For months now we are reading rumors about possible Olympus partnerships. But the latest news we got from Reuters sounds a bit more…” serious”. Reuters reports that “Panasonic Corp is making final arrangements to provide up to 50 billion yen ($635 million) in capital to scandal-hit Olympus Corp, Kyodo news agency reported on Wednesday, a move that will make Panasonic the company’s top shareholder.”
The reason why Panasonic is interested in such a partnerships is that “Panasonic aims to secure a new source of revenue by forming an alliance with Olympus in its mainline operation, Kyodo reported, quoting unidentified sources. Olympus, it said, would get access to funds for its restructuring as well as to marketing resources.”
I still hope Olympus can find another way to keep his independence…
91 Responses
Something tells me that the sensor on the EM5 is the last good sensor Oly will ever have. Not so good news for m43 IMO.
You mean the G3/GX1 sensor, aren’t you?
No, because they are not the same sensor.
@spunjji
Seriously who gives a flying fsck who made it, does it perform well is the question that matters. And the answer to that question is yes. End of story. Move on.
That’s about $231.97 by my calculation.
“Panasonic aims to secure a new source of revenue by forming an alliance with Olympus in its mainline operation” — new source of revenue (ie: not digicam sales). mainline operation of olympus (ie: not digicams, but olympus medical, meaning endoscopes etc.). this has nothing to do with digicam sensors I believe and anyway, e-m5 sensor is almost surely manufactured by panasonic.
Psychic reading?? Tarot cards??
Panasonic sensor division which one of it’s product not limited but included m4/3 sensor, works like any electronic company. They don’t care who going to buy their product as long as they pay the price. Just like Sony that create the sensor for Nikon, Pentax and Sony camera division it self. It’s common practice in any electronic giant company. The best example is Samsung that manufacturing the processor for Apple Ipad and iphone while at the same time also against Apple in court for their samsung phone and tab user interface which Apple claim copy their IOS user interface. The investment on Olympus besides give additional revenue for Panasonic from the Olympus Medical Division also the move for maintaining one of it’s major sensor buyer, Olympus Camera Division.
I don’t think that would be the case at all. All interested companies are interested in the medical part of Olympus more than anything else & worrying about what can happen in the camera section is less of concern. BTW, I now have the OM-D & if your fears are somehow true, then I’ll be fine for now. 😉
If possible, I prefer to see Sony to invest hugely in Olympus photography business.
do you really think Sony will promote the m4/3 system when they have the NEX and A-line? Especially when Panasonic is Sony’s biggest rival. A Sony investment might mean a gradual death for m4/3…
With Panasonic, they at least have similar interests and has been the major m4/3 partners
I concur. At least Pana is kinda like a partner in m43 business, killing Oly doesn’t make them good.
That didn’t stop Panasonic from hurting Olympus before by denying them access to their best sensors.
who says its not Olympus that didnt want the latest/greatest panasonic sensor because they werent tweaked the way olympus wanted them?
that’s just speculation
Why would Sony the company that busy stopping their loss in electronic division would want to invest in small company like Olympus ?
Yess lets keep pulling that dead horse called m4/3.
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Why the branding as “troll”?
Theorem 1: “deadness.” Let’s take a m43 camera and imagine that it is a horse. Since it is a camera, it is an inanimate object. The only way for a horse to be an inanimate object is for it to be dead. Thus any given m43 camera, in the dimension where cameras are horses, is a dead horse. QED.
Theorem 2: “pulling.” A dead horse is obviously has to be pulled. A camera, and any camera at that, even if it would sprout legs would remain an inanimate object (see theorem 1) and thus can’t move on its own. Thus it as has to be either pushed or pulled. Due to lack of wheels and generally irregular shape, cameras, when pushed, would tend to stray off in unpredictable direction, normally defined by also irregular surface of the ground. And camera would also scratch. Thus, for all practical reasons, camera has to be pulled. QED.
Conclusion: a m43 camera (or any camera in general) is a dead horse and it has to be pulled.
