The ‘Micro Mirrorless’ Is the World’s Smallest Interchangeable Lens Camera
Yashica and I’m Back have teamed up to create the Micro Mirrorless camera, the smallest interchangeable lens mirrorless camera ever.
Launching first on Kickstarter, the Micro Mirrorless campaign has already received nearly $130,000 in support, far surpassing its modest $11,062 target.
The new camera arrives on the heels of the new Yashica and I’m Back partnership that formed late last year after I’m Back experienced a smashing success on Kickstarter with I’m Back Film, a 20-megapixel image sensor built into a film canister that enables photographers to shoot digital photos using analog cameras.
Unlike the I’m Back Film, which digitizes film cameras, the new Micro Mirrorless is a digital camera from the ground up. The tiny camera is built around the 12-megapixel Sony IMX117 CMOS image sensor. This is a Type 1/2.3 image sensor, which is relatively small. It is the same sensor featured in the GoPro Hero4 Black action camera, which is quite long in the tooth. The image sensor delivers a 5.8 times crop factor, meaning a 26mm lens would be more like a 150mm telephoto.
Speaking of lenses, the Micro Mirrorless sports a proprietary lens mount and works with three custom-built lenses, which are compact and lightweight, like the camera itself. The 20mm, 50mm, and 150mm equivalent lenses are 3.4mm, 8.6mm, and 25mm in actual focal length terms. As for the apertures, this information is not yet available, although PetaPixel is trying to track it down.
Alongside the three lenses, I’m Back says that the Micro Mirrorless camera will work with large-format lenses, like those for full-frame SLR, DSLR, and mirrorless camera systems, thanks to an optional adapter coming soon. The camera will also work with an optional viewfinder attachment, also “coming soon.”
Undoubtedly, the key draw of the Micro Mirrorless camera is its small stature. It is just 77 millimeters (three inches) wide and 50 millimeters (about two inches) tall. For reference, the relatively tiny full-frame Sigma fp mirrorless camera is 112.6 by 69.9 millimeters (4.4 by 2.8 inches). The OM System OM-5 Micro Four Thirds camera, another pretty compact interchangeable lens mirrorless camera, is 125.3 by 85.2 millimeters (4.9 by 3.4 inches). However, the OM-5 is a much more traditional camera shape than the Micro Mirrorless or Sigma fp, both boxy cameras without built-in grips or viewfinders.
The Micro Mirrorless still has some exciting tricks up its sleeve. It records RAW and JPEG images, includes a 2-inch flip-out touchscreen, and features an HDMI output. It charges its internal battery via a USB-C port.
As for video specs, the camera shoots at up to 3,840 x 2,160 (4K UHD) resolution at 24 frames per second and up to 2,560 x 1,440 at 30p.
The Yashica I’m Back Micro Mirrorless camera is expected to begin shipping this November and is available for as little as $197 for early bird backers. This kit includes the camera in blue or white and a standard (50mm equivalent) lens. All the available backing options, including kits with additional lenses, are detailed on Kickstarter.
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Image credits: Yashica / I’m Back
