New OM System interview: No hints about future products, but says business is going as planned

Phototrend had a chat with Thierry Bourque, product specialist and training manager at OM Digital Solutions. Here are some points he made:

Financial health of OM Digital Solutions:

We are completely within the objectives we had when OM Digital Solutions was created. We are continuing on our path and I have no negative information regarding the targets we had.

About a possible OM-D E-M10 Mark IV replacement:

“Maybe”, as our Japanese friends say. For now, the OM series consists of high-end cameras with the OM-1 and the OM-5 .

About the PEN range: Does OM plan to further develop this type of product, in particular to ride the wave of vintage-look cases?

I don’t have any information to share with you at that level. Today, the Olympus Pen range is distributed in a more intimate way here. But I think we are already surfing on the vintage with the OM-5, since this body is very close to an OM-1 from the 70s.

What do you think is the future of the Micro 4/3 system?

Today, we know how to make compact and lightweight bodies. No problem for that, even in full format. But as soon as we mount a lens, the whole thing will take on volume.
As soon as they arrive at our booth, people tell us “I’m fed up with my equipment, it’s too heavy”. At some point, if no brand offers more compact and lighter products, people will stop taking photos. Or their camera will stay in the closet.
To keep this pleasure of photography, we must meet the expectations of photographers. The main one is to be as compact and light as possible, even with long focal lengths, even with a bright aperture. So yes, there is still a place for the micro 4/3, I am convinced of it.

The wrap up:

As expected oM Digital gives us no hints about the future strategy but they seem to be confident they can meet their internal (secret to us) goals.