Olympus Cameras: Made In Japan?

Olympus is a Japanese manufacturer of optics and reprography products, established in 1919. The company's global headquarters are located in Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan. The first Olympus camera was introduced in 1936, and since then, the company has released numerous innovative camera series, including the Pen, OM, and Micro Four Thirds systems.

While Olympus cameras are designed in Japan, some models, particularly the lower-end options, are assembled in other countries such as China and Hong Kong, with parts made in Japan. However, the company's high-end cameras and lenses are typically manufactured in Japan due to the higher profit margins allowing for more expensive labour.

Olympus cameras have a reputation for quality and performance, regardless of their country of assembly, as the company maintains strict quality control standards across its manufacturing processes.

Some Olympus cameras are made in Japan, others in China

Olympus is a Japanese manufacturer of optics and reprography products, established in 1919. The company's global headquarters are located in Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan.

Some Olympus cameras are made in Japan, while others are made in China. For example, the EC-14 and the Olympus XA 35mm film camera are made in Japan, while the EC-20 is made in China. The company also has a factory in Shenzhen, China.

The country of manufacture does not necessarily indicate a difference in quality. Olympus applies the same rigorous quality control standards in both Japan and China, and the build quality of cameras produced in both countries is reported to be excellent.

The decision to manufacture in China is often driven by cost considerations, as labour is less expensive there. This allows Olympus to maintain profitability, particularly on lower-margin products.

It is worth noting that Olympus cameras designed in Japan may have their menus set to Japanese as the default language. However, it is possible to change the language to English.

The Olympus XA 35mm film camera was made in Japan

The Olympus XA was unlike any other camera at the time. Maitani's innovative design featured a brand-new clamshell cover, which protected the lens, focusing mechanism, and ISO/ASA selector. The camera was also equipped with a vertical aperture control, an electromagnetically triggered shutter button, and a flush-mounted self-timer, battery check, and +1.5 EV exposure compensation lever. The XA's F. Zuiko 35mm f/2.8 lens was also a radical departure from other cameras, as its focusing mechanism was internal, eliminating the need for a long lens barrel and telescoping action.

The XA was the first in a series of compact cameras from Olympus, with the XA2, XA3, and XA4 being released in the 1980s, followed by the XA-inspired Infinity/Mju series in the 1990s. The Olympus XA and its successors were designed and manufactured in Japan.

The Olympus OM-1 was made in Japan

The Olympus OM-1 is a manually operated 35mm single-lens reflex camera, and the first model was presented at photokina in Cologne in 1972. The camera was designed by a team led by Yoshihisa Maitani, who had already created the compact Pen and Pen F cameras. The OM-1 was part of Maitani's OM system, a full-frame professional 35mm SLR system designed to compete with Nikon and Canon's bestsellers.

The Olympus Corporation is a Japanese manufacturer of optics and reprography products, established on October 12, 1919, initially specialising in microscopes and thermometers. The company's global headquarters are located in Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan.

The OM-1 was the first camera brought out by Japan Industrial Partners, who bought the imaging division of Olympus in 2021 and renamed it OM Digital Solutions. The OM-1 carries the Olympus name on the body, in a nod to the first Olympus film OM-1 that came out 50 years earlier.

The OM-1 has a compact body, a large viewfinder with interchangeable screens, and a through-the-lens exposure meter controlling a needle visible in the viewfinder. The shutter speed dial is located around the lens mount, allowing photographers to keep the camera at eye level between shots more easily than SLRs with the dial located on the top plate.

The OM-1 was designed to reduce the size, weight, and noise of 35mm SLRs, and it has been used by professional photographers including Patrick Lichfield, Jane Bown, David Bailey, and Kate Garner.

The Olympus E-5 is designed in Tokyo but made in China

The Olympus E-5 is a professional DSLR camera and the successor to the Olympus E-3. It was launched in 2010 and is the flagship camera of the Olympus Corporation. The camera is designed in Tokyo, Japan, where the company's global headquarters are located, but it is made in China.

The E-5 has a range of features, including a live preview full articulating screen, contrast-detect autofocus in live view mode, and the ability to control up to three wireless flash groups without external transmitters. It is also fully weatherproof and can record video at 720p. The camera is very similar to the E-3 in operation and design.

The E-5 is part of the Four Thirds System, like the other cameras in the Olympus E-series. It is compatible with the Zuiko Digital "High Grade" and "Super High Grade" lines of weatherproofed lenses. The camera also has a fast autofocus, with Olympus claiming it was the fastest in the world at the time of the camera's release.

The Olympus Corporation was established in 1919 and initially specialized in microscopes and thermometers. The company is a Japanese manufacturer of optics and reprography products, with its global headquarters in Tokyo.

Olympus cameras made in Japan can be changed to an English menu

Olympus is a Japanese manufacturer of optics and reprography products. The company was established on October 12, 1919, initially specialising in microscopes and thermometers. Since then, Olympus has expanded its product range to include cameras, endoscopes, ultrasound, electrocautery, and other medical equipment.

Olympus cameras can be purchased in Japan and Hong Kong, and some models are manufactured in China. However, it is possible to change the default language on Olympus cameras to English. The process for doing this may vary depending on the specific camera model, but typically involves accessing the camera's menu settings and selecting the language option.

For example, to change the language on the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III, follow these steps:

• Turn on the camera.
• Press the menu button.
• Go to the setup menu (the last menu section, with a wrench icon).
• Select the third option, which is language (the symbol is a speaking person).
• Press the OK button and choose your language.
• Confirm your selection by pressing the OK button again.

It is also possible to download English-language manuals for Olympus cameras from the official website.

Frequently asked questions