Olympus rumors 2024 (OM System)
Technically "Olympus rumors" are "OM System rumors", but old habits die hard!
We've had two years to get used to the new name, and the last ever camera to bear the Olympus logo (the OM System OM-1) has now been replaced (by the OM System OM-1 Mark II).
After launching its new flagship in the first half of the year, rumor is that OM will be dropping another new camera in the second half – and I'm intrigued as to what it will be. My fingers are crossed for a new (and long overdue) member of the PEN family, but equally we could be looking at another SLR-style camera.
So, what does the rest of 2024 hold for one of the most storied legacies in the photographic industry? Let's see what's in the pipeline…
OM System Retro Camera
There's currently a lot of chatter online about a new OM System retro camera that's due to launch early next year – but it's apparently not a PEN-F successor.
Which is fascinating. Obviously the OM-5 and E-M10 Mark IV are both already retro cameras – so could we be looking at a successor to either of those? Neither would surprise me.
However, I wonder if we're actually looking at more of a special edition of an existing product. In 2015 we had a Titanium version of the E-M5 Mark II, bearing the same colors as the Olympus OM-3T/Ti. In 2014 there were Limited Editions of the original E-M10, one with green leather and the other with orange.
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And twice (most recently in 2019, to celebrate Olympus' 100th anniversary) we've had special silver versions of the E-M1. And I think this one might be the most likely, so it wouldn't at all surprise me to see a silver OM-1 Mark II on its way.
OM System OM-10
The OM System OM-10 seemed to be the next most obvious camera to be announced. After the transmogrification of the OM-D EM-1 and E-M5 to the OM System OM-1 and OM-5, it felt like the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV was next in line to be reborn.
Except, it hasn't happened. And perhaps it never will. The E-M5 was the original OM-D, and a truly pioneering mirrorless camera, when it launched in 2012. It was followed by the first E-M1 in 2013 as a professional model, then the OG E-M10 in 2014 as the entry-level member of the family.
As the generations progressed, however, the product line became increasingly incestuous, with the different models leapfrogging each other in terms of the features they offered – leading to a slightly muddy product lineup where the E-M10 felt like the odd man out.
It feels like there may not be a demand for an OM-10 in the current market, with a much cleaner delineation now existing between the OM-1 as the flagship and the OM-5 as the enthusiast model.
Of course, now that everybody knows Taylor Swift uses an E-M10, perhaps that's reason enough to launch an OM-10!
OM System PEN
Speaking of things that haven't happened yet, despite widespread expectation (and confirmation) that they would, we come to the PEN line of cameras. Under the Olympus regime, there were two tiers of interchangeable mirrorless cameras: the OM-D series of SLR-styled performance cameras (with an EVF), and the PEN series of rangefinder-style, fashion-first cameras (typically without an EVF).
While the OM-D series (now the OM range) was aimed at a core photography crowd, the PEN cameras were geared towards creators, street shooters and entry-level users… with the exception of the powerhouse Olympus PEN-F, which was a prestige camera and has become a cult classic. PEN cameras were (and, in fact, remain) blockbuster sellers in Japan, but never found much success in the US. Indeed, the most recent camera – the brilliant Olympus PEN E-P7 – wasn't even released in the States.
In any case, OM Digital Solutions confirmed that the PEN line would continue after it purchased the camera business from Olympus – but that was years ago, now, and we haven't seen a peep of a new PEN. The company has teased interest in a PEN-F successor in various interviews, and even briefings with the press, but nothing official has been said… until now.
"In Japan and Asia we continue to sell PEN E-P7," OM executive Kazuhiro Togashi told DP Review. "The E-P7 is small, with compact bright lenses, making it highly advantageous for travel photography. Therefore, we’ll reinforce such products in our lineup in the future." Which gives a glimmer of hope that we might get a new PEN.
However, given OM System's overt rebranding as an outdoor and adventure camera company, a new PEN doesn't seem to make sense. OM is courting landscape and wildlife shooters, not street photographers or the influencer crowd – despite PEN cameras being such an obvious alternative to the Fujifilm X100VI.
Togashi did note that "our definition of outdoor use extends beyond just the adventurous; it encompasses outdoor activities in everyday life as well," adding that "we’d like to try to expand the scope of people enjoying cameras for travels or for everyday use to capture scenery."
In short… who the hell knows what's happening. But I'm way more interested in a new PEN than I am anything else!
OM System OM-1X
Rumors arose late last year that OM Digital was working on a new powerhouse camera for 2024, but I don't think that was in reference to the OM-1 Mark II. When it comes to powerhouses, though, the only other camera that fits the bill would be an OM System OM-1X. And, sure enough, I've just heard fresh rumors that a new "X" is indeed on the way.
This would be the spiritual successor to the Olympus OM-D E-M1X, which was the company's co-flagship camera for a time (sitting alongside the E-M1 Mark II). It had a much chunkier body, with a pro-DSLR form factor body and integrated vertical grip, as well as twin processors to power the then-new features like Deep Learning AF and software-driven ND filters.
It never felt like the original E-M1X found an audience, as obviously a double decker DSLR-sized camera goes against the principles of Micro Four Thirds. But, as an all-guns-blazing option for pros who use big lenses, long battery life and as much firepower as possible, it does make sense.
I just hope it comes with a new sensor and ideally more megapixels (as Panasonic managed with the G9 II)…
The OM System verdict
While the original OM-1 was a huge hit with reviewers and consumers alike, since then the OM-5, Tough TG-7 and most recently the OM-1 Mark II have been criticized for being too iterative. Customers are questioning how much the company is willing or able to push the envelope – now it's up to OM to provide an answer.
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