OM Digital Solutions, the erstwhile Olympus Imaging, has definitively stated that "we do not do full size" image sensors, and went a step further to tease that it is "developing a new product family".
The statement is a familiar refrain, dating back to when the Olympus brand was owned and operated by Olympus Corporation (prior to it being sold to new owner, Japan Industrial Partners, which officially completed in January this year).
• Read more: Best Olympus cameras (opens in new tab)
However, it comes after weeks of speculation that OM Digital Solutions might join the L-Mount Alliance – the full-frame camera mount consortium consisting of Panasonic (Olympus' partners in the Micro Four Thirds standard), Sigma and Leica.
The declaration from OM Digital puts those rumors firmly to rest, and nails the company's colors to the mast of Micro Four Thirds – and, fittingly enough, it took place during a live broadcast on the annual 'Four Thirds Day' (04 March, aka 4/3).
During a special Four Thirds Day commemorative broadcast on the Olympus Live YouTube channel (above), the question was asked if OM Digital will produce a full-size (full-frame) camera.
"We are on the path of Micro Four Thirds," replied product strategist Eiji Shirota, formerly planning manager at Olympus Imaging (as reported by Digital Camera Info (opens in new tab)). "We don't do full size."
Further, when it was noted that the company has not yet announced a new Micro Four Thirds product, he replied, "We are developing a new product firmly. You can expect it."
Other notable tidbits came from the discussion, including the fact that Olympus has "tried designing an f/1.0 lens, but it's hard to do with AF", and the subject of a successor to the Olympus PEN-F (opens in new tab) came up yet again.
If all that weren't enough, OM Digital has also unveiled a brand new Micro Four Thirds website (opens in new tab) – demonstrating that it's 100% committed to the format.
Read more:
Olympus PEN-F review
(opens in new tab)Best Micro Four Thirds cameras
(opens in new tab)Best Micro Four Thirds lenses (opens in new tab)
3 new Olympus lenses for 2020, with 100-400mm IS & 12-45mm Pro (opens in new tab)
