m43 product line names

Can someone please explain to me the naming convention for the m43 product lines.. I just can't make out what's above or below what. In the DSLR world it's somewhat easier to understand where a camera falls in terms of consumer, prosumer, enthusiast, pro, etc. line. Over here we have GF, GH, GX, G, GTO, M3, ADD, WTF, EPM, EPL, EP, OMG OMD,.... Is there a link to an article or something that explains all this or can someone just briefly explain in here? I would really appreciate it.

For a while, "7" has been the hot numeral --lotta gotta have it, nearly.

(And, even after a "GX7" from Pany, Canon brilliantly issues a "G7 X"!)

(-;

On the Oly side, there's a bit of plumbing historical camera lines for naming their µ4/3 cameras. The first, viewfinderless Pen models pull their name, and general layout, from the Pen series of half-frame 35mm cameras of the '60s. The E in E-P1 is a nod to the E-series dslrs which provided the four-thirds chip standard.

The later OM-Ds are the digital stepchild of the OM-series of 35mm SLRs, which likewise influenced body designs and acknowledge the added EVF.

Panasonic are evidently enamored with the letter G.

Cheers,

Rick

ETA "E" is short for "EVOLT", which Oly once used to name all their digicams (starting back when they still made those film thingies). Thankfully they no longer feel the need.

--
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whiggy said:

Can someone please explain to me the naming convention for the m43 product lines.. I just can't make out what's above or below what. In the DSLR world it's somewhat easier to understand where a camera falls in terms of consumer, prosumer, enthusiast, pro, etc. line. Over here we have GF, GH, GX, G, GTO, M3, ADD, WTF, EPM, EPL, EP, OMG OMD,.... Is there a link to an article or something that explains all this or can someone just briefly explain in here? I would really appreciate it.

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You are not alone in your confusion, and I am not sure that I entirely understand the product lines either, but I will explain what I do know:

Olympus:

* EP = small, no viewfinder

* OMD = DSLR-ish, viewfinder, lower numbers for the higher end (EM-1 = best, EM-10 = low end)

Panasonic:

* GH = DSLR-ish, video king

* G = Budget version of the GH

* GF = ??? I always think of is as the selfie option.

* GX = rangefinder style

* GM = really tiny

Huh, must have missed this when I looked for it before - http://www.four-thirds.org/en/microft/body.html. This helps clarify it a bit.

I find the names and numbers thoroughly obscure, but the web site http://www.four-thirds.org/en/ gives you an easy run-down of the cameras currently available (although they are not very quick to update and haven't yet listed the GX8).

whiggy said:

Can someone please explain to me the naming convention for the m43 product lines.. I just can't make out what's above or below what. In the DSLR world it's somewhat easier to understand where a camera falls in terms of consumer, prosumer, enthusiast, pro, etc. line. Over here we have GF, GH, GX, G, GTO, M3, ADD, WTF, EPM, EPL, EP, OMG OMD,.... Is there a link to an article or something that explains all this or can someone just briefly explain in here? I would really appreciate it.

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D, G ED, IF, FL, AI, AIS, DC, N, RF, VR, PC, E, SWM, SIC, CRC, M/A. A/M...in Nikon's product line of lenses! :-D

PorkBun said:

D, G ED, IF, FL, AI, AIS, DC, N, RF, VR, PC, E, SWM, SIC, CRC, M/A. A/M...in Nikon's product line of lenses! :-D

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No need to get all defensive about it... I wasn't attacking; just trying to understand so I can decide what camera I want to get. Besides, I was talking camera bodies, not lenses.
(Sadly, I can explain all these Nikon's acronyms but that comes from owning Nikon for many years)

whiggy said:

PorkBun said:

D, G ED, IF, FL, AI, AIS, DC, N, RF, VR, PC, E, SWM, SIC, CRC, M/A. A/M...in Nikon's product line of lenses! :-D

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No need to get all defensive about it... I wasn't attacking; just trying to understand so I can decide what camera I want to get. Besides, I was talking camera bodies, not lenses.
(Sadly, I can explain all these Nikon's acronyms but that comes from owning Nikon for many years)

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Hence...the smiley face...

You should totally get the GX7 if you can find it at discount. One heck of a camera with everything thrown in including the veritable kitchen sink.

kaphinga said:

whiggy said:

Can someone please explain to me the naming convention for the m43 product lines.. I just can't make out what's above or below what. In the DSLR world it's somewhat easier to understand where a camera falls in terms of consumer, prosumer, enthusiast, pro, etc. line. Over here we have GF, GH, GX, G, GTO, M3, ADD, WTF, EPM, EPL, EP, OMG OMD,.... Is there a link to an article or something that explains all this or can someone just briefly explain in here? I would really appreciate it.

Click to expand...

You are not alone in your confusion, and I am not sure that I entirely understand the product lines either, but I will explain what I do know:

Olympus:

* EP = small, no viewfinder

* OMD = DSLR-ish, viewfinder, lower numbers for the higher end (EM-1 = best, EM-10 = low end)

Panasonic:

* GH = DSLR-ish, video king

* G = Budget version of the GH

* GF = ??? I always think of is as the selfie option.

