Tag: Micro Four Thirds

  • OM System to Launch Retro M4/3 Camera in 2025: OM-1 or OM-3?

    OM System to Launch Retro M4/3 Camera in 2025: OM-1 or OM-3?

    Since OM System took over the Olympus camera division, many loyal fans have felt a bit let down by the new offerings. The OM-1 II and the OM-5 were decent, but they didn’t have the same groundbreaking appeal as the beloved Pen-F, which won over Micro Four Thirds enthusiasts. However, it seems OM System might be moving away from simply relying on the Olympus legacy, especially if recent leaks hold any truth.

    Exciting Teasers for 2025

    An observant user on Reddit noticed that OM System Malaysia shared a teaser on Facebook hinting at a new camera set to debut in 2025. The details about this upcoming camera are still scarce, but the leaked image contains some interesting hints.

    The image is divided into two sections. The upper part reads “1972” and shows an old Olympus camera body, while the lower part is marked “2025,” reflecting something with the caption “Revive the past, create the future.” This strongly suggests that the camera launching in 2025 will have a retro flair, but there are additional insights to uncover from the visuals provided.

    A Nod to the Past

    The “1972” label and the vintage camera depicted above seem to reference the iconic Olympus OM-1 35 mm film camera, which debuted that same year. The OM-1 name has made its way into modern Micro Four Thirds models, like the OM-1 II, hinting that this new retro design could be a reimagined version of the current OM-1 flagship.

    Regarding specifications, it’s uncertain if OM System will take a page out of Fujifilm’s X100VI or Nikon’s Z f (currently priced at $1,996.95 on Amazon) and Z fc (currently priced at $1,099.99 with a 16–50 mm kit lens at Best Buy) playbook, simply repackaging existing tech in a fresh case with altered controls. Right now, fans of OM System and M4/3 are keeping their fingers crossed for a fresh sensor and image processor, but that might be a long shot since the OM-1 II was introduced quite recently in January 2024 (currently $1,849.99 on Amazon).

    Speculations on the New Model

    A follow-up leak from the well-known leaker Andrea Pizzini on YouTube claims that the new camera will be called the OM-3, placing it between the OM-1 and OM-5 series. Whatever the final product looks like, it seems to be leaning towards a compact design. In Pizzini’s video, images of the potential new retro camera suggest it might share a similar shape with the OM-5, possibly blending features from both the OM-1 and OM-5 into a single body.

    Pizzini’s visuals also hint at numerous tactile controls for the new model, which would put it in direct competition with cameras like the Fujifilm X100VI rather than the Sony A6700 (currently $1,398 on Amazon).

    Lastly, Pizzini speculates that the OM System OM-3 could feature a new 43 MP Micro Four Thirds sensor, although no concrete evidence supports this theory.

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  • Fujifilm Rumors: Full-Frame, Micro Four Thirds, or 1-Inch Sensor?

    Fujifilm Rumors: Full-Frame, Micro Four Thirds, or 1-Inch Sensor?

    When it was announced that Fujifilm is creating a new camera sensor for its future camera range, there was speculation that it could be an X-Trans-based GFX sensor intended for a fixed lens medium-format camera. However, a recent update from Fuji Rumors has clarified this uncertainty.

    New Sensor Size Speculation

    The latest information from a reliable Fujifilm insider suggests that the new sensor will be of a “sensor size never used by Fujifilm so far.” This has sparked fresh discussions among fans about the possibility of a full-frame Fujifilm camera. It’s important to note that in a 2018 interview with DPReview, Fujifilm firmly stated its intention to avoid entering the full-frame market.

    In that interview, a Fujifilm representative said, “No, never. Because we don’t have that legacy – luckily or unluckily. We don’t see any point in Fujifilm entering that market, particularly since we have good APS-C and medium format systems. If we entered full-frame [our systems] would just start cannibalizing each other. We’re happy to stay with two completely independent systems.”

    Limited Future Options

    Unless Fujifilm has changed its strategy, which appears unlikely since the company continues to prioritize the APS-C segment, the options for future Fujifilm cameras seem limited. The most logical and popular predictions suggest that the new format could be Micro Four Thirds or a 1-inch sensor. While both possibilities exist, a 1-inch sensor seems to be the more sensible choice.

    Fujifilm has justified its avoidance of the full-frame market by expressing a desire to protect its existing medium-format GFX series, and a Micro Four Thirds camera could similarly affect the APS-C lineup. The difference in surface area between a full-frame sensor and a GFX sensor is not vastly different from that between Micro Four Thirds and APS-C.

    Production Cost Considerations

    Moreover, while a Micro Four Thirds sensor could potentially reduce body size and lower production and retail costs, a 1-inch sensor would offer more significant advantages in terms of size and production expenses, making it a more likely option. Additionally, it would be distinct enough from the X-T and upcoming X-M series, minimizing the risk of competing with those models.

    It appears improbable that Fujifilm is developing anything smaller than the 1-inch sensors typically found in models like the Canon PowerShot G7X series and the Sony RX100VII (currently priced at $1,298 on Amazon). However, there is a possibility that Fujifilm could be exploring a more unique sensor, as Fuji Rumors has hinted in its report.

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