Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras

[Panama Hat & Camera]

I do not have a Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera and I would like to know a little more about this type of camera (I have a DSLR and three compact cameras).
Is the principle of compact cameras and Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras the same? What are the differences between Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras and compact cameras? It seems to me that the main difference is that the Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras have interchangeable lenses. The existence of other differences [sensor size; a selector with the Tv (or S), Av (or A) and M modes; RAW recording availability] depends on the model of the compact camera.
I think compact cameras are mirrorless cameras that do not have interchangeable lenses (and usually have small sensors, do not have Tv, Av and M modes and do not record RAW files). Is my thinking correct or completely wrong?
Cheers,
Antonio.

[Manfred M]

These are cameras that have sensors that are smaller than the APS-C sensors found on other brands and have a 2x crop factor. Sensor size is 18 mm × 13.5 mm. Currently these cameras are only made by Olympus and Panasonic and all use a mirrorless design. Panasonic and BlackMagic Design make dedicated video cameras around this lens design as well.

In some ways one can argue that they are an evolution from the four-thirds cameras. These were true DSLRs that were made by Olympus which uses the same sensor size as mFT, but had a different flange to sensor distance.

Some people are moving to these because they tend to be smaller and lighter than DSLRs. My Panasonic GX7 is a mFT camera.

[george013]

Don't forget to take in account the viewfinder.

George

[dje]

I think compact cameras are mirrorless cameras that do not have interchangeable lenses (and usually have small sensors, do not have Tv, Av and M modes and do not record RAW files). Is my thinking correct or completely wrong?
Cheers,
Antonio.

Antonio the term "compact cameras" is a fairly general one which refers mainly to the size of the camera. Generally though it refers to non-interchangeable lens cameras. They don't have a reflex mirror but their sensor sizes can vary from quite small to reasonably large (eg the 1" sensor in the Sony RX100). Quite a few of them have raw recording and the modes you refer to.

As Manfred has indicated, the 4/3 standard was started by Olympus and featured the so called 4/3 size sensor. You can get more info in Wikipedia if you want. Micro 4/3 introduced a new lens mount design for mirrorless cameras.

Dave

[davidedric]

I now shoot only with micro four thirds, having moved on from apsc dslr. My initial reason was to reduce weight (smaller sensor = smaller and lighter lenses, but not necessarily bodies). I would not now want to move back, regardless of weight.

You've had the explanation of the sensor, now about the cameras.

The cameras come in many shapes and sizes, but all have the basic controls that you mention. The larger bodies will have a very similar set of controls to a mid range dslr, "two wheels" for example. The smaller bodies don't have the physical space for everything, so you are likely to have to go into the camera's menu for some things. The lack of a mirror also gives the option of silent operation.

George mentioned the viewfinder: optical for dslr and electronic for m4/3. You're familiar with the dslr. The evf works differently and brings a range of possibilities either not available on a dslr or only available in live view: focus peaking and blown highlight indicators for example. You can also view the histogram before taking the shot. However, the evf is essentially a small video screen and some prefer the "real light" of an OVF.

There are many generalisations there, but I hope it gives a general idea.

Dave

[Manfred M]

The other issue that we did not discuss, but had a fairly in depth discussion on is the issue of "equivalence". As I am someone who does a lot of portraiture work at fairly large apertures, I would have to shoot with a very "fast" lens on a mFT camera versus my FF one. For the same framing, I would need an f/1.4 lens to get the same shallow DoF as I get with my f/2.8l lenses. If I wanted to get the effect of my f/2 lens, I'd need an f/1.2 mFT lens.

I also tend to shoot a lot of ultra-wide angle shots. My 14mm focal length shots would need to be taken with a 7mm shot on mFT.

On the flip side, macro or long shots can work to ones advantage on a crop sensor like mFT.

[Panama Hat & Camera]

Manfred, Dave Ellis, George and Dave,
Thank you very much for your explanations about Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras. They were very helpful to my understanding on this subject.

Manfred,
Only one correction: The size of the mFT sensor is 17.3 x 13.0 mm.

Cheers,
Antonio.

[DanK]

Manfred, Dave Ellis, George and Dave,
Thank you very much for your explanations about Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras. They were very helpful to my understanding on this subject.

Manfred,
Only one correction: The size of the mFT sensor is 17.3 x 13.0 mm.

Cheers,
Antonio.

If I am not mistaken, the sensor is 18 x 13.5, and the imaging area is 17.3 x 13.0


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[Manfred M]

If I am not mistaken, the sensor is 18 x 13.5, and the imaging area is 17.3 x 13.0


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

That is my understanding as well.

