Is the Micro Four Thirds camera system dead?
Derek Smith • 1 June 2020
Olympus 45mm f/1.8 lens
Photo By: Derek Smith
Graylag Goose
Photo By: Derek Smith
Teasel
Photo By: Derek Smith
Ruby
Photo By: Derek Smith
Is the Micro Four Thirds camera system dead?
They were the first interchangeable lens mirrorless cameras on the market, operation of the cameras is remarkably like that of a DLSR. The cameras are significantly lighter and smaller than a DSLR, because of the smaller sensor, and absence of the mirror box.
Advantages of the Micro Four Thirds system.
The early 16mp sensor had only 81 contrast detect focus points. (The newer 20.4mp sensor has 121 cross type phase detect focus points.)
Rumours
Rumours have been circulating online, predicting the imminent death of the Micro Four Thirds camera system. I believe that the rumours have originated because of corporate changes by both proponents of the Micro Four Thirds camera system. Panasonic have diversified into producing a full frame model alongside their existing Micro Four Thirds product line, and Olympus have closed camera production in South Korea, however a brand-new factory in Vietnam has recently been opened.
History
The 4/3 sensor (not m43) was designed for DSLR cameras with the aim of creating a new, original, and entirely digital standard, that allowed the interchange of lenses and bodies from different manufacturers. The Four-Thirds name was chosen because the sensor dimensions produce images with a 4:3 aspect ratio as opposed to the 3:2 aspect ratio of SLRs. The Four Thirds sensor is 50% of the width, and height of a full frame sensor.
Panasonic and Olympus jointly designed the mirrorless camera system of Micro Four Thirds with the 4/3 sensor and identical lens mount enabling lenses from either manufacturer to be used on any Micro Four Thirds body. Panasonic produced the very first mirrorless model in 2008, with Olympus following suit shortly after.
Both Olympus and Panasonic produce Micro Four Thirds cameras of exceptional high quality with professional standard lenses for more demanding photographers. The Micro Four Thirds system is fully mature, with an extensive range of lenses available from both manufacturers.
The Panasonic G9 camera, and Olympus’s OM-D E-M1X, and the OM-D E-M1 III, are examples of class leading designs that are winning many photographers over to the Micro Four Thirds system.
Size, and weight of the camera system, while some of the camera bodies may not be much smaller than a DSLR, the lenses are significantly smaller, and lighter, owing to the smaller sensor, making a Micro Four Thirds camera an ideal travelling companion.
Price, as the lenses are smaller the manufacturing costs can also be reduced.
Stabilisation, both Olympus, and Panasonic have stabilised bodies and / or lenses producing a sharper image at low shutter speeds.
An extensive range of lenses at different price points from both manufacturers.
Increased depth of field for a given aperture, to some this may be a disadvantage, but this is an advantage for me in macro photography, and portraiture.
Disadvantages of the Micro Four Thirds system.
Noise, a smaller sensor will produce more noise in low light situations, this can be mitigated using slower shutter speeds, with a low ISO setting, and utilising the image stabilisation properties of the camera.
Cropping, the smaller sensor produces a smaller image, so paying careful attention to composition, and framing will pay dividends.
In conclusion.
All camera manufacturers are having financial difficulties at this present time, the market is shrinking, everyone now has a camera phone, why buy a camera? Canon, and Nikon are investing huge sums of money into playing catch up with mirrorless camera systems. Sony, and Fuji are relatively stable with a mature camera, and lens line-up. So, in my opinion there is little reason to believe that Olympus, or Panasonic will leave the market place any time soon.
Micro Four Thirds is very much alive, and well.
All photos taken with an Olympus OM-D E-M5 III
Louth Photographic Society
The LPA Battles competition was held last night at Axholme Camera Club, in Haxey Church Hall. I attended as the Louth Photographic Society representative, bringing the Battles prints with me. It was a closely fought contest with some excellent prints from Axholme, Barton, and ourselves. The judge for the evening was Steve Dormer, from Doncaster, and he was very relaxed in his judging of the prints, providing excellent critique on each print. At break time, Steve had held back a total of 13 prints for further assessment and award of higher points, Axholme, and Louth had 5 each prints held back, with Barton 3 prints. The attached photo shows all the held back prints on the print stand. At the end of the evening Axholme took 1 st place with, 266 points, Louth came 2 nd with 258 points, and Barton 3 rd with 251 points. As the prints were taken off the stand, one print remained, it was a Louth print titled “Sleeping” by David Whitehouse, this print was awarded 20 points, and the judge Steve was very taken with the image, well done David.
