The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 is a Micro Four Thirds System digital still and video camera originally released in May 2014. At the time of its release, the GH4 was notable for being the world's first Mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera with 4K Video recording capability.
57-893: The GH4 is largely physically similar to its predecessor, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 , adding only a locking mode dial and more detailed rear LCD screen and Electronic Viewfinder . The emphasis of the camera is the video with Venus Engine IX processor allow for 4K video and 12 fps continuous shooting. As a 4K video camera, it can be categorized as a pro-level video camera that can record in Cinema 4K mode (4096 x 2160) or standard 4K-UHD (3840 x 2160) using IPB compression in 100 Mbit/s. In Full 1080p HD there are two options, 200 Mbit/s in ALL-Intra compression, or 100 Mbit/s with no recording time limit. The camera also provides .mov , mp4 , AVCHD Progressive, and AVCHD video formats at
114-461: A flange focal distance of 19.25 mm. By avoiding internal mirrors, the MFT standard allows a much thinner camera body. Viewing is achieved on all models by live view electronic displays with LCD screens. In addition, some models feature a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF), while others may offer optional detachable electronic viewfinders. An independent optical viewfinder typically matched to
171-447: A 122 mm filter. Olympus and Panasonic have both produced cameras with sensor-based stabilization, and lenses with stabilization. However, the lens stabilization will only work together with body stabilization for cameras of the same brand. Before 2013, Olympus and Panasonic approached image stabilization (IS) differently. Olympus used sensor-shift image stabilization only, which it calls IBIS ( I n- B ody I mage S tabilization),
228-663: A commitment to the Micro Four Thirds system. The first Micro Four Thirds system camera was Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 , which was launched in Japan in October 2008. In April 2009, Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH1 with HD video recording added to it. The first Olympus model, the Olympus PEN E-P1 , was shipped in July 2009. Blackmagic Design sells cameras made for cinematography, some of which use
285-477: A common autofocus system for mirrorless compact or "point-and-shoot" . By comparison, DSLRs use phase-detection autofocus (PDAF). The use of separate PDAF sensors has been favored in DSLR systems because of mirror box and pentaprism design, along with better performance for fast-moving subjects. The (non-Micro) Four Thirds system design standard specifies a 40 mm flange focal length distance, which allowed for using
342-485: A contrast-based system called DFD (Depth from Defocus) until the release of the G9 II in 2023. Both systems today provide focusing speeds to rival or even surpass many current DSLRs. The image sensor of Four Thirds and MFT measures 18 mm × 13.5 mm (22.5 mm diagonal), with an imaging area of 17.3 mm × 13.0 mm (21.63 mm diagonal), comparable to the frame size of 110 film . Its area, ca. 220 mm ,
399-520: A feature included all of its cameras. Until 2013, Panasonic used lens-based stabilization only, called Mega OIS or Power OIS ( O ptical I mage S tabilization). These stabilize the image by shifting a small optical block within the lens. In 2013, Panasonic began including sensor-based stabilization in its cameras, beginning with the Lumix DMC-GX7. Panasonic called the combination of lens and body stabilization "Dual IS," and this function won an award of
456-408: A few identical image parameters for some popular image sensor classes compared to Micro Four Thirds. The smaller the focal length, the smaller the displacement in the image space between the last principal plane of the lens and the image sensor needed to focus a certain object. Therefore, the energy needed for focusing as well as the appropriate delay for shifting the focusing lens system are shorter,
513-559: A flange focal distance greater than or marginally less than 20 mm can often be used on MFT bodies via an adapter. While MFT cameras can use many of these "legacy" lenses only with manual focus and manual aperture control mode, hundreds of lenses are available, even those designed for cameras no longer in production. While lens manufacturers seldom publish lens mount specifications, the MFT mount has been reverse-engineered by enthusiasts, with CAD files available. Until 2013, MFT cameras exclusively used contrast-detection autofocus (CDAF),
