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 OM System OM-1 II is currently the top-ranked Micro Four Thirds camera with a Camera Elo of 2972, followed in second place by the OM System OM-1 with a rating of 2914. 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, 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.		OM System OM-1 II	Micro FT	2972	78	Mirrorless	20.2	4K/60p	Jan 2024	2,399	amazon.com
2.		OM System OM-1	Micro FT	2914	77	Mirrorless	20.2	4K/60p	Feb 2022	2,199	ebay.com
3.		Panasonic G9 II	Micro FT	2907	78	Mirrorless	25.0	5.7K/60p	Sep 2023	1,899	amazon.com
4.		Panasonic GH6	Micro FT	2857	77	Mirrorless	25.0	5.7K/60p	Feb 2022	2,199	amazon.com
5.		Olympus E-M1 III	Micro FT	2829	76	Mirrorless	20.2	4K/30p	Feb 2020	1,799	ebay.com
6.		OM System OM-5	Micro FT	2804	78	Mirrorless	20.2	4K/30p	Oct 2022	1,199	amazon.com
7.		Panasonic GH5 II	Micro FT	2794	79	Mirrorless	20.2	4K/60p	May 2021	1,699	amazon.com
8.		Olympus E-M5 III	Micro FT	2747	76	Mirrorless	20.2	4K/30p	Oct 2019	1,199	ebay.com
9.		Olympus E-M10 IV	Micro FT	2746	76	Mirrorless	20.2	4K/30p	Aug 2020	699	amazon.com
10.		Olympus E-P7	Micro FT	2744	77	Mirrorless	20.2	4K/30p	Jun 2021	799	amazon.com
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

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	7.2 oz	3.9 x 2.2 x 1.2 in	1764	Mirrorless	15.8	Oct 2013	749	ebay.com
2.		Panasonic GM5	Micro FT	7.4 oz	3.9 x 2.4 x 1.4 in	1813	Mirrorless	15.8	Sep 2014	749	ebay.com
3.		Panasonic GF3	Micro FT	9.3 oz	4.3 x 2.6 x 1.3 in	1348	Mirrorless	12.0	Jun 2011	549	ebay.com
4.		Olympus E-PM1	Micro FT	9.3 oz	4.3 x 2.5 x 1.3 in	1399	Mirrorless	12.2	Jun 2011	499	ebay.com
5.		Panasonic GF7	Micro FT	9.4 oz	4.2 x 2.6 x 1.3 in	1946	Mirrorless	15.8	Jan 2015	499	ebay.com
6.		Panasonic GF5	Micro FT	9.4 oz	4.3 x 2.6 x 1.5 in	1440	Mirrorless	12.0	Apr 2012	499	ebay.com
7.		Panasonic GX850	Micro FT	9.5 oz	4.2 x 2.6 x 1.3 in	2169	Mirrorless	15.8	Jan 2017	549	ebay.com
8.		Olympus E-PM2	Micro FT	9.5 oz	4.3 x 2.5 x 1.3 in	1642	Mirrorless	15.9	Sep 2012	499	ebay.com
9.		YI M1	Micro FT	9.9 oz	4.5 x 2.5 x 1.3 in	2222	Mirrorless	20.2	Sep 2016	349	ebay.com
10.		Kodak S-1	Micro FT	10.2 oz	4.6 x 2.7 x 1.4 in	1666	Mirrorless	16.1	Jan 2012	299	ebay.com

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	1666	65	Mirrorless	16.1	1080/30p	Jan 2012	ebay.com
2.		YI M1	Micro FT	349	2222	73	Mirrorless	20.2	4K/30p	Sep 2016	ebay.com
3.		Panasonic GF7	Micro FT	499	1946	70	Mirrorless	15.8	1080/60p	Jan 2015	ebay.com
4.		Panasonic GF6	Micro FT	499	1730	54	Mirrorless	15.8	1080/60i	Apr 2013	ebay.com
5.		Olympus E-PM2	Micro FT	499	1642	72	Mirrorless	15.9	1080/30p	Sep 2012	ebay.com
6.		Panasonic GF5	Micro FT	499	1440	50	Mirrorless	12.0	1080/60i	Apr 2012	ebay.com
7.		Olympus E-PM1	Micro FT	499	1399	52	Mirrorless	12.2	1080/60i	Jun 2011	ebay.com
8.		Panasonic G10	Micro FT	499	1278	52	Mirrorless	12.0	720/30p	Mar 2010	ebay.com
9.		Olympus E-PL8	Micro FT	549	2216	73	Mirrorless	15.9	1080/30p	Sep 2016	ebay.com
10.		Panasonic GX850	Micro FT	549	2169	73	Mirrorless	15.8	4K/30p	Jan 2017	ebay.com
Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age.

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