Olympus, the company is going to be 100 years old in 2019. They are a very large and diverse company with their primary focus being in the scientific, medical and industrial areas. They made their first camera in 1936. Their first Olympus PEN in 1959. The first OM film camera was introduced in 1973 and while it wasn't a big name in the consumer market it was big in the medical and scientific markets. I think their first digital consumer camera was released in 1997. the made the worlds first weatherproof compact digital camera in 2003. They made the first compact digital "rugged" camera that was shockproof and usable underwater without a housing in 2006. The Olympus E-1 came in 2003. Then the OLYMPUS PEN E-P1, the company's first mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera compliant with the Micro Four Thirds System standard.
Etc. etc. Olympus has had numerous innovative camera products of several decades. They are not the most prolific producer but command tremendous loyalty among many professionals and amateurs. And many of their products have been truly innovative, sometimes. Contrary to rumor and speculation, Olympus is still innovating across all their companies markets including cameras. They are not always the first, or always the quickest with innovations, but they have been producing cameras for more than 80 years. 2019 I strongly feel will be their next year of innovation. They already have a very strong amateur and professional lens line but will continue to develop it.
I don't know what they are planning, but I wouldn't be surprised to see improvements in sensors, image quality, and overall speed with possible future innovative features. I am 90% certain they will expand their professional and improve their amateur lens lines. I am feel about 90% certain there will be sensor improvements but I don't know in what area. I do imagine more innovation in their higher end (EM5 and EM1) lines and incremental improvements (features) in their entry level lines.
The equipment geeks cry doom and gloom if there isn't something new every year and then complain when improvements aren't what they themselves specifically wanted insisting that what they want must be what everyone wants.
Olympus is a practical company, not so faddish as some. They design and build for functionality but also build in tremendous innovation. They take their time.
Nikon and Canon are the old stalwarts of the camera industry. Sony is the prolific producer with a huge variety but sometimes lack finesse and refinement in many of their models. Panasonic has the resources to be a prolific player in many ways but especially video. They have their own cult followings but are practical overall and big enough they can afford to be patient. They also form effective "partnerships such as with Olympus in M43, and the L mount group."
Olympus will survive, at least for the foreseeable future. I suspect and truly hope 2019 will be their next year of great innovation. But what really matters is that my Oly EM5-II camera works. It works very well, and it still takes great photos. If my photos aren't great, that is my fault as photographer. I learned how to shoot sports, action, portraits, weddings, military photography, scientific photography, medical photography and more with slow manual cameras and no automation. I did the various jobs well because the responsibility was mine, not my cameras. The camera is a tool. I love the great innovations I have seen over the last few decades but the simple fact is, success or failure is the responsibility of the photographer, not the equipment.
I love my Olympus and Panasonic cameras. They are empowering in so many ways. They make the science and the art of photography so much more fun and easier. But in the end, it is my vision, not my camera that makes the difference.
The rumors of Olympus demise are figmants in the imagination of the impatient and the unskilled. But if Olympus did some day get out of the camera business, while I will be sad, there will still be other options. But no matter the camera or the producer, the responsibility for the photography, the stories, the memories, the inspiration, lies only with me, the photographer.
For now though, my camera is an Olympus OMD-EM5-II and I am not worried.