570-621: A full-size HDMI port is also present. These video outputs differ from the camera's native recording in that they offer a 10-bit 4:2:2 signal rather than the camera's internal 8-bit 4:2:0. The YAGH interface is not powered by the camera, instead relying on 12-volt DC power provided by a separate battery or power supply using a four-pin XLR type connector. No Video | Weather Sealed | All the Rest Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3 The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH3
627-466: A particular non-zoom prime lens is sometimes an option. The throat diameter is about 38 mm, 6 mm less than that of the Four Thirds system. Electrically, MFT uses an 11-contact connector between lens and camera, adding to the nine contacts in the Four Thirds system design specification. Olympus claims full backward compatibility for many of its existing Four Thirds lenses on MFT bodies, using
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#1732881361887684-480: A purpose built adapter with both mechanical and electrical interfaces. The shallow but wide MFT lens mount also allows the use of existing lenses including Leica M , Leica R , and Olympus OM system lenses, via Panasonic and Olympus adapters. Aftermarket adapters include Leica Screw Mount , Contax G , C mount , Arri PL mount, Praktica , Canon, Nikon, and Pentax, amongst others. In fact, almost any still camera, movie or video camera interchangeable lens that has
741-427: A single lens reflex design, with mirror box and pentaprism. Four Thirds DSLR cameras designed by Olympus and Panasonic initially used exclusively PDAF focusing systems. Olympus then introduced the first live view DSLR camera, which incorporated both traditional DSLR phase focus and also optional contrast detection focus. As a result, newer Four Thirds system lenses were designed both for PDAF and contrast focus. Several of
798-425: A slight losses in image quality. This is the result of placing high resolution demands on the center crop of decade old 35mm lenses. Therefore, 100% crops from the lenses do not usually represent the same level of pixel-level sharpness as they would on their native formats. Another slight disadvantage of using adapted lenses can be size. By using a 35mm film lens, one would be using a lens that casts an image circle that
855-450: A socket for external microphones . With a Wi-Fi connection the camera can communicate with smartphones , tablet computers or mobile and stationary computers . These devices allow remote control as well as live view . Furthermore, they can get the geo coordinates of the recording location and add these to the metadata of the recordings. The current Lumix link app does have limitations when recording in video, namely you can start
912-435: A variety of frame rates according to the usage; and options for VFR (Variable Frame Rate) or Time Lapse / Stop Motion Animation without the need for post-production processing. Autofocus needs only 0.07 seconds with the 'Depth from Defocus' autofocus system. The camera also has Wi-Fi with NFC, PC sync port, highlight and shadow control, and a 'silent mode' which uses the electronic shutter only. Video features added to
969-482: A versatile contrast-detection auto focus system, including face detection and object tracking. This applies to steady shots as well as to movie takes. Due to the optional electronic shutter the camera can take images without any acoustic noise. The camera body has a lithium ion battery , and an additional battery grip can be attached, which has a release button for portrait shooting, along with other control elements. The GH3 has an internal stereo microphone and
1026-566: Is a digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera (MILC) manufactured by Panasonic . It is the successor to the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 and was announced in September 2012 at photokina . It was available from November 2012. It is the first MILC that can record video with a bit rate of up to 72 megabits per second. That is significantly higher than the specification of AVCHD 2.0 of up to 28 megabits per second, which
1083-450: Is approximately 30% less than the APS-C sensors used in other manufacturers' DSLRs ; it is around 9 times larger than the 1/2.3" sensors typically used in compact digital cameras . The Four Thirds system uses a 4:3 image aspect ratio , like compact digital cameras. In comparison, DSLRs usually adhere to the 3:2 aspect ratio of the traditional 35 mm format. Thus, "Four Thirds" refers to both
