Tag: OM System

  • OM System Targets Smartphones with Advanced Computational Photography

    OM System Targets Smartphones with Advanced Computational Photography

    Key Takeaways

    1. OM System is focusing on computational photography to enhance creative expression, even with lower-resolution sensors.
    2. The new OM System OM-1 II and OM-3 models feature advanced computational photography tools like handheld high-resolution mode and a software ND filter.
    3. OM System believes their innovations complement Micro Four Thirds sensors and challenge the notion that higher megapixels always mean better quality.
    4. Increased megapixels necessitate more powerful processing engines to handle computational tasks effectively.
    5. OM System may revive the Pen camera series, incorporating computational photography features into future models.

    Micro Four Thirds has long been a hotspot for new ideas, consistently providing advanced photography and videography capabilities at a lower price than full-frame and APS-C models. OM System appears eager to bring this trend back, emphasizing computational photography as the next big thing.

    Focus on Computational Photography

    In a recent chat with PetaPixel, leaders at OM System expressed their commitment to focusing on computational photography, even if that means using sensors with lower resolutions. The aim is not to simply replace pixel count but to enable users to fully express their creative ideas through the camera.

    Innovative Features in New Models

    The newly launched OM System OM-1 II and OM-3 (currently priced at $1,999.99 on Amazon) come packed with various clever computational photography features. These include a handheld high-resolution mode and a software ND filter that employs bracketing techniques similar to those found in top smartphone cameras, merging multiple exposures into a single image.

    OM System clarifies that these innovations are not about making up for the lower resolution of Micro Four Thirds sensors. They claim that by combining computational photography capabilities with these sensors, the cameras can operate more swiftly and “serve complementary roles, empowering users to truly realize their creative vision using the camera.” This approach stands in contrast to the ongoing marketing battle in the camera industry, which often leads consumers to think that higher megapixels are always superior. This trend mirrors the smartphone market, where sensors frequently exceed 50 or even 100 MP.

    The Need for Speed

    Presently, as we increase the megapixels, we also have to ensure our processing engine is much more powerful and faster to handle the computational photography tasks. If the processing speed is inadequate, it won’t meet users’ expectations. Therefore, we would need to create a new engine along with a new sensor.

    Most critically, these computational photography capabilities might enable brands like OM System to distinguish themselves among a plethora of retro-style cameras and compete with the user-friendliness of smartphones.

    Future Directions for OM System

    This “experience-first” approach aligns with recent comments from OM System about possibly reviving the Pen camera series, which utilized the Micro Four Thirds system to create compact cameras without losing essential features. This indicates that OM System will likely incorporate computational photography features in any future Pen cameras they choose to release.

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  • OM System Addresses PEN Camera Rumors: Hope for M43 Fans

    OM System Addresses PEN Camera Rumors: Hope for M43 Fans

    Key Takeaways

    1. OM System is considering reviving the Olympus Pen series, but no concrete plans are in place yet.
    2. The design of a new Pen camera will depend on the product concept, which is still under development.
    3. The Pen series and OM-3 camera serve different purposes, emphasizing beauty and craftsmanship versus authentic creative photography.
    4. There is a commitment to maintaining the compact design that made the Pen series popular among enthusiasts.
    5. A new Pen camera may take two to three years to reach the market due to its early development stage.

    We recently shared news about the possibility of OM System reviving the iconic Olympus Pen series, which is known for its compact design featuring a Micro Four Thirds sensor. The initial information came from an interview at Japan’s CP+ camera exhibition. However, a new interview by DPReview has provided additional clarity regarding what OM System leaders meant when they talked about the future of the Pen camera brand.

    Future Plans for the Pen Series

    OM System executives have confirmed that they have put considerable thought into refreshing the Pen lineup. However, fans should manage their expectations, as the executives made it clear that a new Pen camera hasn’t even reached the planning stage yet.

    They stated, “We believe the design of the camera must align with the product’s concept, which means we don’t finalize the design before establishing the concept: the product concept comes first. Thus, we have not decided if a new Pen design will resemble the Pen-F or the E-P7, as the product concept is still undetermined.”

