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The compact system camera ("CSC"), or the micro 4/3 camera is the best alternative to a digital SLR camera. Micro 4/3 cameras have interchangeable lenses, allowing you to shoot a variety of different subjects with a single camera body, but are much smaller and lighter than a digital SLR camera. Micro 4/3 cameras don't have a mirror, which is the reason why micro 4/3 cameras can be made so small and compact.

Micro 4/3 cameras are made with high quality CMOS or MOS sized senors, which are typically found in entry level and mid level digital SLR cameras. This means that these cameras have typical resolutions of 12mp - 16mp, allthough one of these cameras has a 20mp sensor, which is simply huge. With such large sensors these cameras are capable of taking images of the same quality as entry level and mid level digital SLR cameras, such as the Nikon D3100 and the Canon EOS1000D.

The majority of digtal cameras that are not digital SLR cameras are point and shoot and only have automatic modes, however micor 4/3 cameras are not like this and boast full manual controls. This gives you the opportunity to take full control over the exposure and the aperture and shutter speed, which allows for creative images. So with one of these micro 4/3 cameras you can vary the depth of field to suit the subject, shoot at a fast or slow shutter speed depending on your subject and intentionally over expose or under expose the image to how you want it. Micro 4/3 cameras also allow oyu to shoot in RAW mode, which gives more opportunities to make changes during the processing stage. If you are not confident in using full manual controls don't worry as micro 4/3 cameras also have all the automatic modes of point and shoot digital cameras. This means a total beginner can use a micro 4/3 camera starting with the automatic modes and move up to manual mode as they become more experienced and confident behind the lens.

Micro 4/3 cameras are an excellent choice for times when you have to remain mobile, travel light or need to be discreet, i.e. situations where having a digital SLR camera would be a real hinderance. Micro 4/3 cameras are excellent for street photography, candid photography, travel photography and as everyday walk around cameras. These cameras are also useful as a backup camera, just in case your digital SLR camera fails for some reason.

Micro 4/3 cameras aren't cheap, but given the features and controls they have this is to be expected since these cameras are as good as, if not better than, entry level and mid level digital SLR cameras so you would expect to pay a bit of money for them. A micro 4/3 camera is not like a point and shoot digital camera, it is much better than that therefore they are aimed at enthusiasts. A micro 4/3 camera is also a useful tool for a professional photographer.

When the micro 4/3 camera was first made available to the general public there were two main manufacturers, which were Olympus and Panasonic. Both of these manufacturers decided to use the micro four thirds lens mount, which means that Olympus micro 4/3 lenses will work on a Panasonic body and Panasonic micro 4/3 lenses will work on an Olympus body. This was a revelation since each manufacturer makes good, and not so good lenses, therefore you can take the best lenses from each manufacturer to create the ultimate micro 4/3 camera package.

Other manufacturers, including Sony and Samsung saw the opportunities within the micro 4/3 camera market and decided to follow Olympus and Panasonic and chose to design their own micro 4/3 cameras, although some manufacturers don't use the 4/3 lens mount. The problem with these manufacturers is that they have their own lens mounts which means lenses from other manufacturers won't simply slip on and work properly. There is a way around this but it includes buying some costly adaptors and whilst the other lenses can be used some of the useful features do not work, which makes the whole exercise pretty pointless. Strictly speaking, interchangeable lens cameras that don't use the micro 4/3 lens mount are mirrorless cameras, although they are referred to as micro 4/3 cameras by most photographers.

It is strange that the two largest players in the camera market, Canon and Nikon decided to hang back and not join in with the micro 4/3 camera revolution, which many people found surprising. Nikon have finally "caved in" and released the J1 and V1 models to the micro 4/3 camera market. Canon, however have yet to manufacture and release a micro 4/3 or mirrorless camera but who knows how long this will last?

So with this in mind, what are the best micro 4/3 and mirrorless cameras currently available?

This is a difficult question and the answer to this will vary from person to person. The only way to tell which is going to be the best micro 4/3 camera for you is to go to your local camera shop and see them in the flesh. Hold each of the digital cameras, have a play with each of the cameras and take some sample photographs with each one. You need to choose the one that feels the best in your hand, the one you find the easiest to use and the one you think you will actually enjoy using.

One thing is for sure, if you buy any of the micro 4/3 cameras above you will be able to take some stunning photographs, and will not be disappointed with your purchase.

