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 GH7 is currently the top-ranked Micro Four Thirds camera with a Camera Elo of 2998, followed in second place by the Panasonic G9 II 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, which can be taken as indicators of pure image quality. For both the Camera Elo and the DXO score, higher values represent better performance.
| Camera Model |
Lens Type |
Camera Elo |
DXO Score |
Camera Type |
Resolution (MP) |
Video Format |
Camera Launch | Launch Price | Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Panasonic GH7 | Micro FT | 2998 | 78 | Mirrorless | 25.0 | 5.7K/60p | Jun 2024 | US$ 2 199 | amazon.com | |
| 2. | Panasonic G9 II | Micro FT | 2963 | 78 | Mirrorless | 25.0 | 5.7K/60p | Sep 2023 | US$ 1 899 | amazon.com | |
| 3. | OM System OM-1 II | Micro FT | 2925 | 78 | Mirrorless | 20.2 | 4K/60p | Jan 2024 | US$ 2 399 | amazon.com | |
| 4. | OM System OM-1 | Micro FT | 2917 | 77 | Mirrorless | 20.2 | 4K/60p | Feb 2022 | US$ 2 199 | ebay.com | |
| 5. | Panasonic GH6 | Micro FT | 2879 | 77 | Mirrorless | 25.0 | 5.7K/60p | Feb 2022 | US$ 2 199 | amazon.com | |
| 6. | OM System OM-3 | Micro FT | 2816 | 78 | Mirrorless | 20.2 | 4K/60p | Feb 2025 | US$ 1 999 | amazon.com | |
| 7. | Panasonic GH5 II | Micro FT | 2781 | 79 | Mirrorless | 20.2 | 4K/60p | May 2021 | US$ 1 699 | amazon.com | |
| 8. | Olympus E-M1 III | Micro FT | 2745 | 76 | Mirrorless | 20.2 | 4K/30p | Feb 2020 | US$ 1 799 | ebay.com | |
| 9. | Olympus E-M1X | Micro FT | 2723 | 75 | Mirrorless | 20.2 | 4K/30p | Jan 2019 | US$ 2 999 | ebay.com | |
| 10. | Panasonic G9 | Micro FT | 2705 | 74 | Mirrorless | 20.2 | 4K/60p | Nov 2017 | US$ 1 699 | ebay.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.
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.
| Camera Model |
Lens Type |
Camera Weight |
Camera Size |
Camera Elo |
Camera Type |
Resolution (MP) |
Camera Launch | Launch Price | Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Panasonic GM1 | Micro FT | 7.2 oz | 3.9 x 2.2 x 1.2 in | 1696 | Mirrorless | 15.8 | Oct 2013 | US$ 749 | ebay.com | |
| 2. | Panasonic GM5 | Micro FT | 7.4 oz | 3.9 x 2.4 x 1.4 in | 1754 | Mirrorless | 15.8 | Sep 2014 | US$ 749 | ebay.com | |
| 3. | Panasonic GF3 | Micro FT | 9.3 oz | 4.3 x 2.6 x 1.3 in | 1308 | Mirrorless | 12.0 | Jun 2011 | US$ 549 | ebay.com | |
| 4. | Olympus E-PM1 | Micro FT | 9.3 oz | 4.3 x 2.5 x 1.3 in | 1360 | Mirrorless | 12.2 | Jun 2011 | US$ 499 | ebay.com | |
| 5. | Panasonic GF7 | Micro FT | 9.4 oz | 4.2 x 2.6 x 1.3 in | 1877 | Mirrorless | 15.8 | Jan 2015 | US$ 499 | ebay.com | |
| 6. | Panasonic GF5 | Micro FT | 9.4 oz | 4.3 x 2.6 x 1.5 in | 1393 | Mirrorless | 12.0 | Apr 2012 | US$ 499 | ebay.com | |
| 7. | Panasonic GX850 | Micro FT | 9.5 oz | 4.2 x 2.6 x 1.3 in | 2094 | Mirrorless | 15.8 | Jan 2017 | US$ 549 | ebay.com | |
| 8. | Olympus E-PM2 | Micro FT | 9.5 oz | 4.3 x 2.5 x 1.3 in | 1575 | Mirrorless | 15.9 | Sep 2012 | US$ 499 | ebay.com | |
| 9. | YI M1 | Micro FT | 9.9 oz | 4.5 x 2.5 x 1.3 in | 2152 | Mirrorless | 20.2 | Sep 2016 | US$ 349 | ebay.com | |
| 10. | Kodak S-1 | Micro FT | 10.2 oz | 4.6 x 2.7 x 1.4 in | 1593 | Mirrorless | 16.1 | Jan 2012 | US$ 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.
| Camera Model |
Lens Mount |
Launch Price |
Camera Elo |
DXO Score |
Camera Type |
Resolution (MP) |
Video Format | Camera Launch | Street Price |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Kodak S-1 | Micro FT | US$ 299 | 1593 | 65 | Mirrorless | 16.1 | 1080/30p | Jan 2012 | ebay.com | |
| 2. | YI M1 | Micro FT | US$ 349 | 2152 | 73 | Mirrorless | 20.2 | 4K/30p | Sep 2016 | ebay.com | |
| 3. | Panasonic GF7 | Micro FT | US$ 499 | 1877 | 70 | Mirrorless | 15.8 | 1080/60p | Jan 2015 | ebay.com | |
| 4. | Panasonic GF6 | Micro FT | US$ 499 | 1677 | 54 | Mirrorless | 15.8 | 1080/60i | Apr 2013 | ebay.com | |
| 5. | Olympus E-PM2 | Micro FT | US$ 499 | 1575 | 72 | Mirrorless | 15.9 | 1080/30p | Sep 2012 | ebay.com | |
| 6. | Panasonic GF5 | Micro FT | US$ 499 | 1393 | 50 | Mirrorless | 12.0 | 1080/60i | Apr 2012 | ebay.com | |
| 7. | Olympus E-PM1 | Micro FT | US$ 499 | 1360 | 52 | Mirrorless | 12.2 | 1080/60i | Jun 2011 | ebay.com | |
| 8. | Panasonic G10 | Micro FT | US$ 499 | 1243 | 52 | Mirrorless | 12.0 | 720/30p | Mar 2010 | ebay.com | |
| 9. | Olympus E-PL8 | Micro FT | US$ 549 | 2120 | 73 | Mirrorless | 15.9 | 1080/30p | Sep 2016 | ebay.com | |
| 10. | Panasonic GX850 | Micro FT | US$ 549 | 2094 | 73 | Mirrorless | 15.8 | 4K/30p | Jan 2017 | ebay.com | |
| Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. | |||||||||||
Further Reading
Additional information on the calculation of the Camera Elo can be found on a respective Elo methodology page. Moreover, there are other rankings of cameras by category that might be of interest:
You are here: Home » Best Camera » Best MFT