A Photography forum. PhotoBanter.com

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » PhotoBanter.com forum » Digital Photography » Digital SLR Cameras
Site Map Home Register Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

Olympus admits a try at "pro" would gut their 4/3rds system



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old March 24th 09, 07:51 PM posted to rec.photo.digital.slr-systems,rec.photo.digital
SMS
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,312
Default Olympus admits a try at "pro" would gut their 4/3rds system

RichA wrote:
I think that pretty much sums up what it would cost Olympus if they
made a go for the professional market in meaningful way. The end of
4/3rds as a viable sensor format.


But it also means the end of Olympus as a viable digital camera company.

While it seems like it's far too late for them to try to catch up with
Canon, Nikon, and Sony, the no-go scenario is even worse, they clearly
can't build a viable business on 5% market share of 4:3.

By stopping at 12 megapixels, they're essentially going into harvest
mode. They'll make minimal investments in new products, with just minor
tweaks for new models, and sell what they can. No big investments in
sensors or development of a professional system.
  #2  
Old March 24th 09, 08:52 PM posted to rec.photo.digital.slr-systems,rec.photo.digital
Alan Browne
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 12,640
Default Olympus admits a try at "pro" would gut their 4/3rds system

SMS wrote:
RichA wrote:
I think that pretty much sums up what it would cost Olympus if they
made a go for the professional market in meaningful way. The end of
4/3rds as a viable sensor format.


But it also means the end of Olympus as a viable digital camera company.

While it seems like it's far too late for them to try to catch up with
Canon, Nikon, and Sony, the no-go scenario is even worse, they clearly
can't build a viable business on 5% market share of 4:3.

By stopping at 12 megapixels, they're essentially going into harvest
mode. They'll make minimal investments in new products, with just minor
tweaks for new models, and sell what they can. No big investments in
sensors or development of a professional system.


As Lee Iacocca used to say:

"Lead, follow or get out of the way."

Looks like they've picked the third option. They are no longer in the
35mm format world and can't grow much further within their 4/3 world.

Honestly, they could make a strong push for the news photojournalist
world (web, newspapers, magazines) as the more compact system (and
perhaps esp. micro-4/3) should make that set of pj's happier and 12 Mpix
is 3 - 4 times what is typically needed for web and newspapers and
adequate (and then some) for most magazines.

--
-- r.p.e.35mm user resource: http://www.aliasimages.com/rpe35mmur.htm
-- r.p.d.slr-systems: http://www.aliasimages.com/rpdslrsysur.htm
-- [SI] gallery & rulz: http://www.pbase.com/shootin
-- e-meil: Remove FreeLunch.
-- usenet posts from gmail.com and googlemail.com are filtered out.
  #3  
Old March 24th 09, 10:03 PM posted to rec.photo.digital.slr-systems,rec.photo.digital
SMS
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,312
Default Olympus admits a try at "pro" would gut their 4/3rds system

Alan Browne wrote:

Looks like they've picked the third option. They are no longer in the
35mm format world and can't grow much further within their 4/3 world.


Hence the term "harvest mode." A lot of semiconductor companies have
lines of products that they make no investment in in terms of updated
products, or sales and marketing, but that provide steady revenue long
after the initial investment has been paid back. You can sometimes build
a pretty good business on these products, there just isn't any growth
opportunity.

Honestly, they could make a strong push for the news photojournalist
world (web, newspapers, magazines) as the more compact system (and
perhaps esp. micro-4/3) should make that set of pj's happier and 12 Mpix
is 3 - 4 times what is typically needed for web and newspapers and
adequate (and then some) for most magazines.


They don't have the necessary lenses for many photo-journalist tasks.

The wonderful thing about a full-line manufacturer is that you're not
constantly being constrained by "well most users will rarely need such a
lens (or other piece of equipment)." If you need an odd piece of
equipment it's out there, either to buy or rent. There's no
rationalization necessary.
  #4  
Old March 24th 09, 11:54 PM posted to rec.photo.digital.slr-systems,rec.photo.digital
Alan Browne
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 12,640
Default Olympus admits a try at "pro" would gut their 4/3rds system

SMS wrote:
Alan Browne wrote:

Looks like they've picked the third option. They are no longer in the
35mm format world and can't grow much further within their 4/3 world.


Hence the term "harvest mode." A lot of semiconductor companies have
lines of products that they make no investment in in terms of updated
products, or sales and marketing, but that provide steady revenue long
after the initial investment has been paid back. You can sometimes build
a pretty good business on these products, there just isn't any growth
opportunity.

Honestly, they could make a strong push for the news photojournalist
world (web, newspapers, magazines) as the more compact system (and
perhaps esp. micro-4/3) should make that set of pj's happier and 12
Mpix is 3 - 4 times what is typically needed for web and newspapers
and adequate (and then some) for most magazines.


They don't have the necessary lenses for many photo-journalist tasks.

The wonderful thing about a full-line manufacturer is that you're not
constantly being constrained by "well most users will rarely need such a
lens (or other piece of equipment)." If you need an odd piece of
equipment it's out there, either to buy or rent. There's no
rationalization necessary.


Generally true, but newsies are not like that. A general assignment
photographer for a large city daily can do pretty much all of his work
with three holy trinity lenses.

For 4/3 that would be the 7-14 f/4, 14-35 f/2 and the 35-100 f/2.

Many combat PJs preferred systems like the Leica M (except the M8)
series. Fixed focal length lenses, limited long lenses. Very reliable,
compact, unobtrusive.

I have little doubt that Oly can make such a system (reliable, compact)
with micro 4/3.

Whether they would get the pj's to buy in is another matter.

--
-- r.p.e.35mm user resource: http://www.aliasimages.com/rpe35mmur.htm
-- r.p.d.slr-systems: http://www.aliasimages.com/rpdslrsysur.htm
-- [SI] gallery & rulz: http://www.pbase.com/shootin
-- e-meil: Remove FreeLunch.
-- usenet posts from gmail.com and googlemail.com are filtered out.
 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Olympus admits a try at "pro" would gut their 4/3rds system Robert Coe Digital Photography 9 March 26th 09 10:26 PM
Canon admits "our old FILM WA's suck!" RichA Digital SLR Cameras 19 February 23rd 07 07:20 PM
The myth of the "smaller" 4/3rds lens RichA Digital SLR Cameras 38 October 20th 06 03:44 AM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 08:01 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 PhotoBanter.com.
The comments are property of their posters.