There is a double interview at DC.watch, first with Olympus and the second with Panasonic managers.
What we learn from those are:
– Olympus says they will focus on high end products like the OMD because these are selling better than PEN cameras
– Panasonic confessed that a GH 4K camera is likely to happen next year!
All the rest of the interview is more or less about the past and future strategy and a deep marketing analysis. While the worldwide interchangeable lens camera market is nor more growing the mirrorless cameras are still selling very well and growing in Asian countries and slowly also in Europe too. US market is still the hardest to conquer!
4 Responses
Oly’s strategy is a very wise one. Ppl still investing in “real” cameras (and not just happy with smartphones or cheap P&S) prefer prosumer models, ala OMD-EM1.
All the other “mid level” models simply are less interesting.
I agree. And if Oly can get around the noise issues of their m43 sensor, they’ll have an even better offering. I’m quickly finding the EM1 one of the best-handling cameras I’ve ever used. It still falls behind much of the market in IQ however. It’s a small format, but if they can improve detail somewhat and make some strides in noise, it could make the perfect camera for many users.
The one you mentioned is exactly the reason why I’m still with my “cheap” Samsung NX300, which costs less than one half and has a bigger sensor and slightly better IQ. But feature wise the EM1 is actually “another world”. It’s so much better than any APS-C mirrorless. Gorgeous EVF, huge buffer for raw, high speed shooting, great IBIS, weather sealing.
Having invested in NX lenses, I can only hope that Samsung could come out with something similar to EM1, but I’m highly sceptical.
I can’t argue with the price. A lot of system camera have been deeply discounted in the last couple of years, especially less popular models like the NX and the Q. They’re a real bargain for the image quality, and the NX has a pretty good sensor…better than what Canon’s offering! The E-M1’s sensor should be within spitting distance of the NX300’s: same dynamic range, same color palate, within 1/8 of a stop low light performance. Better lenses and stabilization should make up for that. 🙂 I don’t consider the differences to be significant, except, perhaps, the 20 megapixels.
My only complaint with Olympus’ current line is that they have nothing cheap with a viewfinder. The Christmas sales (< $899 for an E-M5) have changed that. Hopefully the new budget model help to provide a more attractive entry point, and with luck, it will be of comparable quality to the E-M5.