5 Companies You've Never Heard Of Join Micro Four Thirds Standard

When the Micro Four Thirds system was announced in 2008, two camera makers had signed on: Olympus and Panasonic. Both have gone on to produce some popular cameras, including the Olympus OM-D E-M5 and Panasonic GH3, both of which are available at Adorama, along a growing number of lenses and accessories.

The Four Thirds sensor, right, is approximately half the size of a 35mm sensor, allowing for smaller cameras and lens designs which has brought about a new category of cameras.

Now five more companies with names you probably won't recognize have announced they will soon introduce products that will be Micro Four Thirds compliant. Mind you, not all of these products will necessarily be cameras or lenses, but one company, California-based JK Imaging, recently announced brand licensing of the Kodak name for cameras, projectors and other products. It seems probable that a future Kodak Micro Four Thirds system camera will be the most visible of the new product introductions.

No new product introduction date was given.

Other companies that have joined Micro Four Thirds are: BlackMagic Design, an Australian broadcast/video equipment manufacturer; Photron, which makes film and video equipment and photo instrumentation equipment; SVS-VISTEK, a German company that makes professional machine vision components, and ViewPlus, which provides video equipment and links communications and image processing.