When Olympus and Panasonic announced their new Micro Four Thirds standard in early August, everyone expected Micro Four Thirds to quickly make its way to point and shoot cameras. That will still likely happen as there are many advantages to using the comparatively huge Four Thirds sensor in P&S cameras to break them out of the technology wall imposed by current resolutions on the tiny P&S sensors.

What was not foreseen was a Panasonic G1 Micro Four Thirds system camera with top-drawer features, 12MP Live MOS sensor, and a 3" tilt-and swivel LCD like the one featured on the Olympus E-1. Most assumed Olympus was the driving force behind Micro Four Thirds, but now it appears Panasonic pushed this standard to market.

In many ways this move really makes sense as Panasonic, who is a major player in other optical imaging, has a miniscule market share in the DSLR market, with DSLRs featuring Leica optics that mount on Olympus/Panasonic Four Thirds mount. It is no secret Panasonic makes the Olympus sensor as well as their own, and Panasonic would dearly love a much larger share of the sensor market than they now have. Sony is their major rival in other optical markets and Sony is dominant in the digital sensor market with only Canon as major competition. Panasonic wants a larger piece of that pie.

What is Micro Four Thirds?

It is important to understand that Micro Four Thirds uses the exact same sensor as four thirds; there is no size reduction in the sensor. When compared to the Four Thirds System standard, the primary differences in the Micro Four Thirds System are:

1. Approximately 50% shorter flange back distance (mount-to-sensor distance): With the optical SLR viewfinder replaced by an LCD or EVF (electronic view finder) - or both - the mount to sensor distance can be cut in half. This allows the lens to be designed without a back-focus requirement, which also greatly reduced the size.
   
   
   
   
2. 6mm smaller lens mount outer diameter: Without the need for so much back-focus in lens designs for Micro Four Thirds, the diameter of the lens flange can be reduced, while still allowing designs for parallel light paths.
   
   
   
   
3. Electrical contacts in mount increased from 9 to 11: With viewfinder optics replaced by electronics, more electronic interfaces to the lens are required.

When the standard was announced, Olympus and Panasonic emphasized the compatibility of Micro Four Thirds with the current Four Thirds system and lenses. Micro Four Thirds, like Four Thirds, is also an open system that can be licensed by any manufacturer who wishes to use it.

Four Thirds Compared

The Four Thirds standard is one of the smaller of the formats based on APS-C, but it is still about 75% of the area of the Canon XSi. However, compared to P&S sensors the Four Thirds sensor is huge.

If you have any doubt why the photo market has been moving to DSLR from P&S you have only to look at the last column detailing sensor density. At 12.1MP, the new Panasonic G1 will establish a new density high in the DSLR market at almost 5MP per cm². However, the top-of-the-line Canon G9 P&S at 10MP has a tiny sensor by comparison and the density is 28 MP/cm². The Olympus Super Zoom SP-570UZ is even worse at 36 MP/cm².

The motivation for Micro Four Thirds should be crystal clear in this chart. Panasonic and Olympus are trying to extend their Four Thirds sensor technology to higher-end, higher-quality, but very small and pocketable interchangeable lens cameras. These new cameras will feature large hi-res LCD screens, full time Live View, and fast contrast-detect focusing. The top ones will also feature hi-res EVF, and video capabilities are mentioned in the Micro Four Thirds standard. It should be clear the idea is a new bridge technology that brings DSLR features, P&S features, and camcorder features together in a more compact and cheaper camera body.  In doing this they will create a new camera class, or chart directions for future interchangeable lens cameras, depending on market acceptance.

Panasonic G1 Press Release

PANASONIC LUMIX DMC-G1: WORLD'S SMALLEST AND LIGHTEST DIGITAL INTERCHANGEABLE LENS CAMERA

World's First Micro Four Thirds System Camera Features Portability, Ease-of-Use and Colorful Blue and Red Models For Personalized Style and Active Lifestyles

Secaucus, NJ - Panasonic announces the world's first Micro Four Thirds system camera, the LUMIX DMC-G1, the world's smallest and lightest digital interchangeable lens camera, weighing in at approximately 385 grams (0.85 lbs). Based on the new Micro Four Thirds System standard, the LUMIX G1 eliminates the internal mirror structure that defines digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras, thus reducing the size and weight by nearly half. With the mirror-less system, the G1's flange back, which is the distance between the mount and the image sensor, has been reduced from 40mm - as specified in the Four Thirds System - to approximately 20mm.