1140-406: Is equivalent to a 2.0 crop factor when compared to a 35 mm film (full frame) camera. This means that the field of view of an MFT lens is the same as a full frame lens with twice the focal length. For example, a 50 mm lens on a MFT body would have a field of view equivalent to a 100 mm lens on a full frame camera. For this reason, MFT lenses can be smaller and lighter because to achieve
1197-417: Is far larger than what is required by Micro Four Thirds Sensors. The main disadvantage of using adapted lenses however, is that focus is manual even with natively autofocus lenses. Full metering functionality is maintained however, as are some automated shooting modes (aperture priority). A further disadvantage with some LM and LTM lenses is that lenses with significant rear protrusions simply do not fit inside
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#17328813618871254-703: Is omitted in the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF3 design. Similar to Olympus, the LVF1 is usable on high-end Panasonic compact point and shoot cameras, such as the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 . Due to the short native flange distance of the Micro Four Thirds System, the usage of adapted lenses from practically all formats has become widely popular. Because lenses can be used from old and abandoned camera systems, adapted lenses typically represent good value for
1311-524: Is reduced by half —i.e., an adapted 50mm lens is still a 50mm lens in terms of focal length but has a narrower FOV equivalent to a 100mm lens due to the Micro Four Thirds System 2x crop factor. Therefore, most adapted glass from the 35mm film era and current DSLR lineups provide effective fields of view varying from normal to extreme telephoto. Wide angles are generally not practical for adapted use from both an image quality and value point of view. Using older adapted lenses on Micro Four Thirds sometimes leads to
1368-1038: The GH2 the GH3 has the following main differences: No Video | Weather Sealed | All the Rest Micro Four Thirds The Micro Four Thirds system ( MFT or M4/3 or M43 ) ( マイクロフォーサーズシステム , Maikuro Fō Sāzu Shisutemu ) is a standard released by Olympus Imaging Corporation and Panasonic in 2008, for the design and development of mirrorless interchangeable lens digital cameras , camcorders and lenses . Camera bodies are available from Blackmagic , DJI , JVC , Kodak , Olympus, OM System , Panasonic, Sharp , Logitech Mevo and Xiaomi . MFT lenses are produced by Cosina Voigtländer , Kowa , Kodak, Mitakon, Olympus, Panasonic, Samyang , Sharp, Sigma , SLR Magic, Tamron , Tokina , TTArtisan, Veydra, Xiaomi, Laowa, Yongnuo, Zonlai, Lensbaby , Venus Optics and 7artisans amongst others. The specifications of
1425-458: The Micro Four Thirds system, almost all lenses with an appropriate image circle can be mounted to the body with a lens adapter. The normal focal length is at about 25 millimetres. In all still and movie modes as well as with the monitor or the electronic viewfinder, the GH3 works in live view mode. It can be operated in manual focus mode with software magnification or with
1482-647: The Olympus XZ-1 . Olympus announced the VF-4 in May 2013, along with the fourth generation PEN flagship, the E-P5. As of mid-2011, Panasonic G and GH series cameras have built in EVF's, while two of the three GF models are able to use the add-on LVF1 hotshoe EVF. The LVF1 must also plug into a proprietary port built into the camera for power and communication. This proprietary port and the accessory
1539-560: The YI M1 , a 20MP MFT camera with 4K video capability. Also in 2016, Z-Camera released the E1, designed to shoot still and video with an MFT lens mount. Because the flange focal distance of Micro Four Thirds cameras are shorter than DSLRs, most lenses are smaller and cheaper. Of particular interest in illustrating this fact are the Panasonic 7–14 mm ultra-wide angle (equivalent to 14–28 mm in
1596-424: The image plane . As a consequence, the equivalent exposure indexes (respectively equivalent ISO speeds) are different in order to get the identical shutter speeds (i.e., exposure times) with the same levels of motion blur and image stabilisation . Furthermore, for a given guide number of a photoflash device all systems have the same exposure at the same flash-to-subject distance. The following table shows
