Abstract: A micro-holographic data storage system and method. Micro-holograms are written to a data storage medium with two counter-propagating beams via objective recording lenses which have a first numerical aperture (NA) to make the micro-holograms larger. Alternatively, elongated micro-holograms can be produced using counter-propagating beams with different focus points. The micro-holograms are retrieved from the data storage medium using a single beam via an objective reading lens which has a second NA that is higher than the first NA. The data storage medium has a substrate with a plurality of tracks separated by a track pitch. The plurality of micro-holograms are each contained in each of the plurality of tracks, wherein, at least one of the plurality of micro-holograms has a width which is nearly equal to a width of the track pitch.