"With the LUMIX G1, we are filling a void that has existed for a long time in the digital camera market, because consumers wanted the power of an SLR, but previous models were bulky and inconvenient," said David Briganti, National Marketing Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. "The LUMIX G answers this challenge as consumers can benefit from the flexibility of changing lenses; a quick Auto Focus; and a sensor that produces high-quality photos. By packing all those powerful assets into an extremely compact body with easy-to-use features familiar to point-and-shoot users, we are excited about G, as it brings new possibilities to the consumer."

The LUMIX G1 is also the world's first interchangeable lens camera that will come with color variety - with availability in black, blue, and red models - allowing consumers to personalize their style through color, something very popular with point-and-shoot camera models.

For current Four Thirds users with a collection of lenses, an optional mount adapter will allow Four Thirds lenses to be compatible with the LUMIX G1. Also, today, with the introduction of the Micro Four Thirds System, Panasonic is announcing a wide-variety of accessories including: External Flash DMW-FL220 (GN22); PL Filter: DMW-LPL52; Mount Adapter: DMW-MA1; Battery Pack: DMW-BLB13; DC Cable: DMW-DCC3; Soft Case: DMW-CG1; Soft Bag: DMW-BAG1; Shoulder Strap (Stylish) DMW-SSTG1-A/C/R; Shoulder Strap (Woven) DMW-SSTG2-W; Shoulder Strap (Leather) DMW-SSTG3-T. The G1 is also compatible with current accessories: External Flash: DMW-FL360 (GN36)/DMW-FL500 (GN50); ND Filter: DMW-LND52; MC Protector: DMW-LMC52; Remote Shutter: DMW-RSL1; HDMI mini Cable: RP-CDHM15 (1.5m), RP-CDHM30 (3.0m).

The G1's compact size can also be attributed to its electronic full-time Live View Finder, as opposed to a conventional optical viewfinder. The electronic Live View Finder, with an impressive and high-resolution 1,440,000-dot equivalent, allows the user to shoot the exact image the camera sees while also displaying information about the camera's settings through the viewfinder. The G1 also features a clever built-in eye sensor, so the camera can detect when the user is nearing the viewfinder and automatically switches off the LCD, thus conserving battery life. Also, the Live View Finder has a large 1.4x (0.7x on a 35mm equivalent) magnification and when using the G1 in manual focus mode, the frame in the viewfinder or LCD will enlarge by 5x or 10x (can adjust using the dial).

The Live View Finder and the bright 460,000-dot resolution, 3.0" LCD provide a 100% field of view, letting the user adjust settings before taking a shot, which is a great learning tool for consumers beginning to use manual controls, as they can visually confirm the effects of changed settings. The LCD can also swivel 180 degrees horizontally and 270 degrees vertically, giving the consumer flexibility to take high- and low-angle shots, and its Auto Power technology will automatically boost brightness by as much as 40% depending on the shooting condition so it remains visible in all lighting environments.

The G1 introduces a new Contrast AF (Auto Focus) function that is not only accurate and easy to use, but also very fast. Users can choose from a wide-range of AF modes, including multiple-area AF with up to 23 focus areas, 1-area AF with a selectable focus area, Face Detection, and AF Tracking. In the 1-area AF mode, the AF frame size can be changed by simply turning a dial. The G1 also has a Quick AF function that begins focusing as soon as the user aims the camera - no need to wait to press the shutter button halfway. This provides quicker focusing that can help capture the subject before the crucial moment passes.

Users familiar with point-and-shoot digital cameras, and new to the world of advanced interchangeable lens cameras, will benefit from Panasonic's Intelligent Auto (iA) mode. When in iA mode, the G1 will detect the shooting condition and automatically adjust for the ultimate shooting results. Panasonic's iA includes the following intuitive technologies.

• AF Tracking - Automatically tracks the subject as it moves, keeping it in focus without the need to hold the shutter halfway down.
  
• Intelligent Exposure - Helps prevent photos from being under- or over-exposed by analyzing the framed image and adjusting the brightness in areas that are too dark because of dim lighting, backlighting, or the use of the flash.
  
• MEGA O.I.S. - Gyrosensors detect hand-shake and the lens system shifts to compensate, helping to prevent hand movement from creating a blurry image.
  
