"Micro 4/3" is No Good!

Pt. Arena Lighthouse, California
Olympus E-M5

No!  Not the cameras, sensors or lenses aren't any good, but the name is not suitable for this format which can produce images every bit as high quality and professional as the larger formats.

This post is a "Call for Change."

We have 4/3 format and Micro 4/3 format (M4/3).  But there is nothing micro about the sensor as it is the same size as the 4/3 sensor.  So why do we call it Micro 4/3 and confuse everyone?  It should be called Mirrorless 4/3.

I am calling on all users, reviewers, journalists, retailers, wholesalers, forum participants as well as manufacturers to change the commonly used terminology from Micro 4/3 to Mirrorless 4/3.  We all can still use the M4/3 designation, but change the what the M stands for.  Why?

The term Micro 4/3 is not accurate and is a misnomer as there is nothing micro about the sensor nor the camera or lenses. There has been no change in sensor size of the 4/3 sensor. Micro 4/3 implies a much smaller sensor than 4/3 cameras. The sensor is much bigger than the little fingernail sized sensors in point-and-shoot cameras, which are "micro" in size. The real difference is the absence of a prism, mirror box, reduction in the lens flange to sensor distance, as well as size and weight of the cameras and lenses.  The camera bodies and lenses are a bit smaller, by design, but by no means "micro."  The term "Micro" is misleading.

Additionally, I believe that the term Micro 4/3 does an injustice to the format as it gives the impression to the less informed that the sensor is tiny compared to 4/3 or other commonly available digital sensors.  By implying the sensor is "micro", one may assume that the system has less than professional quality and is aimed only at casual photographers.  Not so!  M4/3 cameras and lenses can produce very high quality images, has a wide variety of interchangeable lenses with several of the highest caliber, and the camera bodies contain the capabilities and features professional photographers use.

Shouldn't we always strive for accuracy and correctness in all that we do? Calling the Mirrorless 4/3 camera systems Micro 4/3 is not accurate and not correct.

Join me in calling for a change in nomenclature.  The format deserves to be better recognized.

Thanks for looking.  Enjoy!

Dennis Mook

Many of my images can be found at www.dennismook.com.  Please pay it a visit.  I add new images regularly.  Thank you.


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