Micro Four Thirds Camera

Whether you have a point and shoot digital and want to progress to a model that gives you more control and flexibility or you have a DSLR and want something more compact to take along more easily, a micro four thirds camera may be a good idea. They do provide some distinct advantages and disadvantages. Here are just a few:

Small and lightweightAs mentioned above, a micro four thirds camera will offer a more pocketable device than any DSLR. It will be a bit larger than most point and shoots, but without the mirror box and with using lighter weight lenses, these cameras are much more portable than any DSLR.

FlexibleIf you are moving from a point and shoot to a micro four thirds camera, you will gain a great deal of flexibility. Especially in regards to lenses. Using an adapter, these devices can accept nearly any lens. Being able to use interchangeable lenses is only one thing that provides improved flexibility over point and shoot cameras though. Having hot shoes for flashes, microphones, and so forth is much more common on these devices as well.

Sensor SizeIf you are accustomed to using a DSLR, the sensor in the micro four thirds camera will be smaller, nearly 40% smaller, however the 4/3" type sensor is still much larger than that found in a compact cameras. For point and shoot users, it should be remembered that sensor size will have greater influence on image quality than the increasingly large number of megapixels squeezed on to the sensor. Certainly, point and shoot users should see an improvement in the image quality of low light shots in particular.

DustFor those who are accustomed to using interchangeable lenses, these devices will be familiar but for point and shoot users, a reminder may be needed that taking lenses on and off can expose the camera to dust and other infiltrates so care must be taken. Ideally the model you choose will have a dust reduction feature.OtherThere are a number of other differences such as the fact that a micro four thirds camera will eliminate problems with mirror vibration that DSLR cameras sometimes experience. In addition, unlike superzoom compacts they won't offer extreme zooming capabilities. On the other hand, they can offer video recording. For DSLR users, there is also no optical viewfinder but instead, like many cameras, these devices make use of a electronic viewfinder/LCD screen.

PriceThe pricing of these models is significantly less in most instances, than a DSLR. The lenses and sensors used are also generally less expensive. For a point and shoot user, the pricing of most micro four thirds cameras is in the middle to upper end of their typical range.