Tag archive: Micro Four-Thirds

We had the opportunity to briefly go hands-on with the Olympus OM-D E-M5 last month at CES. While we’re anxious to put the real deal to the test, we had a few observations about Olympus' latest Micro Four Thirds camera. Suffice it to say we’re excited. Size Probably the most surprising thing about the E-M5 was its size and weight. We have had a lot of experience with the PEN series, particularly the E-P3. The E-P3 was — until now — the… Read More

The Lumix GX1 (not to be confused with the Canon G1 X) is Panasonic’s latest ICL release and one of the newest cameras to hit the micro four-thirds market. Panasonic’s been in on this segment since the beginning, along with the Olympus PEN series, but hasn’t risen to quite the same esteem as some newer entries. We’ve seen manufacturers fill out their MFT lineups: those meager first tip-toes into this territory are now fleshed out series,… Read More

This morning, Wells Fargo likely incurred the wrath of a few camera companies attending CES by accidentally leaking new releases via its advisor news (Canon Rumors is in the process of tracking down where Wells Fargo got the information). The story has since been pulled, but not before we (and the rest of the Internet) got a look at what’s to come. And what’s to come looks good. Namely, the G1X from Canon. Canon has long been quiet on the “third… Read More

It’s definitely not a catch-all, but the size of a photographer’s camera used to be indicative of his professionalism. That simply can’t be said anymore. The DSLR has had its come-uppance in the form of high-end, manual point-and-shoots and micro-four-thirds devices. Hybrid, category-defying cameras like the Fuijfilm X100 and barrier-breaking machines like the Sony NEX-7 mean that the old faithfuls of the market have more to compete with than… Read More

It’s not all bad news for Olympus—or at least fans of its digital camera products. As rumors of a sale to Fujifilm hit this morning, the company also announced its new micro-four-thirds lens. The M.ZUIKO digital ED 12-50mm F3.5-6.3 is a hybrid product for the MFT series: it’s both an electric and manual zoom lens. With a zoom ratio of 4.2x, it should be versatile in a few other ways as well. Wide-angle and telephoto-range shots can be… Read More

We recently reported that various signs (including some revealing leaked photos) point toward a mirrorless, interchangeable lens camera from Fujifilm in our near future. Rumor has it the device, while sharing various similarities with its MFT brethren from Olympus, Sony, Panasonic, and Nikon, will actually sport an APS-CMOS sized sensor. That sets it considerably apart from this competition (with the exception of the Sony NEX-7, which has a… Read More

Well look what we have here. Fujifilm could be the latest digital camera manufacturer to offer up an interchangeable lens, mirrorless camera, according to these leaked images. The photos first showed up on the Chinese forum Xitek (they've since been removed), and it looks like it could have been taken right at the factory itself. While Panasonic, Olympus, and Sony have become the more veteran purveyors of the MFT/mirrorless market, some… Read More

Panasonic has announced two new additions to its Lumix digital camera line that should—just barely—arrive in time for the end-of-year gift-giving season. The Lumix 3D1 is a dual-lens compact camera that can either capture 3D images or shoot video and stills simultaneously, while the larger Lumix GX1 adds features designs for more serious photographers, along with excellent low-light response. First up, the Lumix 3D1 features a… Read More

A study from the NPD group shows that micro four thirds cameras, while still trailing behind traditional digital cameras in sales, are fueling consumer interest. The research groups Next Camera study “revealed that two-thirds of consumers interested in a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera and willing to spend $500 said it would replace the purchase of a point-and-shoot camera. Nearly a quarter said it would replace a DSLR… Read More

Turns out Lytro isn’t the only one that wants to change the camera industry. There are a veritable slew of concept devices out there that may someday show up on store shelves. While these cameras all have innovative designs and eye-catching features, the possibility them of ever making it into consumers’ hands varies widely. Throwable panoramic ball camera First things first: The team behind this patent-pending technology will need to find a… Read More

The rumors were true and Nikon will indeed be launching a mirrorless camera system. Named the Nikon 1 system, two models will be introduced in the US starting October 20. Both cameras will feature Nikon’s new CX image sensor and mount. Surprisingly, Nikon will opt for a smaller CMOS sensor than many competitor Micro Four Thirds lineups sport, and it will measure in at 1/1.7-inches. The result: More pocket-friendly cameras than rival series like… Read More

Panasonic has released firmware that will upgrade seven of its Lumix G interchangeable lens series to HD quality. This means videos will be smoother and won’t suffer autofocus lag or noise, and Panasonic says its optical image stabilizer technology will be enhanced by the upgrade. It’s an all-around bonus for Lumix G-series users, a high-end device that nails stills but can’t quite compete with dedicated cameras for video recording. It’s a… Read More

Despite mild protestations (if you can even call them that), excitement over Nikon possibly entering the interchangeable lens market continues to build. And who can blame Nikon for wanting a piece of this action? Mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras are a trendy item at the moment, not to mention hot sellers. Olympus and Sony are home to the popular PEN and NEX series, respectively, and Pentax and Panasonic have their own lineups as well. But… Read More

The Olympus PEN series is one of the most popular Micro-Four-Thirds, high-end compacts out there – and they know it. That's why we're getting three new PEN cameras from the manufacturer. The lineup will now include the E-P3, the E-PL3, and the E-PM1. E-P3 The E-P3 is its new flagship PEN and uses the same look as its predecessors, now featuring an optional faux leather grip to attach to the chassis. Otherwise it looks quite… Read More

Camera maker Pentax has taken the wraps off the Pentax Q, a new compact camera that sports interchangeable lens technology with a body size that's no larger than a pocketable consumer-oriented point-and-shoot camera. For years, serious photographers have preferred DSLR cameras for their ability to use specialized lenses to get top-quality photos, and companies like Olympus and Panasonic have adopted the Micro Four Thirds system to reduce… Read More