Phototrend published their interview with Kazuhiro Togashi (Senior Vice President of Product Planning and Brand Strategy) and Nobuaki Tanaka (Director of Product Communication and Global Brand Strategy) at OM System. Here is the recap:
- Company performance since independence from Olympus – OMDS has met commercial goals each year, achieved operational profitability, and built a sustainable model through focused resources and rationalization, enabling independent funding of product development. Market share is nearing 10% in Japan, with growth potential globally.
- Micro Four Thirds competition and strategy – Panasonic’s shift toward full-frame creates both challenges and opportunities; OM System sees this as a chance to emphasize MFT’s unique strengths through ongoing development and clear messaging. Long-term commitment to MFT remains strong for system continuity.
- Product development approach – Combines quantitative market data with user feedback from various regions. Regional differences are more about subject preferences and usage than strict geographic specs; products target specific shooting needs, leading to consistent satisfaction worldwide.
- 2025 as a milestone year – First full year of OMDS-developed products: two bodies (OM-3 and OM-5 Mark II) plus four lenses (M.Zuiko 17mm f/1.8 II, 25mm f/1.8 II, 100-400mm II, and ED 50-200mm f/2.8 IS PRO). Tropicalized primes signal brand identity; the 50-200mm f/2.8 PRO is in high demand (causing delays in some markets, like France) for wildlife, macro, landscapes, and sports.
- Lens roadmap hints – Frequent requests for longer telephotos, more primes (especially compact ones post-OM-3), and wide-angles. Beyond telephotos, focus includes everyday-use lenses (roadmap details not disclosed).
- Teleconverters and optical limits – Current 1.4×/2× TCs are optically excellent with minimal degradation (especially with lenses like 50-200mm), but some impact is unavoidable. Exploring software/AI compensation for future improvements.
- OM-3 design and positioning – Fulfills demand for vintage/heritage style under “Heritage x Innovation” — classic OM aesthetics combined with modern performance/ergonomics for daily creative outdoor use. Distinct from the flagship OM-1 Mark II.
- Potential OM-30 entry-level model – Considering an OM-30 in the OM-3 style, but it must differentiate from the compact OM-5 Mark II.
- PEN series future – Strong, frequent requests for a PEN-F successor; PEN line remains important, and OM System is determined to launch a new model that fully satisfies customers (details not yet revealed).
- OM-3 ASTRO variant – Modified OM-3 with removed IR filter for astrophotography, plus Color Profile Control for enhanced tones/renditions. Chosen over OM-1 Mark II for better portability/lightness (easier on tripods/mounts). Shares sensor/processor; previous Japan-only astro model saw global demand surge. No direct competitors; astrophotography is viewed as the ultimate outdoor form.
- MFT advantages for astro – Superior compactness/portability for remote fieldwork; new High Res Shot optimizations (internal stacking, improved dark frame subtraction) reduce noise in long exposures and enhance handheld results.
- Sensor resolution and future – Current 20MP balances high sensitivity, speed, and computational needs (e.g., fast readout for High Res Shot). Higher resolution can be achieved later, but the current level offers practical advantages.
- Software/computational photography – Advancements (including AI) are narrowing the image quality gap between sensor sizes and expanding creative options without extra gear. Significant future potential in internal processing.
- AI integration – Building on existing subject/bird detection (from E-M1X era); improving capture and post-processing. Future devices may handle more internally. Emphasis on authentic photography — AI enhances but should not replace real capture satisfaction.
- C2PA and image authenticity – Exploring ways to distinguish original vs. AI-generated images (relevant after AI wins in some contests). The priority is preserving a genuine shooting experience and integrity.