The f/1.8 maximum aperture allows you to shoot in low light, and when used up close to your subject, it can deliver very pleasing bokeh and subject separation. The lens mount for 4/3rds is roughly twice that of the imaging sensor, again allowing improvements in lens design: with the lens focusing the image down to half the area before it hits the sensor, it allows the lenses to be brighter without sacrificing the size or weight advantages gained by the smaller sensor. Four Thirds is a photographic system, similar in concept to Olympus’ OM system for film photography. Four Thirds is not an open standard; Olympus controls access to the design specifications and no unauthorised third-party companies are able to use the Four Thirds logo or create supported peripherals for the system. Telephoto lenses received the biggest benefit, as a 300mm telephoto lens for a four-thirds lens offered the equivalent field of view to a 600mm lens used on a 35mm SLR. As a result, all Four Thirds lenses out-resolve in optical terms their competitors in the equivalent focal lengths.

Optically the lens is excellent, delivering contrasty images with pleasing skin tones.

Despite its relative lightweight for a medium-long range telephoto zoom lens, the Panasonic 35-100mm f/2.8 II is solidly built and weather-sealed. All Olympus DSLR bodies also feature a patented 'Supersonic Wave Filter' dust removal system, which shakes a thin layer in front of the sensor using ultrasonic frequencies. Available in black or silver – make sure this is the first micro 4/3 lens you buy, no matter the brand of your camera – it really is worth every penny. Users compose their pictures using the LCD screen only, or by attaching an optional clip on viewfinder.

For micro four thirds, a crop factor of 2 means that a 35mm frame is 4 times larger than your sensor size. Don’t let sensor size be a limiting factor to what you think you can achieve ;-), Olympus PEN E-P3 + Olympus 40-150mm f/4-5.6 | 1/800 f/8. The Micro Four Thirds System is a new standard based on combining Live View shooting with the Four Thirds System, freeing users from the viewfinder and moving closer to an optimum balance between picture quality and compact size. CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST PRICE ON THE PANASONIC 12-35MM F/2.8, Aperture: f/2 (f/4 equivalent) Focal Length: 12mm (24mm equivalent) Dimensions: 2.85 x 2.33 in. Either way, most photographers might know about this system, but certainly, nothing will help them realize the benefits of micro four thirds more than through the first-hand experience of the equipment. Whilst there are several other f/1.8 (and faster) MFT lenses available, using slightly longer focal lengths such as this 90mm equivalent, really helps to produce subject separation akin to more expensive (and bigger!)

As with most MFT lenses, overall sharpness across the frame peaks at about f/4~5.6. There’s really so many great options on offer for this intriguing format, that things can get rather overwhelming. Despite weighing less than a pack of cards, the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 II is surprisingly well-built, with an all metal body and mount that can take some knocks and drops. Disclaimer: All recommendations are impartial and based on user experience, with no bias to the products or the brand.

Even when shot wide open, the in-focus area is a forgiving 1.1m – have a play around with this handy tool to see what I mean. There are a few alternative long-range MFT zoom lenses, but for its price:performance ratio, this one is the best by far. Fails even this 1st generally accepted "open standard" criterion. This allows a photographer to either use a lens at a lower F-stop (for faster shutter speeds) or shoot at a lower ISO (for lower noise in the final image) than would be possible in 35mm or APS-C format. Normally I’d never recommend a manual focus lens for stills photography here in 2020, especially when there’s an excellent auto-focus equivalent available (in the Olympus 12mm f/2). Used wide open at its widest angle (f/4 at 40mm), the Olympus 40-150mm f/4-5.6 is impressively sharp, and becomes even sharper if you have enough light to be able to stop the aperture down to f/5.6. 20-Feb-20 YONGNUO, MEDIAEDGE, and Venus Optics join the Micro Four Thirds System … f/2.8 shot at 70mm can also produce adequate subject-separating bokeh, which looks great for portraits. The target audience is both compact users wanting something more advanced but who don’t want the bulk of a DSLR, as well as DSLR owners wanting something smaller to carry around every day. Micro four-thirds is a camera system that was developed by Olympus and Panasonic. The new kid on the block is the full-frame mirrorless camera, and the format has set the photography field abuzz with speculation and excitement.