Why do you keep coming here to read rumours about a “dead horse”? Clearly you don’t like the format so why even bother reading/commenting? You trolls are amusing…
Because there’s always people here who feed the troll. A troll is miserable being that feeds of other peoples’ negative attention… pretty sick when you think about it.
Many people have found their calling in life, often admirable callings. However, with a calling of (bull) shitting a particular camera sensor, e.g m43 sensors — how much more pathetic can it get?
The sensor of panasonic is not that bad. People always forget GH2, GX1, and G3.
After Kodak ditched Olympus, it is all Panasonic sensor in all their cameras. Any/all of “live-MOS” sensors are from Panasonic.
Good news for Olympus!
I just hope that Olympus’ battery policy will not become like Panasonic’s but they will pick up some good things from Panasonic about constructing lenses of decent quality. 😉
I always thought that Olympus know more about how to make good lens. They make it or not is another thing. They did it at 43, they only started doing it at m43.
I always thought that Olympus know more about how to make good lens. They make it or not is another thing. They did it at 43, they only started doing it at m43
oh my gawd.
My nick says it all, please.
Also – FINALLY – please provide us firmwares (GH2/E-P3 and newer) for chromatic aberration correction.
bad new for micro 4/3: this won’t be any more a multi-manufacturer standard, but Panasonic proprietary system… less competition mean less inovation… bad for the customer, and bad for micro 4/3 development.
Olympus should find another partner, a partner who want to develop micro 4/3, but independant from Panasonic, so this can preserve competion between the 2 main micro 4/3 manufacturers.
well the serious “life or death” competition are coming from Sony, Fuji, Samsung…
There was no mention that this is about camera business at all – that’s just one part of Oly’s business, and not the profitable part.
+1
Definitely bad for the photographic side, Olympus leaves Panasonic for dead regards inovation, as regards quality of lenses that remains to be seen. It is all well and good while Leica work in conjunction with Panasonic, what happens if Leica drop out?
They have not exactly supported the Olympus/Panasonic systems to any great extent, they quickly dropped out of the 4/3 system and never fully supported u4/3 (apart from some lens input), not having produced a body that I know of, at least they did ‘market’ the Digilux 3 (a rebadged DMC-L1 / E-330). And let’s not forget, some of the Leica badged Panasonic lenses have been little more than mediocre performers at best, just consider the D Vario Elmarit 14-50mm as issued with the DMC-L1 (hardly a stellar lens), just as Olympus first entry into the digital market were. It was not until the E-1 with the first iteration of the 14-54mm did Olympus get the real quality glass to the market place.
-1 this is about medical division, not camera division.
yes.
> And let’s not forget, some of the Leica badged Panasonic lenses have been little more than mediocre performers at best, just consider the D Vario Elmarit 14-50mm
While having high vignetting and chromatic aberrations for 4/3 it’s otherwise quite good, especially remembering what big name DSLR makers used to sell as consumer kit lenses at the time.
Also Zuiko 14-42 which appeared with E-400 was optically good for standard kit lens.
You should be more worried about these “software correct optical underdesigning” m4/3 lenses.
This is being taken as Pana buying Oly – this cannot be further from the truth. Oly has a Mkt Cap of $4.8B – this re-cap by Pana is ‘only’ 12% of the value – with a 12% stake, Pana can’t dictate the path Oly will take, it can only be to support the integrity of the u4/3 market – which both have invested heavily in.
m43 is dead in 5 years…..
sensors are getting cheaper and APS-C cameras + lenses are not much bigger them mFT.
don´t get me wrong mFT was a nice idea…. but APS-C cameras are better.
so pana is trying to make mFT stay attractive while helping OLY.
how would it look if Oly will not make mFT camera anymore?
right the dead signs for mFT would be visible for EVERYONE!!
“APS-C cameras are better”
Maybe.
But please show me APS-C lenses like Pana 7–14/4, 20/1.7, 12–35/2,8 or Oly 45/1.8, 75/1.8 respectively.