[Panama Hat & Camera]

Manfred and Dan,
I apologize for my mistake. I'm still learning about Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras. I got the information about the size of the mFT sensor on these sites.

http://shop.panasonic.com/cameras-an...1&cgid=cameras

http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/digi...5-mark-ii.html

Cheers,
Antonio.

[carll]

Hi Antonio
I have only recently entered into the M4/3 world, up till now I have been an ardent Nikon DSLR man.

I initially wanted a "second" camera but ended up starting down a whole new camera range, and really not regretting it.
The advice above is all good, I too love the EVF, this for me realised only after I had purchased the camera, opened up so many possibilities, such as adjust the exposure and see the effect before you take the shot, brilliant!

I know much is made about low light performance, however I have not found this yet to be an issue. Additionally my Panasonic GX80 has combined lens and body stabilisation that for a rank amature like myself really helps in getting a great shot.
The cameras are increasingly good for video, mine can take 4K, a feature that DSLR's are struggling to keep up with. I also think that both Panasonic and Olympus are pushing the features of cameras in a similar if not so frenetic pace as mobile cameras with the innovative features that you simply will not see on a traditional DSLR. Yes the purest will not want or need any of these bells, whistles and flashing lights, but for the hobbiest like me, they assist in taking a better photo, or maybe just let me enjoy my hobby a little bit more......

I also really love the whole size and weight thing, so much more practical for a family man who also has to carry the picnic rucksack, beach chairs etc!!!

I would heartily recommend M4/3, my DSLR has seen no photons in a few months.

Regards
Carl.

[Manfred M]

Manfred and Dan,
I apologize for my mistake. I'm still learning about Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras. I got the information about the size of the mFT sensor on these sites.

http://shop.panasonic.com/cameras-an...1&cgid=cameras

http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/digi...5-mark-ii.html

Cheers,

The website is incorrect. They are giving the image area of the sensor, not the sensor size. This is true for any sensor and in fact for any film. The negative one works with has to be smaller than the film area used for the image.

[dje]

One other piece of trivia - the native aspect ratio of the micro four thirds sensor is 4:3 which has got nothing to do with the 4/3" size. Most, If not all DSLR's have a sensor with a native aspect ratio of 3/2. The mft image can be cropped in camera to 3/2. Most compact cameras have a sensor with aspect ratio of 4/3. The reasons behind these differences are largely historical I believe, and involve early television standards and film formats.

Dave

[xpatUSA]

One other piece of trivia - the native aspect ratio of the micro four thirds sensor is 4:3 which has got nothing to do with the 4/3" size. Most, If not all DSLR's have a sensor with a native aspect ratio of 3/2. The mft image can be cropped in camera to 3/2. Most compact cameras have a sensor with aspect ratio of 4/3. The reasons behind these differences are largely historical I believe, and involve early television standards and film formats.

Dave

More trivia re: Panasonic:

"Multi-aspect ratio Like the Panasonic LX3 compact camera the GH1 now uses a multi-aspect ratio sensor. At any aspect ratio (even at 4:3) it only uses a crop from the total available sensor surface which is slightly larger than a standard Four Thirds sensor in order to accomodate the different aspect ratios. At first sight this may seem strange but the result is that the lens offers the same diagonal angle of view regardless of selected aspect ratio, making it much easier to get a feel for the behaviour of the lens. It also means you make the most of the sensor area, getting similar pixel counts in all modes."

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicdmcgh1 ... scroll about halfway down ...

[dje]

More trivia re: Panasonic:

"Multi-aspect ratio Like the Panasonic LX3 compact camera the GH1 now uses a multi-aspect ratio sensor. At any aspect ratio (even at 4:3) it only uses a crop from the total available sensor surface which is slightly larger than a standard Four Thirds sensor in order to accomodate the different aspect ratios. At first sight this may seem strange but the result is that the lens offers the same diagonal angle of view regardless of selected aspect ratio, making it much easier to get a feel for the behaviour of the lens. It also means you make the most of the sensor area, getting similar pixel counts in all modes."

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/panasonicdmcgh1 ... scroll about halfway down ...

Yes Ted I have seen this sort of info before. I think they may have abondoned it in their latest cameras but I'm not sure.

Dave

[xpatUSA]

Yes Ted I have seen this sort of info before. I think they may have abondoned it in their latest cameras but I'm not sure.

Dave

Looks like they continued in the GH2 model and abandoned it in the GH3. As to the other models, I couldn't be bothered to check ...