The best MFT cameras

Micro Four Thirds is an imaging standard that is supported by several camera manufacturers, notably Olympus and Panasonic (but also, for example, Kodak and YI). It is based on the Four Thirds sensor that measures 17.3 x 13mm. This size corresponds to the imaging area of a video camera tube with a 4/3 inch diameter and inspired the designation of the sensor. It so happens that the Four Thirds sensor also offers a 4:3 aspect ratio.

There is quite a substantial choice of MFT cameras on the market. It is not easy to decide which one is best. Indeed, what does it really mean to look for the best Micro Four Thirds? The camera that offers the best imaging experience? The one that is most portable? The camera that does not break the bank? The answers to these questions come down to personal preference, but hopefully the listings below will prove to be useful for your camera decision process.

The highest rated MFT cameras

The Camera Elo represents a comprehensive rating that takes the body, sensor and feature characteristics of digital cameras into account. It is based on the outcomes of thousands of pair-wise comparisons undertaken via the CAM-parator app.

The Panasonic G9 is currently the top-ranked Micro Four Thirds camera with a Camera Elo of 3014, followed in second place by the Olympus E-M1 III with a rating of 2963. The table below lists the 10 highest ranked MFT cameras in descending order of their Elo. It also reports the cameras' DXO Mark sensor quality score (as far as these are available), which can be taken as indicators of pure image quality. For both the Camera Elo and the DXO score, higher values represent better performance.

The Cameras with the Highest Elo

		Camera Model	Lens Type	Camera Elo	DXO Score	Camera Type	Resolution (MP)	Video Format	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Panasonic G9	Micro FT	3014	-	Mirrorless	20.2	4K/60p	Nov 2017	1,699
2.		Olympus E-M1 III	Micro FT	2963	-	Mirrorless	20.2	4K/30p	Feb 2020	1,799
3.		Olympus E-M1X	Micro FT	2939	-	Mirrorless	20.2	4K/30p	Jan 2019	2,999
4.		Panasonic GH5s	Micro FT	2821	-	Mirrorless	9.9	4K/60p	Jan 2018	2,499
5.		Panasonic GH5	Micro FT	2815	77	Mirrorless	20.2	4K/60p	Jan 2017	1,999
6.		Panasonic G110	Micro FT	2756	-	Mirrorless	20.2	4K/30p	Jun 2020	649
7.		Panasonic G90	Micro FT	2756	-	Mirrorless	20.2	4K/30p	Apr 2019	999
8.		Olympus E-M5 III	Micro FT	2747	-	Mirrorless	20.2	4K/30p	Oct 2019	1,199
9.		Olympus E-M1 II	Micro FT	2730	80	Mirrorless	20.2	4K/30p	Sep 2016	1,999
10.		Olympus E-M10 IV	Micro FT	2693	-	Mirrorless	20.2	4K/30p	Aug 2020	699

You can access more detail on the listed cameras by clicking on the camera's name. Alternatively, you can compare two MFT cameras using the search boxes below. Just enter two model names into the input fields and you will promptly be taken to a respective comparison.

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The most portable MFT cameras

A well-known proverb states that the best camera is the one that you have with you. As such, a smaller and lighter camera will likely get more use than a bulkier and heavier model. The table below lists the 10 lightest MFT cameras in ascending order of their weight.

The Lightest Models

		Camera Model	Lens Type	Camera Weight	Camera Size	Camera Elo	Camera Type	Resolution (MP)	Camera Launch	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price
1.		Panasonic GM1	Micro FT	204 g	99 x 55 x 30 g	1812	Mirrorless	15.8	Oct 2013	749
2.		Panasonic GM5	Micro FT	211 g	99 x 60 x 36 g	1869	Mirrorless	15.8	Sep 2014	749
3.		Panasonic GF3	Micro FT	264 g	108 x 67 x 32 g	1385	Mirrorless	12.0	Jun 2011	549
4.		Olympus E-PM1	Micro FT	265 g	110 x 64 x 34 g	1443	Mirrorless	12.2	Jun 2011	499
5.		Panasonic GF7	Micro FT	266 g	107 x 65 x 33 g	2015	Mirrorless	15.8	Jan 2015	499
6.		Panasonic GF5	Micro FT	267 g	108 x 67 x 37 g	1550	Mirrorless	12.0	Apr 2012	499
7.		Panasonic GX800	Micro FT	269 g	107 x 65 x 33 g	2214	Mirrorless	15.8	Jan 2017	549
8.		Olympus E-PM2	Micro FT	269 g	110 x 64 x 34 g	1680	Mirrorless	15.9	Sep 2012	499
9.		YI M1	Micro FT	281 g	114 x 64 x 34 g	2292	Mirrorless	20.2	Sep 2016	349
10.		Kodak S-1	Micro FT	290 g	116 x 68 x 36 g	1734	Mirrorless	16.1	Jan 2012	299

The most affordable MFT cameras

A camera is only as good as the lens that is placed in front of its sensor. Thus, the best Micro Four Thirds is one that leaves room enough in the budget to purchase a high quality lens to go with it. More generally, budgetary considerations are almost always important when deciding on a camera purchase, so that the following listing should be of interest. It displays the 10 least expensive cameras that use a Four Thirds sensor in ascending order of their launch prices (camera only). The latter provide a good idea on the market position of the cameras, but it is often worthwhile to check the current pricing, as all except the most recent models might be available at discounts or as great deals on the pre-owned market.

The Least Expensive Models

		Camera Model	Lens Mount	Launch Price (USD)	Camera Elo	DXO Score	Camera Type	Resolution (MP)	Video Format	Camera Launch	Street Price
1.		Kodak S-1	Micro FT	299	1734	-	Mirrorless	16.1	1080/30p	Jan 2012
2.		YI M1	Micro FT	349	2292	-	Mirrorless	20.2	4K/30p	Sep 2016
3.		Panasonic GF7	Micro FT	499	2015	-	Mirrorless	15.8	1080/60p	Jan 2015
4.		Panasonic GF6	Micro FT	499	1795	54	Mirrorless	15.8	1080/60i	Apr 2013
5.		Olympus E-PM2	Micro FT	499	1680	72	Mirrorless	15.9	1080/30p	Sep 2012
6.		Panasonic GF5	Micro FT	499	1550	61	Mirrorless	12.0	1080/60i	Apr 2012
7.		Olympus E-PM1	Micro FT	499	1443	52	Mirrorless	12.2	1080/60i	Jun 2011
8.		Panasonic G10	Micro FT	499	1318	52	Mirrorless	12.0	720/30p	Mar 2010
9.		Olympus E-PL8	Micro FT	549	2271	-	Mirrorless	15.9	1080/30p	Sep 2016
10.		Panasonic GX800	Micro FT	549	2214	73	Mirrorless	15.8	4K/30p	Jan 2017

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