About mid-way through last year — so approximately six years ago, in COVID-time — Olympus announced that the camera brand would be going away.
At the time, it didn’t seem as final as all that. The company’s sale to Japan Industrial Partners (JIP) made it clear that the hardware would continue in one form or another. And, now, we finally know what form that will be.
Last sight of Mount Olympus
Olympus returns to the market under a familiar name. Cameras bearing some familiar hardware are headed to market under the name OM System, which is close enough to the original model names that long-time fans won’t feel out of sorts.
The brand lives on for a little while — though the deal with JIP went through last year, there is still Olympus hardware in stores. That’ll remain on sale until stock is gone, then it’ll be OM System all the way. The company also intends to offer audio gear, binoculars and services, and it’s currently working on a new Micro Four Thirds camera, according to Engadget, so there’s definitely some new photography hardware on the way.
We’ll likely see something new soon. Another player in the camera market would be a welcome sight — someone needs to at least try and make Fujifilm a little nervous. Perhaps OM System is the brand to do so.
