The Incredible Shrinking Interchangeable-Lens Camera

... Panasonic and Olympus joined forces to develop the Micro Four-Thirds mirrorless system, which they announced in August 2008. One of the promises of the new format was that it would create a slew of new video-capable, interchangeable-lens cameras. And one of the byproducts of dropping the internal mirror box was the ability to create smaller and smaller DSLR-like cameras. Three years later, mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras are shrinking in size and growing in power. And it all started with...

... this beast, the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G1.

Dimensions (W x H x D): 4.88 x 3.29 x 1.78 inches

Weight (body only): 13.6 oz.

Sensor size: 17.3 mm x 13.0 mm

Resolution: 12.1 megapixels

Release date: December 2008

Panasonic's Lumix DMC-G1 was the first mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera to come to market. In hindsight, the G1 missed the mirrorless point entirely. For one thing, it wasn't much smaller than a DSLR. More important, it didn't shoot video. Despite those head-scratching specs, the Lumix G1 will go down in history as a trailblazer in the world of mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras. A humble beginning, but it got the ball rolling.

Dimensions (W x H x D): 4.74 by 2.75 by 1.43 inches

Weight (body only): 11.8 oz.

Sensor size: 17.3 mm × 13.0 mm

Resolution: 12.3 megapixels

Release date: July 2009

The Olympus PEN E-P1 was arguably more significant than the Lumix G1, as it was the first interchangeable-lens camera to break free from the mold of the DSLR-like body. It had a great throwback look, and while it wasn't quite pocketable, it was significantly more portable than your average DSLR at 1.43 inches deep. It also shot 720p video. Still, the E-P1's feature set had some notable shortcomings, such as the lack of a built-in flash and its laggy autofocus.

Dimensions (W x H x D): 4.69 by 2.8 by 1.43 inches

Weight (body only): 10.05 oz

Sensor size: 17.3 mm × 13.0 mm

Resolution: 12.1 megapixels

Release date: October 2009

The Lumix GF1 is where the Micro Four-Thirds system really started turning heads. It delivered on the big promises of the compact interchangeable-lens category, but still left some room for improvement as well as excitement about the next generation of mirrorless cameras. It had the smallest interchangeable-lens body yet, a pop-up flash, high-definition 720p video, and a great blend of manual and automated controls.

So the category wasn't just a fad, and companies beyond Panasonic and Olympus started to take notice...

Dimensions (W x H x D): 4.72 x 2.79 x 1.37 inches

Weight: 9.9 oz

Sensor size: APS-C (23.4mm by 15.6mm)

Resolution: 14.6 megapixels

Release date: September 2010

Samsung was the first big-name company to announce a competing mirrorless format to the Micro Four-Thirds system, and it upped the ante by including an APS-C sensor that matched the size of those found in many DSLRs. The NX100 was the second mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera developed by Samsung; the first, the Samsung NX10 (which debuted in spring 2010) was, in its first generation, about the same size as a DSLR, and its video capabilities were disappointing. The NX100, however, despite having a sensor that was significantly bigger than the one in the Panasonic and Olympus Micro Four-Thirds cameras, had a body that measured just 1.37 inches deep.

Dimensions (W x H x D): 4.36 x 2.31 x 1.5 inches

Weight (body only): 8.1 oz

Sensor size: APS-C (23.4 x 15.6 mm)

Resolution: 14.2 megapixels

Release date: May 2010

And then along came Sony. Though the Sony Alpha NEX-5 was available before the Samsung NX100 was, it was Sony's first foray into compact interchangeable-lens cameras. At 1.5 inches deep, it was thicker than the NX100, but smaller in every other dimension, and lighter. Like the NX100, it packed a big APS-C-size sensor. The NEX-5 absolutely blew us away with its combination of image and video quality; tiltable LCD screen; innovative in-camera modes for panoramic shots, low-light photos, and 3D shooting; and futuristic good looks. We were so impressed by the NEX-5 that it earned a top 10 slot in our list of 2010's Top 100 Products.

If the Panasonic Lumix GF1 was the first camera to show the potential of the compact interchangeable-lens category, the Sony Alpha NEX-5 was the first to arguably outclass some true DSLRs in terms of image and video quality.

