2012 was an amazing year for Micro Four Thirds.

3 fantastic new cameras (Olympus E-M5, Panasonic GH-3 and Olympus E-PL5)  which changed the way the photography world views the image quality and functionality of the Micro Four Thirds system to such an extent that for most people, they are more functional and much more fun with similar image quality to cropped sensor dSLRs.

Very nice range of lenses including the Olympus 12mm f/2.0, Olympus 17mm f/1.8, Olympus 45mm f/1.8, Olympus 60mm f/2.8 1:1 macro, and the awesome Olympus 75mm f/1.8, plus the nice f/2.8 zoom lenses from Panasonic.

Finally an update to the flash system – the Olympus FL-600R allows flash sync of 1/250th sec at last, and the 4 AA batteries gives much improved charge times compared to the FL-36R, and it comes with a LED video light. Furthermore, Panasonic at last have added wireless TTL flash to their latest camera – their brilliant GH-3.

2013 promises to deliver more goodies to value add to this fantastic compact camera system including:

• new high end cameras with next generation electronic viewfinders and hopefully with further improved AF for moving subjects
• phase contrast AF capable adapter for Four Thirds lenses
• Panasonic have indicated they will make a 42mm f/1.2 lens and a 150mm f/2.8 lens in 2013-2014
• WiFi connectivity to smartphones via the new WiFi SD cards

In addition to these, I would like to see the following:

• new macro flash system – smaller to suit the smaller camera bodies, with flash sync 1/250th sec, ability to mount on almost any lens via filter thread adapter, and capable of being a master for remote TTL flash.
• radio TTL flash capability – and preferably, if PocketWizard can add Olympus TTL capability to their existing Canon Flex-TT5 and Mini-TT1 radio system, that would be awesome indeed!
• image stabilisation and AF capability in the new cameras in high burst rate mode
• improved HD video codecs in the Olympus cameras
• update the E-M5 firmware to add pinpoint AF
• 1/8000th sec shutter speed
• new lenses with fast, silent AF:
• high image quality, wide aperture pancake lens to replace the Panasonic 20mm f/1.7 – it would be great if they could achieve f/1.4 but I would settle for f/1.8, and if they could sneak a leaf shutter in to give flash sync of 1/2000th sec – that would be extra awesome!
• high image quality, wide aperture, compact, weatherproof super telephoto lens such as a 200mm f/2.8 or f/3.5 – even better if they can add close up capability and focus limiter switch
• high image quality, wide aperture, compact, weatherproof super telephoto zoom lens such as a 100-200mm f/2.8 or f/3.5
• high image quality, wide aperture, compact, weatherproof macro lens such as a 100, 135, or 150mm f/2.8
• maybe a 25mm f/1.2
• a new semi-pro Four Thirds dSLR (“E-7”) with:
• sensor and image stabiliser at least as good as that in the E-M5
• fast CDAF in Live View
• relatively compact but still weatherproof and with E-5-like optical viewfinder
• GH-3-like HD video capabilities
• perhaps a PEN-compatible accessory slot to enable electronic view finder in Live View mode