Now it’s getting serious guys! The very reliable Japanese website Nikkei (Click here) reports that Sony plans to buy a 20-30% stake of Olympus. Techradar says that “The capital and business alliance would be mainly aimed at bringing together Sony’s strength in imaging sensor technology with Olympus’ expertise in endoscopes and other medical equipment.” Only one week ago Olympus Japan announced new digital microscopes with Sony’s HDR sensor.

Right now I cannot guess how this will influence the camera business. Don’t think that Sony will “force” Olympus to join the NEX system or to use Sony sensors on m43 camera. After All Sony already supplies many competitors with their sensors (Canon for compact cameras, Nikon and Pentax with APS-C sensors and so on). I have the exact opposite question, will Panasonic work together with a partner that is now in business with a direct competitor?

The current MMF-2 adapter

I am now pretty sure that Olympus will also launch a new weather sealed MMF 43 to m43 adapter. This will allow us to use the amazing weather sealed Four Thirds lenses like the [shoplink 25320 ebay]14-35mm f/2.0[/shoplink] the [shoplink 25119 ebay]35-100mm f/2.0[/shoplink] and the almost $6.000 300mm f/2.8 Zuiko lens.

There should be other accessories too. Sounds like we are going to see a nice bunch of OM-D related accessories too!

The super nice anonymous source that already sent me the first image of the OM-D camera controls now also sent me that small piece of the camera. On the right angle on top you see the built-in viewfinder and on the bottom the lens mount. Then we have that [shoplink 23568]Olympus E-P3[/shoplink] grip (don’t know if you can remove it like you can do on the E-P3). Would like to see the other control panel on the right of the camera and of course the back. If the source can send me some details about that we would all be happy :)  Another source told us “The mode dial is on the other side. imagine the [shoplink 28231 ebay]OM4-TI (here on eBay)[/shoplink] – almost there in looks.”

There are still two MAIN questions where I don’t have a final answer:
1) What’s the definitive name of the camera?
2) Who made the sensor?

Again thanks to all sources for your help!

Reminder: The camera will be announced on February 8th and as usual you should be here on 43rumors to follow all the announcement!

Here is a list of messages I got from different sources:

1) “The improved dynamic range is a result of the new sensor“. -> In response of my question if the higher dynamic range was a result of a software feature or new hardware design.

2) “The 3 inch LCD is a tilting touchscreen“.

3) “AF is not faster…it is MUCH faster than on the [shoplink 23568]Olympus E-P3[/shoplink]”

4)  About the leaked picture: “The mode dial is on the other side. imagine the [shoplink 28231 ebay]OM4-TI (here on eBay)[/shoplink] – almost there in looks.”

5) “425 g is the weight with the Li-ion battery and a memory card, 373 g is without them“.

6) “The image processor is TruePic VI.”

7) “Price Body+kit lens = 1150 Euro.”

8.) “The cameras name is not OM-D (that’s just the new series name).”

One more thing: I am out now for a couple of hours. Will answer your mails in late afternoon (european time).