In 2026, OM SYSTEM will celebrate its 90th anniversary of camera manufacturing, dating back to the days of the Olympus Imaging Business:
“In 2026, OM SYSTEM will celebrate its 90th anniversary of camera manufacturing, dating back to the days of the Olympus Imaging Business. We plan to publish note articles that convey the passion that has gone into manufacturing, the accumulated technology, and the challenges we face into the future. We will also begin collaborating with official social media accounts such as YouTube and Instagram to circulate content from our owned media and create synergies.”
The history timeline of Olympus can be found here:
History of Olympus Imaging Business Timeline
The Olympus Imaging business, focused on cameras and photography, traces its roots to the company’s early diversification from microscopes into optical technologies. It formally began in 1936 with the development of photographic lenses and cameras. In 2004, it was established as a separate subsidiary, Olympus Imaging Corporation, before being divested in 2021 to OM Digital Solutions under Japan Industrial Partners. Below is a chronological timeline of key milestones in the Imaging business, drawn from Olympus’s official company history.
- 1936: Developed the Zuiko photographic lens and entered the camera business with the announcement of the first camera, Semi-Olympus I.
- 1948: Launched the first Japanese-made 35mm film camera with lens shutter, Olympus 35 I.
- 1959: Released the innovative half-size camera, Olympus Pen.
- 1963: Introduced the world’s first half-size SLR camera, Olympus Pen F.
- 1972: Launched the compact and lightweight system SLR camera, Olympus OM-1 (initially named M-1).
- 1979: Released the world’s first barrier-type compact camera, Olympus XA.
- 1983: Introduced the world’s first compact camera using a lithium battery, Olympus AFL (Picasso).
- 1991: Launched the ultra-small and lightweight compact camera, Olympus μ (mju).
- 1996: Released the company’s first digital cameras, CAMEDIA C-800L and C-400L.
- 2000: Introduced the full-fledged digital SLR camera, CAMEDIA E-10.
- 2003: Launched the interchangeable-lens digital SLR camera, E-1.
- 2004: Separated the Imaging business into a dedicated subsidiary, Olympus Imaging Corporation (alongside Olympus Medical Systems).
- 2007: Released the digital SLR camera with the world’s fastest AF, E-3.
- 2009: Introduced the Micro Four Thirds digital camera, Olympus Pen E-P1.
- 2012: Launched the mirrorless SLR camera, OLYMPUS OM-D E-M5.
- 2013: Released the mirrorless SLR camera, OLYMPUS OM-D E-M1.
- 2016: Introduced the mirrorless camera inheriting the original Pen F name, OLYMPUS PEN-F; also launched OM-D E-M1 Mark II.
- 2017: Released the compact digital camera, OLYMPUS Tough TG-5.
- 2018: Launched the small and lightweight mirrorless camera, OLYMPUS PEN E-PL9.
- 2019: Released multiple products including the professional mirrorless camera OM-D E-M1X, compact Tough TG-6, PEN E-PL10, and OM-D E-M5 Mark III, along with various lenses and accessories.
- 2020: Launched the mirrorless camera, OM-D E-M1 Mark III.
- 2021: Transferred the Imaging business to OM Digital Solutions Co., Ltd., which was then sold to OJ Holdings Co., Ltd., established by Japan Industrial Partners.
OM System opens next-generation lens manufacturing facility in Okaya City, Japan
