Four-thirds confusion: Hi, These two back-to-back headlines posted on DPR seem to be contradictory. Would someone please explain? I thought that Olympus continues to be a four-thirds...

markie1425 Loc: Bryn Mawr, PA

Hi,

These two back-to-back headlines posted on DPR seem to be contradictory.

Would someone please explain? I thought that Olympus continues to be a four-thirds system champion.

I'm probably missing some subtlety.

Thank you.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

markie1425 wrote:

Hi,

These two back-to-back headlines posted on DPR seem to be contradictory.

Would someone please explain? I thought that Olympus continues to be a four-thirds system champion.

I'm probably missing some subtlety.

Thank you.

Yes... a single word: LEGACY.

markie1425 Loc: Bryn Mawr, PA

Rongnongno wrote:

Yes... a single word: LEGACY.

Thank you, but that doesn't help me.
--

Shellback Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas

Hmmm - top one says discontinuing the lenses and the bottom one talks about supporting 8k video -

I don't see a contradiction here...

SteveTog Loc: Philly

4/3 and Micro 4/3rds are not the same:

http://www.four-thirds.org/en/microft/whitepaper.html

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

markie1425 wrote:

Hi,

These two back-to-back headlines posted on DPR seem to be contradictory.

Would someone please explain? I thought that Olympus continues to be a four-thirds system champion.

I'm probably missing some subtlety.

Thank you.

It is true, Olympus is calling it quits on four-thirds system ( that was to be expected, actually a lot earlier)!

Ronald540 Loc: Sandy Utah

The original 4/3 system was for single lens reflex cameras. This has been a generally unsuccessful type of product. The micro 4/3 system was then introduced. This has a similar lens mount to 4/3 but its closer to the sensor. I.E. mirrorless. They are only phasing out the 4/3 system and lens, they won’t fit on Oley and Panasonic mirrorless cameras. I think you can use a flange adaptor to make the focal plane fit.

markie1425 Loc: Bryn Mawr, PA

That clarifies it. The "micro" was what I didn't get.

Thank you.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Having just bought the little tuna (150mm f2) lens, it's a sad sight to see that they have officially discontinued the 4/3 lenses. Oh well, maybe the prices will drop even further on the 300 f2.8 and the 90-250mm f2.8 lenses.

Ray and JoJo Loc: Florida--Tenneessee

Now they will sell new camera AND new lenses <$$$

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

Olympus have discontinued their M4/3 lenses, they haven't made M4/3 cameras for some years.
They continue to produce "Micro Four Thirds" cameras and lenses, in your post the the second page explains the difference.

Fotomacher Loc: Toronto

markie1425 wrote:

Hi,

These two back-to-back headlines posted on DPR seem to be contradictory.

Would someone please explain? I thought that Olympus continues to be a four-thirds system champion.

I'm probably missing some subtlety.

Thank you.

4/3 and micro 4/3 are different systems with different lens mounts. 4/3 is NOT mirrorless. Micro 4/3 is.

phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York

markie1425 wrote:

Thank you, but that doesn't help me.
--

The top one is talking about the demise of FOUR THIRDS. The bottom one is talking about MICRO FOUR THIRDS.

Two different systems.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

markie1425 wrote:

Hi,

These two back-to-back headlines posted on DPR seem to be contradictory.

Would someone please explain? I thought that Olympus continues to be a four-thirds system champion.

I'm probably missing some subtlety.

Thank you.

Four Thirds was a dSLR format. MICRO Four Thirds is a mirrorless camera format.

The two formats use the same size sensors. But the lens mounts are COMPLETELY different. So is most everything else!

4/3 lenses can be adapted to Micro 4/3 cameras, but not the other way around...

4/3 is in the distant past. Micro 4/3 has a very bright future. Both Olympus and Panasonic are innovating this platform rapidly. There are over 90 native M4/3 lenses available. Each mfr makes at least four distinct body styles.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

markie1425 wrote:

Hi,

These two back-to-back headlines posted on DPR seem to be contradictory.

Would someone please explain? I thought that Olympus continues to be a four-thirds system champion.

I'm probably missing some subtlety.

Thank you.

I can't see them discontinuing the camera but making an 8K sensor "in the future." I saw both of those articles, too. I think it's just a case of a lag in the news cycle. The 8K sensor article was researched and written, so they posted it.

EDIT: As I've said before, the naming conventions used by camera companies are ridiculous. 4/3 and micro 4/3? Come on!

http://www.four-thirds.org/en/microft/whitepaper.html