Olympus "Likely to disappear in 2014"

[NWDiver 42]

You probably saw this one, but MSN has Oly as not surviving 2014

http://money.msn.com/investing/5-companies-you-wont-see-after-2014-1

Edited December 9, 2013 by NWDiver

[kc_moses 142]

Ha ha, saw that too, isn't that they're working with Sony so Sony would use their 5-axis technology and Olympus would use Sony's lens? Sounds like a merger might happen.

[bvanant 189]

They have had a lot of pressure on them since the scandals in Japan, but it seems quite clear to me at least that the camera bits will stay in production even if the main company is bought by someone else (with Sony being rumored to be a big investor, to the tune of more than $600M).

I don't think that we have to worry that the OMD-E6 or whatever will be called won't happen. The camera bit at least the 4/3 and u4/3 is generating quite a bit of cash.

Bill

[troporobo 237]

According to the financial press, their camera division has not made a profit in 3 years, camera sales are projected to fall by half, and market share is headed for the low single digits. Even if the OM-D and PEN lines seem successful to enthusiasts, a well run global company is unlikely to keep that kind of performance on life support for long. On the bright side, maybe we'll see some closeout deals on EM-1 bodies and m4/3 lenses!

[Deep6 7]

Here's a little blurb from 43 Rumors:

Mr. Yukihiko of Olympus Imaging Development Division has been interviewed by DC.watch (google translation here). I highlighted the key info in the hope google translation tool didn’t fool me as it happens sometimes:

1) Worldwide DSLR+Mirrorless Camera Sales went down by 15%. But Mirrorless alone is till on expansion (Sales are growing for both lens and cameras).
2) The PEN series is not selling as expected in USA and Europe, but the E-M5 sold very well in Europe. (PEN and OMD are selling well in Asian countries).
3) The manager is confident that the E-M1 will sell better in EU and US than previous MFT cameras.
4) Future focus is on premium products (New OMD camera and lenses, and so on).

Note, there was a lot of talk about OMD and absolute zero talk about PEN. Probably Olympus marketing is betting on OMD cameras (and less on PEN’s) to increase their sales in 2014.

Bob

[bvanant 189]

According to the financial press, their camera division has not made a profit in 3 years, camera sales are projected to fall by half, and market share is headed for the low single digits. Even if the OM-D and PEN lines seem successful to enthusiasts, a well run global company is unlikely to keep that kind of performance on life support for long. On the bright side, maybe we'll see some closeout deals on EM-1 bodies and m4/3 lenses!

Then again, I don't think Olympus is terribly well run, but that is a different problem. Cameras are less than 15% of their total business but the EM-5 was specifically called out in the annual report as being important.

 

Bill

[rtrski 20]

According to the financial press, their camera division has not made a profit in 3 years, camera sales are projected to fall by half, and market share is headed for the low single digits. Even if the OM-D and PEN lines seem successful to enthusiasts, a well run global company is unlikely to keep that kind of performance on life support for long. On the bright side, maybe we'll see some closeout deals on EM-1 bodies and m4/3 lenses!

But the huge embezzlement scandal that covered bad investments with expensive 'merger' purchases was a big part of the camera division not making a profit in 3 years. I'm not sure those numbers are terribly fair.

 

I hope they survive, if only out of nostalgia. Then again I've jumped ship to Sony, so maybe I should hope Sony gets their IP for a song and a prayer.

[bvanant 189]

If Sony (who have their own troubles) buy Olympus then maybe they can make OLY can make some NEX lenses finally.
Bill