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The EPL1 was the first of the Olypmus EPL series and since the release of the EPL2 and the current EPL3 the price of the EPL1 has decreased. The EPL1 can now be purchased for little money making it the best value micro four thirds camera available. The EPL1 is small and light, which makes it perfect for travel photography, street photography and as an everyday walk around camera. The image quality of the EPL1 is superb. The EPL1 is easy to use and has an intuitive interface, with all the controls close at hand without having to dive deep in to the settings. The EPL1 uses the micro four thirds mount which means you can use Olympus or Panasonic lenses.

The EPL2 and EPL3 have a few more features than the EPL1, but neither are worth the additional cost. So, if you want a bargain camera that is high on features, low in price and great value for money the EPL1 is the digital camera to own. If you buy one of these awesome micro 4/3 cameras you will not be disappointed

There aren't the same choice of lenses available for micro 4/3 and mirrorless cameras as there are for digital SLR cameras, but this is to be expected. There are loads of different lenses made by different manufacturers for digital SLR cameras, which often means choosing a new lens for a digital SLR camera can be a pain staking exercise.

Even though there isn;t a huge choice of lenses for micro 4/3 and mirrorless cameras there is a lens that will cover all situations. When buying a lens for a micro 4/3 camera you need to remember the there is a 2x crop factor. This means a 14mm lens is actually a 28mm lens, a 20mm lens is actually a 40mm and so on.

If you want a really wide angle zoom lens there is the Panasonic 7mm - 14mm (effective 14mm - 28mm) or the Olympus 9mm - 18mm (effective 18mm - 36mm). If you want to photograph landscapes and interiors these are the lenses for you. Each lens has its pros and cons, which you need to consider before deciding which one to buy, but given the the Panasonic lens will work on an Olympus body and the Olympus lens will work on a Panasonic body you can choose which is best for you. If you want a standard zoom there is the Olympus 14mm - 42mm (effective 28mm - 84mm) zoom lens, which is another cracking lens. If you want a lens with a longer reach there is the Panasonic 45mm - 150mm (effective 90mm - 300mm), which is a super zoom.

There are also prime lenses available for micro 4/3 cameras, such as the awesome Panasonic 14mm f2.5 pancake lens, the Panasonic 20mm f1.7 pancake lens and the Panasonic 45mm macro lens.

If you want to cover all bases you are going to need the Panasonic 7mm - 14mm, the standard 14mm - 42mm and the 45mm - 150mm and that's it. Three lenses and you have all focal lengths from an effective 4mm (really wide) right through to 300mm (a super zoom) and everything inbetween.

The range of accessories available for micro 4/3 and mirrorless cameras is not as vast as for digital SLR cameras, although there are some neat accessories for you to buy for you to get the most out of your micro 4/3 camera.

Most micro 4/3 cameras don't have an electronic view finder and the only way to compose the shot is by using the LCD on the back of the camera. This is fine in most cases but there will be times when you are trying to take a photograph in strong sunlight and the glare from the sun will mean you can't see what is on the screen.

You can overcome this by using an optical view finder and these are available for all models. Optical view finders, such as the Olympus VF-2, aren't cheap, but they are very useful and there are times when you won't be able to take an image without one. If you only buy one accessory for your micro 4/3 camera make it an optical view finder. I use the Olympus VF-2 on my EPL1 and I have to say it is excellent and I use it all the time. I actually prefer holding a camera to my eye, as opposed to holding it at arms length so the view finder is a must have for me.

Other accessories include flash guns, UV filters, ND filters, CPLs, camera straps, camera bags and various housings. These accessories are available from all good camera shops although the best place to get them is online from Amazon and ebay, although you do need to exercise some caution when buying from ebay as there are a lot of dishonest sellers out there selling non-genuine and counterfeit goods.

The answer to this is most definitely YES!!

If you are a professional photographer who relies on selling images to survive a micro 4/3 or mirrorless camera will be of little use and you will have to stick with your digital SLR camera. If you are not a professional photographer a micro 4/3 camera is an excellent choice. Owning both a digital SLR camera and a micro 4/3 I find there are more and more times when I reach for the micro 4/3 over the digital SLR camera and it is starting to be my diigtal camera of choice. That said, there are situations where a micro 4/3 just won't do, such as shooting fast action motor sports. If you have no interest in motor sports this fact will be of no consequence at all.

If you are considering buying a bridge camera or micro 4/3 camera, all I can say is "what are you waiting for?" There are plenty of bridge cameras and micro 4/3 cameras that are simply excellent and will capture some awesome images, as well as giving you total control for some creative photographs.

Confused what to buy? Here is a selection of bridge cameras and micro 4/3 cameras for you to have a look at.

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