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10 things OM Digital Solutions needs to do in order to succeed

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I’ve always tried to approach the acquisition of Olympus and the formation of OM Digital Solutions with a positive outlook. Partly because I would be sad to see the Olympus legacy completely fade off into practical non-existence like Kodak and Polaroid, but also because I happen to shoot Micro Four Thirds, and it’s nice to see the format still being developed (even if I use Panasonic and not Olympus).

But in order to succeed, the new OM Digital Solutions company has a lot of challenges ahead. In this video, photographer Robin Wong talks about his thoughts on the acquisition and things that OM Digital Solutions will need to do in order to succeed in a troubled sector of a struggling camera market.

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OM Digital Solutions to launch “many” new products in 2021

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In an interview published by Asahi, Setsuya Kataoka, the Chief Technology Officer of OM Digital Solutions says that they plan to launch “many” products in the next year including one that will come either towards the end of 2021 or in early 2022 that will make us go “Wow”. The company once again reaffirmed their commitment to the Micro Four Thirds system, and we might even see a PEN-FII.

The interview also speaks a little about the name of the cameras themselves. What’s going to happen to the Olympus brand? Will OM Digital Solutions be able to use it? Or will it eventually change at some point and no longer appear on new camera models?

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Micro Four Thirds is the most popular camera system in Japan claims OM Digital Solutions

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Well, there’s nothing like blowing your own trumpet in your first official press release since acquiring a new company. Digicame-info reports that OM Digital Solutions Co., Ltd. – the new name for Olympus Imaging Division since it was taken over by Japan Industrial Partners – has made an announcement proclaiming that Micro Four Thirds has the largest market share of any camera mount system in Japan.

Olympus launched the Micro Four Thirds system in 2008 along with Panasonic. A system which OM Digital Solutions says is now supported by over 56 companies. According to Today’s announcement, MFT has risen to the top, holding 21.7% of the domestic market in Japan. More than any other camera mount system,

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Olympus confirms the sale of its imaging business to JIP has completed

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A journey that started long before it was announced, with many rumours, has now come to completion. Olympus has announced that the transfer of its imaging division to Japan Industrial Partners, Inc. (JIP) is all done and dusted. Its imaging business now belongs to OM Digital Solutions, a subsidiary of JIP, which now controls the OM and Zuiko brands.

The announcement from Olympus states that the transition was concluded as of January 1st, 2021. Shigemi Sugimoto has been named as the President and CEO of OM Digital Solutions and that its business will be “digital cameras, interchangeable lenses, IC recorders, etc. centred on mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras”.

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JIP to kill Olympus brand name as a part of the new deal

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Earlier this year, Olympus sold its imaging business to Japan Industrial Partners (JIP). And just when the future of Olympus began to seem bright, it turned out that JIP had other plans. According to the latest information, Olympus will no longer use its name with the camera gear.

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The future of Olympus looks positive as deal with JIP is officially concluded

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It’s done, it’s final. Olympus has announced today that it has concluded a definitive agreement with Japan Industrial Partners Inc. (JIP) regarding the transfer of the Olympus Imaging Business.

According to the press release, Olympus will be transferring its Imaging business to a new wholly-owned subsidiary called the “New Imaging Company”, through what is called an absorption-type split. This will be followed up on January 1, 2021 by a transfer of 95% of the shares to OJ Holdings, Ltd – a “special purpose company” set up by JIP.

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JIP confirms commitment to Olympus and the Micro Four Thirds system

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JIP’s been pretty quiet since the announcement of the deal to take over the Imaging division from Olympus. It’s left a lot of doubt and uncertainty about the future of the Micro Four Thirds system – especially when there are also fears that Panasonic might be preparing to ditch MFT. But in an interview with Toyokeizai, Japan Industrial Partners has confirmed their commitment to the format and the brand.

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Olympus NA and Europe didn’t know the company had been sold until the press release hit

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Since its sale to Japan Industrial Partners, there are a lot of questions over the future of the Olympus imaging business and what that might mean for their cameras, lenses and other products going forward. 43Rumors reports, though, that some of those questions already seem to have something of an answer. But you’re probably not going to like it.

Most interestingly, though, it seems that Olympus Europe and Olympus North America didn’t know about the sale beforehand. They claim that the two regional organisations had no idea that it was happening until the rest of the world new at the distribution of the press release.

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Olympus has sold its camera and imaging business – yeah, seriously

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There were rumours in November that Olympus would shut down its camera business within 8 months, which was flat out denied by Olympus.  Now, here we are, 8 months later, after several years of speculation and rumour and more denial, Olympus has indeed sold its camera and imaging business to a company called Japan Industrial Partners (JIP). It’s like “Surprise!” but not really.

Olympus posted the notification of signing a Memorandum of Understanding to the Olympus website, stating that Olympus had sold its imaging business to JIP. The legally-binding deal, they say, will be completed by September 30th, 2020. Here’s the complete statement from Olympus…
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