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Olympus quits camera business after 84 years

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Re: Olympus quits camera business after 84 years

#261

Post by photogram »

pkulak wrote: post #144

I'm really sad about this. It feels like everyone went full-frame without appreciating the benefits of smaller lenses and bodies. Olympus glass is the best in the industry, probably because they don't have to make everything so damn large. I've got Olympus lenses that cost $400 new and can't even match $2000 full-frame glass. Sure, I'll keep my kit forever, but it sucks to know I'll never upgrade any of it.

It's true the lenses Olympus make may take up much less volume than an equivalent large focal length for full frame.

But the downside is they're not cheaper in the prosumer space. The spatial resolution demands put on the lens by a 20MP M43 sensor is actually pretty similar to a 42MP Sony A7Rii. This means the manufacturing tolerances are the same as full frame, which is a large component of lens cost.

This means that for the average consumer not interested in long range wildlife photography where the price of glass does come into play (e.g. 600mm), there isn't any price advantage.

As an example, have a look at the 12-100mm F4 for Olympus (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1281427-REG/olympus_v...) vs the new Tamron 28-200 F2.8-5.6 for Sony FE (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1568708-REG/tamron_a0...)

The Tamron actually outperforms the Olympus lens in terms of spatial resolution/sharpness on a 24MP sensor (because the photosites are larger), has a 2 stops faster wide end, and is $500 cheaper.

Even more interesting is that there is only a 14g difference in weight between these two lenses. Granted the Olympus will have better weather sealing.

The average prosumer is going to do the math and see that for a lower total system cost (body + lens) they're getting more in terms of sensor and lens performance for a negligible increase in weight.

This wasn't true in the early days of Sony's FE system, but as of 2020 with modern, sharp, short flange lens designs from 3rd parties - the price/performance ratio has become better than I ever predicted it would be

Re: Olympus quits camera business after 84 years

#262

Post by vparikh »

I have been a long time M43 user since they released the very first OMD-EM5. And the OMD line has been the best camera for the everyday user - highly capable, small with amazing small lens that really are great. The Olympus 45, Panasonic 20mm and the 80-150 are truly some the greatest lens for any system. Shure, you loose some depth of field - but for 95% of the people it is perfect.

However, when I was ready to upgrade my OMD-EM5 purchased in 2009 (11 years ago!) - I started the move away from my M43 system. And heres why:

Cost - The Nikon Z6 with an FTZ adapter can be had for $1550 brand new. Compare that to a new OMD-EM5 MkII for $1200 - the EM5 just can't compete.

Size - the Z6 + Nikon 24-70 F4 S is really not that much bigger than the EM5 MkIII. Add the Nikon 24-70 F4 S lens, and the size difference is negligible. But the AF capabilities and image quality are far superior.

Compatiblity - The Z Mount is absolutely amazing. With third party adapters you can use just about any lens (Nikon F, Nikon S, Sony FE, Canon EOS) with full autofocus capability. The Z Mount is the most universal mount anyone has ever come out with.

Video - I am not a video user, but the Z system has an excellent reputation for video. Olympus never really concentrated on video - they seeded that market to Panasonic.

All of this with an amazing echo system and with the first gen Z mount it is quite amazing already. And the Z mount going forward I feel is going to allow Nikon some amazing things - largest diameter with the shortest flange distance allows for unique designs and edge to sharpness that is absolutely amazing.

I know this is turning into a Nikon Z love fest, but the point is - with the new entries from Nikon & Canon, combined with average consumer going to the cell phone instead of a traditional camera - Olympus simply had to invest way to much in R&D to justify the possible profits. The shrinking camera market just put a stake through the heart.

It is sad. Olympus was the most innovative camera company. They were the first to have sensor cleaning, the best in body stablization, amazing lens and real-time exposure. All with the most robust bodies in the business.

It is sad to see such a great company with a respected name go to an investment group. They will probably use the brand and make sub standard products going forward or milk the brand for a quick buck.

Here's to hoping that some other company comes in restores it to its former glory.

Re: Olympus quits camera business after 84 years

#263

Post by IMAYousaf »

hrktb wrote: post #212
IMAYousaf wrote: post #161

As someone with a huge photography itch and a gear nerd who actually isn't a practitioner, can someone with domain expertise in photography and cameras give some insights or predictions in to what they see as the future of photography? I have a sophomoric understanding of the shift from SLR --> DSLR --> Sony led Mirrorless cameras. Where do we go from here? How do things like Hasselblad's X1D II entry level medium fo…

An analysis by Thom Hogan: https://www.dslrbodies.com/newsviews/whos-still-buying-dslrs...

