Olympus says "a new camera will be available in the next few weeks"

A new Olympus camera "will be available in the next few weeks", and it won't be the only new camera in the next fiscal year, according to an executive from OM Digital Solutions (the new owner of the Olympus brand).

We haven't seen a new Olympus body since the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV was announced in August 2020, and before that it was the flagship Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III in January.

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The brand spent most of last year tied up with the sale and transfer from Olympus to OM Digital. However, with the handover officially completed, it looks like the new ownership is ready to show the world what the next chapter of the Olympus legacy looks like – and according to a company exec, it will show us very soon.

"A new camera will be available in the next few weeks and it won't be the last one this fiscal year," teased Sandro Rymann, OM Digital's VP of sales and product management for EMEA, USA and Canada, in an interview with Swiss website Digitech. "Unfortunately, I can't reveal more yet."

He did go on to note that the Olympus Tough TG-6 weatherproof camera was due an update (adding that "most competitors in this area have dropped out over the years"), but then suggested that the focus is on professional systems.

"One thing is clear: the greatest innovative strength will flow into more professional cameras." This was a familiar refrain, as Rymann reiterated that OM Digital's target group is "adventure and outdoor photographers" who will benefit from carrying a smaller and more lightweight system.

At the same time he noted that larger Micro Four Thirds products were increasingly key, pointing out that the Olympus OM-D E-M1X has become more popular since the release of the Olympus M.Zuiko 150-400mm f/4.5 TC1.25x IS Pro lens.

"In the beginning, the lenses had to be light, compact and inexpensive. We will continue to offer such lenses. But our pro products are increasingly in demand: They are mostly made of metal, weatherproof and, on average, have a significantly higher image quality."

So what does this all mean – can we expect a new high-end Olympus camera, as has been mentioned a few times this year? It seems that we won't have to wait long to find out!

James Artaius

The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a magazine and web journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients as diverse as Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photographic and lighting tutorials, as well as industry analysis, news and rumors for publications such as Digital Camera Magazine, PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine, N-Photo, Digital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and demonstrations at The Photography Show. An Olympus (Micro Four Thirds) and Canon (full frame) shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a particular fondness for vintage lenses and film cameras.

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