The E-M1 marks a new start and an end: Four Thirds is past. No more new FT cameras and lenses.

The great E-M1 hands-on by TheCameraStoreTV team!

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For a short moment Ming Thein created some buzz by writing: “I’ve been assured this isn’t dead, and an E-7 is in the works“. But after checking with journalists and Olympus insiders I can now confirm with a 100% certainty that today’s launch of the new Olympus E-M1 marks the end of the Four Thirds line. DC.watch unveiled that Olympus did indeed create an E-7 prototype but then decided that the E-m1 was good enough and the E-7 no more needed. They also write that Olympus officially said that Micro Four Thirds and Four Thirds now merged into one system. This means:

1) There will be no new Four Thirds camera or lens anymore. The [shoplink 17163]Olympus E-5[/shoplink] was the last FT product ever launched by Olympus

2) FT Lenses and the [shoplink 17163]Olympus E-5[/shoplink] will remain into production until demand drops.

It’s a somewhat sad day knowing that Four Thirds died. But this is it. The E-M1 sets a new future for Olympus. Only Time will tell if that is the right path for Olympus!

Preorders in US and Europe (Click on the store name to read price and specs):
Dedicated page at Amazon.
Olympus E-M1 body at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto, Amazon DE (via DL), WexUK, Topshot Finland, Namencolor Spain, CameraWorldUK.
Olympus M. Zuiko Digital ED 12-40mm f/2.8 PRO Lens at Amazon, Adorama, BHphoto, AmazonDE (viaDL).
Olympus E-M1 with 12-40mm Lens kit at Amazon DE (via DL), WexUK and CameraWorldUK.
Olympus E-M1 with 12-50mm Lens kit at Amazon DE (via DL), WexUK, CameraWorldUK.
Olympus EP-13 Eyecup for E-M1 at Adorama and BHphoto.
Olympus HLD-7 Battery Grip for E-M1 at Amazon, Adorama and BHphoto.
Olympus LC-62D Metal Front Lens Cap for 12-40mm at Adorama and BHphoto.
Olympus LH-66 Lens Hood for 12-40mm at Adorama and BHphoto.