43rumors is now certain that we will soon see a revolution inside the FourThirds product strategy. FourThirds will continue to live and grow but in a different and somewhat unexpected way. According to many rumors we received from many different sources Olympus has made some important decisions:

1) FourThirds will continue to exist. There are two reasons why this will happen.
a) MicroFourThirdsMicroFourThirdsMicroFourThirdsMicroFourThirdsMicroFourThirdsMicroFourThirdsMicroFourThirdsMicroFourThirdsMicroFourThirdsMicroFourThirdsMicroFourThirdsMicroFourThirdsMicroFourThirds cannot satisfy some of the needs of pro-semipro photographers (like fast and reliable autofocus for example). So there is still a need for classic DSLR cameras
b) There are many FourThirds users out there that Olympus don’t want to disappoint

2) Future FourThirds development will focus on High-End products. The low-entry FourThirds lineup will not be developed anymore. We don’t expect any new Olympus E-4xx or Olympus E-5xx.

3) In order to be competitive with cameras like the Canon 7D or Nikon D300s Olympus will introduce some very new technology with the upcoming High-End camera.

4) We received confirmation (from new and “old” known sources) that the Olympus modular camera concept really exists! This innovative camera was supposed to be introduced in 2011. But it is very likely that Olympus engineers are now working to introduce the hybrid-system by end 2010.

We received first details about that camera but we need to confirm the rumors before to post it on 43rumors. If you can help us send us an email to 43rumors@gmail.com
Thanks all for your help!

Reminder:
As usual please keep in mind that we are talking about rumors and there is no official news yet!
(FT1) Only a dream (FT2) Sounds a little more real (FT3) Could be (FT4) Possible, from trusted sources (FT5) It’s done! FT= Four Thirds

(video taken with the Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1Panasonic GH1)

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Panasonic G2 purchases from the US Panasonic Employee Purchase Plan website have started shipping. (Thanks John!)
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Olympus Zuiko Digital ED 18-180mm f/3.5-6.3 Interchangeable Lens Review (ePhotozine)
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Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 Review at infosyncworld
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Olympus E-PL1Olympus E-PL1Olympus E-PL1Olympus E-PL1Olympus E-PL1Olympus E-PL1Olympus E-PL1Olympus E-PL1Olympus E-PL1Olympus E-PL1Olympus E-PL1Olympus E-PL1 ISO-test at Focus Numerique