The Micro Four Thirds Camera...neither fish nor fowl.

In an earlier post, I wrote about selecting the right camera for you.  Excluding camera phones and disposables on one end and medium and large format cameras on the other, most people choose from these three categories:  the point and shoot models that fit in your pocket and are by far the most popular and easiest to use; the bridge or advanced point and shoots that provide a better picture and offer more control over your picture-taking, but won't fit in a pocket unless maybe you're wearing cargo pants; and a digital SLR, the most advanced cameras with the most flexibility, that will only fit in a custom-made pants pocket and require suspenders.  The complexity of the cameras climb as do the prices, as you move from the first category to the third.

But recently, Panasonic announced another category, the oddly named: "Micro Four Thirds" camera.  This camera fits somewhere between the advanced point and shoot and DSLR cameras.  Think of it as a point and shoot on steroids, or maybe a dSLR with weak knees.

The Micro Four Thirds is smaller than a dSLR and accepts interchangeable lenses like a dSLR, but lacks a mirror and prism like a dSLR and as a result, relies on an electronic viewfinder or rear LCD for picture composition.  There are only a few lenses available currently and so far only one manufacturer has taken the plunge, but another, Olympus, is rolling out their own soon.  Oh and cost?  More than the cost of a starter dSLR.  Picture quality is reported to be very good, but not necessarily better than a good advanced P&S or dSLR.  Hmmm.

There has been much speculation about which photographers this new camera might attract and whether it's destined to be groundbreaking or if it will go the way of  the "Pneumatic Shoe-Lacing Device" (U.S. Patent 5,205,055).  It seems to me that it could attract some of the people who are now buying the advanced point and shoots, and some of those who are considering stepping up to an entry-level dSLR.  Two people whose opinions I respect have already written on the Micro Four Thirds, and I present their opinions here, for your consideration.  David Pogue writes about all things gadgety for the NY Times (check out his video and samples from the G1), and Scott Sherman is a photographer, blogger and who's podcast, Digital Photography Life, I listen to regularly. 

It's too early to tell, but it's safe to say that innovation and creativity are still alive and well in our favorite hobby.

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