Olympus and Panasonic Micro Four Thirds: 50% slimmer cameras

Olympus and Panasonic are to launch Micro Four Thirds; this is a new mirrorless format for DSLRs. This lens mount is based on the Four Thirds standard and will use the same advanced standard as the 18 x 13.5-mm sensor.

There is one major difference with the new Olympus and Panasonic Micro Four Thirds, they will be 50% slimmer that other cameras. The reason that these new cameras will be able to be so thin is because of the removal of the mirror box.

The new system should also allow the lenses to be much smaller as well, this is thanks to a 6mm smaller lens mount. Now that the mirror box has been removed, there will not be an optical viewfinder, so you will have to track your subject using the LCD display.

For those of you who know a lot about cameras, you will know that this announcement from Olympus and Panasonic is huge. Dpreview Reviews Editor, Phil Askey says “This is without doubt the most exciting digital photography announcement this year. It’s fair to say that this “extension / addition” to the Four Thirds standard is finally able to deliver on the original promise of that format; considerably smaller and lighter lenses and bodies.”

As yet there are no details or model information, but we will keep you informed.