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Chinese imaging company Shenzhen Sonida Digital Technology Co., Ltd. has officially joined the Micro Four Thirds System Standard, becoming the 61st member since the mount was introduced in 2008.
Several other Chinese manufacturers — including DJI, TTArtisan, and Laowa — are already part of the ecosystem.
The move has generated discussion in the photography community because Sonida produces cameras under the Songdian brand, a lineup often marketed with prominent specifications such as “4K,” large megapixel counts, and extended zoom ranges aimed at entry-level buyers.
Community Reaction and Reputation
Songdian cameras have frequently been criticized online for prioritizing headline specifications over real-world performance. Some photographers refer to such products as “scameras” — very inexpensive cameras advertised with high-end specs but delivering limited image quality and autofocus performance.
One Songdian model, visually similar to the Fujifilm X100V, was described by Amateur Photographer as “the worst camera I have ever used.”
Amateur Photographer wrote a scathing review of the Songdian DC202.
Sonida also manufactures unbranded cameras that appear on marketplaces such as Amazon, Temu, and AliExpress.
The company website describes the Songdian brand:
“Songdian is the well-known image brand of Shenzhen Sonida Digital Technology Co., Ltd. As a pioneer of national image brand, we have insisted on independent research and development for 16 years, always adhering to the spirit of craftsmanship to polish every component and every process carefully with ingenuity, wisdom, and diligence so as to make more wonderful domestic products.”
Possible Micro Four Thirds Products
According to OM Digital Solutions — a key steward of the mount alongside Panasonic — Sonida is expected to release Micro Four Thirds products in the near future.
While details remain unknown, the company could introduce fixed-lens cameras using Micro Four Thirds sensors, which would represent a significant upgrade in sensor size compared to its existing models. There is also the possibility of collaborations with third-party Chinese lens makers to create interchangeable-lens mirrorless cameras.
A Potential Shake-Up for the System
Many Micro Four Thirds users have been hoping for renewed investment in the platform. Sonida’s entry is unexpected, but new manufacturers have historically expanded ecosystems — particularly Chinese optical brands such as Viltrox, TTArtisan, and Laowa, which now produce increasingly competitive optics for mirrorless systems.
If Sonida delivers meaningful improvements in imaging performance, its participation could broaden accessibility to the mount and potentially introduce new users to the system.