Future [edit: OMS] Flagship [not the only possible one in the pack]

[fuesting]

With the OM-3 release being out of the way and and an OM-5 II inbound next (most likely) I'm thinking a refreshed OM-1 Mark III is likely a 2026 release. Just looking at all the release dates of models over the years, this would be when it will come out. Of course, that's including Olympus' product development and release cycles; not much of OM Systems.

So, if a new OM-1 flagship camera is released in 2026, do you think it will feature the same basic physical concept with upgraded processors, same sensor, new expanded software features OR do you think it will be the same basic flagship concept but in a revised package with a new sensor, perhaps a 32mp one?

I realize no one knows, but there are a lot of long time users that have knowledge and have accurately predicted a lot of releases.

Thanks

 

[drj3]

Since I have not heard of any new sensors which are better than current stacked sensors, then I assume OM Systems would not have a new sensor designed which added no real IQ benefit at a significant cost.

I have no idea what new features might be added, but I would assume that there would be a new more powerful processor with an improved focus algorithm for both Subject ID and CAF-TR if the next camera was the OM1.3.

 

[Skeeterbytes]

At some point there could well be a 25MP model. Hard to guess if bumping pixel count might perhaps slow the present OM-1/3 sensor design too much to make it a leading action camera, and instead be hosted in an entirely different series.

Nothing obvious I can name to upgrade the OM-1ii from a feature or performance standpoint from its present form. An OM-1X as many have suggested? What might a twin-processor camera do that today's model can't?

I'd prefer brand new lenses, alongside the various refreshes we'll see. 12, 45, 75 I'm expecting to get the 17, 25 treatment.

SWAG

Rick

 

[rgs_45]

I (and a few of us m43 shooters) want a refresh of the EM1X for wildlife. They can call it OM1X or any designation but a refresh will be good. With similar or better specs/features than the OM3 but built for speed. Stack sensor with about 25MP or higher would be awesome, Better low light sensor to match or better the APS-C sensor. Dual TruePic X or XI. Same size and button layout will be ok by me.

I had the original OM-D EM5 which got me to the m43, the OM-D EM1, OM-D EM5ii, then the EM1X. Got rid of everything except the EM1X,

Also kept the the following lenses: 12-100/4.0 PRO, 7-14/2.8 PRO and the 40-150/2.8 PRO which is pretty much glued to my EM1X with the MC-20 teleconverter for close up and wildlife.

They do this, I will pair it with the 100-400 ii or the 150-600. Wishful thinking, but who knows.

 

[Jaime100]

With the OM-3 release being out of the way and and an OM-5 II inbound next (most likely) I'm thinking a refreshed OM-1 Mark III is likely a 2026 release. Just looking at all the release dates of models over the years, this would be when it will come out. Of course, that's including Olympus' product development and release cycles; not much of OM Systems.

So, if a new OM-1 flagship camera is released in 2026, do you think it will feature the same basic physical concept with upgraded processors, same sensor, new expanded software features OR do you think it will be the same basic flagship concept but in a revised package with a new sensor, perhaps a 32mp one?

I realize no one knows, but there are a lot of long time users that have knowledge and have accurately predicted a lot of releases.

Thanks

Given how OM Systems pretty much came up with something new in the OM3, I really feel they are on a roll and should capitalize and do the same with the OM1 mark111. If they do another E5m111 to OM5 thing, ....it won't go over well. I think they will at least add a computational wheel

Speaking of......what might the OM5 mark 11 look like? Obviously an improved menu like the OM1. I am not thinking much of 20mp as OM seems to think that is about right. It already has weather sealing like the OM3, ND and graduated....given it has a 'grip' ....it wouldn't have a creative wheel but it might have more metal to the body like the OM3. I see the OM5's are on sale now ....$200 off, and I am real tempted to trade in my E5 M111 for the OM5 just to have the Live ND. Hold off on the OM3 to see how the masses like it.

