So far MFT sensor development has been quite small. But there is more and more interest in developing new Four Thirds sensor that can be used inside smartphones. Can OM Digital and Panasonic benefit from that? Sony, Samsung and Omnivision are rumored to be working on new High Megapixel FT sensors. Check out the video to hear about that!
The french website Phototrend had a chat with Kazuhiro Togashi , Vice President of Product Planning and Brand Strategy at OM Digital Solutions. A couple of interesting statements:
The goal:
I truly believe that our current task is to create a brand for the next 10, 20 or even 50 years.
The financial status:
Our turnover and operating income are up to our expectations.
About the next telephoto lens on the roadmap:
Development of other telephoto lenses is also underway, but we cannot give you any further details at this time.
About paid firmware updates:
this option could be considered in the future for adding new features.
About computational photography:
We also believe that computational photography can contribute to the creation of new works of art and to broadening the scope of expression of photographers. Using a GND filter with live preview and image post-processing, the OM-1 Mark II produces works of art that will exceed photographers’ expectations. Computational photography plays an important role for us because it embodies a core value of our system: the ability to create works of art beyond the imagination of the photographer. Therefore, we are committed to strengthening our efforts in the development of computational photography.
About software development:
Some of the imaging technologies are developed in-house. However, for some features related to computational photography, we need to collaborate with other companies.
2023 was a slow year for OM Digital and we only got one highlight with the excellent (but expensive) Lumix G9II. I do believe that in 2024 we well get more cameras and lenses and I made a full recap of the rumored gear!
Trusted sources confirmed to me that in 2024 OM Digital will announce a new very High End camera. They did NOT share what exactly we can expect. But I can only see three options:
My bet for now is on the OM1X with 24MP global shutter and extreme speed! But I would also love to get a new PEN-FII with that Sony 47MP sensor…
CameraBeta heard rumors about a possible new OM-10 coming in early 2024. There are yet no rumored specs for this camera. We can only speculate this might be a small updated version of the current E-M10IV.
A source told me that the
GH6 with phase detect AF is in development and that it will be named GH7 and not GH6II as some rumors suggested
The fact that it might be named GH7 suggests that this isn’t just an updated Gh6 with phase detection AF (like the S5II compared to the S5). But a major new camera update. Not sure when this GH7 will be announced but I guess the Gh7 is not coming this year and more likely sometimes in mid-late 2024.
Richard Wong had a chat with the CEO of TTartisan. He confirmed that there will be new autofocus MFT lenses coming soon!
