Canisdirus

That's not what is going to happen. That's not what JIP does.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

So you say.

Canisdirus

It's a fact.
Go look into what happened to Sony Vaio computers.
JIP ran with the name...cut it down to 2 laptops and cheapened the quality (of course).
Folks thought they were buying the same high end Sony lap's...and found out the hard way.

Either way...Oly is done.
I'm sure you will get years more enjoyment out of your gear...I did with the Sony A-mount.
But pretty much what you see now... is it.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Cutting down the line is a way of ‘reducing processes’.

Since I use Pentax myself, this particular change doesn’t affect me - Pentax went through this when they were owned by Hoya, and my KP is just fine.

Canisdirus

You love that term don't you... as if it is a saving grace...nope.
Pentax was bought by Hoya...mostly for the optics...not the camera line (bino's and rifle scopes)...
Then they sold Pentax to Ricoh...
Pentax originally was going toe to toe with Sony in 2011 with their 2 mirrorless cameras...but the strategy to stay with the K mount was ... uninspired and a mistake.
Now they have no road map to mirrorless...which is where the future lies...everyone knows that much.
DSLR market share for Pen? 3.1%
Yes, they will be around ... and those like you will stick with them.
No one else will.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Pentax’s MILC all lacked real view finders, so they failed. Their decision to stay with the K-mount is very reasonable; since they have consistently maintained compatibility, the camera I purchased on Black Friday 2018 can use all of them. Much of the photo world may be MILC, but they have become a niche player, and they have found a very nice niche for themselves.

Canisdirus

I get it...you are loyal based...but a market share of 3.1% is the important stat...for Pentax.
3.1% of a format which is declining steadily...and isn't coming back.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I didn't say their niche "is coming back".

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

I agree that niche is exactly that - niche. If Nikon and and possibly some others drop out, that niche could grow by a percent or two. Then if Pentax would develop a "L" mount lens mirrorless camera and a "K" to "L" mount adapter, that would allow Pentax owners to access four camera lens brands for their cameras. They could even upgrade the "L" mount to "weatherproof" rather than "weather resistant". The future is full of possibilities once we are past this pandemic. I suspect it was the pandemic during their planned come back year (first quarter sales of 23% of the market) that lead them to consider the JIP deal. Although there is a possibility that Olympus could buy back the camera company that JIP and Olympus are creating, I feel it it is more likely the technology would be sold off to Panasonic. Sony could also bid for the sell off of the new company should it fail to succeed to expectations. But then they could risk a law suit of monopoly. They would be competing in all of the three major camera markets and producing sensors for just about everyone including themselves. Even so, they might be able to pull it off because it is a declining market.

The future is just full of possibilities. It will be interesting to see how it all unfolds. I still do not see this as a death nell for 4/3rds camera. And now with all Olympus's cameras and most of Panasonic's cameras weatherproof, it only helps to promote 4/3rds because of less gear cost and more opportunities for a beginner to shoot. Pentax has a definite advantage too with its weather resistant or proofing of a larger format.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

An awful lot of “ifs” already.

Most likely Nikon will concentrate on their ‘Z’ cameras now. Developing new cameras and a whole new lens system may be more that Pentax - and Pentax's parent - want to do right now. Pentax says they want to focus on the K-Mount ..... why not take them at their word?

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Agreed. I hadn't heard about their commitment to the "K" mount although it would make the most sense at this time. I still say that Nikon is not out of the woods yet. I believe they have had profit losses of 22% and 24% the last two years. Of course, the overall company is still in reasonably good shape considering the pandemic and hasn't been participating in any financial fraud in the last four years. Olympus is still recovering from that or otherwise they would not have considered sale of the camera division.

Besperus Loc: Oregon

If it makes an image, fits in a pocket, resists snow, rain, dust slight zoom...the newer tough camera is better, 4/3 sensor.
Throw more dirt on Olympus grave? There are more things in the pipeline from the company they just released two cameras and a couple lenses are not far behind. If Olympus wants out of the imaging industry, so be it. If the corporation which options the take-over
decided to do more or less same goes.