    Distinct Roles for Each Camera

    Hiroki Koyama, OM System’s director of product planning, along with Kazuhiro Togashi, the VP for brand strategy and product planning, emphasized that the newly launched OM-3 is not intended to replace the Pen series. They clearly articulated that both types of cameras serve distinct purposes. According to them, the Pen is meant for “ultimate beauty and ultimate craftsmanship,” while the OM-3 focuses on “capturing authentic and great creative photos.”

    This distinction is similar to the difference between Fujifilm’s X-Pro and X-T series, which, while sharing capabilities, have different objectives.

    “There’s a different philosophy between the OM-3 and Pen-F series,” Koyama explained, adding, “the Pen-F series emphasizes ultimate beauty and craftsmanship, while the OM-3 is all about taking genuine and creatively great photos.”

    A Bright Future Ahead

    The encouraging news is that OM System intends to launch a new Pen camera at some point in the future. It seems they are committed to maintaining the original compact design that made the Pen series a favorite among enthusiasts.

    The two executives also discussed the challenges of the rising power of smartphone cameras. They suggested there remains a significant demand for dedicated cameras among photographers who seek a specific shooting experience and desire better performance than what smartphones can provide.

    Since the OM System Pen camera is still in the early development stages, it may take two to three years before we see the compact Micro Four Thirds camera hit the market. During that time, Canon will likely have released several new models based on the PowerShot V1, and other brands, like Panasonic, may have rolled out updated versions of their Lumix GX series. For now, fans of the Micro Four Thirds system and retro-style compact cameras will have to settle for options like the Olympus OM-D E-M10 IV (currently $699.99 on Amazon with a kit lens) and the OM System OM-5 (currently $999.99 on Amazon).

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  • OM System Develops New M43 Compact Camera as PEN Series Successor

    OM System Develops New M43 Compact Camera as PEN Series Successor

    Key Takeaways

    1. OM System is actively developing an upgraded version of the Olympus Pen-F camera, indicating its importance in their product lineup.
    2. The new Pen camera will likely continue to utilize the Micro Four Thirds system.
    3. OM System aims to appeal to a wide audience, particularly those new to standalone cameras who may currently prefer smartphones.
    4. The upcoming Pen camera will compete with compact models like the Canon PowerShot V1, PowerShot V3, and Sony ZV-E10 II, targeting social media users.
    5. Potential features may include simpler controls to attract smartphone users, similar to existing models like the Fujifilm X-T50.

    Olympus, now known as OM System, has fans of the Micro Four Thirds community eagerly awaiting an upgraded version of the Olympus Pen-F camera. This camera was a pioneer in the compact Micro Four Thirds category. When OM System revealed the OM System OM-3, a compact interchangeable-lens M43 camera with retro design, many believed it would take the place of the Pen F.

    Updates on the Pen Camera

    However, Kazuhiro Togashi, the Vice President of Brand Planning and Product Strategy at OM System, stated (through PetaPixel) that the company is looking into ways to create an updated Pen camera. PetaPixel also mentioned in the comments section that OM System has confirmed the Pen camera is “in active development.” While this doesn’t clarify a specific release date, it’s certainly positive news for those who appreciate the Pen series.

    Togashi shared, “We think the Pen series is a key part of our lineup. We’re examining how successful the Pen series has been, but the OM-3 is not a replacement for the Pen. The Pen series continues to be vital to our offerings, and we are actively thinking about what new Pen model we can provide as OM System.”

    Future Directions for the Pen Series

    This indicates that any upcoming compact Pen camera will likely still utilize the Micro Four Thirds system. Additional comments from the same interview imply that OM System plans to appeal to a broad audience with the next Pen camera.

    “We want to ensure that photographers find joy in using the camera. We’re really looking into what kind of product may be more appealing for new users. Some might still prefer their smartphones, but might have a budding interest in standalone cameras.”

    OM System will then be going head-to-head with products like the Canon PowerShot V1, the recently revealed PowerShot V3, and the Sony ZV-E10 II (currently priced at $998 on Amazon). These models target a demographic that focuses on compact cameras for their social media needs. Although it’s still quite early in the process, any camera aimed at this audience will probably need to be priced reasonably — somewhere between $900 and $1,500 — to resonate with most buyers.

    Potential Features and Controls

    OM System’s remarks about attracting smartphone users hint that they may choose to have simpler controls, similar to the film simulation dial on the Fujifilm X-T50 (currently available for $1,399 at Best Buy).

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  • 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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