• Intelligent ISO - Determines if the photo subject is moving and changes the ISO setting and shutter speed accordingly, thus giving a blur-free photo.
  
• Intelligent Scene Selector - Senses the ambient conditions and will automatically select the appropriate mode from Scenery, Portrait, Close-up, Night Portrait, or Night Scenery.
  
• Face Detection - Detects faces in the frame (up to 15 faces), even if they are moving, and selects optimal focus and exposure settings so portraits come out clear. Also features Digital Red-Eye correction.

The Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G1, a 12.1MP camera, also includes the following advanced features.

• Live MOS Sensor - Provides the best of both worlds with high image quality from a CCD sensor, and the lower-power consumption of a CMOS sensor. New technology makes it possible to read four channels of data simultaneously and deliver 60 frames-per-second full-time Live View images.
  
• Venus Engine HD - New imaging processor enhances noise reduction and provides independent gradation control for each of the R, G, and B colors.
  
• Supersonic Wave Filter Dust Reduction System - Designed to prevent dust from adhering to the image sensor by vibrating 50,000 times per second, the filter repels dust and other particles.
  
• My Color Mode - Users can freely adjust the color, brightness, and saturation while composing shots, allowing for more expressive and creative shots.
  
• HDMI Output - With an optional HDMI cable, the G1 can connect to an HDMI-capable High Definition television, such as a Panasonic VIERA Plasma or LCD. When connected to a VIERA, using VIERA Link capability, the TV's remote control can direct the slideshow on the G1.
  
• My Menu - This new tab automatically stores the five most recently used menu selections for quick, convenient retrieval. The custom-setting can also be used to program a frequently-used function which can be activated by pressing the down arrow on the cursor key. The color of the menu viewed on LCD can also be changed to three different colors: black, red, blue.

Pricing for the Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G1 and its Micro Four Thirds accessories will be announced in early October.

Micro Four Thirds Lenses Press Release

PANASONIC INTRODUCES WORLD'S FIRST INTERCHANGEABLE LENSES FOR MICRO FOUR THIRDS SYSTEM DIGITAL CAMERAS

Two New Lenses Compatible with LUMIX G1, the World's Smallest & Lightest Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera, Part of the Micro Four Thirds System

SECAUCUS, NJ - Panasonic announces the world's first interchangeable lenses designed for the new Micro Four Thirds System. The LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH/MEGA O.I.S will be the standard kit lens with the LUMIX DMC-G1, the world's first Micro Four Thirds System digital camera, which also debuted today. In addition, the LUMIX G VARIO 45-200mm/F4.0-5.6/MEGA O.I.S. telephoto lens, also designed for the Micro Four Thirds format, offers an enhanced zoom range for use with the DMC-G1 and other cameras based on the new standard.

Panasonic's two new Micro Four Thirds System lenses produce professional-level images, typical of digital single-reflex lens (DSLR) cameras, while greatly reducing the size. For instance, the LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm/F3.5-5.6 ASPH./MEGA O.I.S lens is nearly half the size and weight of traditional DSLR lenses with comparable focal lengths. Both lenses feature Panasonic's Mega O.I.S. (optical image stabilizer), which helps reduce blur caused by hand movement when snapping photos, and are compatible with Panasonic's Contrast AF (Auto Focus) system found in the LUMIX DMC-G1. Contrast AF in the G1 allows the user to choose from a wide-range of AF modes, including: multiple-area AF with up to 23 focus areas; 1-area AF with a selectable focus area; Face Detection; and AF Tracking. The lenses also feature a durable metal mount and multi-coated lens to reduce ghosts and flares on images. In addition, seven aperture blades create a rounded shape that produces smoothness when shooting out-of-focus areas, helping to deliver top optical performance.

"The introduction of the Micro Four Thirds System is a huge advancement for digital photographers as the reduction in size and weight of these lenses will really change the market and make this format more approachable," said David Briganti, National Marketing Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. "Average consumers interested in purchasing an advanced camera were previously deterred by the bulkiness and inconvenience of DSLRs, so these new lenses provide the same level of quality that consumers demand, but in a package much more suitable for active lifestyles."

The LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm/F3.5-5.6ASPH./MEGA O.I.S. will be part of the kit with the LUMIX DMC-G1 body and will be available in mid-November. The LUMIX G VARIO 45-200mm/F4.0-5.6/MEGA O.I.S. will also be available in November. Pricing for the both lenses will be announced in early October.