The First Modern Mirrorless System
Mirrorless cameras were originally developed as lightweight alternatives to SLRs. By eliminating the optical viewfinder and mirror box, and instead using the sensor for a Live View feed and direct autofocus, you can engineer a smaller camera. And because lens designs don't have to be quite as complex, lenses (especially wide-angle optics) can be smaller as well.
Micro Four Thirds is the first modern digital mirrorless camera system, making its debut in late 2008. Because of its long history, open design, and support from multiple manufacturers, it has the largest library of cameras and lenses available of any system.
Olympus and Panasonic are the names most associated with Micro Four Thirds, but other manufactuers have made compatible cameras. BlackMagic leverages the standard for video cameras, DJI and Yuneec use it for drones, and Kodak and Yi have joined in with traditional mirrorless cameras that work with all Micro Four Thirds lenses as well.
Early Micro Four Thirds models were a lot slower than SLRs in terms of focus and performance. That's no longer the case. The latest cameras are quick performers, and even better than SLRs at focusing when recording video. You're still giving up the optical viewfinder, but more and more midrange models include integrated electronic viewfinders, and that technology has also improved by leaps and bounds.
Lots of Lens Choices
If you have a Micro Four Thirds camera, you've got a lot of lens choices. Olympus cameras can use Panasonic lenses and vice versa, as well as options from third-party makers like Voigtlander and Sigma. And because the system is so well established, there aren't any glaring omissions in terms of coverage.
Native autofocus lenses are available in focal lenghts from 7 to 400mm. In full-frame equivalent terms, that's 14 through 800mm. Full-frame cameras still have a slight benefit at the most extreme wide angles, with Canon offering the EF 11-24mm f/4L USM, but for the most part Micro Four Thirds has you covered.
We've highlighted the best Micro Four Thirds lenses that we've tested here. If you're in the market for a new mirrorless body, take a look at the Best Mirrorless Cameras we've tested.
Featured in This Roundup
Olympus M.Zuiko ED 40-150mm f2.8 PRO
$1499.99
%displayPrice% at %seller% The Olympus M.Zuiko ED 40-150mm f2.8 PRO is the perfect telezoom for Olympus Micro Four Thirds shooters, even though Panasonic owners will be turned off by its lack of in-lens stabilization. Read the full review ››-
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm F1.2
$1599.99
%displayPrice% at %seller% The Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Nocticron 42.5mm F1.2 is the best Micro Four Thirds lens we've seen for portraiture thanks to impeccable sharpness and a wide aperture. It's an easy Editors' Choice. Read the full review ›› -
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO
$999.99
%displayPrice% at %seller% The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f2.8 PRO lens lives up to its moniker, delivering professional results when paired with a Micro Four Thirds camera. Read the full review ›› -
Olympus M.Zuiko ED 300mm f4.0 IS PRO
$2499.99
%displayPrice% at %seller% The Olympus M.Zuiko ED 300mm f4.0 IS PRO is the best telephoto prime lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras, and it's priced accordingly. Read the full review ›› -
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f1.8
$499.99
%displayPrice% at %seller% The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital 17mm f1.8 is a fast wide-angle lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras. It's extremely sharp, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg. Read the full review ›› -
Olympus M.Zuiko ED 25mm f1.2 PRO
$1199.00
%displayPrice% at %seller% The Olympus M.Zuiko ED 25mm f1.2 PRO is an exceptionally sharp, bright, standard-angle lens for Micro Four Thirds cameras. Read the full review ›› -
Olympus M.Zuiko ED 8mm F1.8 Fisheye PRO
$999.99
%displayPrice% at %seller% The Olympus M.Zuiko ED 8mm F1.8 Fisheye PRO is a great choice for fish-eye fans, but it's expensive for a specialized lens. Read the full review ›› -
Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f2.8 Macro
$499.99
%displayPrice% at %seller% The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 60mm f2.8 Macro is a compact lens that allows you to bring tiny objects into sharp focus. Read the full review ›› -
Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 ASPH.
$599.99
%displayPrice% at %seller% The Panasonic Lumix G Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7 ASPH. is a sharp, compact lens with a wide aperture and all metal build, but it does exhibit a little bit of distortion. Read the full review ›› -
Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm F2.8 ASPH.
$1499.99
%displayPrice% at %seller% The Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm F2.8 ASPH. is a wide-aperture telephoto zoom for Micro Four Thirds cameras, but its performance suffers at the edges of the frame. Read the full review ››