Of interest to Zuikophiles only (users of formerly Olympus, henceforth OMDS, cameras)

[AndyS]

Interview with Aki Murata from OM Digital

As in the past he is maddeningly short on details and long on innuendo. There are promises of promises of new stuff coming, what my Daddy called, "Fixin' ta git ready ta do sumpin'." What I found of interest is the admission that OMD cameras have long been using 'computational imaging' in their processors. Canon has recently said that they are planning to incorporate 'computational technology' in new cameras and I assume all others will as well, it's technological evolution. He also spoke on the advantages and disadvantages of smaller sensors, i.e. processing speed, IBIS superiority vs low light noise, dynamic range and how technology might diminish those differences. IMO, as larger sensors improve the technology will apply to smaller sensors and vice versa so there is a stalemate in those differences. However there will continue to be a poundage advantage to smaller sensors, physics dictates that. Even so given the visual acuity of the human eye it's all moot as far as I'm concerned. Synopsis follows and full interview is here: https://www.dpreview.com/interviews/1852244131/interview-aki-murata-of-omds-olympus-we-re-more-flexible-now

“I can confirm that will be an exciting product announcement in 2021” [personal interpretation: that means he won't give details, hint at, describe in any way or elaborate on this rainbow farting unicorn.]

focus will continue to be on Micro Four Thirds, and on mid to high-end products.

In the fixed lens compact camera business demand for action cameras and cameras for 360-degree imaging is increasing (Tough line will continue)

“we’re more flexible now, compared to when we were a part of Olympus”

Why mirrorless is here to stay: A smartphone will never be able to capture a fast-moving bird, for example, from a great distance.

The size of the Four Thirds sensor offers the possibility of fast readout speeds, which makes this format ideal for computational imaging

The Micro Four Thirds system is not limited to 20 Megapixels. Our Pro lenses have excellent resolution and performance, enough to work well even with a 100 Megapixel sensor.

Technology will develop, and the physical disadvantages of smaller sensors will be eliminated in future. Once this happens, the last variables will be the size and weight of the hardware. And that’s where we have a big advantage with the Micro Four Thirds system.

[hlthe2b]

1. I'm no more than an amateur, but I so hate that Olympus cameras going away

Why on earth that name would not have been preserved in some way is baffling to me.

[AndyS]

2. The heritage remains.

In the early days of Miatiani's introduction of the OM system the first camera was dubbed the M-1 (Miataini 1). Leica, which had long used the "M" designation for its camera models sued so the name was changed to OM-1 (Olympus/Maitiani 1). The Olympus name will be phased out as a brand but the OM designation will remain. The legend lives on.

Having met Mr. Miatiani a number of times I can say that he was a most un-assuming man proud of his creation and his influence on the Imaging Division of Olympus Corp. He retired in 1996 and passed away in 2009. His philosophy is ingrained in the engineering and R&D of the digital line that continues in his name.

https://casualphotophile.com/2018/01/12/yoshihisa-maitani-the-man-who-made-olympus/

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. Since he is short on details and long on innuendo, you can expect more of the same from him!

It's rather like a strip tease: it keeps you coming back, hoping for more next time.

[AndyS]

4. An insight of rare clarity into a foggy future my dear Peg. nt

[JohnnyRingo]

5. I didn't know Olympus is discontinued.

I have three, one at home, and one in each car.
They use an SD micro card, but I have a bunch including a few of the faster E series. The good news is the used ones will be around the rest of my life.

[AndyS]

6. THE CAMERA LINE IS NOT DISCONTINUED!

Olympus Corp (a medical equipment company) sold the imaging division(cameras) to a third party, the new company is called OM Digital Imaging Solutions (OMDS for short). They are restructuring the camera/lens manufacturing business.

New product will be called by a different name. The OMD EM1 Mk III will be called OM 1 III. Name changes, nothing else. Because of the restructuring no new products have been introduced in the last year BUT there are supposedly new things in the pipeline.

The imaging division was only 3% of the revenue of the home corporation and served as an R&D test bed for new medical equipment in the areas of optics, software and manufacturing. It was a place to hide costs to make the other divisions look more profitable. IMO selling it was a real mistake but the next quarter's profit will look better and corporations can't see more than one quarter into the future.

The new entity, OMDS, is free of the Corp oversight and that is either a good or bad thing. They are free to partner with other companies and be faster to innovate but they may also lose the heritage of Miataiani who became synonymous with Olympus Cameras.

Indications are that the heritage will remain but I've been wrong before.

(I once thought I made a mistake but found out later that I hadn't)

[JohnnyRingo]

7. Thanx!!

Now I know what to watch for.
I wouldn't know what OM is.