A mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera system jointly developed by Olympus and Panasonic. Uses a 17.3×13mm sensor with a 2× crop factor relative to full-frame (35mm).

Total number of effective pixels on the sensor, in millions. Higher values capture more detail but don't necessarily mean better image quality.

The year the camera was officially announced or released.

A low-power CMOS-type sensor used by Olympus and Panasonic in MFT cameras. Designed to reduce heat and noise compared to standard CMOS.

Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor. The standard image sensor technology used in modern digital cameras.

Stacked Back-Side Illuminated sensor. Places circuitry beneath the photodiodes for faster readout speeds, reducing rolling shutter and enabling very high burst rates (e.g. OM-1's 120fps).

The highest native ISO sensitivity setting. Higher values allow shooting in darker conditions but introduce more noise. Ranges from ISO 1,600 (Blackmagic Cinema Camera) to ISO 204,800 (GH5S).

Sensor-shift stabilization built into the camera body. Compensates for camera shake on multiple axes, working with any attached lens.

Measures how much stabilization the IBIS provides. Each stop doubles the handholdable shutter speed. E.g. 5 stops means a 1/30s shot is as steady as 1/1000s without IBIS.

A small screen inside the eyepiece that shows a live digital preview of the scene, including exposure preview and overlays. Measured in dot count (e.g. 2360k = 2.36 million dots).

Resolution of the electronic viewfinder, measured in thousands of dots (RGB sub-pixels). Higher values mean sharper, more detailed preview. Ranges from 202k to 5760k.

Diagonal measurement of the rear screen in inches. Most MFT cameras use a 3.0" screen.

Resolution of the rear LCD, measured in thousands of dots. Higher values produce a sharper, more detailed screen image.

The rear screen is permanently attached and cannot be repositioned.

The screen tilts up and/or down on a hinge, useful for high/low angle shooting but not for selfies.

The screen flips out to the side and rotates fully, allowing any angle including forward-facing for vlogging/selfies.

Whether the LCD supports touch input for focusing, menu navigation, or shutter release.

The highest video resolution the camera can record internally. Common values: 720p (1280×720), 1080p (1920×1080), 4K (3840×2160), 5.7K (5728×3024), C4K (4096×2160).

Maximum frame rate at the highest video resolution. Common rates: 24p (cinematic), 30p (standard), 60p (smooth motion), 120p (slow motion).

Number of bits per color channel. 8-bit = 16.7M colors, 10-bit = 1.07B colors (better for grading), 12-bit = 68.7B colors (cinema-grade latitude). Higher bit depth preserves more detail in shadows and highlights.

The amount of data recorded per second in megabits. Higher bitrates generally mean better image quality and less compression. Ranges from ~17 Mbps (early cameras) to 1,900 Mbps (GH7 in ProRes).

The compression standard used to encode video data. Each has different quality-to-file-size tradeoffs.

Motion JPEG. Early codec that compresses each frame individually. Simple but large files with limited quality.

Advanced Video Coding High Definition. An older H.264-based format designed for consumer camcorders. Limited to ~28 Mbps.

A widely compatible video codec. Good quality at moderate bitrates. Supported by virtually all editors and devices.

High Efficiency Video Coding. Successor to H.264, achieving similar quality at roughly half the bitrate. More demanding to decode.

Apple's professional editing codec. High quality with predictable performance. Large files but excellent for post-production workflows.

Blackmagic's proprietary RAW codec. Preserves maximum sensor data for color grading while keeping file sizes manageable through partial debayering.

An open RAW video format storing each frame as an uncompressed DNG image. Maximum quality but extremely large files.

Maximum continuous recording time per clip. Many older cameras had a 29 min 59 sec limit to avoid EU camcorder import taxes. Modern cameras often record unlimited.

Whether the camera can load custom Look-Up Tables for on-screen preview of color grading while recording in flat/log profiles.

A low-contrast, desaturated picture profile that captures maximum dynamic range for color grading in post. Examples: V-Log L (Panasonic), OM-Log (OM System), Film (Blackmagic).

Autofocus by analyzing contrast in the image. Accurate but can 'hunt' (oscillate) before locking, especially in video.

Depth From Defocus. Panasonic's enhanced contrast AF that analyzes two slightly defocused images to estimate subject distance, reducing hunting. Still not as fast as phase-detect.

Phase Detection Autofocus integrated on the imaging sensor, combined with contrast detection. Faster and more reliable subject tracking than pure contrast AF.

