To capture images, D-SLR cameras incorporate a device called an image sensor (CCD, MOS, etc.) that captures light in the form of electrical signals. However, since the image sensor’s characteristics differ from those of film, a lens optimized for film photography may perform poorly with an image sensor.
Developed explicitly to fulfill the potential of digital technology, the Four Thirds system is a new, open standard created with an eye to the future of D-SLR cameras. Since its introduction in 2002, this trend-setting standard has received worldwide recognition for its superior performance and enhanced compatibility.
The core design concept of the Four Thirds system is to facilitate optimization of the size, performance, and extendibility of digital cameras and lenses. In addition, a standardized lens mount allows photographers to freely combine interchangeable lenses and cameras from different manufacturers. This is the key feature of the Four Thirds system, the one that makes it possible to explore the full potential of digital photography.