Not forgetting to mention all Voigtländer x/0.95 lenses.
Do you still consider m43 is worth to death?
This is bigger than consumer cameras. You speak like you know all but your perspective is cripplingly narrow.
APS-C cameras are not much bigger, but APS-C glass is… see Sony NEX. So keep on whining on the m43 board while I have fun with my m43 gear. 🙂
wow look these sony/nikon/pentax users are so scared of the m43 consortium they go out of their way to comment on this site…pitiful
I haven’t been to the other rumor/news sites: are there µ43 fans trolling over there?
Yup. Trolls are universal! 🙂
APS-C is dead in 5 years…..
sensors are getting cheaper and FF cameras + lenses are not much bigger them APS-C.
don’t get me wrong APS-C was a nice idea… but FF cameras are better.
(add some [sic] in there)
I won’t even go further into this topic… as pretty much EVERYTHING has been said already…
Ha! Nice turn-around. 😉
TROLL
http://www.sansmirror.com/newsviews/sensor-sizes-redux.html
@ admin
“I still hope Olympus can find another way to keep his independence…”
Why do you feel so strongly about this? Would some strategic cooperation between the two in product development etc not do 43rds good?
You have never articulated why you think this is bad. Moreover, conventional wisdom does not dictate that it is bad.
Macromedia and Adobe was bad because it created a monopoly. But these two bedfellows will strengthen the system, will they not? Or, at least, is that not a reasonable argument?
I am not an expert of partenrships between companies but usually innovation gets slower when companies work close. There is less competition. In worse case Panasonic and Olympus will work together on the m43 product roadmap.
Was there a mention that this is about camera business? I’m quite sure it doesn’t, since it’s other parts of Oly which are attractive (ie. profitable).
The link requires log in so I can’t read it myself.
edit: I was right, they’re interested in the medical business http://www.rttnews.com/1900777/kyodo-news-panasonic-to-invest-up-to-50-billion-yen-in-olympus.aspx?type=bn&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=sitemap
That is a reasonable concern. A more optimistic view might be that they might work together, adding up to more than the sum of their parts, to ensure 43rds dominates rival systems.
Friendly feedback: I think you do a terrific job.
“usually innovation gets slower when companies work close” – sorry admin, you are very wrong there!
There are numerous companies, even competitors, that are cooperating in innovation with great success. Take Sony-Nikon, BMW-PSA, Scania-Cummings to name a few…..
you should read my reply admin…
Admin, they both already work together.
It might also mean that Panasonic could put even more ressources into sensor development, since they would be quite sure that Olympus cameras would also use pana sensors…this is good, although it means that if other manufacturers get ahead in sensor development we have little chance of getting those sensors instead of pana
I think Pana is only interested in the medical endoscope business.
People, admin, this has NOTHING to do with cameras so let’s stop with the pointless speculation about impact on (m)43: “Panasonic, which is struggling with losses at its TV business, reportedly plans to make medical devices a core business and wants to form an alliance with Olympus in its mainline operation of medical devices.”
from here: http://www.rttnews.com/1900777/kyodo-news-panasonic-to-invest-up-to-50-billion-yen-in-olympus.aspx?type=bn&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=sitemap
+1
The future of photo taking may be dominated by POV augment reality glasses like google glasses. That is not to say the traditional “camera way” of taking pictures will die off but technological improvements favour the small format or easily portable cameras. Already in the short term, technologies like BSI, Quantum Dot/Organic sensors and Global shutters favours the small format cameras and will be available to the smaller format first.
When the Quantum efficiencies of sensors goes up to 98% or close to 100% who needs the format of big clumsy and expensive cameras?
Better enjoy your present fetish and make maximum use of it while you can. The future is not going to meet your nostalgic expectations.
On another topic: it will be interesting to see how the new Sony RX100 (Nikon 1 sized sensor) will do against the XZ-2 and the LX-6 (or whatever).