Panasonic's latest AF system (G9 II/GH7) combining on-sensor phase detection with DFD contrast detection. First Panasonic MFT cameras with true phase-detect AF.

Number of autofocus detection areas across the frame. More points = better coverage and more precise subject tracking. Ranges from 11 (early PEN) to 1,053 (OM-1).

Maximum continuous shooting speed in frames per second using the mechanical or electronic shutter. Higher fps helps capture fast action.

Number of memory card slots. Two slots allow overflow recording, backup, or separating stills/video.

Secure Digital memory card standard. The most common storage in MFT cameras. Capacity ranges from MB to TB.

Ultra High Speed bus interface for SD cards. UHS-I supports up to 104 MB/s; UHS-II supports up to 312 MB/s. Faster cards are needed for high-bitrate video.

A high-speed memory card format using PCIe interface. Much faster than SD, enabling very high bitrate recording (800+ Mbps).

A smaller form factor of SD card. Used in ultra-compact cameras like the GM1 and some DJI drones.

A 3.5mm input for connecting an external microphone, essential for quality audio in video production.

A 3.5mm output for monitoring audio in real-time while recording. Critical for professional video work.

An older USB connector standard. Slower data transfer, found on early MFT cameras (2008–2012).

A smaller USB connector. Common on mid-era MFT cameras (2013–2019). Supports charging on some models.

Modern reversible USB connector supporting fast data transfer and power delivery. Found on recent cameras (2017+). Enables USB charging/PD.

Video output for external monitors/recorders. Mini-HDMI (Type C) and Micro-HDMI (Type D) are common; Full HDMI (Type A) is more robust for pro use.

Wireless connectivity for transferring images to a phone/tablet, remote control, or live streaming.

Low-energy wireless for maintaining a persistent connection with a smartphone app. Used for remote shutter, GPS tagging via phone, and auto-transfer.

Built-in satellite positioning for geotagging photos with location coordinates. Relatively rare — found mainly on flagship models (E-M1X, E-M1 III, OM-1).

The camera body has gaskets and seals to resist dust and moisture ingress. Not waterproof, but usable in light rain and dusty environments.

A small pop-up flash unit integrated into the camera body. Useful for fill light but limited in power.

A mounting bracket on top of the camera for attaching an external flash, microphone, EVF, or other accessories. Includes electrical contacts for communication.

Estimated number of still photos per charge, measured using CIPA standards. Real-world usage varies significantly based on EVF/LCD use, video, and Wi-Fi.

Camera body weight in grams, typically without lens, battery, or memory card (body-only). MFT cameras range from 146g (Air A01) to 1,700g (Blackmagic Cinema Camera).

Ultra-compact bodies small enough to fit in a jacket pocket with a pancake lens. Examples: GM1 (173g), GM5, GX850. Minimal controls, no mic jack.

Small, lightweight bodies without a built-in EVF. Aimed at casual shooters and travelers. Examples: GF series, PEN E-PL series.

Flat-bodied design with an offset EVF (or no EVF). Inspired by classic rangefinder film cameras. Examples: GX7, GX9, PEN E-P series, PEN-F, OM-3.

Traditional DSLR-shaped body with a centered EVF hump. The most common form factor, offering good ergonomics and full controls. Examples: G9, GH5, E-M1, OM-1.

An integrated vertical battery grip built into the body for extended battery life and portrait-orientation controls. Example: E-M1X.

Dedicated video/cinema camera bodies without traditional photo features. Larger screens, pro audio I/O, cinema codecs. Examples: Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera series.

A sensor/lens module without a screen or viewfinder, designed to be controlled via smartphone. Example: Olympus Air A01.

Camera modules designed to be mounted on drones or handheld gimbals rather than held directly. Examples: DJI Zenmuse X5, X5S.

Compact modular camera bodies without built-in displays, designed for multi-camera setups, broadcast, streaming, and gimbal/drone mounting. Controlled via app or tethering software. Examples: Panasonic BGH1, Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera, Z Cam E1.

Fixed-position cameras with large built-in screens, designed for broadcast studio or live event use rather than handheld shooting. Examples: Blackmagic Studio Camera, Micro Studio Camera 4K.

Traditional video-camera-shaped bodies with integrated grips and professional audio/video I/O. Designed primarily for continuous video production. Examples: Panasonic AG-AF100, JVC GY-LS300.