What happens when a full DSLR and a digital compact camera get together? The category known as "Micro Four Thirds" was born. The standard was created by Olympus and Kodak for a digital, single lens reflex camera, with a system allowing manufacturers to create cameras that could interchange lenses and bodies across the whole platform in much smaller form factors and purely digital. Even so, the lenses are computerized and can be updated via firmware. This would give an edge in lens selection from any manufacturer that is being part of the standard; and it's an improvement over regular compact cameras.
Olympus E-P2 Pen Series
This little, but powerful camera, comes with an electronic viewfinder and even let you preview art filters effects. You could use the screen to make manual focusing easier. Being mirrorless, the E-P2's bodt is extremely compact. 12.3 Megapixels is more than enough pixels for most photos, and that comes with a high speed Live MOS Sensor. We like the built-in image stabilization that can go up to 4 EV steps. The lenses are Olympus' own M. Zuiko Digital, designed exclusively for the Micro Four Thirds system.
Panasonic Lumix GF2
We know the GF3 just broke cover last week, but you can't dismiss the GF2 just yet, sporting a 12.1 Megapixels with multi-aspect Live MOS sensor, it's still a great camera. The kit includes a 14mm lens and you could actually capture 3D images with an optional add-on lens. Shoot full HD video capability and a 3" free angle touchscreen LCD gives you a moderate amount of screen to preview your photo. A built-in flash will help you out in low light conditions and with the Intelligent Scene Selector, the camera automatically switches to the appropriate mode according to the subject chosen via touchscreen.
Samsung NX100
This one boast 14.6 Megapixels and a 50mm lens with an optical zoom of 2.5X. We like the no frills design and the sleek and slim look. With a larger CMOS sensor comes better image qualit and the 3.0" AMOLED Display offers an accurate preview of your photo. The lens is pretty fast and let you capture events as they happen in real life. And without many dials or buttons on its body, most of the features are accessible thru the touchscreen with a consumer-friendly UI.
Editor: Note, the NX100 is not a Micro Four Thirds model and was incorrectly listed as one.
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Any reason you chose to highlight the PEN E-P2 vs. the entire PEN digital line-up?
I have a PEN E-PL1. It's my first non-P&S camera and I really like it a lot. It's not a perfect camera. But, it's a great introduction for the price. And, now that the E-PL2 has been introduced, you can probably find the E-PL1 with the 14mm-42mm kit lens for $400 or less.
That Samsung is not "micro four-thirds."
There are some factual and editorial errors here:
" This little, but powerful camera, comes with an electronic viewfinder and even let you preview art filters effects... Being mirrorless allows to make the whole enclosure extremely compact."
"This one boast 14.6 Megapixels and a 50mm lens...The lens is pretty fast and let you capture events."
Zuiko is not a lens manufacturer. It is the name of Olympus-branded lenses, much like Nikon's Nikkor. While the NX100 looks like a micro four-thirds camera, it actually has an APS-C sized sensor that is much larger than the other cameras listed.
I'm a big fan of all of the Apartment Therapy websites. However, I've noticed a great number of similar errors with Unplggd posts. I find these lax editorial standards frustrating, especially given AT's high-standards for hiring new contributors. Try Harder.
Can these cameras take pictures quickly like an SLR? I have a Canon G10 and my only complaint is that I have to wait between each shot before I take another picture.
No, micro four-thirds won't be our next camera. We got an aps-c sized digital rebel (T2i) and if anything we'll go UP in size for the next one.
The size advantage of this format over normal DSLR isn't enough to make it worth it to me.
Seeing the difference the larger sensor makes - if you're moving up from compact cams, I can see why you'd do it - but I'd be more inclined to go to 35 mm size.
Speaking of compact interchangeable lens cameras, we have the Nex-3 and LOVE IT. I went to a photography workshop a few months ago, where I was the only one without a Nikon/Canon.. at the start I felt a little out of the loop with my tiny little camera, but by the end of the workshop I was thrilled because in every exercise that we did, my Nex outperformed the Nikons/Canons. Totally worth looking into if you're in the market for an awesome camera. Plus, I don't feel like that paparazzi at my daughter's events b/c of how compact it is!