OM System Keeps Micro Four Thirds Sensor
After weighing a switch to full-frame, the company's CEO concluded Micro Four Thirds still has far more room to grow.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Photography
Live Poll
Would you choose a smaller, more compact camera over a bigger, better-quality one?
OM System considered moving from Micro Four Thirds to full-frame sensors but decided to stay with the format. The decision was disclosed in an interview published on OM Digital Solutions' Japanese YouTube channel.
Why it matters
The choice shapes the future of a compact camera system at a time when full-frame cameras have grown their market share. Panasonic has released no new MFT-mount photography cameras since 2024, leaving OM System as a key holder of the format.
OM System's OM Pen, launched in September with a Micro Four Thirds sensor, is listed at $1,099 on Amazon. Panasonic's last MFT-mount photography camera, the Lumix G100D, was released in 2024, and the source does not say whether further MFT releases are planned.
The players
OM System
OM System is the camera company that acquired Olympus' camera division and continues to develop Micro Four Thirds products.
Panasonic
Panasonic is a Japanese electronics maker and a major Micro Four Thirds partner whose Lumix line has used the format.
The details
Proposals to launch APS-C or full-frame cameras were raised several times within OM System, and the CEO considered a sensor switch shortly after acquiring Olympus' camera division. The COO and the CEO of the OM System Business Unit explained the reasoning in an interview published on OM Digital Solutions' Japanese YouTube channel.
Timeline
Shortly after the acquisition of Olympus' camera division, the CEO considered a sensor switch.
In 2024, Panasonic released the Lumix G100D, its last MFT-mount photography camera.
In September, OM System launched the OM Pen with a Micro Four Thirds sensor.
On November 2, 2026, OM System revealed the sensor-format deliberation in the interview.
Market Trend
Full-frame cameras have evolved more quickly in recent years because of their larger market share, while Micro Four Thirds remains significantly more compact. OM System's decision to stay with MFT runs against that industry shift.
Photographers choosing between systems can weigh MFT's compactness against full-frame's image-quality advantages. The OM Pen's listed price gives a concrete reference point for buyers considering the format today.
The takeaway
For photographers, the sensor format matters less than whether the image quality meets their needs. Compact systems like Micro Four Thirds remain a practical choice for those who prioritize size.
Further reading
For more on camera formats and gear, explore the Photography section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Notebookcheck.
Live Poll
Would you choose a smaller, more compact camera over a bigger, better-quality one?
