Gizmomo recently published an interview with an OM System manager who discussed a smaller OM-1, OM-1X, and a PEN-F successor. Here is the translated recap:
(What is the sales ratio of silver and black bodies in the conventional model?)
There are differences depending on the region, but in total it is exactly half and half.
(Has the change in the brand name changed the business relationship with Olympus?)
Nothing has changed. Development is partially outsourced, and Olympus' R&D resources are also used.
(Products for high-resolution devices and videos?)
We believe that our strengths, such as image stabilization and dust/splash resistance, will be useful for videos, so we would like to consider products with different axes than before.
(Do you have high hopes for OM-1 Junior-like products?)
I feel there is a demand for OM-1 Junior-like products, so please look forward to that.
(What are the opinions of the OM-1 market?)
OM-1 is selling more than expected. It is especially popular with customers who shoot wild birds, and super-telephoto lenses such as 300mm and 150-400mm are also selling well. 150-400mm is in a situation where the supply cannot keep up.
(What is the future development of the E-M1X line?)
There are requests and expectations from customers, so I would like to deliver a product that makes the OM-1 even more powerful, regardless of what form it takes.
(What is the future development of the PEN-F line?)
In the survey, customers evaluated the design and profile control, so we are currently considering how to evolve the PEN series in the future based on these points.
(What are your plans for lens renewal?)
We are planning to gradually change the lens brand from Olympus to OMSYSTEM.