1653-449: The microlenses of the image sensor. Furthermore, in low light conditions by using low f-numbers a too-shallow depth of field can lead to less satisfying image results, especially in videography, when the object being filmed by the camera or the camera itself is moving. Equivalent focal lengths are given, if the angle of view is identical. The depth of field is identical, if angle of view and absolute aperture width are identical. Also
1710-459: The 150mm f/2 and 300mm f/2.8 lenses are as quick and accurate as a native Four Thirds body). The Panasonic G9 II is the first micro four thirds camera from Panasonic which has phase detect autofocus. The much shorter flange focal distance enabled by the removal of the mirror allows normal and wide angle lenses to be significantly smaller because they do not have to use strongly retrofocal designs. The Four Thirds sensor format used in MFT cameras
1767-558: The 35 mm film format) and the Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 9–18 mm ultra wide-angle lens (equivalent to an 18–36 mm zoom lens in the 35 mm film format). This feature also permitted the lens designers to develop the world's fastest fisheye lens with autofocus, the Olympus ED 8 mm f/1.8 . On the telephoto end, the Panasonic 100–300 mm or the Leica DG 100-400 mm as well as
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1824-549: The DMC-GH4 include Focus peaking , zebra overlay, luminance level adjustment, and cinema gamma presets. Along with the GH4, Panasonic also released the YAGH interface unit, a camera-attached device to increase input and output options for the GH4. The YAGH connects to the GH4 via attachment screw on the bottom of the camera, as well as a sliding mechanism which plugs into the camera's HDMI port on
1881-549: The Four Thirds lenses focus on Micro Four Thirds proficiently when an electrically compatible adapter is used on the Micro Four Thirds cameras, and they focus on Micro Four Thirds cameras much quicker than earlier generation Four Thirds lenses can. Some MFT cameras, beginning with the Olympus OM-D E-M1 in 2013, incorporate phase-detection hardware on the sensor. Besides offering faster autofocus speed, these camera bodies perform better with legacy lenses (e.g. focus performance of
1938-635: The Kodak brand, released its first Micro Four Thirds camera, the Kodak Pixpro S-1 ; several lenses and niche camera makers have products made for the standard. In 2015, DJI released the Zenmuse X5 and X5R, which are gimbal-mounted cameras with a MFT lens mount, as optional upgrades for its Inspire drone line. Both cameras can capture 16MP stills and up to 4K/30fps video using one of four interchangeable lenses, ranging from 12mm to 17mm. In 2016, Xiaoyi introduced
1995-794: The MFT lens mount. Their first MFT camera was the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera (BPCC), which was announced in April 2013 with 1080HD recording. In August 2013, SVS Vistek GmbH in Seefeld, Germany introduced the first high-speed industrial camera with a MFT lens mount, using 4/3" sensors from Truesense Imaging, Inc (formerly Kodak sensors, now part of ON Semiconductor ). The SVS Vistek Evo "Tracer" cameras have resolution-dependent shutter speeds, ranging from 147 frames per second (fps) at 1 megapixel (model evo1050 TR) to 22 fps at 8 megapixels (model evo8051 TR). In 2014, JK Imaging Ltd., which holds
2052-473: The MFT system inherit the original sensor format of the Four Thirds system , designed for DSLRs . However, unlike Four Thirds, the MFT system design specification does not require lens telecentricity , a parameter which accommodated for the inaccurate sensitivity to off-angle light due to the geometry of the photodetectors of contemporary image sensors. Later improvements in manufacturing capabilities enabled
2109-510: The Micro Four Thirds system (body and lenses) is smaller and lighter. However, their sensors are smaller than full-frame or even APS-C systems . The small lenses do not allow the noise depth-of-field tradeoffs of larger lenses in other systems. Many, but not all Micro Four Thirds cameras use an electronic viewfinder. Resolutions and refresh speeds on these EVF displays were originally compared negatively to optical viewfinders, but today's EVF systems are faster, brighter and much higher resolution than
2166-429: The Olympus 75–300 mm zooms show how small and light extreme telephotos can be made. The 400 mm focal length in Micro Four Thirds has the same angle of view as an 800 mm focal length in full frame cameras. When compared to a full frame camera lens providing a similar angle of view, rather than weighing a few kilograms (several pounds) and generally having a length exceeding 60 cm (24 in) end to end,
