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Table of Contents01. Intro |
Micro FourThirds Press Release
The global market for interchangeable lens type
digital SLR cameras is growing steadily, but still only accounts
for a 7% share of the total digital camera market. Considering the much larger
share held by interchangeable lens type SLR camera
systems when film was the dominant imaging medium, it seems that there is still
ample room for sales growth in the category. But compact digital cameras
continue to offer an expanding range of features and performance, and market
surveys indicate that customers choose compact models because they
find digital SLR cameras to be "big, heavy, and difficult to
operate."
Recognizing
this market trend, Olympus Imaging and Panasonic have introduced products based
on the Four Thirds* System standard, and have led the
industry in bringing features such as Live View and contrast-detection
autofocusing systems to interchangeable lens type digital camera systems.
Now,
Olympus Imaging and Panasonic are expanding the potential of the Four
Thirds System standard even further, enabling the development of radically more
compact and lightweight interchangeable lens type digital camera systems based
on the Micro Four Thirds System standard. Together with the existing range of
Four Thirds System products, the new range of Micro Four Thirds System products
will enable customers to enjoy true interchangeable lens type digital camera
system performance.
When
compared to the Four Thirds System standard, the primary distinguishing
characteristics of the Micro Four Thirds System standard are:
1) Approximately 50% shorter flangeback distance (mount-to-sensor
distance)
2) 6mm smaller lens mount
outer diameter
3) Electrical contacts in mount
increased from 9 to 11
* Image sensor diagonal dimensions are the same for both Four Thirds System and Micro Four Thirds System standards. The Micro Four Thirds System enables users to
enjoy the high image quality benefits of the Four Thirds System's 4/3-type
image sensor in a much more compact camera body, and also take advantage of
significantly more compact lenses, particularly in the wide-angle and
high-power zoom range. The Four Thirds System offers compact, lightweight
performance, and the new Micro Four Thirds System will take this even further
by making it possible to develop ultra-compact interchangeable lens type
digital camera systems unlike anything seen before. The new Micro Four Thirds
System also incorporates a greater number of lens-mount electrical contacts,
enabling support for new features and increased system functionality in the
future.
In addition, users will
be able to mount their existing Four Thirds System lenses on Micro Four Thirds
System bodies via an adapter.
Moving
forward, Olympus Imaging and Panasonic will jointly develop relevant
technologies and devices for both Four Thirds System and Micro Four Thirds
System standards, and will develop and introduce standards-compliant products
in accordance with their respective business strategies.
While
continuing to develop Four Thirds System interchangeable lens type digital
camera system products, Olympus Imaging will also develop a range of Micro Four
Thirds System lenses and accessories, and Micro Four Thirds System camera
bodies that are even smaller and slimmer than the light, compact, and widely
acclaimed Olympus E-410 and E420.
While
continuing to develop Four Thirds System interchangeable lens type digital camera
system products, Panasonic will also develop a new generation of compact,
lightweight, interchangeable lens type digital camera system products,
including ultra-portable camera bodies, interchangeable lenses, and related
system accessories.
About the Four Thirds System
Standard
The Four Thirds System standard defines design and
development standards for interchangeable lens type digital camera systems that
fully realize the performance potential of digital technology. Four
Thirds System cameras utilize a 4/3-type
image sensor that delivers the high image quality expected of interchangeable
lens type digital camera systems in a form factor that assures outstanding
mobility. The Four Thirds System standard is an open standard that enables
bodies and lenses produced by participating manufacturers to exchange
information and be used interchangeably with one another.
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Olympus Imaging Corporation (Olympus Imaging) and
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (Panasonic) today announced joint
development of technologies and devices for the "Micro Four Thirds System
standard," 
