Should I stick with Micro Four Thirds or switch to a larger format before investing in more gear? Non-brand adapters should work fine, so long as they specify having electronics (purely mechanical adapters will not work). Only Panasonic's lens has image stabilization. With one notable exception, these adapters have two limitations: For certain uses however (slow-moving or static subjects), these can provide excellent low-priced alternatives to native lenses. These lenses have no electronics and so all operations (focusing, setting the aperture) must be performed manually. There are currently around three dozen lenses for the Four Thirds System standard. The stepping motor's actuator allows precise control of angular rotation, and since it drives the focusing mechanism directly without any intermediary reduction gear, it is also exceptionally quiet. With less captured light to work with each pixel output voltage requires additional amplification with associated higher signal noise, resulting in increased chromatic and color noise as well as reduced, The resolution of a sensor is often measured as the total sensor pixel count in Mega Pixels or MP. Crisp optics. *3 This circular diaphragm retains a nearly circular shape even at two stops down from the maximum aperture. Does sensor size dictate lens size with all other things equal? Protected from dust and splashes. Because of the smaller format of Four Thirds, the viewfinders tend to be smaller than on comparable cameras.[13][14]. Maximum f/2.8 aperture. The majority of Four Thirds System cameras and Four Thirds lenses are made by Olympus. Results are great. This lens captures memorable images of family events without missing a single precious moment. My main question is: Will the lenses be fully operational if I mix brands, or I won't have features like AF available? Discontinued models include: The Four Thirds lens mount is specified to be a bayonet type with a flange focal distance of 38.67 mm. I've updated the post to incorporate them. Lenses that have been discontinued are in red. Magnification (Mag) is with respect to the micro 4/3 sensor (size is generally 17.3x13.0mm), so to compare with 35mm cameras, it too should be multiplied by 2. Typically, newer lenses perform the best, as do the flagship Olympus and Panasonic bodies. They are divided into three grades — Standard, High Grade and Super High Grade. Extreme telephoto reach. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. CONSBulky.Pricey.Dim corners at widest aperture.Omits optical stabilization. Hello highlight.js! Most Four Thirds cameras (notably those manufactured by Olympus) use an aspect ratio of 4:3 rather than 3:2; newer models offer cropping to 3:2, but this results in a reduced image diagonal (i.e., the effective crop factor is then 2.08). Very wide aperture. * "Mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras" are also known as "Compact System Cameras". In particular, Four Thirds lenses can be used on Micro Four Thirds bodies with an adapter, however, "all of the functions of the Micro Four Thirds System may not always be available."[22]. Pros: Edge-to-edge sharpness throughout zoom range. Bottom Line: The Olympus M.Zuiko ED 300mm f4.0 IS PRO is the best telephoto prime lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras, and it's priced accordingly. "to walk something" meaning "to carry something"? Lacks optical image stabilization. When he's not testing cameras and gear for PCMag, he's likely out and about shooting with …. And because the system is so well established, there aren't any glaring omissions in terms of coverage. Since then, there have been a steady stream of new lenses released for the format. The goal of the new system was to allow for even smaller cameras, competing directly with higher-end point-and-shoot compact digital cameras and DSLRs. Pros: Very wide aperture. Wide aperture. These are manufactured and sold by Panasonic. The primary caveat is that autofocus speed and accuracy are quite variable - both across different lenses and across different bodies. Jim's interest in photography really took off when he borrowed his father's Hasselblad 500C and light meter in 2007. My advisor cited her colleague's papers in her own methodology even though she did not use those methods. The size of the sensor is significantly smaller than for most DSLRs and this implies that lenses, especially telephoto lenses, can be smaller. 2014/06/26* The company names and product names in this web site are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. 