2223-575: The built-in EVF, and the optional hotshoe add-on EVF. Until the introduction of the OM-D E-M5 in February, 2012, none of the Olympus designs included a built-in EVF. Olympus has four available add-on hotshoe viewfinders. The Olympus VF-1 is an optical viewfinder with an angle of view of 65 degrees, equivalent to the 17mm pancake lens field of view, and was designed primarily for the EP-1. Olympus has since introduced
2280-676: The camera body and risk damaging lens or body. An example is the Biogon type of lens. Overall, the ability to use adapted lenses gives Micro Four Thirds a great advantage in overall versatility and the practice has gained a somewhat cult following. Image samples can be found readily online, and in particular on the MU-43 adapted lenses forum. As of June 2012 , Olympus , Panasonic , Cosina Voigtländer , Carl Zeiss AG , Jos. Schneider Optische Werke GmbH , Komamura Corporation, Sigma Corporation , Tamron , Astrodesign, Yasuhara, and Blackmagic Design have
2337-492: The equivalent 35 mm film camera field of view, the MFT focal length is much shorter. See the table of lenses below to understand the differences better. For comparison, typical DSLR sensors, such as Canon's APS-C sensors, have a crop factor of 1.6. Equivalent images are made by photographing the same angle of view , with the same depth of field and the same Angular resolution due to diffraction limitation (which requires different f-stops on different focal length lenses),
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2394-403: The exception of a few MFT cameras, most MFT cameras record in a native 4:3 format image aspect ratio, and through cropping of the 4:3 image, can record in 16:9, 3:2 and 1:1 formats. Olympus E-M1 II, E-M1 III, E-M5 III, PEN-F, OM-System OM-5 25 Mpx (Rev.2) Gen 6 Panasonic G9 II (Rev.2) September 2023 (Panasonic G9 II) The MFT system design specifies a bayonet type lens mount with
2451-506: The high resolution VF-2 EVF, and a newer, less expensive, slightly lower resolution VF-3 for use in all its MFT cameras after the Olympus EP-1 . These EVF's not only slip into the accessory hotshoe, but also plug into a dedicated proprietary port for power and communication with Olympus cameras only. Both the VF-2 and VF-3 may also be used on high-end Olympus compact point and shoot cameras such as
2508-412: The money. Adapters ranging from low- to high-quality are readily available for purchase online. Canon FD, Nikon F (G lenses require special adapters), MD/MC, Leica M, M42 Screw Mount, and C-mount Cine lenses are all easily adaptable to the Micro Four Thirds system with glassless adapters, resulting in no induced loss of light or sharpness. Adapted lenses retain their native focal lengths but field of view
2565-503: The optically stabilized Panasonic Lumix G Vario 100–300 mm lens weighs just 520 g (18 oz), is only 126 mm (5.0 in) long, and uses a relatively petite 67 mm filter size. As a point of comparison, the Nikkor-P 600 mm f5.6 telephoto introduced for the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo weighs 3,600 g (130 oz), is 516.5 mm (20.33 in) in length and uses
2622-631: The original Four Thirds with competing DSLR system see Four Thirds system#Advantages, disadvantages and other considerations Compared to inexpensive digital compact cameras and many bridge cameras , MFT cameras have better, larger sensors , and interchangeable lenses. There are many lenses available. On top of this, a large number of other lenses (even from the analogue film era) can be fitted using an adapter. Different lenses yield greater creative possibilities. However, Micro Four Thirds cameras also tend to be slightly larger, heavier and more expensive than compact cameras. Compared to most digital SLRs ,
2679-496: The original displays. Original Micro Four Thirds cameras used a contrast-detection autofocus system, slower than the phase-detect autofocus that is standard on DSLRs. To this day, most Micro Four Thirds cameras continue to use a contrast-based focusing system. Although some current models, such as the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II , feature a hybrid phase-detect/contrast detect system, Panasonic Lumix cameras continued to use
2736-491: The production of sensors with a lower stack height, improving sensitivity to off-angle light, eliminating the necessity of telecentricity and decreasing the distance from the image sensor at which a lens's rear element could be positioned without compromising light detection. Such a lens, however, would eliminate the room necessary to accommodate the mirror box of the single-lens reflex camera design, and would be incompatible with SLR Four Thirds bodies. Micro Four Thirds reduced