Dimensions (W x H x D): 4.44 by 2.67 by 1.29 inches

Weight (body only): 7.83 oz

Sensor size: 17.3 x 13.0 mm

Resolution: 12.1 megapixels

Release date: January 2011

One way to shrink a camera's size is to do away with some of its physical buttons and add a touchscreen. At just 1.29 inches deep, the fast-focusing Panasonic Lumix GF2 does just that--for better and for worse. We love the GF2's touchscreen interface for touch-focus controls and complex focusing effects while shooting video. We aren't so wild about Panasonic ditching the mode dial entirely in favor of touchscreen menus. The Lumix GF2 has a lot to like, but for the ultimate combination of touch-focus and traditional controls, we'd suggest the phenomenal, DSLR-sized Lumix GH2.

Everything you've read thus far is about cameras that we've already reviewed. We're about to shift gears and focus on the near-term future. The cameras in the following slides have all been announced, but none of them are available just yet. One thing's for sure, though: They're all very small for interchangeable-lens cameras while sacrificing little in terms of features.

Head out to the lobby, grab yourself a snack, and then click ahead at your leisure.

Dimensions (W x H x D): 4.3 by 2.5 by 1.46 inches

Weight (body only): 9.3 oz.

Sensor size: 17.3 mm × 13.0 mm

Resolution: 12.3 megapixels

Olympus is on the brink of overhauling its PEN line of mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras in the coming months, and the 1.46-inch-deep PEN Lite E-PL3 will have the same lightning-fast focusing system, 1080i video capture, and 3D-shooting capabilities as its higher-end sibling, the Pen E-P3. What's more, it adds a tilting LCD and a fast burst mode to the mix, capping out at 5.5 frames per second with the camera's in-body stabilization turned off. What's missing? A built-in flash--although an attachable hot-shoe-mounted flash comes with the camera.

Dimensions (W x H x D): 4.3 by 2.5 by 1.33 inches

Weight (body only): 7.6 oz.

Sensor size: 17.3 mm × 13.0 mm

Resolution: 12.3 megapixels

If the PEN Lite's 9.3-ounce weight sounds too beefy for you, you can shave off some fat by opting for the even-smaller PEN Mini E-PM1 instead. The PEN Mini ditches the mode dial in favor of a stripped-down physical control scheme operated by a back-mounted scroll wheel, but it offers most of the same in-camera features as the PEN Lite and the PEN E-P3. The big tradeoffs: no built-in flash, and no mode dial.

Dimensions (W x H x D): 4.3 x 2.36 x 1.29 inches

Weight (body only): 7.9 oz.

Sensor size: APS-C (23.4 x 15.6 mm)

Resolution: 16.2 megapixels

At just 1.29 inches deep, the Sony Alpha NEX-C3 is even more mini than the Olympus PEN Mini--and it has a larger APS-C size sensor. It is a bit heavier, though, at 7.9 ounces to the Mini's 7.6 ounces. This second-generation NEX camera replaces the lower-end Alpha NEX-3 while adding new filter effects, photo-retouching options, higher-resolution images, and improved battery life. But again: no built-in flash!

Dimensions (W x H x D): 4.24 x 2.64 x 1.28 inches

Weight (body only): 7.83 oz

Sensor size: 17.3 x 13.0 mm

Resolution: 12.1 megapixels

Finally, a new, tiny interchangeable-lens camera with a pop-up flash. The Panasonic Lumix GF3 clocks in at just 1.28 inches deep and 7.83 ounces, and like the GF2, it trades in a mode dial for touchscreen- and thumbwheel-navigated menus. It shares the same touch-to-focus controls and quick autofocus as its Lumix G-series predecessors, but it lacks a hot shoe for external accessories.

Dimensions (W x H x D): 3.8 x 2.2 x 1.2 inches

Weight (body only): 6.3 oz

Sensor size: 6.16 x 4.62 mm (1/2.3-inch type sensor)

Resolution: 12.4 megapixels

And finally, here is the smallest mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera we've ever seen. Not only is the Pentax Q small (1.2 inches deep) and light (6.3 ounces), but it also offers a pop-up flash that can be used popped up or down. It has physical controls for just about everything, too. What's the catch? A much smaller sensor than anything else in the interchangeable-lens class: Its 6.16-by-4.62mm backside-illuminated CMOS sensor is the size of the ones you'll find in many point-and-shoots. But we've been pleasantly surprised by the performance of small-sensor cameras before. Time (and testing) will tell.

At this rate, by this time next year, we'll probably see the first camera that has a body smaller than its sensor. You heard it here first.

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