10.7x high-power zoom lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras, Stylish metal lens barrel has a luxurious appearance and is a hallmark of high quality construction, The essence of Tamron technology in a compact, all-in-one™ zoom that minimizes aberrations and maximizes image quality, A Stepping Motor for quick, quiet auto-focusing. rev 2020.9.28.37683, The best answers are voted up and rise to the top, Photography Stack Exchange works best with JavaScript enabled, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site, Learn more about Stack Overflow the company, Learn more about hiring developers or posting ads with us. The smaller flange focal distance allows for more compact normal and wide angle lenses. The name of the system stems from the size of the image sensor used in the cameras, which is commonly referred to as a 4/3" type or 4/3 type sensor. Is there a Micro Four Thirds to Four Thirds Adapter? Specifications, appearance, functionality, etc. is a sharp, compact lens with a wide aperture and all metal build, but it does exhibit a little bit of distortion. Wide aperture. The reason is that a smaller pixel has a disproportionately smaller light sensitive area because the pixel loses a larger proportion of its total area to secondary circuitry and edge shading than a larger pixel. Manual aperture ring. Protected from dust, splashes, and cold temperatures. The Four Thirds System describes may aspects of the camera: sensor size (a 4/3"-type sensor); lens mount geometry (diameter, flange focal distance, bayonet design; and even lens design (image-space telecentric). Bottom Line: The Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 ASPH. The Olympus M.Zuiko ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS PRO delivers top-notch optical performance at all but its widest angle, making it one of the best long zoom lenses we've tested. Includes tripod collar. Solid build quality. Internal zoom design. Was it common that the bridges of ditches or creeks had guarding gates in 1929? *2 Length is the distance between the front tip of the lens and the mount face. Sealed against dust and moisture. Just a footnote, but the flash communication protocol of the hotshoe is also identical across brands. Does Nocticron image stabilization works with non-Panasonic bodies? Pricey. That's no longer the case. Includes removable tripod collar. A wide variety of adapter are available for micro 4/3 allowing the use of practically any lens on micro 4/3 bodies. The Four Thirds System describes may aspects of the camera: sensor size (a 4/3"-type sensor); lens mount geometry (diameter, flange focal distance, bayonet design; and even lens design (image-space telecentric). Distortion controlled through most of zoom range. No distortion. 7artisans 7.5 mm f/ 2.8 Lens mounts: Micro 4/3 0 0 0 Posted by: Andreas Lindemann. Any manufacturer making a "Four Thirds System" camera or lens is building to the same specification. You can mix & match lenses from different manufacturers, with just a few caveats. Lenses within each grade cover the range from wide-angle to super telephoto. You're still giving up the optical viewfinder, but more and more midrange models include integrated electronic viewfinders, and that technology has also improved by leaps and bounds. Cons: Distortion, edge softness, and dim corners at 12mm. 20-Feb-20 YONGNUO, MEDIAEDGE, and Venus Optics join the Micro Four Thirds System Standard Group. Lens design has been tailored to the requirements of digital sensors, most notably through telecentric designs. About Micro Four Thirds >. Not a big deal though, unless you want to maintain answer with all the bodies that Panasonic is going to release :). Incidentally, the imaging area of a Four Thirds sensor is almost identical to that of 110 film. Optical stabilization system. This formula reduces aberrations to a bare minimum to achieve exceptional class-leading image quality. Is it possible for series connected battery cells to provide different currents? Here’s the list of the best micro four thirds lenses for travel photography : 1. This corresponds to a line pair distance of 10. Minimal distortion. Best Micro Four Thirds Lenses for Travel Photography. CONSShows some barrel distortion.Corner and edge dimness.Omits filter support.Big and heavy.Expensive. Additionally, there are now a number of Canon EF 'smart' adapters which provide both autofocus and auto-aperture (aperture control from the camera body) for most EF and EF-S lenses on most micro 4/3 cameras. Sharp from edge to edge at f/1.2. From an image resolution point of view, a large sensor consisting of small sensor pixels is therefore desirable. Stack Exchange network consists of 176 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. Very sharp from edge to edge. The common