# What is a Micro Four Thirds Camera **URL:** https://www.compsmag.com/blogs/what-is-a-micro-four-thirds-camera/ **Author:** Ayushi Chauhan **Published:** 2022-02-08 **Updated:** 2022-02-08 **Categories:** Blogs **Tags:** Blogs Daily, guiderobert, Guides and Tutorials, guiding17, How To Guide, Tips, Tricks **Reading Time:** 8 min --- This guide is about What is a Micro Four Thirds Camera. So read this free guide, What is a Micro Four Thirds Camera. If you have query related to same article you may contact us. ## What is a Micro Four Thirds Camera - Guide Micro Four Thirds is a mirrorless, interchangeable lens camera system. It was introduced in 2008 by Panasonic and Olympus. The Micro Four Thirds camera offers photographers a smaller, more compact alternative to full-frame DSLRs. In this article, we will explain in more detail how and why Micro Four Thirds came about. We will also discuss what the future will look like for this cool camera system and whether you should include one in your tool bag. ## Micro Four Thirds Sensor Size You can see in the chart above the size of a four-thirds micro sensor compared to an APS-C or full frame sensor. With a larger sensor, you generally get a higher quality image, greater dynamic range, and a wider selection of lenses. ## How it works? Traditional DSLRs and SLRs still use much of the same technology that created photography. A manual (albeit motorized) system inside exposes a sensor for a set period, reflecting light from a mirror inside the body. When you press the shutter, the mirror flips over, the shutter opens and the aperture closes so light can pass through to the sensor. As the name suggests, mirrorless has no mirror. The light is exposed directly to the sensor which needs much less distance, allowing camera be smaller. If you remove the lens from a mirror camera the sensor is visible from the inside, on a DSLR you will see a mirror and reflector system to reflect light. Mirrorless is quieter and there is no “click” noise because there is no mirror reversal up inside. ## benefits There's a reason we hate the typical DSLR - it's heavy and bulky, even more so if you're looking at something like a D4 which, frankly, is massive. The first thing you'll notice about a 4/3 camera is that the body is tiny because it doesn't use a mirror system, it's very designed in the compact style of a point and shoot that makes it very light and small. Has most of the same features of a DSLR, like a hot shoe and manual mode as well. If you've worked with a DSLR all day, it feels like you're holding a brick in your mouth. finalmaking the mirrorless design a welcome break. To continue with the small subject, the lenses are also lighter because they don't have to produce as large an image as a DSLR sensor (remember, they're not meant for professionals, but they're easy enough for the average momtograph capturing the little Johnny's soccer game). The lack of a mirror inside means that the camera makes significantly less noise, something baby photographers and wildlife photographers will be especially interested in. These are the “new things”, which means two things – first you're getting cutting edge technology so you can even watch your photo being exposed and stop when you think you got it right like the Olympus OMD; second will cost you. New means expensive and these haven't settled on a price yet because the market is still being determined, so you can pay as much as a DSLR or a little less. These are much more portable than your typical DSLR and it's not just for the body. Lenses have longer focal lengths in smaller housings, so a 100mm is more like a 200mm on a DSLR with a full frame sensor. That means not only can you carry less, you're also carrying smaller, lighter lenses. So far, it seems like a big compromise. ## Micro 4/3 vs Mirrorless Here's the thing, a micro is technically a mirrorless one. It is a trick question in a way, but a mirrorless camera it's not necessarily a micro 4/3. It all has to do with the size of the sensor. Mirrorless cameras can have full-frame sensors, crop sensors, or micro four-thirds sensors. MFT sensors are capable of taking amazing photos, but many would say they still lag behind APS-C and Full Format in terms of quality. Autofocus systems, however, are a big problem. While the new 4/3 cameras promise to have better autofocus, it still can't beat a mirrorless DSLR or a regular one. If you're not good at manual focus or need to take pictures quickly, you might be disappointed. In fact, for casual photographers who prefer the autofocus option, this should be obvious, especially at the cost, when you can get better focus in one spot and shoot if you don't want to carry around a DSLR. Simply put, it's too smooth for a serious photographer. Another issue is post-production. The dynamic range on a full frame or crop frame or mirrorless DSLR is greater than on a 4/3, and while that's something the everyday enthusiast probably won't worry too much about, if I have to spend an extra 10 minutes. in Photoshop fixing something that could have been done in camera I will not be impressed. There is also a big issue of quality versus quantity. The quantity of lenses and accessories does not yet exist in the MFT market and the build quality is not up for most of a DSLR. I know that a DSLR housed in metal can take a good beating, especially if it's weatherproof. Looking at any micro 4/3 camera, especially with a giant lens attached, looks like an accident waiting to happen. An expensive accident. As far as lenses go, whether you choose mirrorless or standard DSLRs, there is a huge range of lenses and accessories. If you are a gadget and gizmo photographer you will be very limited as there is still no good telephoto lens available and no wide angle lens which is extremely limiting for the micro 4/3. ## Before you buy If you're still not convinced that lighter, smaller body might not necessarily be a good thing, here are a few things your Micro 4/3 will also be missing. There is no optical viewfinder. The same goes for any mirrorless camera because that's not how mirrorless works. The latest EVFs are amazing quality and some people love them. But it's worth testing it out before swapping your traditional viewfinder for an electric one. As with any purchase, you should consider what type of photographer you are. If you do a lot of night photography, think very carefully before you buy. The lack of good dynamic range can really hurt you in the long run. While it's probably good for night shots, there's no way to successfully achieve astrophotography with the sensors and lenses available. If you're doing any kind of professional photography where time = money, the extra 10 minutes of editing mentioned above multiplied by 4-500 images suddenly means a lot of extra editing. I would suggest hanging on to your DSLR for now. ## Who should buy a Micro Four Thirds camera? Here's where I think micro 4/3 will be an acceptable/great thing. If you're a photographer who wants a second camera that's the ideal. Traveling or going somewhere you don't want to risk your bulky and expensive DSLR? Perfect! Hands are tired after an extremely long day and you still don't want to spend on a mirrorless DSLR? Perfect. A micro 4/3 camera it's still cool camera but as it is a little shy than the current DSLR line up is capable not worth changing horses yet. Another reason it's worth delaying is that the technology is relatively new. Mirrorless is obviously the future when it comes to DSLR photography, but take into account the fact that it took more than 80 years to develop mirror technology and mirrorless has been around for less than 5 years. I have no doubt that we will see more of mirrorless technology becoming mainstream and whether this is like a micro 4/3 or a mirrorless DSLR remains to be seen. Get the Sony Ar7-III. That's at the time of this post, one of the newest in full frame mirrorless tech and it's already a fair step up of its predecessor. The model's popularity means that Sony's technology is getting a huge influx of money, money that can be invested in innovations to attract additional customers. While the micro 4/3 sensors are nowhere near the level of the AR7-III, the concept is the same, as they gain popularity, more gadgets will be available and the technology will improve. ## Final note I hope you like the guide What is a Micro Four Thirds Camera. 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