Thank you. Appreciate this. Will study this.

Re: Olympus quits camera business after 84 years

#264

Post by IMAYousaf »

jetrink wrote: post #221
IMAYousaf wrote: post #161

As someone with a huge photography itch and a gear nerd who actually isn't a practitioner, can someone with domain expertise in photography and cameras give some insights or predictions in to what they see as the future of photography? I have a sophomoric understanding of the shift from SLR --> DSLR --> Sony led Mirrorless cameras. Where do we go from here? How do things like Hasselblad's X1D II entry level medium fo…

My prediction is that full frame cameras will eventually be squeezed out by APS-C and medium format. On one side, medium format cameras are shrinking in both size and price. The Canon 5D Mark IV is thicker, taller and heavier than Fuji's GFX 50R[1]. Medium format cameras aren't quite as small as full frame mirrorless cameras, but they are no longer impractically large either. If image quality is paramount, size and c…

Do you think it is possible that cellphone cameras are coming closer to APS-C and thus its those that end up losing out? Full frame seems to be a significant value add relative to APS-C for a prosumer, just as how medium format is a significant jump up.

Re: Olympus quits camera business after 84 years

#265

Post by JKCalhoun »

vparikh wrote: post #262

I have been a long time M43 user since they released the very first OMD-EM5. And the OMD line has been the best camera for the everyday user - highly capable, small with amazing small lens that really are great. The Olympus 45, Panasonic 20mm and the 80-150 are truly some the greatest lens for any system. Shure, you loose some depth of field - but for 95% of the people it is perfect. However, when I was ready to upgr…

> combined with average consumer going to the cell phone instead of a traditional camera

Sadly all you describe could be pulled up 5 years from now when it's Canon that is leaving the came a market, or Nikon....

Re: Olympus quits camera business after 84 years

#266

Post by noobermin »

bayindirh wrote: post #231
ISL wrote: post #229

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Totally agreed, but if that one fab company falls over, much of the imaging industry has a problem. That's the monoculture.

In bigger semiconductor business we have three main fabs. Intel, TSMC, Global Foundries. Intel is closed to outside customers, so again we have a duopoly there. It's not very very different in the bigger picture if you ask me. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Two is better than one but more than two is better than both options.

Re: Olympus quits camera business after 84 years

#267

Post by Bud »

nemosaltat wrote: post #211
matwood wrote: post #205

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> but there is a noticable stigma in the professional community around equipment that isn't Canon Weird. The few other camera people I know, and a couple are pros, are all Nikon. They are the reason I went Nikon so many years ago and still use Nikon today.

Nikon’s commitment to backwards compatibility is incredible. I can use my father-in-law’s Nikon lens from 1970s on my D3400. Edit: manual only if that isn’t obvious

You can actually use Nikon F-mount lenses dating all the way back to 1959 on modern Nikons. Truly incredible.

Re: Olympus quits camera business after 84 years

#268

Post by Anther »

jbarham wrote: post #228

FWIW I run a website that allows you to interactively filter Micro Four Thirds lenses: https://www.m43lenses.com/

That’s very handy. I’ve not seen anyone talking about Blackmagic in this thread, but my Pocket 4K is always in need of new m4/3 lenses!

Re: Olympus quits camera business after 84 years

#269

Post by mtraven »

galleypage wrote: post #13
x87678r wrote: post #8

My Dad had an OM-1, and later I bought an OM-D E-M5. Its amazing how much sentiment affects decisions. I have and love both those cameras, many happy memories.

Definitely - my favorite film camera was a Pen F half-frame with the big gothic "F" on the front. Old, but really compact (and worked well-enough with lens adapters, right until it got stolen a couple years back). The feel of the thing definitely got me to buying the E-M5.

I still have one of those, a hand-me-down from my father...was my first real camera.

Re: Olympus quits camera business after 84 years

#270

Post by stan_rogers »

Bud wrote: post #267
nemosaltat wrote: post #211

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nikon’s commitment to backwards compatibility is incredible. I can use my father-in-law’s Nikon lens from 1970s on my D3400. Edit: manual only if that isn’t obvious

You can actually use Nikon F-mount lenses dating all the way back to 1959 on modern Nikons. Truly incredible.

Only on the higher-end bodies. You pretty much need to be using a modern AF-S lens on the 3XXX and 5XXX bodies, between the focus drive and the meter coupling, and pre-AI won't work without modification on the 7XXX.
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