Product History

The Journey Through Time

A legacy dating back to 1936, and the DNA of OM Digital Solutions carried forward
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Our camera craftsmanship began in 1936 with the “Semi-Olympus I.” An optical philosophy that seeks the essence of visual expression,
 a commitment to compact and lightweight design, reliability that stays close to the user, and the courage to challenge convention.
Each of these has been passed down through the decades as the enduring DNA of OM Digital Solutions.

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19xx
Olympus Imaging Business Products
20xx
OM Digital Solutions Products

Our Innovation for the Future The DNA That Defines Us

  • Our DNA 01

    Optical philosophy that pursues the essence of image quality

    Our Monozukuri, which began with ZUIKO lenses, has continued to question which technology to choose and what to achieve, starting from the way of depicting the scene, including the gestures at the time of shooting. What do you leave as a photo, not a number? While identifying the essence of the problem, we have repeatedly designed it.
    Optical design has a trade-off between performance and manufacturing. In the process, we have accumulated choices rather than compromises, and have honed our depiction skills to respond in the field.
    Now, through the fusion of optics and digital, this idea continues to change its form and move on to the next expression.

  • Our DNA 02

    The idea of compactness and lightness to expand freedom

    "Small and lightweight" in our camera manufacturing is not just a pursuit of portability. What should a camera be like to enjoy photography more freely? That question was at the beginning of product manufacturing. "Even if it is small, performance will not be compromised." Based on this attitude, it is equipped with a high-performance imaging sensor and image processing engine, and condenses the Image Stabilization function into a small and lightweight body that allows handheld photography without relying on a tripod. I have expanded the freedom of photography.
    The "Olympus 35 I (1948)" pursued smallness, lightness, and speed with a 35mm format, the "PEN (1959)" expanded photos to everyday life by choosing a half-size, and the "OM-1 (1972)" achieved the world's smallest and lightest SLR camera, while refining its quietness and durability.
    It has been inherited by current products such as the "OM SYSTEM OM-1" and "OM SYSTEM OM-5", which have high performance while being small and lightweight, maximizing mobility in the field. We will continue to choose what we evolve to expand our freedom of action.

  • Our DNA 03

    Reliable design that is close to the user

    At the heart of our Monozukuri is the perspective of the user.
    The reason why "OM-1 (1972)" and "TRIP 35 (1968)" have been trusted for a long time is that they have always questioned whether they are really useful in actual shooting scenes, rather than theories on paper.
    Robustness like dustproof Splashproof and freezeproof isn't for special people either. Whether it's a rainy day or a cold morning, you can use it without hesitation the moment you want to use it. We believe that that sense of security is part of the experience.
    This idea is not limited to the camera. It has also been passed down to IC recorders that reliably record important sounds, and acoustic technology that clearly captures the necessary sounds even in noisy environments. In a field where failure is not allowed, you can record the moment without missing it and check it later. This is made possible by our technology and manufacturing.

  • Our DNA 04

    Beyond operation, to expression

    We have aimed to make people enjoy the "expression" itself beyond the experience that does not make them aware of the operation, rather than making the technology itself the main character. The automatic exposure of the "OM-2 (1968)", the advanced mechanism of the "XA (1979)", and the computational photography in the current OM SYSTEM are techniques that allow the photographer to focus on the subject and expression.
    Such image processing, control, and AI subject recognition autofocus not only expand freedom of expression, but also expand their applications to areas such as recording, analysis, and data utilization, creating new value.
    The idea is not limited to video. Technology that automatically recognizes speech, records and uses it as words also works quietly behind the scenes to create an environment where people can focus on what they should be facing.

  • Our DNA 05

    Unconventional value creation

    Looking back at our history, many products have been born that have taken a step forward from the common sense of that era. The "PEN F (1963)", which made an unprecedented choice of a half-size SLR, the "OM-4Ti (1986)", which was the first in the world to achieve a full-speed synchronized flash, and the "E-330 (2006)", a digital SLR camera that presented a shooting style that can be framed at all times with a rear LCD. All of them were challenges that I took with believing in the possibilities of new photography rather than following common sense. This attitude will eventually be passed on to the world's first 5-axis Image Stabilization, high-speed, high-precision autofocus, and specialized models that deeply respond to specific applications. It is a sign of the intention to give shape to "how to take pictures that have not yet been seen".
    It doesn't have to be understood right away. Believe in new ways to enjoy photography and give shape first.
    The accumulation of these things is the driving force behind our Monozukuri.

  • Our DNA 06

    The next possibilities created by technological assets

    Optics, mechatronics, digital technology, and production technology are all condensed into a single camera. These core technologies have been refined over many years and are now spreading beyond the scope of the product to various fields in society.
    We extract the best performance under the most demanding conditions and maintain stable quality over the long term. This philosophy and technology, cultivated through camera manufacturing, also demonstrates its value in contract manufacturing and corporate solutions.
    What we want to deliver is more than just technology.
    It is a "living technology" that responds to on-site challenges and continues to function as a source of trust.

A dedication to image quality refined over a long history, a commitment to compactness, reliability, and a spirit of challenge.
That DNA lives on in every aspect of our design, manufacturing, and quality craftsmanship,
taking shape in imaging, sound, recording, and analysis.

OM Digital Solutions has inherited and honed the ideas and techniques of Monozukuri. You can see the full picture on the following page.

Monozukuri Our Manufacturing

Quality and value driven by technology and passion. The Monozukuri of OM Digital Solutions, supported by five core technologies
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