The Micro Four Thirds (MFT) lens mount system is a standard for mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras and lenses, jointly developed by Olympus and Panasonic. The system was announced in August 2008 as an extension of the existing Four Thirds system, which was primarily used for digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras. The Micro Four Thirds system was designed to provide the benefits of the Four Thirds system in a smaller and more compact form factor, enabled by the removal of the mirror box and the development of a new lens mount.
Design and Development:
The primary goal of the Micro Four Thirds system was to reduce the size and weight of cameras and lenses while maintaining the image quality and performance of the original Four Thirds system. This was achieved by designing a new lens mount with a reduced flange focal distance (the distance between the lens mount and the camera sensor) of 20mm, compared to the 38.67mm of the Four Thirds system. The MFT mount also has a smaller diameter, allowing for the production of more compact lenses.
The MFT system uses a 4:3 aspect ratio image sensor with dimensions of 17.3 x 13mm, identical to the Four Thirds system. The smaller sensor size, compared to APS-C and full-frame sensors, allows for the production of smaller and lighter lenses, particularly in the telephoto range.
Compatibility and Adaptability:
One of the advantages of the Micro Four Thirds system is its compatibility with the original Four Thirds lenses. With the use of an adapter, Four Thirds lenses can be mounted on MFT cameras, although autofocus performance may be limited depending on the specific lens and camera combination.
In addition to native MFT lenses, the system is highly adaptable, allowing for the use of lenses from other systems with the help of adapters. This versatility enables photographers to use a wide range of lenses from various manufacturers, including vintage manual focus lenses.
Market Adoption and Expansion:
Since its introduction, the Micro Four Thirds system has been adopted by several camera manufacturers, including Olympus, Panasonic, and Blackmagic Design. The system has primarily been used in mirrorless cameras, ranging from entry-level to professional models, as well as video-centric cameras and camcorders.
The Difference Between Micro-Four-Thirds and Four-Thirds Lenses… Yes, They’re Different!
Micro Four Thirds and Four Thirds are two distinct lens mount systems developed by Olympus and Panasonic, both utilizing the same sensor size but differing in design and application (mirrorless vs. DSLR).
Here are the main differences between the two systems:
- Camera Type: The Four Thirds system was primarily used for digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras, which have an optical viewfinder and a mirror box that directs light to both the viewfinder and the image sensor. In contrast, the Micro Four Thirds system was designed for mirrorless cameras, which eliminate the mirror box and use an electronic viewfinder or LCD screen for image composition.
- Flange Focal Distance: One of the key differences between the two systems is the flange focal distance (the distance between the lens mount and the camera sensor). The Four Thirds system has a flange focal distance of 38.67mm, while the Micro Four Thirds system reduces this distance to 20mm. This shorter flange distance in the Micro Four Thirds system allows for the creation of more compact camera bodies and lenses.
- Lens Mount Diameter: The Micro Four Thirds lens mount has a smaller diameter (44mm) compared to the Four Thirds mount (50mm). This smaller diameter contributes to the compact design of the Micro Four Thirds lenses and cameras.
- Compatibility: While the Micro Four Thirds and Four Thirds systems share the same sensor size (17.3 x 13mm), their lens mounts are not directly compatible due to the differences in flange focal distance and mount diameter. However, with the use of an adapter, Four Thirds lenses can be mounted on Micro Four Thirds cameras. The autofocus performance of adapted lenses may be limited, depending on the specific lens and camera combination.
- Market Focus: The Four Thirds system has been mostly phased out, with manufacturers shifting their focus to the Micro Four Thirds system, which offers smaller and lighter cameras and lenses, as well as the advantages of mirrorless technology. The Micro Four Thirds system has seen a more extensive adoption, with a wider range of camera models and lenses available.