MFT Mount: Micro Four Thirds bayonet mount with 12mm flange distance, used on compact mirrorless cameras from Panasonic and Olympus.
Technical Details
The MFT Mount uses an inner diameter of 38 mm with a bayonet outer diameter of 46 mm. The short flange focal distance of 19.25 mm allows for the use of adapters for practically all other lens systems, including Canon EF, Nikon F, Leica M, and PL Mount. The 12 electrical contacts transmit data for autofocus, image stabilization, aperture control, and lens corrections. The standard supports mechanical and electronic image stabilization through sensor-shift technology.
History & Development
Panasonic and Olympus jointly introduced the MFT standard in 2008, with the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1 being the first MFT camera to hit the market. In 2013, Blackmagic Design extended the standard into the professional film sector with the Pocket Cinema Camera. Other manufacturers such as Z CAM, DJI, and Sharp integrated the system into their broadcast and cinema cameras. Since 2019, streaming and live production cameras have also increasingly utilized the MFT system.
Practical Use in Film
MFT cameras are used in documentary productions like "Free Solo" (2018) for climbing sequences where weight and size are crucial. The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro is used for independent productions and as a B-camera on larger productions. Netflix accepts certain MFT cameras for original content, including the Panasonic GH5S. The mount, through adapters, allows the use of vintage cinema lenses such as Zeiss Super Speeds or Cooke Panchros at a fraction of the cost of a PL Mount solution.
Comparison & Alternatives
Compared to Sony E-Mount (18 mm flange focal distance), MFT offers smaller, lighter lenses with comparable optical performance. However, Canon RF Mount and Nikon Z Mount, with 20 mm and 16 mm flange focal distances respectively, use larger full-frame sensors. The traditional PL Mount with a 52 mm flange focal distance requires significantly larger and heavier lenses. For gimbal setups and drone shots, MFT remains unrivaled, while full-frame systems are preferred for cinema productions with large screen projection.