What is it about Four Thirds and Micro Four Thirds...

I rarely read or join camera forums for specific cameras since I rarely find anything interesting there. They're not about photography. They're about cameras. We all have "the one (or more)" that works for us and that's not going to be the same for all people.

Today we have digital cameras that look like 35mm SLR's and rangefinders but with different sensor sizes, megapixels, technologies and so on. It was easier in 35mm days. One film format. Cameras had to distinguish themselves from one another with lenses and features.

I'll admit right off that I like the Olympus system going all the way back to the OM's. Not all Olympus cameras and lenses but there were and are quite a few gems. When it came time to get a digital SLR I read all the reviews and all the articles and specs and came away with a whole lot of nothing - mostly confusion. Each camera system had its strengths and weaknesses.

So, why Olympus again? Because it was a clean sheet design. The Four Thirds "thing" wasn't as important as the idea that the body and lenses were designed to work together. This wasn't a modified OM with a sensor trying to use OM lenses. Olympus is also well respected for their lens designs and image quality. There may not be many lenses but they are all good lenses. The point is I know that any sensor of any size is only as good as the lenses in front of it.

When it came time to choose between Olympus and Panasonic it really came down to two things. I know both companies make excellent systems. I wanted the optical stabilization built into the body, not the lenses. The other was "feel". The Olympus cameras simply felt better in my hand.

The greater point to all this is that when you consider a digital SLR or interchangeable lens compact you need to look at the entire package. It's not always about the biggest sensor, highest megapixel count, amount of lenses, highest ISO or latest trick feature. The whole thing has to make sense from the moment you pick it up to the moment you finish post production.

In the end - it's all about the image. The image has to stand for itself. Nobody ever said "that's a great image because it was shot with a...." Don't count out Four Thirds or Micro Four Thirds cameras until you try them. You may discover that they're quite good.