The Big Names are starting to fall

[Tronhard]

According to DPReview.com Olympus Optics' parent organization is selling the camera maker division off to a company called Japan Industrial Partners.  The story is HERE...

They blame the ingress into the market of smarphones, but the Pandemic has certainly impacted sales and manufacturing around the world.  Some claim that Olympus lost their way: going from their Micro 4/3 format that was highly popular, to a large investment in expensive FF cameras aimed at a tiny percentage of the market.  Either way, the future does not look good for the brand.

Personally, I shall be sorry to see the demise of Olympus in the camera world: they have a long, proud history of producing small, efficient cameras and optics that began in 1919 (camera manufacture began in 1936).  I still have one of their cameras, a TG-5 that I must admit I have rarely used, but it is considered one of the best tough cameras on the market - perhaps that product will live on with some other brand.

The changes in technology, world conflict and the on-going pandemic issues are all putting pressures on camera makers.  I think Canon have a good chance of weathering this and coming out as an even more dominant player with cameras like the EOS R5, if it fulfulls it's promise.   I wonder if Nikon will fare as well...

[ebiggs1]

One would be about as unpleasant as the other.

[Waddizzle]

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@RobertTheFat wrote:

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

" I guess that means 7D2 is semi-pro."

You are correct, sir!  It is not a pro level camera.

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Well, Ernie, I'm pretty sure we don't have any illusions that we're going to talk you out of your idiosyncratic definition of "pro level". But I think we've all seen professional photographers using 7D's. And so, I'll bet, have you.

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I am getting the impression that the 5D III/IV are semi-pro cameras, too.

[Waddizzle]

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

" I guess that means 7D2 is semi-pro."

You are correct, sir!  It is not a pro level camera.

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Could you please refresh our memories on exactly what it is that makes a camera body "a pro level camera"?

[ebiggs1]

Certainly, Canon 1DX Mk III or Nikon D6. Period!

[ebiggs1]

"Olympus had a following, not amongst really serious photographers but often those more casual users who were either going to travel and wanted small sized kit as I described, or for retired folks who had issues using the larger, heavier cameras."

Save the guy that went to Colorado, I know nobody that is using an Olympus. Not that I have am extremely large group of friends, co-workers and such, but you get to know a lot of people when you are in this business.  Like I said in my classes there might have been one.

[amatula15]

Hi,

I have seriously considered Olympus and posted on their forum. From what I see a high percentage, but not all, are photographers who know their stuff, and swtiched from FF to Micro Four Thirds for the weight advantage.

Personally, the label "professional" attached to a camera can be misleading.  I have seen photographs from micro four thirds cameras that are high quality, professional works of art that I very much admire.  Kudos to everyone who can overcome the so-called limitations of the camera and produce beautiful images (or images that they enjoy!) . And I have a high admiraction too for those who can excel with the camera of his/her choice even when the majority are saying they should not be able to do exactly what they are doing with their cameras and creative expression.   

Check out the images sometime at the MU Four Thirds forum.  Search "image thread" in title.

And even if you are not the next Ansel Adams, what is important is you are out there enjoying yourself and the process of creating an image! 

A camera does not automatically make you a professinal (although I am sure it can help along that path!). Skills, passion, and creativity, with a spice of innovation perhaps, make a professional.

I love the feature set of Micro Four Thirds camera which was one reason I considered it -- especially live view where you can see the image being developed. But I think they also have a reputation for being complex too (at least Oly) which concerned me too.

Back before cell phones there were point and shot cameras and disposable cameras which were highly used.

Now we have cell phones and very capable point and shots.

There will always be folks who have a love of photograhy as an art.  A couple weeks ago I saw a young pre-teen carrying a DSLR.  I don't worry about the business for that reason.  I do think Canon is rocking it with staying afloat through this challenging time 🙂

Just my sand pebble of an opinion.

All the best!

Annie

[ebiggs1]

"...all of which had mature products and customer bases."

When I did the DSLR 101 classes I always asked each person why they bought their camera.  Ready for the number one reason by far?  Price, wow, surprise!  Second was brand.  From the folks that bought Nikon, most said, "Why it's a Nikon of course."  Now they know nothing about it nor how to use it but it is a Nikon. Nikon had the brand name.

I do not remember, perhaps there was one, anybody with an Olympus anything. Most had Rebels but pretty close split with Nikon.