What is it?

The Four Thirds system is a standard created by Olympus and Kodak for DSLR design and development. Name Four Thirds stands for the diagonal of the sensor in inches. It was introduced to reduce DSLR camera and lens size.

The Micro Four Thirds is introduced by Olympus and Panasonic in 2008. Thanks to the live view this standard uses no mirror any more and it reduces size even more.

There are lenses produced for both the systems – 4/3 and M4/3. Flange distance in Micro Four Thirds is smaller, therefore 4/3 lenses can be used on M4/3 cameras with adapter. Olympus MMF-1 adapter maintains the ability to control AF and aperture via camera.

 

Why do I have to know it?

Micro 4/3 has joined filmmaking recently, when Panasonic introduced Lumix DMC-G1 in september 2008. Up till end of 2010 it was small part of filmmakers who enjoyed the Panny look of G1,G2 & GH1. Majority joined the 5DMkII party thanks to Full Frame aesthetics and sensitivity. Of course every DSLR-grapher has got tired of limitations of stills camera in motion picture projects. Therefore arrival of Panasonic AF100 is breaking point – many filmmakers will leave DSLR filmmaking due to limitations in audio, handling and controls.

Pros and Cons

Nothing in this world is perfect. Also 4/3 has it’s Pros and Cons:

+)due to sensor size 4/3 is not so shallow focused as FF35 – it helps in documentary situations to keep the situation sharp

+)4/3 and M4/3 Lenses are compact and lightweight

+)It is easy to design fast 4/3 lenses

-) due to sensor size 4/3 is not so shallow focused as FF35 – some people may choose larger sensor for more blurred backgrounds and foregrounds.

-) Other DSLR lenses are used with crop factor 2. Therefore hard to cover wide angle from your previous DSLR lens collection – e.g. Nikon AI Primes or similar.