The Olympus story was one of our bigger headlines in 2020 and we’re now at the end of that tale.
The once-vaunted maker of consumer camera products began the process of transferring those assets to a new firm last year. That process is now complete and the new company, OM Digital Solutions, has released a welcome letter to old Olympus fans and newcomers alike.
It reads in part:
“During our business as the Imaging Division of Olympus Corporation, we contributed to society with products such as cameras, audio recorders, and binoculars. With the camera business in particular, we utilized original ideas when developing products. In the film era, we succeeded with the development of the unprecedented compact, lightweight design of the OM series of 35mm SLR cameras. We have inherited this passion and development philosophy in the digital age, leading to the Micro Four Thirds standard, and a compact, lightweight design, through the mirrorless OM-D series. In addition, we have developed various state-of-the-art technologies, including lens groups with high optical performance, world-class image stabilization, and the High-Res Shot function, delivering high resolution imaging to photographers everywhere.
It is our manufacturing capabilities that have supported this business. This has been accomplished through forward-looking insight, a challenging spirit, and close relationships with our manufacturing site. We will continue to launch innovative products in existing business areas such as cameras, audio recorders, and binoculars, while combining our inherited manufacturing capabilities with state-of-the-art digital technologies, and will provide new solutions that stretch beyond the boundaries of existing products on the market.”
The company also explained the thinking behind the new name.
“The letters “OM” in the company name, embody the posture of always challenging difficult situations, and developing new products and technologies. In the current day, “OM” has been reborn as “OM-D”, and it is leading our imaging brand as the prominent mirrorless camera. Next, “Digital Solutions” incorporates our corporate posture and determination towards the future of challenging the digital domain; both the carefully cultivated imaging-related business, and expanding boundaries beyond.”
If you missed our coverage of the Olympus story, you can check that out here.
While it’s not the end that many people wanted, it is a new beginning. The “will they, won’t they” back-and-forth about Olympus last year was just one of the many canaries in the coal mine of the industry at large we’re just now discovering. We’re just glad this story has had a relatively happy ending as far as OM Digital Solutions trying to uphold the legacy of the Olympus name.
What are your hopes for the new Olympus (now OM Digital Solutions)? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Don’t forget to check out our other photography news articles on Light Stalking at this link here.
