Which Micro Four Thirds Camera Has The Quickest Autofocus?

The Micro Four Thirds system, designed by Olympus and Panasonic in 2008, is a popular choice for photographers due to its compact size, weight, and cost. When it comes to autofocus, the Panasonic Lumix GH5, GH6, and G9II are often praised for their speed and performance. The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II and OM-D E-M10 Mark IV are also notable options, with the latter being beginner-friendly and budget-conscious. The Panasonic Lumix G9II, in particular, stands out for its autofocus capabilities in low-light conditions.

The Olympus OM-D EM-5 Mark II is a great camera for autofocus

• The autofocus on the Olympus OM-D EM-5 Mark II is fast and reliable, even in low light.
• The camera has 81 autofocus areas, which is an improvement on the original model.
• The autofocus system is one of the most reliable on the mirrorless market.
• The autofocus is fast enough to capture moving subjects, such as skateboarders and cyclists.
• The camera has a touch-to-shoot function, which allows you to focus, expose, and shoot in less than half a second.
• The autofocus is faster than a DSLR in good light.
• The camera has face recognition, which automatically switches focus to the subject's face when you press the shutter button.

The Panasonic Lumix GH6 is a good option for videography

The Panasonic Lumix GH6 is a powerful, reliable, and unlimited camera, making it a good option for videography. It has a 25.2MP Live MOS sensor and a new engine, offering the first Phase Detection Autofocus in the LUMIX G series. The camera delivers higher resolution and bit rates than ever before, with a 5.7K 60p, 4K 120p 10-bit video, and all recording modes with no time limit. The GH6 is the first LUMIX to offer 4:2:2 10-bit C4K/4K 60p unlimited internal recording, thanks to its optimal heat dissipation structure. It also has an upgraded flippy screen with a much higher resolution than its predecessor, the G85.

The GH6 is a video-centric camera with a built-in fan to cool the camera's processor and dissipate the heat from the CFexpress card. It has a tilt/articulating 1.84M dot rear touchscreen, which is mounted on a fully-articulating hinge. The camera's autofocus system is based on its Depth-from-Defocus system, which builds a depth map of the scene by adjusting the focus and analyzing any changes. The GH6 also has a 'Luminance spot meter' function to help set exposure in V-Log mode and the ability to resize the waveform monitor display.

The Panasonic Lumix G9II is a good choice for low-light photography

The Panasonic Lumix G9 II is a good choice for low-light photography. It has a 25MP CMOS sensor with dual output gain, 5-axis in-body image stabilization, and on-sensor phase detection. The G9 II is the first Lumix Micro Four Thirds camera to include phase detection autofocus. The G9 II's sensor stabilization gives about 5 stops of correction. Pair the camera with a lens that also has optical stabilization and you get 6.5 stops! The G9 II is also one of the fastest Micro Four Thirds cameras, with a burst shooting speed of 60 fps with AF-C and electronic shutter (10 fps mechanical).

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is a good budget option

The camera is packed with features, in-body image stabilization, and dual control dials, which are hardly what you'd expect of an "entry-level" model. It has a 180-degree flip-down rear screen, which is great for selfies and handheld vlogging. The autofocus system is contrast-based and performs very well, even benefiting from face and eye detection. The guided shooting modes make this a great place for beginners to learn their way around a camera, and the compact size and EVF make it a formidable travel camera as well.

The E-M10 Mark IV is an older model, being the last camera to carry the Olympus brand name, but this only makes the camera an even better bargain. It still packs plenty of tech worthy of a 2024 camera.

The OM System OM-1 Mark II is a good all-round camera

The OM-1 Mark II is the follow-up to the OM-1, one of the favourite cameras for outdoor photographers. It retains the original's superb ergonomics, excellent electronic viewfinder (EVF), and class-leading weather sealing, while gaining rubberized control dials, a computational graduated neutral density (GND) mode, and an improved autofocus system.

The OM-1 Mark II has a magnesium alloy body with IP53 weather sealing, a large, clear electronic viewfinder, and effective in-body stabilization. It can capture up to 120fps blackout-free and has a reliable 50fps autofocus with subject detection. The Live Neutral Density feature headlines its computational toolkit.

The OM-1 Mark II is a compact camera, measuring 3.6 by 5.3 by 2.9 inches (HWD) and weighing just 1.3 pounds without a lens attached. Its small, easy-to-carry design is one of the hallmarks of the Micro Four Thirds mirrorless camera system.

The OM-1 Mark II has a robust autofocus system with speedy focus and improved AI subject detection. The camera can now detect humans, in addition to animals, birds, and vehicles. The enhanced AI Subject Detection allows you to focus selectively on a single subject, giving you precision in crowded scenes.

The OM-1 Mark II also has impressive image stabilization, offering up to 8.5 EV stops in camera stabilization. This feature lets you leave your tripod behind and travel lighter.

The OM-1 Mark II has a competitive battery life. While its CIPA rating drops to 500 shots per charge, you can get a lot more pictures per charge if you use the fastest burst rates.

The OM-1 Mark II is a solid choice for those who want to make the jump to Micro Four Thirds format. It is a robust camera that can withstand cold and wet weather conditions if paired with weatherproof pro lenses. It is a pricey camera, but its durable build, fantastic autofocus system, and computational tilt make it an excellent choice for outdoor and action photography.

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