I can already see the 1 inch compact system camera giving m43 a run for its money. Panasonic better come up to compete with the LX6 in this size format…
Of course, the RX100 has a slow lens at 100mm — 4.9 is not impressive compared to the 2.5 of the XZ-1 at 112mm equiv. But the Nikon 1 sensor (10Mpx) gave results not too far behind the PEN cameras. So it is interesting to see what Sony can do with the same sensor size.
An interesting thing in this regards is how all the E-M5 sceptics back in January and February ridiculed the Pana sensors and those expected to be in the E-M5, with claims such as today, it is only Sony who knows how to make sensors. Assuming that the E-M5 does not have a Sony sensor, the E-M5 with its higher pixel density than the NEX-7 has proved these ideas wrong.
@ admin
if you want to double check such FT1 rumors: http://www.olympus-global.com/en/corc/ir/tes/
🙂
Thanks GS!
I’m sure Olympus would make a better camera after OMD. Olympus camera is great for the moment. However it is the policy of the company. For now, how do we harness the potential of our cameras. imho.
Hi all. If Olympus is nearly bust this is great news. Why all the bickering about what’s best? I have m43 cameras. I know they are not the best but I love them. They are compact and easy to use. The lenses are good enough. Overall the image quality is a massive improvement on what I could achieve with film. Finally compared to even five years ago, let one ten, they are superb value for money. The most important thing is that I really enjoy using them.
“Panasonic to Provide Olympus With Up to 50 Billion Yen in Capital”
… which effectively leaves us m4/3 crowd with status quo. Probably better than Sony involvement…
– The m43 horse is alive and pranzing almost like Ferrari 🙂
– Panasonic being the prime shareholder may not mean much short term. F.i. Oly have suppliers that can continue, take the Epson EVF…. IF the EM5 sensor is non-Pana it can continue as long as it is successful and cost-efficient. Enterprice is about making money!
– FF sensors are becoming much cheaper to manufacture
– The Nikon/Sony 1 inch sensors have 50% area compared to m43 – a big difference.
– m43 is currently very close to APS-C IQ.
– Fuji has shown it is possible to build small, light HQ lenses for mirrorless.
– Soner or later Sony will learn that as well
My conclusions:
1. 1 inch sensors are for premium compacts
2. High end APS-C will be replaced by FF 24×36 sensor cameras (with and without mirror)
3. The fierce battle between mirrorless m43 and APS-C will continue with the later having the upper hand. At some time m43 has to be cheaper than APS-C to survive. – And us users will benefit from that!
“FF sensors are becoming much cheaper to manufacture”
Unfortunately you based your reason on wishful thinking. If anything it is getting more expensive.
Canon EOS-1D released in 2001 original release price: $6,500.
Canon EOS-1D Mk III, released in 2009 original release price: $7,999.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos1d/2
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos1dsmarkiii/2
Hopefully this will improve the product offerings from both companies:
– Panasonic license IBIS and move way from in lens efforts
– Olympus and Panasonic work together and closely on sensor tech
– Panasonic and Olympus merge camera software platform and create the most intuitive GUI seen on a camera
– stop duplicating lens’ and complement each others lens portfolio
– unify accesory ports across both ranges
These are just of e top of my head, sure there are many doors this opens up.
This will be a big win for mft and its users
Not being a business head, I won’t try to conjure up an option based on fear or fantasy… 😉
One thing I”d like to see is Panasonic and Olympus cooperate and use ONE standard accessory port, rather than the current two, incompatible ports. It could be something like Apple’s iOS Dock Connector. That could not only save money for both companies, but open up the possibility of third-parties making compatible accessories.
+1 I agree here. I’m considering the EM5 for maybe later in the year (waiting for Photokina) but my other m4/3s are Panasonic. How nice if everything was compatible.
Exactly, that would make for a true SYSTEM and be a huge selling point.
Yeah, I know that camera companies want to lock you into their accessory monopolies, but imagine being able to swap the same EVF between a GX1 and EPL3. Or use one of the little Oly kit flashes on a GX1.
