Why 2011 is the Year of Olympus (Zone-10). Weatherproof PRO M43 and Foveon camera coming?

So, after reading Thom Hogans opinion about Olympus future you might want to read a second opinion from Khen Lim at Zone-10. He mixed up history and speculations to give us a positive vision about Olympus upcoming products. He expects a lot from the Olympus pro-m43 camera but this are a mix of hopes and speculations so take it with a grain of salt! In short he expects a super tank built weatherproof PEN camera:

“What is particularly interesting with Yamaki’s (Sigma) announcement was his company’s intention to develop its own interpretation of the mirrorless camera around the Foveon sensor.”
“The generation after the 1’s ([shoplink 18844]E-P1/E-PL1/E-PL1s[/shoplink]) and the 2’s ([shoplink 14830]E-P2/E-PL2[/shoplink]) will unfold Olympus’ bigger picture but we’ve already seen some of the company’s ideas in the form of that accessory slot behind the Pen’s hotshoe. That slot is going to be big business in many ways for Olympus but that’s not all.”
“The diminutive [shoplink 19904]XZ-1[/shoplink] also holds plenty of clues too. This is not a camera from a company that is shrinking away from the business. It is a bold move from one that is, instead, confident of where it wants to head.”
“In separate closed-door meetings with the two Germany companies (Zeiss and Schneider), Olympus would have shed light on to its future development roadmap, talked more keenly about its next generation of Pen cameras and the lenses they have now lined up. In and amongst all of these, Olympus would have revealed to the Germans at least the specs if not the pro-grade Pen prototype in the flesh. The Japanese would have discussed not just the E-P3 but the P4 and P5 and the plans they have to take the lead in this new market.”
Despite accusations that Olympus doesn’t listen to its users, some of us actually believe they do. Like Panasonic, Olympus keeps track of several key websites and blogsites throughout the Internet world, establishing a global communiqué with its key subsidiaries, each of whom has site coverage to closely monitor and find out about the movements on the ground. However while Panasonic is quick to respond, Olympus appears more sluggish to the point where people actually believe they’re not listening. Rest be assured they are, they do and they have been.
“Olympus introduce weatherproofing to Pen camera . Olympus’ next-generation pro-grade Pen cameras will be nothing less than tank-built in quality. You’d be able to feel that quality in the palm of your hand.”

Let’s hope Zone-10 is right and Olympus will really bring some major innovation. And honestly I would love if Sigma would make a foveon m43 camera!

Links:
– Current Sigma foveon cameras at Amazon
– The newest foveon model the SD1 at BHphoto.