inch-based sizing system is derived from vacuum image-sensing video camera tubes, which are now obsolete. Best Hosted Endpoint Protection and Security Software, Read Olympus M.Zuiko ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS PRO Review, Olympus M.Zuiko ED 40-150mm f2.8 PRO Review, Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm F1.2 Review, Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO Review, Olympus M.Zuiko ED 300mm f4.0 IS PRO Review, Olympus M.Zuiko ED 12-100mm F4.0 IS PRO Review, Olympus M.Zuiko ED 8mm F1.8 Fisheye PRO Review, Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f2.8 Macro Review, Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 ASPH. Consider this is you're using long lens with Panasonic's body. As of August 2020, there are currently more than 150 different lens models available in the micro 4/3 mount (64 of them with autofocus), and more are steadily being added. Review, Nikon Bolsters Z System With 50mm F1.2 and 14-24mm F2.8 Lenses, Sigma Adds 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art Lens for Mirrorless Camera Systems. CONSDistortion, edge softness, and dim corners at 12mm.Bulky.Pricey. [19] The following table lists all Zuiko Digital lenses available at the time Olympus stopped Four Thirds production:[20]. If you're in the market for a new mirrorless body, take a look at the Best Mirrorless Cameras we've tested. Note a few Panasonic cameras have in-body image stabilisation, eg the GX7 and GX8. But you can use MTF charts as a scale to measure lens performance. How to add text to tail of arrow, over middle of arrow, and at curvature of arrow, Render appears to have z-fighting but render view doesn't, How to divide their loot? In an interview John Knaur, a Senior Product Manager at Olympus, stated that "The FourThirds refers to both the size of the imager and the aspect ratio of the sensor". Manufacture of Four Thirds cameras came to an end after the introduction of the mirrorless Micro Four Thirds format. Protected from cold, dust, and splashes. Lack of optical stabilization an issue for Panasonic Micro Four Thirds shooters. This product conforms to the "Micro Four Thirds System Standard" established by Olympus Imaging Corporation and Panasonic Corporation. By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. Autofocus may be accomplished via a contrast detection process using the main imager, again similar to digital compact cameras. The Olympus M.Zuiko ED 40-150mm f2.8 PRO is the perfect telezoom for Olympus Micro Four Thirds shooters, even though Panasonic owners will be turned off by its lack of in-lens stabilization. A live preview is shown on either the camera's main liquid-crystal display or via an electronic viewfinder, as in digital compact cameras. Pergear 35 mm f/ 1.6 Lens mounts: Micro 4/3, Sony E, Other mount, FujiFilm XF 4.6 0 0 Posted by: Andreas Lindemann Add to comparison list Minolta MD 200 mm f/ 4 Lens mounts: Minolta SR (MD, MC) 0 0 0 Posted by: Brandon Review, Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm F2.8 ASPH. 12-100mm may seem like an odd – if useful – focal range, but against a Micro Four Thirds sensor this provides what a 24-200mm lens would give you on a full-frame camera. Is there a way to measure the degree of similarity between two columns? Many Four Thirds cameras use "sensor-shift" in-body image stabilization, making the need for image stabilization technology in its lenses unnecessary. If you have a Micro Four Thirds camera, you've got a lot of lens choices. Solid lines show performance in the sagittal (radial) direction while dotted lines indicate performance in the meridional (circumferential) direction. The Voigtlander Nikon Micro 4/3 adapter will work with 99.99% of all Nikon SLR lenses by any manufacturer EXCEPT G series lenses which do not have the necessary aperture ring to control the f/stop and lenses which protrude so deeply into the Nikon body that mirror lock up is required. 1:3 macro capability. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. For example, many lenses designed by Olympus for the Four Thirds System contain internal rectangular baffles or permanently mounted "petal" lens hoods that optimise their operation for the 4:3 aspect ratio. Pros: Maximum f/2.8 aperture throughout zoom range. The usual size of the sensor is 18 mm × 13.5 mm (22.5 mm diagonal), with an imaging area of 17.3 mm × 13.0 mm (21.63 mm diagonal). The imaging area of a Four Thirds sensor is equal to that of a video camera tube of 4/3 inch diameter.