Good Morning All Last week members walked along the Swaby valley, we have done the walk before, but it is now very grown up with nettles, grass and brambles. Not put off Chris led us through the valley to Swaby, there were six of us plus three more who caught us up in Swaby. The butterflies we saw as I am finding out this year just don't want to settle but we did manage some photographs before returning and going for a drink in the Massingberd Arms. This week there is an LPA Battle at Axholme on Wednesday starting at 7.30, if anyone would like to attend, please email me for details or look on Axholme's website. We are not having a meeting in Louth this week, probably as well the way the football went last night and with the next match on Wednesday evening. Regards Graham
Last night our members enjoyed a visit to the Swaby valley nature reserve. We crossed over two fields from South Thoresby, then followed the course of the Swaby Beck chalk stream through the valley, the public footpath was bounded by dense vegetation that hindered our progress at times. There was plenty to see around the reserve, myriad butterflies flitted around in a very lively manner, making for difficult photography, I spotted several small grasshoppers, and soldier beetles in the long grass, I tried to photograph a ladybird, but it was gone by the time I focussed on the creature. It was a very enjoyable evening, with good friendly company, and our camera skills were needed for the macro photography, these are a few of my photos from the evening.
Good Morning All Last week's outing was re-scheduled due to a clash with a certain world cup match, the good news was a victory for England, however we intend to still hold the outing on Wednesday 22 nd July. I did go to the Festival of Flight at the Shuttleworth collection, Old Warden last weekend. It was too windy for some of the old Biplanes, but we were treated to a four-and-a-half-hour display featuring many planes that I had never seen fly before. The De Havilland Comet was built to compete in the 1934 race from Britain to Australia, only three were built and it's good to see it flying, the aircraft design was quite advanced for 1934. This week, Wednesday 8th July, we have another camera club outing to the Swaby Valley, meeting at 6pm. Swaby is just off the A16 heading from Louth to Skegness. Regards Graham
Last night’s Louth Photographic Societies outing to Kirkby gravel pits nature reserve was cancelled as some members preferred to watch some sporting gentleman by the name of Harry Kane. (Congratulations to the England team) The reserve is small, and simply laid out, a public footpath leads along a tree lined avenue to the river Bain at the back of the reserve. Historic sand and gravel extraction has left a large lake in the centre of the reserve, several ducks and waterfowl inhabit the lake and there is a bird hide on the shoreline. Returning to the road, there is a path running parallel to the road bounded by a hedge, insects of various types can be found in this area, damselflies, butterflies, and hover-flies are often prolific. Our outing to Kirkby Gravel pits is now scheduled for Wednesday 22nd July. Parking is on the verge by the roadside. Kirkby Gravel pits are fairly close to where I live, and it’s reserve that I often visit, these are some photos from a visit in July last year.
Good morning, All, Last week at the club we had our monthly print competition, Trees and Open. There was a very good entry with a high standard of photography on show. Tony Gaskins was first in the Open and I managed a first in the trees, all the results are on our website and there is also a blog on the evening. This week, Wednesday 1st July, we are having an outing to Kirkby Gravel Pits, if we meet at 6.30 at the reserve, though you can arrive earlier as there are usually dragonflies etc around the entrance. If we walk straight ahead first, then anyone who arrives late can find us. I have struggled to find a map, but you can see the location on the Lincolnshire wildlife Trust website. Kirkby Grave Pits is also a good reserve for birds. Tattershall Road 1 mile south of Kirkby-on-Bain Woodhall Spa Nearest postcode LN10 6YN. Please note - postcodes are for the nearest registered address as we are unable to get postcodes for nature reserves.
A print competition was held last night with the categories of "Trees" as the subject, and "Open". Our judge for the evening was Gail Wrigg from Barton who did an expert job. The first category to be judged was the "Open" with the high standard of prints making the choice of top placement difficult, and Gail held back 9 prints for further evaluation. There were some chuckles from members around one of Richard Hildred's prints of wooden electricity poles titled "In my previous life I used to be one of them" an "in" joke from Richard, which totally baffled Gail. After the break Gail judged the "Trees" category, with 7 prints held back this time for awarding of higher marks, the beautiful colours of some trees, especially the autumnal images contrasting with the stunning monochrome infrared prints from Richard Hildred. It was a great evening, with excellent prints on display, and the website Competition page has been updated with the full results.
Good Morning All Last week we visited the nature reserves at Fir Hill quarry and Muckton wood. I have written a blog report on the evening which is on our website. You can always try something a little different like I did using camera movement. This week, Wednesday 24th June, a print competition will be held, with the categories of "Trees" and "Open" and is to be judged by Gail Wrigg. The following week we have an outing to Kirkby Gravel pits. If you want advice on camera settings etc the outings are the perfect opportunity to ask other members while we all have our cameras. Regards Graham
Each year Louth Photographic Society begins a new project, one photo taken each month on a specific subject, that's 12 photos presented on "Project Night" in January. Last year the subject was "Prime Time" one photo each month taken with the same fixed focal length lens. This year the subject is water, the subject sounds easy enough, and I've completed 5 photos already, but I'm struggling a little with a photo for June. I'm currently on holiday in Corfu, an island surrounded by water which should be easy, but I'm yet to find the "definitive" photo for the project. These are my photos so far this month: Best regards Derek
Good Evening All
