Originally posted by aliquis I read that the shorter flange distance to sensor-size may be worse for optical performance (more ca, less sharp corners, ..) and that the original four-thirds was rather designed the other way around (long flange distance, smaller sensor.)
If that's the case I don't know if I would say old technology.
Can someone knowledgeable in glass confirm or deny?
I'm no expert but it smells like crap to me.
When m4/3 first arrived, everyone was excited because the short flange-sensor distance would allow faster, more compact, and higher-quality optical designs in the wideangle department (not requiring a retrofocal design). This is just more of the same.
With particularly low-angle incidences there could be some funny CA, but good sensor microlens design should prevent that.
Of course, if Sony's first few lenses turn out to be optically underwhelming, the internet will take it as "proof" that the claims about the flange-back distance being harmful is true (the classic correlation vs. cause mistake). All sorts of ridiculousness will follow.