@Edgaras I don’t think it’s possible to put a m4/3s lens on a 4/3s camera and get it to focus. The focus distance is set to about 2cm, vs about 4cm in 4/3s. Lens adapters can only mount lenses from a system with a longer flange distance than the system you are adapting to. This is why you haven’t been able to use M-mount lenses on another system until now. Something might be possible, but the fact it hasn’t been done yet means it’s too expensive/unacceptable quality or just not possible.

Then new “full” 4/3 lenses would be usable with all functions on m4/3 (which has more contacts via new adapter)

meaning – video functions in 4/3 dslr or maybe new IS functions (with motion sensors in lenses – i should patent it  .
I would be followed by new updated lenses (SHG first)

Go ahead, Olympus!!!

At the same time, I think they are smarter than that. I don’t recall which one, but I believe from interviews with Olympus it was readily implied often that they plan to stick with their 4/3 mount for at least some more time – suggesting the small sensor technology is more than capable of standing up to the 1.5/6 and full frames.

Before knowing about the 9 – 11 pin mount discussion my first thought was that Olympus would design a weather sealed mount around the m4/3 mount, then release a m4/3 to 4/3 adaptor to ensure compatibility with all lens – crucial given that they need to cater towards current E1 / E3 users which should be the main focus of their design. In this manner, they may come up with a brilliant new EVIL camera that can go very slim with pancakes and lens under the m4/3 or booster size with the big guns they are famous for.

I really need better AF performance as I need to get better pics of my toddler moving, and being toddlers, that’s getting no easier with time!!

Having read the 9 – 11 pin mount discussion, I think its fair to believe Olympus wants people to think an upgrade IS a new mount…whatever.

In the meantime, I have still to lament about the AF speed of my lovely EP1…I sold my canon kit to move to Olympus, and whilst still not having any regrets – CANON IS SOOO YELLOW – I am beginning to ponder if I might have had other alternatives. Fingers crossed for an early E5 announcement from Olympus so I can put my concerns to lay!!

I’d be all in if we get the best of the m4/3 world.

Olympus would be again a step ahead.

But if so good prime glass would be a precondition. So far Olympus neglects prime glass.

@Adrian Lewis: I wonder how that thread got past without me commenting on it or seeing it. But yes, the move to 11 pin is a good idea, and marketing would call it a new or upgraded mount. The beauty of it is that it should be able to fail gracefully…

@YeahYeah: Yes you can limit the maximum f ratio physically, once you are past the last optical element. Once past the last element, the light must be at the resulting focal length, and given you have a limiting circle of 28mm diameter, approximately 40mm out from the sensor, the maximum f/ratio is f/1.4 (ie 40/28) for the 4/3 mount. It can be slightly higher for adapted lenses, but the square recess the sensor sits it still limits the maximum to about f/1.3. Anything wider than that gets cut off.