Robin Wong revisits the Olympus E-1 and explains why Olympus once called its sensor “full frame.” He shows sample photos and argues that you don’t need the latest gear to enjoy photography. Key Takeaways:

• Why “full frame” back then? Early Olympus materials for the E-1 described a “full-frame transfer CCD.” In context, “full frame” meant the sensor used its entire designed image area (no internal crop relative to its own standard), not 35mm equivalence. Over time the industry standardized “full frame” to mean 35mm, and Four Thirds was referred to as a 2× crop vs. 35mm.
• Built-for-digital system: Unlike brands that adapted film mounts, Olympus designed Four Thirds from scratch—new mount + digital-first sensor—which reduced compromises seen when reusing film-era designs.
• Telecentric optics advantage: Four Thirds lenses were designed to project light more perpendicularly onto the sensor (telecentric design). Benefits: better corner performance, more uniform sharpness, and efficient light capture. Robin notes Canon RF and Nikon Z later embraced similar digital-first optical thinking (mirrorless, short flange, large throat diameters).
• Shooting the E-1 in 2025: Despite “only” 5 MP and no IBIS, the E-1 still feels great in hand, is responsive enough, and produces warm, pleasing Kodak CCD colors that Robin loves for street photography.
• Big message: Gear perfection isn’t required—use what you enjoy. A camera that was great 20 years ago can still be great today.

Related Gear & Helpful Links:

• Olympus E-1 body (used market search): Amazon
• Olympus Zuiko Digital 14-54mm f/2.8-3.5 (the lens Robin used): Amazon
• Four Thirds → Micro Four Thirds adapter (MMF-3 or equivalents): Amazon
• OM SYSTEM OM-1 (modern MFT flagship): Amazon
• OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO II (telecentric-friendly, digital-first zoom): Amazon
• Panasonic Lumix G9 II (modern MFT body alternative): Amazon
• OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko 25mm f/1.8 (compact prime for street): Amazon

Final Thoughts

• The E-1 shows how early digital-first thinking (Four Thirds + telecentric lenses) anticipated today’s mirrorless advantages. If you value handling and color as much as specs, classics like the E-1 can still deliver a uniquely satisfying shooting experience.

the Micro Four Thirds camera that changed everything

Today deals at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, FotoErhardt DE, FotoKoch DE.
OWC Announces Latest Thunderbolt 5 Dock and RAID Array Devices (Explora).
AFTER THE SHOT IS DONE: Things to do before publishing your photos (42West)
OM3 and the 5 Steps Challenge (Terry Lane).
Micro Four Thirds and what happens when you leave the heavy gear behind? (Simon Booth).

Plenty of news on the facebook OMD group, Panasonic FF and the GH5 group.
I kindly invite you all to follow me on Youtube, Instagram, Threads for more broader camera talk.

In this video Gary discusses how Micro Four Thirds (MFT) cameras can thrive in the AI era by focusing on authenticity and real-life storytelling rather than flawless, synthetic imagery. As AI-generated photos become common, people will value meaningful, imperfect, and real moments.

MFT’s strengths—small size, light weight, affordability, and good image quality—make it ideal as an everyday carry (EDC) camera for capturing spontaneous, genuine moments without the bulk of larger systems. The tactile shooting experience, fast operation, and enjoyable handling (e.g., Panasonic Lumix G100) provide satisfaction that AI can’t replicate.

To succeed, Panasonic and OM System should produce small, fun-to-use cameras with fast boot times, responsive controls, and a touch of nostalgic design (e.g., Pen F Mark II, GX9 Mark II) to appeal to enthusiasts.

Gary contrasts MFT’s practicality with the limitations of Leica M (manual focus, high cost) and Sony ZV-E10 (slow startup, less suited for stills). The key opportunity lies in positioning MFT as the go-to camera system for authentic, everyday storytelling in a world dominated by AI imagery.

Why can’t I focus stack?

Today deals at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, FotoErhardt DE, FotoKoch DE.
Dusted off my E-M10, and never looked back (Olympus Passion).
Best Lights for Video Podcasting (Explora).
new UN OM-3 Camera Holder Black (Asobinet).
Photo Industry Recap Summer 2025 (42West)

Plenty of news on the facebook OMD group, Panasonic FF and the GH5 group.
I kindly invite you all to follow me on Youtube, Instagram, Threads for more broader camera talk.

ThePhoblographer suggested that OM Digital should bring back the Olympus XZ-1, giving it a modern update. With the growing demand for retro-style, high-quality compact cameras—like the Fujifilm X100 series—a refreshed XZ-1 could be a perfect fit for today’s market.

The original XZ-1 was announced back in 2011 but still looks cool today! And you find it used for just under $300 on Amazon (Click here).

What Have I Learned After 2 Years with Micro Four Thirds?

Today deals at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, FotoErhardt DE, FotoKoch DE.
LUMIX Live: Making Sense of the Rec Qualities
Olympus Passion Photography Magazine – July 2025!
Selecting Lights for Your Video Podcast (Explora).
Don’t Toss That Camera: Why & How to Reuse, Refresh, and Reimagine Used Equipment (42West)

Plenty of news on the facebook OMD group, Panasonic FF and the GH5 group.
I kindly invite you all to follow me on Youtube, Instagram, Threads for more broader camera talk