Smaller and lighter dSLRs with the new Micro Four Thirds System

by Leonard Goh | 5 August 2008 3:50pm SGT

Olympus and Panasonic have announced a new imaging standard that promises more compact devices that won't weigh you down. The two companies are strong advocates of the Four Thirds System, with their researchers working on it together. Now, another revolution is set to take place with the announcement of the Micro Four Thirds System.

This new standard has three main benefits:

1) Approximately 50 percent shorter distance between lens mount to sensor.
2) Lens mount diameter to shrink by 6mm.
3) Increase from nine to 11 electrical contacts.

A quick overview of these features would be smaller, lighter dSLRs (yes, even smaller than the Lilliputian E-420) and more "system functionality" to be incorporated to the lens, as briefed in their press release.

Also mentioned on the official Four Thirds System Web site is that the sensors will be able to record higher-quality video clips, with the new standard able to accept current Four Third format lenses through the use of an adapter.

But will this new kid on the block bring about the demise of the current Four Thirds System? Olympus was unable to comment at press time and we were unable to reach Panasonic. Our opinion is that this is unlikely to happen as there are a good number of photographers utilizing the Four Thirds System--abandoning them would mean neglecting a whole segment altogether.

What we think most likely will happen is that the companies will still provide support and service to users of the current standard, but at the same time gradually promote their new format and slowly phase out the old dog.

We will update as more information comes our way.

Smaller and lighter dSLRs with the new Micro Four Thirds System

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