Although Panasonic introduced a couple of Micro Four Thirds cameras in 2008, it was the arrival of the Olympus EP1 and Panasonic GF1 in the second half of 2009 which really launched the format, and led to the rise of other mirrorless cameras from the likes of Sony and Fuji.
We were in at the start, and I still have my rather battered GF1 and she who must be obeyed will not let me sell her pristine EP1. And now, four years on, it is enlightening to stick them next to the latest and greatest Micro Four Thirds Camera, the E-M1.
With the new 12-40mm F2.8 lens attached, you have a powerhouse of capability on your hands. A camera with more configuration options than you need, a wonderful EVF, highly effective stabilisation, instant auto-focus and an image quality that can have you printing up to A1 size before bigger sensors start to beat you. Then there is the lens, a constant F2.8 and an IQ that beats other zooms into the ground and keeps pace with the best of the primes (based upon an afternoon of testing). What’s not to like?
Well, it may still be miniature compared to a DSLR with equivalent lens attached; but the E-M1 with the 12-40mm is substantially larger than the GF1 with a 14-45mm; almost twice the weight, and more than twice the price. And that’s “progress”?
You could put the GF1 and the 14-45mm in the hands of a great photographer, and they would still produce art with it; whereas you could put anything in my hands and the best you could hope for would be competent snaps. Still, I love the E-M1 and that’s what’s important to me. Can’t wait to take it around the streets of Kyoto in a week or so.
But if you think Micro Four Thirds is getting too big, there are still the miniature options available, like this:
It’s the new Panasonic GM1, the smallest Micro Four Thirds camera by far; with a very capable new 12-32mm zoom lens attached. Controls are almost entirely via the rear screen; but it has the latest sensor from the GX7 inside so should be capable of excellent images once you stop fumbling with the controls.
Outside our little Micro Four Thirds world, Sony will now sell you a “full frame” body which is not much larger than an E-M1 (but good luck with the lenses) and Nikon will sell you something that looks like the bastard child of an illegal coupling of an over-dialed film camera and a modern DSLR. It’s called the Df (the “f” stands for “fuck-up”, although Nikon pretends it stands for “fusion”). And Canon will sell you… well, nothing of interest.
Comments 🔗
2013-11-09| Andrew saysYeah the Nikon was a huge disappointment - a bazillion dials upon dials AND an LCD screen to tell you what the dials are set at - definitely from “The Department Of Redundancy Department “…and the price of all this “progress” is starting to hit eye-watering levels - seems to be based on 50% of Leica price so it seems like a bargain but is approaching " well, it’s cheaper than a new car! " levels…
2013-11-09| dude saysI like the idea of a “purist” photo-camera. No scene modes, no movie modes, no art filters, no wifi… But I don’t understand why every dial has to be locked. I never accidentally turned the exposure-mode-dial on my GX1. The DF looks like it’s difficult to use… (talking about looks: I think the silver version looks terrible) Of course I didn’t hold one in my hands. Maybe it’s amazing! I love all the fun features of modern cameras but the only thing I really use is A-(and sometimes M-) mode.
2013-11-09| dude saysoh wait - the virtual-horizon feature and histogram are turned on almost always. Some gimmicks are actually useful. My bad.