I also think that the OM10 is history. So they will have the OM1 Mark 111, OM3, OM5 mark 11 and EP8 (eventually) and the TG7

--
jim lehmann https://jimlehmann.squarespace.com

 

[Tom Caldwell]

Called "wasting time by only considering one possibility"

 

[Morgenstond]

I feel the time will have come to finally break the 20mp barrier with an OM-1iii. Probably something like 25mp. 30mp would be great, but that seems too big a step.

I'm guessing that will be the next camera followed by an OM-5ii with the current stacked sensor, and then an OM-3ii with the new sensor. I don't see an OM-10 happening, nor a Pen-Fii.

Also this way, they only have one sensor per generation which will enable cost downs for them which is perfect in my opinion.

Hopefully it will bring some nice goodies along, like 100mp HHHR with motion correction, LiveND for (limited frame rate) video, and general usability tweaks to video in general.

If they don't go up in mp, or at least have a new sensor by then I'm starting to fear for the future of company. Adding software features is great, and the OM-3 fresh body is very welcome, but I feel we need a little more innovation to keep up with the rest of the industry.

I'm hopeful this innovation is coming now that the boring transition period seems to be coming to a close with the recent launch.

 

[Sam Bennett]

With the OM-3 release being out of the way and and an OM-5 II inbound next (most likely) I'm thinking a refreshed OM-1 Mark III is likely a 2026 release. Just looking at all the release dates of models over the years, this would be when it will come out. Of course, that's including Olympus' product development and release cycles; not much of OM Systems.

The E-M1 was on a 3-4 year cadence. The cadence of the OM-1 to OM-1 Mark II was unusual because they reportedly were too long into getting the original out before they realized the OM-1 didn't have enough memory. So, I think your 2026 estimate is unlikely.

The OM-1 Mark II is a very solid offering at this point, so I wouldn't expect a replacement until 2027. Hopefully with a global shutter since that's pretty much the only thing that could get me to upgrade at this point.

 

[Brocher]

over xmas there were rumours of a new flagship being announced second half of 2025, in addition to the OM3 retro rumours. Included it being out in the field for testing and having much improved low light capabilities. One of the Ambassadors had a comment up on someone else’s post on Facebook about it and then removed it.
--

Fat Man, Skinny Camera

Fat Man, Skinny Camera

Photographic blog and record of the northeast of Scotland, with some wider journeys, using Olympus compact camera system. Pocketable for when dogs and kids are with you!

fatmanskinnycamera.smugmug.com

 

[Jaime100]

over xmas there were rumours of a new flagship being announced second half of 2025, in addition to the OM3 retro rumours. Included it being out in the field for testing and having much improved low light capabilities. One of the Ambassadors had a comment up on someone else’s post on Facebook about it and then removed it.
--

Fat Man, Skinny Camera
https://fatmanskinnycamera.smugmug.com

I think so too.... 2025 or. early 2026. They are not going into 2027 for their next model upgrade. They are on a roll with the OM3 and strike while the iron is hot.

 

[fuesting]

over xmas there were rumours of a new flagship being announced second half of 2025, in addition to the OM3 retro rumours. Included it being out in the field for testing and having much improved low light capabilities. One of the Ambassadors had a comment up on someone else’s post on Facebook about it and then removed it.
--

Fat Man, Skinny Camera
https://fatmanskinnycamera.smugmug.com

I think so too.... 2025 or. early 2026. They are not going into 2027 for their next model upgrade. They are on a roll with the OM3 and strike while the iron is hot.

I fear the "on a roll" might result in a late 25 early 26 release of an OM-1.3 with a minor refresh. The big upgrade might be pushed. But, overall I agree they have to keep releasing something to continue interest. OM-3 is likely a homerun but the PR will get old fast. Also, in general I don't necessarily want a new sensor unless it offers something pretty good. I do a lot of cropping in sports photography so more MP would help, as long as performance maintains the way it is.

 

[StevoPhilo]

The om1 to the mk2 wasn't a huge update in the eyes of many. They would need to delay to 2026 and try and bring new sensors or some other groundbreaking feature for them to not receive some major backlash.

