DPReview sat down with Mr. Masamichi Handa, head of Olympus’s Imaging Business Division, at CP+ 2017 this year. Below are some excerpts from their interview
- When asked about being criticized about the price of the Olympus OM-D EM1 Mark II, Olympus said they have a target group of customers and APS-C competitors. Cameras in the $1,799+ price point aren’t aimed at price conscious shoppers. (WOW what APS-C camera would that be…)
- Olympus is a still photography company first.
- The OM-D EM1 Mark II is primarily selling to Olympus fans at this time and they shoot stills.
- “35 manufacturers have now joined the Four Thirds standard. This is a very good thing for users.”
- Their R&D team can always do more and they can do bette AF tracking and speed at this time, but ultimately they would like their image stabilization technology to become so good that you no longer need a tripod.
- Olympus isn’t planning on supporting the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
- Men tend to shoot Olympus PEN and Women tend to shoots E-PL.
- Panasonic and Olympus are essentially competitors, but they work together to ensure the standard remains compatible.
- Canon and Nikon users may not be ready to switch yet, but many own a second camera system.
- When demand slows for the OM-D they will start a touch and try program, because right now in Japan they have a rental program and almost every rental ends in a purchase.
- The decreasing size of the camera market is restricting Olympus’ R&D budget so they have to pick and choose which technology to develop further.
You can read the full interview here.
