MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

Looks like Toshiba is going to be a stablemate of Olympus at the J.I.P. farm... Another troubled company, but they do have their hands in a lot of pots and there are prob. areas that could help OM.. I don't know if there is a direct upside connection to improving OM, but who knows. Nothing but changes.

Peteso Loc: Blacks Hills

Does anyone know about the new company, OM Systems? I have avoided the OM1 because I have the Olympus EM1 III and the EM1X, and I don’t want to commit to a system by a new company.

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

Depending on how many of their superb lenses you have, and since everything is still the same and interchangeable, it seems you already are committed. I have the OM-1 and love it.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I was not aware of this news till today. I did a Google search and found that JIP (Japan Industrial Partners) who bought Olympus is buying Toshiba for $14 billion. It all seems to indicate that Toshiba will not be pat of Olympus, as I learned from my search.
We can see that JIP is a powerful and rich company. When they bought Olympus they bought their research and development along with the contract of all of the employees working for Olympus. Those were the same employees that develop and manufactured the OM-1 mirrorless camera, which incidentally kept the Olympus name.

I do not guess the future but if such powerful company finds profitable the Olympus camera business the future of OM Digital Solutions appears to be bright to me. The only thing I did not like about the transaction was that the name Olympus is no longer be applied to the new cameras. I do not know how well they are doing but the new lenses and the OM-1 appear to be very popular. Only time will tell.

Peteso Loc: Blacks Hills

Well, no argument there. I do have several of their pro lenses. My reluctance is, I just can’t justify the upgrade in my mind, primarily because of the learning curve for the new menu system. I also shoot with a Sony A7R IV, and the learning curve with new menu systems is a big time commitment. If OM Systems continues upgrading from the OM1 camera body, eventually I will probably make the move to take advantage of new features. However, as a general rule, I don’t upgrade until at least two generations of new devices have been released. Thanks for the input!

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Japan Investment Partners bought Olympus' camera division, lock, stock, and barrel.

They kept essential operational staff, engineers, marketers, etc. and they are committed to carrying the OM line forward. Olympus kept their name for their other product lines, which include medical imaging equipment, scientific lab equipment, etc.

The OM Systems Olympus OM-1 is the last camera to carry the Olympus name. All other new products will be branded OM Systems or OM-something.

The OM-1 has been quite successful since introduction, especially in Japan and Asia, generally. It was in short supply in the USA for some time after its release, so demand has been good. It got rave reviews from most of the review sites like https://www.dpreview.com and https://www.petapixel.com.

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/om-system-om-1-review
https://www.dpreview.com/videos/9664618307/dpreview-tv-om-system-om-1-final-review
https://petapixel.com/?s=OM-1+review

Most YouTube reviewers liked it, too, for photography. Like Jordan at dpreview, they like Panasonic's Lumix GH6 for Micro 4/3 video.

The OM-Systems cameras are Micro 4/3 compliant, so they can use lenses and some other accessories made for any Micro 4/3 camera (Panasonic and Black Magic Designs, mainly). Around 100 Micro 4/3 lenses are currently available, and over 20 additional lenses are available used, but were discontinued at some point. Additionally, some SLR lenses (most notably Canon EF) can be adapted to Micro 4/3 bodies with retention of most automated features. Micro 4/3 is probably the easiest and most compatible format for adapting SLR and ciné lenses, microscopes, telescopes, etc.

So far, the loyal user base for Olympus cameras has stayed mostly loyal to OM Systems. A small amount of panic selling on the used market has lowered prices of Olympus lenses for a while, but prices are stabilizing or rising now.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

They seem committed to continuing the good work done by Olympus. They’ve released two bodies, (the OM1 is a beast), and a few excellent lenses. And it’s not a new system. It’s the same M4/3 system used by both Olympus and Panasonic.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

I know they’ve already rebranded the 150-400 lens with OM Systems instead of Olympus. I expect others will follow.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

That point is missed by many. JIP is a conglomerate business. They own a lot of companies. Olympus had some management scandals that led to unprofitability of the camera division, along with external market factors like the Covid-19 pandemic, on top of the smartphone epidemic. So they sold the camera division. The new owners aren't exactly camera people, so they've let the OM Systems group do what they did best at Olympus. The folks in that group knew that they had to deliver, and they did so in spades with the OM-1.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

As good as my E-M1X was the OM-1 blows it out of the water. Faster and more accurate AF and with pro lenses I get 50fps with full AF tracking. With my 100-400 it drops to a still impressive 25fps.

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

That is because the company name was not for sale, just the division. There were other divisions that were not for sale.

User ID

Sikorsky, Carrier, Pratt & Whitney, and Otis Elevator dont seem to influence or benefit from each other despite all being owned by United Technologies. GE small appliances never seemed influenced by GE jet engines, GE transformers, GE gas turbines, or GE Silicones, or GE plastics. All are separate divisions.

Toment Loc: FL, IL

Ditto

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

I went through all the E-M1s, winding withe new OM1. I have severalCanons, but have a very favorable opinion of the OM1.Huge improvement in menu sys.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

You do realize that JIP owns some of Sony too? And Olympus still has their 10% of OMDS.