 

[john isaacs]

With the OM-3 release being out of the way and and an OM-5 II inbound next (most likely) I'm thinking a refreshed OM-1 Mark III is likely a 2026 release. Just looking at all the release dates of models over the years, this would be when it will come out. Of course, that's including Olympus' product development and release cycles; not much of OM Systems.

So, if a new OM-1 flagship camera is released in 2026, do you think it will feature the same basic physical concept with upgraded processors, same sensor, new expanded software features OR do you think it will be the same basic flagship concept but in a revised package with a new sensor, perhaps a 32mp one?

I realize no one knows, but there are a lot of long time users that have knowledge and have accurately predicted a lot of releases.

Thanks

What is an OM-2?

A film camera.

 

[Ainisru]

The OM-1/II and OM-3 uses a sensor with 80 million photosites already, not sure how I feel about that.

 

[lunic]

The OM-1/II and OM-3 uses a sensor with 80 million photosites already, not sure how I feel about that.

The output is still 20MP, and for 3 years, no one has tried to hack the OM-1 to get 80MP in single shot.

From Sony Semiconductor's specification, the OM-1's sensor does not support output exceeding 20MP.

 

[lunic]

For megapixels, let me explain this first : the OM-1's sensor already has 80M photodiodes, but no one can utilize 'full potential' from them. From output data, it is just an 20MP sensor. One more thing is - no one is worried about the 50~200M photodiodes in current smartphones. If that is possible on a smartphone, it will be the same on a 4/3 format.

A new image sensor is a matter of cost, but it is also a proof of OMDS' will to survive. What's worse : OMDS should develop (or place new order) their sensor even harder than competitors because they are counting their survival on Computational Photography. (look at the shiny CP button on OM-3 that replaced AEL.) The performance of image sensor will be more fatal to OMDS because their emphasis on Computational Photography is mainly based on compositing images through multiple shooting 'in milli-seconds'. Their sensor should be better in every aspect, including SPEED.

Ironically, current Computational Photography in OMDS lineup is based on the SLOWEST Stacked-BSI in the ILC market. Compared to other big guys that read 40~50MP 14-bit RAW in 1/180~1/270s, current OMDS' 20MP RAW in 1/125s readout, even in 12-bit, is just too slow. (There is no excuse for the OM-1 being Quad-Pixel. The Canon R5Ⅱ also has DPAF, so its photodiode count is about 90M.)

The only reason I complain about the current sensor is because of OMDS' concept of Computational Photography. I believe that the 'one-of-the FASTEST FSI' sensor (2016~) from the E-M1Ⅱ (still used in OM-5) or the current (2022~) Stacked BSI in OM-1 was the best choice for OMDS.

If forthcoming OM-5Ⅱ uses current Stacked BSI, that would be welcomed as a proper 'trickle-down'. However, OM-1 Mark Ⅲ is a different story. If OM-1 Mark III comes out with legacy core components, it does not live up to their own concept. Then they have no reason to be respected neither in a businessman's perspective or an engineer's perspective. (We already know one example. It is called 'E-M1X'.)

The (Micro) FourThirds has been asked to use the newest sensor technology from the beginning, and while the system has almost always failed to, still there is no future without new sensor development.

_

In Short: If OMDS wanted to be lazy about their image sensor, they would be better give up the Computational Photography concept. But do they have any choice?

 

[Ainisru]

The OM-1/II and OM-3 uses a sensor with 80 million photosites already, not sure how I feel about that.

The output is still 20MP, and for 3 years, no one has tried to hack the OM-1 to get 80MP in single shot.

From Sony Semiconductor's specification, the OM-1's sensor does not support output exceeding 20MP.

When it comes to stills, it is the slowest stacked sensor unfortunately, with the Sony 1" stacked sensor being the closest to it and their first attempt for a ILC, the Sony A9 which a bit more fast. That said, I haven't personally tested to see how my OM-1 is like yet as I bought mine as summer ended and all the birds were gone.




E-M1 II @ 300mm



Quad bayer isn't a free lunch, and jumping to say 25MP is going to be 100 million photosites on the sensor which will make it more slow. That said, it could just be a bottleneck somewhere on the system. The Sony A7S III is also a quad bayer pattern, but it reads out faster than the 24MP A7 III and 42MP A7R III.