[3]. Early Micro Four Thirds models were a lot slower than SLRs in terms of focus and performance. Terms of use. Cons: Expensive. BlackMagic leverages the standard for video cameras, DJI and Yuneec use it for drones, and Kodak and YI have joined in with traditional mirrorless cameras that work with all Micro Four Thirds lenses as well. Manual focus clutch system. Compact. Micro four thirds lens and camera compatibility. Bottom Line: The Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm F2.8 ASPH. Thanks for contributing an answer to Photography Stack Exchange! Cons: Some edge softness unless stopped down. In addition to the lenses above which are intended for general-purpose photography, there are a number of lenses available in micro 4/3 mount that are designed for specific uses or effects. It is ordered by focal length. Bottom Line: The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f2.8 Macro is a compact lens that allows you to bring tiny objects into sharp focus. Release Date PROSUltra-wide field of view.Maintains f/4 when zoomed.Very sharp. Bulky. *1 Case of aspect ratio "4:3" Incorrect. Next, I’ll go over the best lenses you might want in your kit, and then you probably should pick a one or two lens solution for your style of photography. Canon FD, Nikon F (G lenses require special adapters), MD/MC, Leica M, M42 Screw Mount, and C-mount Cine lenses to name a few are all easily adaptable to the Micro Four Thirds system with glassless adapters resulting in no induced loss of light or sharpness. Strong image stabilization system. Many lenses are extensively computerised, to the point that Olympus offers firmware updates for many of them. Some Olympus manufactured camera bodies also feature phase detection auto focus built into the sensor. High Grade lenses have faster maximum apertures, but are significantly more expensive and larger, and the Super High Grade zooms have constant maximum aperture over the full zoom range; all but the Standard grade are weather-sealed. Generally speaking, any micro 4/3 lens will be fully functional on any micro 4/3 body. aperture of f/11, limited availability, Min. I'm thinking about switching from DSLR to Micro 4/3, and I've found several brands of cameras and lenses, and I want to know if I buy a camera from a specific brand, will I be stuck to that brand lenses? Photography Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for professional, enthusiast and amateur photographers. Functionality is essentially identical and mixing and matching among adapter vendors (say a Panasonic adapter with an Olympus body) is fine. Any manufacturer making a "Four Thirds System" camera or lens is building to the same specification. For instance, the Panasonic GH1 uses a multi-aspect sensor designed to maximize use of the image circle at 4:3, 3:2, and 16:9; each ratio having a diagonal of 22.5 mm. may be changed without prior notice. An official list of available lenses can be found on Four-Thirds.org web site.[21]. There are a few caveats though: The list is divided between autofocus and manual focus lenses, and between prime and zoom lenses. Cons: Pricey. 10.7x high-power zoom lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras A single lens that can capture almost any subject in exquisite detail Focal length: 28mm Exposure: F7.1 (+0.3) 1/250sec ISO 200 . The closer the 30 lp/mm curve (the thin line for high frequency) to "1" (the higher up), the higher the resolving power and thus the subjective sharpness of the lens will be. He honed his writing skills at retailer B&H Photo, where he wrote thousands upon thousands of product descriptions, blog posts, and reviews. The image sensor format, between those of larger SLRs and smaller point-and-shoot compact digital cameras, yields intermediate levels of cost, performance, and convenience. Bottom Line: The Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm F1.2 is the best Micro Four Thirds lens we've seen for portraiture thanks to impeccable sharpness and a wide aperture. Are micro four thirds lenses fully interchangeable between brands? Walk Around and Street Lenses. Mirrorless cameras were originally developed as lightweight alternatives to SLRs. Micro Four Thirds™ and the Micro Four Thirds logo marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Olympus Imaging Corporation, in Japan, the United States, the European Union, and other countries. Building an impressive 10.7x zoom range into an ultra-compact lens body is made possible by adopting a more sophisticated multi-stack-cam layout. No noticeable distortion. The designation 4/3 is about the sensor size. MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) curves describe to what extent the tested lens can faithfully reproduce contrast of the subject in images it captures. Key: Currently available lenses are labeled blue.