Micro Four Thirds System Standard Announced

August 5, 2008: Olympus Imaging and Panasonic have jointly announced the development of a new Micro Four Thirds System standard that will enable camera manufacturers to achieve enabling dramatic reductions in size and weight.
While the image sensor will remain the same size diagonally as the existing Four Thirds system, the new Micro Four Thirds System standard will differ from the Four Thirds System standard in the following respects:
1) Approximately 50% shorter flangeback distance (mount-to-sensor distance);
2) 6mm smaller lens mount outer diameter;
3) Electrical contacts in mount increased from 9 to 11.

The diagrams above show the differences between the existing Four Thirds System and the new Micro Four Thirds System. (Source: www.four-thirds.org)

The most significant aspect of the reduction of the flangeback distance is the elimination of the mirror box, which means cameras developed for the new system will only be able to have electronic viewfinders – assuming they are equipped with viewfidners at all. The developers have suggested the new system has been designed for Live View shooting. They have also intimated the possibility of offering the ability to record video with the new cameras, a suggestion that was first raised with the release of the Olympus E-330 early in 2006.
Under the terms of an agreement between the two companies, they will work jointly toward commercial production of significantly lighter and more compact interchangeable lens type digital camera systems. The new Micro Four Thirds System will make it possible to develop ultra-compact interchangeable lens type digital camera systems unlike anything seen before. Yet users will be able to mount their existing Four Thirds System lenses on Micro Four Thirds System bodies via an adapter – although the full functionality of the Micro Four Thirds System may not be always available because the new system has more electrical contacts. Lenses designed for the Micro Four Thirds System cannot be used on Four Thirds System bodies.
By including a greater number of lens-mount electrical contacts, cameras developed for the new system will be able to provide support for new features and increased system functionality in the future. Both companies have announced plans to develop a new generation of compact, lightweight, interchangeable lens type digital camera system products, including ultra-portable camera bodies, interchangeable lenses, and related system accessories.
Both companies will continue to develop Four Thirds System interchangeable lens type digital camera system products. For more information o nthe new system, visit www.four-thirds.org.