--
I like cameras, they're fun.

 

[Jaime100]

For megapixels, let me explain this first : the OM-1's sensor already has 80M photodiodes, but no one can utilize 'full potential' from them. From output data, it is just an 20MP sensor. One more thing is - no one is worried about the 50~200M photodiodes in current smartphones. If that is possible on a smartphone, it will be the same on a 4/3 format.

A new image sensor is a matter of cost, but it is also a proof of OMDS' will to survive. What's worse : OMDS should develop (or place new order) their sensor even harder than competitors because they are counting their survival on Computational Photography. (look at the shiny CP button on OM-3 that replaced AEL.) The performance of image sensor will be more fatal to OMDS because their emphasis on Computational Photography is mainly based on compositing images through multiple shooting 'in milli-seconds'. Their sensor should be better in every aspect, including SPEED.

Ironically, current Computational Photography in OMDS lineup is based on the SLOWEST Stacked-BSI in the ILC market. Compared to other big guys that read 40~50MP 14-bit RAW in 1/180~1/270s, current OMDS' 20MP RAW in 1/125s readout, even in 12-bit, is just too slow. (There is no excuse for the OM-1 being Quad-Pixel. The Canon R5Ⅱ also has DPAF, so its photodiode count is about 90M.)

The only reason I complain about the current sensor is because of OMDS' concept of Computational Photography. I believe that the 'one-of-the FASTEST FSI' sensor (2016~) from the E-M1Ⅱ (still used in OM-5) or the current (2022~) Stacked BSI in OM-1 was the best choice for OMDS.

If forthcoming OM-5Ⅱ uses current Stacked BSI, that would be welcomed as a proper 'trickle-down'. However, OM-1 Mark Ⅲ is a different story. If OM-1 Mark III comes out with legacy core components, it does not live up to their own concept. Then they have no reason to be respected neither in a businessman's perspective or an engineer's perspective. (We already know one example. It is called 'E-M1X'.)

The (Micro) FourThirds has been asked to use the newest sensor technology from the beginning, and while the system has almost always failed to, still there is no future without new sensor development.

_

In Short: If OMDS wanted to be lazy about their image sensor, they would be better give up the Computational Photography concept. But do they have any choice?

Is there anything really wrong with 20mp? I know I take photo's and sell them and I have never had a 20mp image or less....be a distraction for my sales. If you set up the shot to being with and shoot it as your lens dictates, you shouldn't have to crop..... No one really needs higher than 20mp.

 

[lunic]

Is there anything really wrong with 20mp? I know I take photo's and sell them and I have never had a 20mp image or less....be a distraction for my sales. If you set up the shot to being with and shoot it as your lens dictates, you shouldn't have to crop..... No one really needs higher than 20mp.

Nothing wrong for me or you neither.

However, it might make some difference if a company, holding 'only' 20MP, wither away from the market. For OMDS, statement in interview like 'maintaining balance between megapixels and image quality' has been an old excuse for recycling image sensor.

 

[Bobapingu]

With the OM-3 release being out of the way and and an OM-5 II inbound next (most likely) I'm thinking a refreshed OM-1 Mark III is likely a 2026 release. Just looking at all the release dates of models over the years, this would be when it will come out. Of course, that's including Olympus' product development and release cycles; not much of OM Systems.

So, if a new OM-1 flagship camera is released in 2026, do you think it will feature the same basic physical concept with upgraded processors, same sensor, new expanded software features OR do you think it will be the same basic flagship concept but in a revised package with a new sensor, perhaps a 32mp one?

I realize no one knows, but there are a lot of long time users that have knowledge and have accurately predicted a lot of releases.

Thanks

You've got to remember that trends record the past, they don't predict the future. Sure, OMDS could continue doing what Oly did, but they are trying to turn the company around. Some things they'll do differently. Let's see. A lot of us have spent our money on the OM-1 II and OM-3. They might want to look at a different market for the next bit of gear.