The Four Thirds System is a standard created by Olympus and Eastman Kodak for digital single-lens reflex camera (DSLR) design and development. Four Thirds refers to both the size of the image sensor (4/3") as well as the aspect ratio (4:3). The Olympus E-1 was the first Four Thirds DSLR, announced and released in 2003. In 2008, Olympus and Panasonic began publicizing the Micro Four Thirds system, a mirrorless camera system which used the same sensor size; by eliminating the reflex mirror, the Micro Four Thirds cameras were significantly smaller than the Four Thirds cameras. The first Micro Four Thirds cameras were released in 2009 and the final Four Thirds cameras were released in 2010; by that time, approximately 15 Four Thirds camera models had been released by Olympus and Panasonic in total. The Four Thirds system was quietly discontinued in 2017, six years after the final cameras were released.
The Lumix DMC-L1 is Panasonic's first DSLR camera, and was announced in February 2006. This camera adheres to the Four Thirds System lens mount standard, making it the first non-Olympus Four Thirds camera, and thus confirming that the Four Thirds System is a semi-open standard such that compatible camera bodies can be built by different companies.
The Digilux 3 is a digital single-lens reflex camera introduced by Leica on 14 September 2006. The Digilux 3 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-L1 are similar specification cameras, using the Four Thirds standard lens mount and featuring a 7.5 Megapixels live view N-MOS sensor, but the Digilux 3 has modified firmware including DNG output. Both the Panasonic and Digilux 3 cameras come standard with the same interchangeable Leica Elmarit 14–50 mm f/2.8–3.5 optically image-stabilized zoom lens. The Leica D system includes also the Leica Summilux 25 mm f/1.4 lens.
The Micro Four Thirds system is a standard released by Olympus Imaging Corporation and Panasonic in 2008, for the design and development of mirrorless interchangeable lens digital cameras, camcorders and lenses. Camera bodies are available from Blackmagic, DJI, JVC, Kodak, Olympus, OM System, Panasonic, Sharp, and Xiaomi. MFT lenses are produced by Cosina Voigtländer, Kowa, Kodak, Mitakon, Olympus, Panasonic, Samyang, Sharp, Sigma, SLR Magic, Tamron, Tokina, TTArtisan, Veydra, Xiaomi, Laowa, Yongnuo, Zonlai, Lensbaby, Venus Optics and 7artisans amongst others.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 was the first digital mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera (MILC) adhering to the Micro Four Thirds system design standard. The G1 camera is similar to the larger Four Thirds system format DSLR cameras, but replaces the complex optical path needed for the optical viewfinder with an electronic viewfinder EVF displaying a live view image directly from the sensor. Eliminating the mirror box and optical viewfinder allows for smaller and lighter camera bodies, while the less complex optical path also allows for smaller, lighter lens designs.
The Panasonic Lumix 7-14mmf/4 lens is a wide to ultra-wide angle zoom lens for Micro Four Thirds system cameras. The hood is permanently attached, preventing the use of filters.
The Panasonic Lumix 45mmf/2.8 lens is a macro lens for Micro Four Thirds system cameras. It is co-branded between Leica and Panasonic, built in Japan under Leica management.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 is a digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera adhering to the joint Olympus and Panasonic Micro Four Thirds System (MFT) system design standard. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G3 is the eighth Panasonic MFT camera introduced under the standard and the thirteenth model MFT camera introduced by either Olympus or Panasonic, as of the G3 product announcement date.
The Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 lens is a pancake-style prime lens for Micro Four Thirds system cameras. In the Micro Four Thirds format, it is moderately wide. As of its late-2010 release, it is claimed by Panasonic to be the lightest interchangeable digital-camera lens. It is the prime-lens option available with the Panasonic GF2 and GF3, and available separately.
The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12mm f/2 is a Micro Four Thirds System Prime lens by Olympus Corporation. In the Micro Four Thirds format, it is a wide- or ultra-wide lens.
The Panasonic Lumix DMC-G10 is the sixth digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera introduced that adheres to the Micro Four Thirds System (MFT) system design standard, and the fourth Panasonic model MFT camera. The G10 model was announced concurrently with its more capable sibling, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2, in March 2010.
The Olympus PEN E-P3 announced on 30 June 2011 is Olympus Corporation's seventh camera that adheres to the Micro Four Thirds (MFT) system design standard. The E-P3 succeeds the Olympus PEN E-P2, and was announced in concert with two other models, the Olympus PEN E-PL3, and the Olympus PEN E-PM1.
The Panasonic Lumix G X Vario PZ 45-175mm lensf/4.0-5.6 lens is a zoom lens for Micro Four Thirds system cameras. In the Micro Four Thirds format, it is moderately to long telephoto.
Nocticron is the brand name of Leica lenses with an extreme speed of f/1.2. Because of the large aperture size and its image stabilisation system it is possible to take images with relatively short exposure time especially in available light situations. Together with the high number of nine diaphragm blades the lens creates a strong and pleasant bokeh.
The Panasonic Leica D Vario-Elmarit 14-50mm F2.8-3.5 ASPH Mega OIS is an interchangeable camera lens announced by Panasonic on February 26, 2006. It was the first Leica lens with optical image stabilisation.
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 300 mm f/4 IS Pro is an optically corrected telephoto lens. With its extreme focal length of 300 millimetres it is the refracting prime lens with the longest focal length of the Micro Four Thirds system.
The Leica L-Mount is a bayonet mount developed by Leica Camera AG for interchangeable-lens autofocus digital cameras.
The Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 8–18 mmf/2.8-f/4.0 lens is a digital compact ultra wide angle lens for Micro Four Thirds system cameras. It is a varifocal lens branded with the German label Leica, but manufactured by Panasonic in Japan.
The name Summilux is used by Leica and Panasonic Lumix to designate camera lenses that have a maximum aperture brighter than f/2, typically at f/1.4, but dimmer than f/1.0. The lens has been in production since 1959 and carries on to the present day.
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