* GX = rangefinder style

* GM = really tiny

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Oh, and by the way, the reason I went with Olympus instead of Panasonic was because I couldn't make sense of Panasonic's product line. Panasonic's line makes more sense to me now.

There is no rational explanation. When did anyone ever find a rational thought in the mind of a marketing executive?

whiggy said:

Over here we have GF, GH, GX, G, GTO, M3, ADD, WTF, EPM, EPL, EP, OMG OMD,.... Is there a link to an article or something that explains all this or can someone just briefly explain in here? I would really appreciate it.

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I don't know, but I'd prefer a Mustang GT over a Pontiac GTO

I know, I included those silly ones in there just to get attention, I admit it.

But seriously, I would like to understand what I am getting into. One of the greatest things about m43 (and for photography in general) is that you can use lenses regardless of the brand. Choices are great! On the other hand, it's hard to keep up with all those choices.

From the bottom to the top.....GF, GM, G, GX, GH. Simple. Lower line, lower price...unless you are talking about the GM5 which still pulls a fairly hefty price.

The logic(?) to Panasonic names remains a mystery to me so I won't go there.

Meanwhile here's my take on Olympus body names.....

Two series, Pen and OM-D.

The Pen is the rectangular brick shape with an optional top attachable electronic viewfinder, 3 viewfinders available ranging from hmmm, to totally excellent, VF-3, VF-2, VF-4 in that order.

The E-PMx line being the Mini, minimal buttons and dials to play with. Last model E-PM2, seems to have stalled there.

The E-PLx line being the Lite models best value for money, less buttons and dials than the top model. Last model E-PL7, very nice features.

The E-Px line being the flagship Pen line, all the dials and buttons that are normally needed. Last model E-P5 a very nice camera with the latest firmware updates, but lacking some of the neat features of later bodies.

Some rumours put the Pen line at an end and may only see E-PL models in future, or maybe some amalgam of E-P and E-PL lines.

The firmware is very much the same in all lines, so all firmware features are available but harder to get to sometimes if having less buttons etc.

Next the OM-D line, a revival of the famed OM line of film cameras in naming and to some extent in shape as the built-in viewfinder brings back the familiar hump shape loved by many.

In a period of huge stress to the company due to a massive financial scandal, they rushed out the first OM-D model as a hero product to keep the shareholders happy. And they did succeed.

First was the E-M5 (don't ask about the numbering!). An excellent camera in its day and still darn good even now, but lacking many features in the firmware due to the earlier design. Probably considered to be a mid level OM-D camera if it needs to have a placing.

Next the E-M1 flagship camera, mainly built to help the old 4/3 DSLR users who had a stock of 4/3 lenses. Incorporates both phase detect and contrast detect AF. The only one so far with that combination. Totally excellent camera.

Then the E-M10 probably considered to be the entry level to OM-D, plenty of features, just a slightly simpler control setup and no weather sealing like the other OM-D models have so far. This seems to be the best value for money if wanting the firmware features and not needing weather sealing.

Lastly the more recent E-M5 Mk2, a total naming mistake in my view as it really should be the E-M6 if there were to be any logic at all applied here. This brings in new features and abilities due to the upgraded and improved 5 axis stabilisation. Now can get 40MP images from a 16MP sensor if on a tripod and nothing moves. This camera now is the best featured one and is a rival to the flagship E-M1 in many ways.

The in-body stabilisation is different in the lines, of the last model of each type that may be seen still in the shops we have moderately inefficient 2 axis stabilisation in the E-PM2 and the E-PL5/6 models, much better 3 axis stabilisation in the E-PL7 and the E-M10, better again 5 axis stabilisation in the E-P5, E-M5, E-M1, and the new improved version of the 5 axis stabilisation in the E-M5 Mk2.

Maybe that helps a bit with the Oly side of things.

Comment: Some see the main advantage of the Olympus bodies as being able to attach just about any lens ever made (with an appropriate adapter) and still have image stabilisation.

Regards.... Guy

Yep I guess it can be pretty confusing, especially with Panasonic, they keep changing direction and with so many different product types.

Its a little simpler with Olympus, you have your Pens and you have your OMD`s with three levels for each.

Thanks everyone, this all helps understand m43 offerings better.

So all these Panasonics, GF, GM, G, GX, GH, are interchangeable lenses cameras, right? No fixed lenses?

Does anyone else make m43 bodies, other than Panasonic and Olympus?

whiggy said:

Thanks everyone, this all helps understand m43 offerings better.

So all these Panasonics, GF, GM, G, GX, GH, are interchangeable lenses cameras, right? No fixed lenses?

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Right. The Panasonic LX and FZ series are fixed zooms for the enthusiast market, and the Panasonic LX100 uses a 4/3 sensor.

Member said:

Does anyone else make m43 bodies, other than Panasonic and Olympus?

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Panasonic and Olympus are the main ones. The Black Magic cinema cameras use an m4/3 mount, I think. And I seem to recall that whoever bought the Kodak name is now making an m4/3 mount camera.