2793-469: The relative diameters of the Airy disks representing the limitation by diffraction are identical. Therefore, the equivalent f-numbers are varying. In this case, i.e., with the same luminous flux within the lens, the illuminance quadratically decreases and the luminous intensity quadratically increases with the image size. Therefore, all systems detect the same luminances and the same exposure values in
2850-456: The same motion blur (requires the same shutter speed), therefore the ISO setting must differ to compensate for the f-stop difference. The use of this is only to let us compare the effectiveness of the sensors given the same amount of light hitting them. In normal photography with any one camera, equivalence is not necessarily an issue: there are several lenses faster than f/2.4 for Micro Four Thirds (see
2907-549: The side. The interface contains two 3-pin XLR Connector inputs, which are controlled by a pair of preamplifiers inside the unit, offering phantom power , more control over input gain levels and microphone choice, and input metering via LED meters on the interface. The YAGH also provides a timecode input for multi-device synchronization. For outputs, the YAGH offers four BNC connector terminals for serial digital interface use with outboard recorders and monitors. In addition,
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#17328813618872964-442: The size and the aspect ratio of the sensor. However, the chip diagonal is shorter than 4/3 of an inch; the 4/3 inch designation for this size of sensor dates back to the 1950s and vidicon tubes, when the external diameter of the camera tube was measured, not the active area. The MFT design standard also specifies multiple aspect ratios: 4:3, 3:2, 16:9 (the native HD video format specification), and 1:1 (a square format). With
3021-402: The smaller the focal length is. Micro Four Thirds has several advantages over larger format cameras and lenses: Though many DSLRs also have "live view" functionality, these often function relatively poorly compared to a Micro Four Thirds electronic viewfinder (EVF), which has the following advantages: Olympus and Panasonic approached the implementation of electronic viewfinders in two ways:
3078-499: The specified flange focal distance from 38.67mm to 19.25mm. This reduction facilitates smaller body and lens designs, and enables the use of adapters to fit almost any lens ever made for a camera with a flange distance larger than 19.25mm to a MFT camera body. Still-camera lenses produced by Canon, Leica, Minolta, Nikon, Pentax and Zeiss have all been successfully adapted for MFT use – as well as lenses produced for cinema, e.g. , PL mount or C mount . For comparison of
3135-588: The tables under Fixed Focal Length Lenses, below), and there are certainly many lenses faster than f/4.8 for full frame. Although they can have shallower depth of field than a Nikon 1 at f/1.7, it can be seen as advantageous. However, a further aspect of image resolution is limitation by optical aberration , which can be compensated the better the smaller the focal lengths of a lens is. Lenses designed for mirrorless camera systems such as Nikon 1 or Micro Four Thirds often use image-space telecentric lens designs, which reduce shading and therefore light loss and blurring at
3192-575: The video recording but not stop it by smart phone or tablet. The images can be transferred to compatible television sets . The ability to take video in Full ;HD resolution with up to 60 complete frames per second with a bit rate of up to 72 megabits per second and the capacity to use external microphones give the GH3 the potential for semi-professional movie production. Time lapse photography and slow motion video can also be made, and flagged by SMPTE time code . Compared to its predecessor
3249-505: Was released in July 2011 and is used for similar cameras and camcorders . It was succeeded by the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH4 which has the capability to take 4K resolution video. The camera body is made of a magnesium alloy and has a swivelable touch screen , an electronic viewfinder with diopter correction , an internal flash light and a hot shoe . Due to the short flange focal distance of about 20 millimeters for
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