> a move that will make Panasonic the company’s top shareholder.
And, as we have learned from the Oly scandal, being a shareholder in Japans means squat.
So no change in the m43 competition field. Sounds good to me.
this just in…in exchange for 50B Yen Panasonic gets access to Oly’s JPEG engine.
Panasonic will take over Micro Four Thirds. Bodies in the future will have IBIS.
Olympus is to continue to develop and produce Four Thirds only.
😉
I am sure they(panasonic) will still want the competition with m43. Being the only company with m43 would hurt the system.
One thing for sure: This ‘agreement’ was arranged before, but Panasonic definitely waited to see the market reaction from the new EM5. Or more likely, Olympus forced it to get a better evaluation in the end… It’s too early to say anything, but I definitely didn’t like to hear Panasonic will dictate what’s next… Call me a fool, but I was still hoping a 43s body with the EM5 sensor and IBIS… Bye Bye E-7 or E-50…
Olympus camera division continues to loose money the medical division especially with aging global population continues to make money. this deal is all about the medical side who would put money into a business that is loosing money.
The issue I see — Panasonic does not market any better than Olympus AND neither company has a clue about consumer distribution channels and the repair channel.
We are all camera ethusiasts but this deal has nothing to do with cameras. The money maker is the medical side which is what everyone wants a piece of because medical equipement prices and margins have very little fluctuation due to currency markets
Panasonic’s current business plan is here:
http://panasonic.co.jp/corp/news/official.data/data.dir/en120511-10/en120511-10.html
A worthwhile read.
It is.. I just wonder where Olympus fits there.
Cost cutting division? I hope not.. 🙁
To me that is certainly not bad news. An independant Olympus might still be preferable. However, I doubt that their management is able to pull the company out of trouble. An independant Olympus could lead to even worse consequences.
Panasonic is the best partner, because it has too vital interests to keep m4/3 alive. A partnership or aquisition by a company, which has interests in its own camera platform, m4/3 might have a bad future, because the partner would have more interest to aquire technology and expertise, instead of continue to develop m4/3.
Panasonic’s partnership does not mean that the Olympus brand will come to an end. Instead, we may see a product line, which is better cross-brand compatible. Panasonic may get access to technolgies like IBIS, which we haven’t seen in Panasonic cameras yet.
Panasonic has marketing resources? wow, I always just assumed they made cool stuff, showed to journalists and then promptly built fewer than people wanted to build up hype. Sounds like Olympus already knows how to do that.
Please replace the paywalled NY Times link with this one from Reuters – they are the source after all.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/06/us-panasonic-stake-olympus-idUSBRE85500020120606
The Kyodo News Agency is the original source. However, access is subscription only.
If Panasonic buys approximately 10% of Oly then I would assume that their ability to influence Oly’s decisions will be of similar magnitude. Panasonic’s investment will probably give them one or two seats on Oly’s board of directors.
Olympus will have the same faith as Minolta.
So, it’s not true?
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/07/us-panasonic-olympus-idUSBRE85604G20120607?type=companyNews
Yup Panasonic denied it.
Some more news:
BREAKING NEWS
OLYMPUS TO CUT 2,700 JOBS BY MARCH 2014
Olympus to Cut 2,700 Jobs by 2014 as Part of Turnaround Plan
By Naoko Fujimura – Jun 8, 2012 8:12 AM GMT+0200
Olympus Corp. (7733) will cut 2,700 jobs and restructure production sites as the Japanese camera maker seeks to recover after writing down assets following a $1.7 billion accounting-fraud scandal.
The jobs will be eliminated by March 2014, the company said in a statement in Tokyo today. Olympus may post net income of 7 billion yen ($88 million) this fiscal year, compared with the 25 billion-yen average of four analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg.
See http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-06-07/olympus-may-unveil-job-cuts-turnaround-plan-at-meeting-today.html
My take on this: The compact camera business of Oly is not profitable. Those employees will contribute to the 2700 number.