans end to end, the optically stabilized Panasonic 100-300mm lens weighs just 520 grams or 18.3 ounces, and is only about six inches long, and uses a relatively petite 67mm filter size. As a point of comparison, the Nikon 600mm f5.6 telephoto weighs 3600 grams or 7.9 pounds, is over 20 inches in length and uses a custom 122 mm filter.
While not necessarily recommended as good technique, the Micro Four Thirds lens can be easily hand held, and does not feel like wrestling with a dumbbell.
Further, both Panasonic and Olympus manufacture an adapter to enable use of any Four Thirds lenses on Micro Four Thirds cameras. While many Four Thirds lenses accept firmware updates to enable contrast autofocusing, some are slow to autofocus, and some others are manual-focus-only. A variety of companies manufacture adapters to use lenses from nearly any legacy lens mount (such lenses, of course, support no automatic functions.)
Since most Micro-Four-Thirds lenses have neither a mechanical focussing ring nor an aperture ring, adapting these lenses for use with other camera mounts will be impossible or compromised.
3D
July 27, 2010 Panasonic has announced the development of a 3-dimensional optic solution for the Micro Four Thirds system. Specially designed lens allows it to capture stereo images compatible with VIERA 3D-TV-sets and Blu-ray 3D Disc Players.See also
- Image sensor formatImage sensor formatIn digital photography, the image sensor format is the shape and size of the image sensor.The image sensor format of a digital camera determines the angle of view of a particular lens when used with a particular camera...
- Lens mountLens mountA lens mount is an interface — mechanical and often also electrical — between a photographic camera body and a lens. It is confined to cameras where the body allows interchangeable lenses, most usually the single lens reflex type or any movie camera of 16 mm or higher gauge...
- Lenses for SLR and DSLR camerasLenses for SLR and DSLR camerasThis article is about photographic lenses for single-lens reflex film cameras and digital single-lens reflex cameras .Furthermore, the emphasis is on modern lenses for 35 mm film SLRs and for DSLRs with sensor sizes less than or equal to 35 mm .-Interchangeable lenses:The major advantage...
- List of lens mounts
- Mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera (also referred to as "EVIL" or "compact system camera")