Micro Four Thirds
12/08/08 17:24 Filed in: Products
Olympus and Panasonic recently introduced a second version of the Four Thirds technique, the Micro Four Thirds (MFT). It utilizes the same sensor size as every other FT-camera, but the body has been designed without a mirror box, allowing a shorter flange back distance to be used. Olympus obviously has studied the sales figures and camera trends and noted several things: (1) the offensive with the E-series to invite professional imagers to adopt the FT format as a serious instrument competing with ‘normal’ dSLR cameras with APS-C and 135-format sensors has petered out. The E-3, inherently a very capable camera, did not catch on as a professional tool. (2) the extremely positive reviews of the Sigma DP1 (disregarding the actual shortcomings of that model) and (3) the good sales results for the small E-xxx series (especially the 420 and 520 models). The conclusion they reached must have been: there is room for more compact high quality cameras with interchangeable lenses (anyone noting the bulk and weight of the pro-dSLR?) and it is here that the small FT format can score points. The technique of Live View (when it matures to a useable tool) can indeed dispense with the mirror and pentaprism of the ‘classical’ slr concept.
The redirection of the scope and design of the FT format also rings the death-knell of the professional E-3 model which will linger on as a flagship presumably.
We will have to wait for real camera models to assess the true potential of this move. To claim that “Today's announcement of the Micro Four Thirds system is arguably the most significant camera-related announcement of the year.” might be a bit premature. The introduction of a new camera concept is fraught with problems and history suggests that it is hardly successful: witness the half-frame format (Olympus too), the Kodak disc system, the APS system and so on. Camera buyers are a very conservative lot and need a long period before they adopt a new camera system.
On the other hand the concept looks quite convincing: a compact camera we all want, when high quality interchangeable lenses can be used, this is even better and a good useable Live View system is certainly an additional positive aspect. Several years ago I concluded that the FT format might become the start of a modern age Barnack camera. This prediction seems to become reality now: When we would not know better,what would we think of a compact non-slr camera system with high-quality interchangeable lenses, short distance between capture surface and lens bayonet flange? Adding the coupled rangefinder we would surely conclude that this could be a new Leica camera. Live View is not to confused with a CRF system, but as a modern day alternative it just might, were it not for its cumbersome viewing method.
The redirection of the scope and design of the FT format also rings the death-knell of the professional E-3 model which will linger on as a flagship presumably.
We will have to wait for real camera models to assess the true potential of this move. To claim that “Today's announcement of the Micro Four Thirds system is arguably the most significant camera-related announcement of the year.” might be a bit premature. The introduction of a new camera concept is fraught with problems and history suggests that it is hardly successful: witness the half-frame format (Olympus too), the Kodak disc system, the APS system and so on. Camera buyers are a very conservative lot and need a long period before they adopt a new camera system.
On the other hand the concept looks quite convincing: a compact camera we all want, when high quality interchangeable lenses can be used, this is even better and a good useable Live View system is certainly an additional positive aspect. Several years ago I concluded that the FT format might become the start of a modern age Barnack camera. This prediction seems to become reality now: When we would not know better,what would we think of a compact non-slr camera system with high-quality interchangeable lenses, short distance between capture surface and lens bayonet flange? Adding the coupled rangefinder we would surely conclude that this could be a new Leica camera. Live View is not to confused with a CRF system, but as a modern day alternative it just might, were it not for its cumbersome viewing method.