OM Digital Solutions is slowly stepping away from the shadow of the Olympus Corporation. On April 3 (i.e, 4/3, which they have dubbed the “Four Thirds Day”), they launched their redesigned website: https://www.four-thirds.org/en/. The redesigned site currently functions as a placeholder for both Olympus and Panasonic cameras. Click Details and you get a very short description. Click Manufacturer’s website and you are transported back to Olympus’ and Panasonic’s respective website.
I am, however, not sure I quite agree with their search results, but it does give an inside peek into the minds of the new owners and how they position the two companies’ camera offerings into professional models, mid-level models or entry models.
For example, the Olympus PEN-F is listed as an entry-level camera while the PEN Lite E-PL8 is returned when you search for mid-level camera. I would have switched the two results around. Search for professional models, and the results unsurprisingly include the Olympus E-M1 III, Olympus E-M1X, Panasonic G9, and Panasonic GH5S — but, surprisingly, also the 2015 Panasonic GX8. I suggest they retweak the search algorithms and tighten the search results to reflect more accurately the categories.
NEWS RELEASE
OM Digital Solutions Corporation Introduces User-Friendly, Intuitive Micro Four Thirds Website Updates
Tokyo, Japan, April 2, 2021 – OM Digital Solutions Corporation1 and Panasonic Corporation2 co-released the Micro Four Thirds System standard in 2008, and promoted its adoption throughout the camera industry. The Four Thirds System Forum Secretarial Office3, which operates and manages this standard, proudly announced today that the official Micro Four Thirds website (https://www.four-thirds.org/en/) has been redesigned to coincide with Four Thirds Day, April 3, 2021. The redesigned site uses the latest technology to enhance the overall user experience. It is equipped with a search function for Micro Four Thirds products, making the website easier for customers to use, and offers mobile-friendly compatibility for responsive viewing of images and content that render beautifully, across all popular devices, such as PCs, tablets and smartphones.
As a shared standard, Micro Four Thirds has facilitated the development of a diverse range of lineups and systems that transcend the boundaries of manufacturers, expanding the potential for enjoyment and application of images, and is currently supported by 56 companies, including companies focusing on BtoB operations. Offering high image quality, our compact, lightweight systems have won support from many customers, and in 2020 became the best-selling4 lens by mount in the Japanese interchangeable lens camera market. Through this website, we will provide content such as product information and convey the merits of Micro Four Thirds to more customers, continuing to promote the Micro Four Thirds System standard.
Major points of update
- Easy-to-view appearance compatible with a variety of devices
A responsive web design has been adopted. This optimizes the display of content in response to the screen size of the device used, such as smartphones or tablets, resulting in design that is easy to view and use. - Search function for Micro Four Thirds products added
A search function has been added that allows users to find equipment that meets their needs from among a wide range of products from participating companies, without being constrained by the limits of any particular manufacturer. This function also features direct links to the websites of each company so that users can obtain more detailed information with ease.
▪ Companies supporting the Micro Four Thirds standard (The logos shown below are only some of the participating businesses)
Company names and product names contained in this release are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
1 Olympus Imaging Corporation at the time of release in 2008
2 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. at the time of release in 2008
3 OM Digital Solutions Corporation runs the Secretarial Office.
4 According to in-house research based on BCN ranking data
Period: January to December 2020, Specification category: Interchangeable lens type Share of units by compatible mount