A quick update to my post from yesterday - Olympus confirmed that future cameras from the new OM Digital Solutions Corporation will keep the Olympus name:
Thanks Steve!
Some additional information on the JIP/Olympus transfer:
- Japan Industrial Partners (JIP) expects annual sales of 25 to 30 billion yen for the video business to be transferred from Olympus. The camera market is shrinking significantly, but the "rock market" for professional photographers and hobbyists is expected to remain. Sales of this business in FY03 / 20 were 43.6 billion yen.
- JIP is proceeding with the direction of consolidating manufacturing bases in Vietnam in the medium term. Currently, it manufactures high-priced interchangeable lenses in Nagano Prefecture. It is expected that it will take time to complete the transfer because it requires advanced manufacturing technology. Until the preparations are complete, the conventional system will be maintained by outsourcing the manufacture of interchangeable lenses to Olympus.
- JIP has a policy of not significantly changing the outline of the current product group. As an interchangeable lens digital camera, we will continue to develop products that take advantage of the features of the "Micro Four Thirds System" standard, which has a small sensor size. (via Digicame-info)
