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lympus, which has been a standard
bearer in the imaging industry for the
past eight decades, announced plans to
sell its camera business to another company,
Japan Industrial Partners, Inc (JIP). The deal
isn’t yet completed but is expected to go through
by the end of the year.,QWKH¿OPHUD2O\PSXVUROOHGRXWLFRQLFPRGHOV
such as the compact, half-frame PEN series, and
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mount and sensor format to deliver a line of
compact, sturdily built interchangeable lens
cameras, as well as a line of rugged, waterproof
models under its Tough banner.7KHFDPHUDLQGXVWU\KDVVX̆HUHGLQUHFHQW\HDUV
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models for snapshooters. That leaves
photographic hobbyists and pro photographers as
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and it’s a much smaller slice of the pie than the
entire populace. The coronavirus pandemic hasn’t
helped—there’s no compelling reason for travel or
sports photographers to upgrade or add a lens
when we’re all staying at home and team sports
are mostly shut down.What the Olympus Sale
Means for Photographers
Jim Fisher is PCMag’s
lead analyst for
cameras, drones, and
digital imaging. He
studied at RPI and
worked on the retail
side of the industry
at B&H before
landing at PCMag.COMMENTARY