Olympus Cameras: Crafted In The Heart Of Japan

Olympus cameras are manufactured in Vietnam and Japan. The Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II, for example, is made in Vietnam, where labour costs are lower than in Japan and China. The company's global headquarters are located in Hachioji, Tokyo, Japan.

Olympus cameras were made in Japan, China and Vietnam

In 2015, an Olympus executive suggested that the company would develop a more efficient production system by leveraging the strengths of its different manufacturing sites. He said that lenses and other components requiring sophisticated technologies and masterful techniques could be produced at the Shenzen Plant in China, with assembly of cameras performed at the Vietnam plant to take advantage of its low labour costs.

In 2020, Olympus announced that its camera department would be sold to Japan Industrial Partners (JIP) at the end of the year. In October 2020, Olympus transferred its Imaging division to the newly established OM Digital Solutions, a subsidiary of JIP. On 1 January 2021, 95% of the shares in OM Digital Solutions were transferred to OJ Holdings, a specially established subsidiary of JIP. Olympus retained ownership of the remaining 5%.

The Olympus brand name will continue to be used for the foreseeable future, but an Olympus spokesperson said they were 'unable to provide the exact duration of its use'.

Olympus sold its camera division to Japan Industrial Partners

Olympus cameras are made in Vietnam, where the company has been manufacturing imaging products since 2008.

Olympus cameras have a rich history in the industry, with the company first introducing its camera, the Semi-Olympus I, in 1936. Since then, Olympus has played an important role in the world of photography, with its employees being some of the most talented, innovative, and passionate people in the industry.

In 2020, however, Olympus announced that it would be selling its camera department to Japan Industrial Partners (JIP) by the end of the year. This news came as a shock to many, especially since Olympus had previously denied rumours of such a sale. The company's imaging division had reported losses of $157 million the previous November, and it seemed that the scythe was hovering.

The sale was finalised on January 1, 2021, with 95% of the shares in OM Digital Solutions, a newly established subsidiary of JIP, being transferred to OJ Holdings, Ltd. Olympus retained the remaining 5% of shares.

Despite the sale, Olympus assured its customers that it would continue to operate as usual and deliver innovations and new products as planned. The company's imaging division would now be headed by Shigemi Sugimoto, who stated that OM Digital Solutions would continue to supply high-quality, reliable products and develop unique products to create new value.

Following the transfer, OM Digital Solutions took over the imaging business from Olympus, including the manufacture and sale of digital cameras, interchangeable lenses, and audio products such as IC recorders. The headquarters for sales, marketing, and R&D for imaging products were relocated to the OM Digital Solutions building in Takakuramachi, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo. Meanwhile, production continued at the facility in Dong Nai province, Vietnam, where Olympus products had been manufactured since 2008.

While the future of Olympus cameras under JIP remains uncertain, Olympus assured its customers that services, repairs, and warranties would continue, and full support would be provided for future purchases.

Olympus cameras are now OM System cameras

The OM System cameras are digital photography breakthroughs that build on Olympus's heritage. OM System cameras are designed to be compact and lightweight, with select models being splashproof, dustproof, and freezeproof. They feature advanced technologies such as image stabilisation, autofocus, and high-resolution capabilities.

While the OM System name is new, the cameras retain the core strengths of their Olympus predecessors, and the roadmap for future development remains unchanged. OM Digital Solutions has also licensed the use of the Olympus brand name, so cameras will continue to be released under the Olympus brand for the foreseeable future.

Olympus sold its camera division to focus on its medical business

Olympus Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer of optics and reprography products, has long been known for its microscopes and digital cameras. However, in a bid to stay agile and expand its international influence, the company has recently shifted its focus from cameras to medical technology. This strategic decision was driven by the declining camera business and the growing demand for medical solutions.

In 2020, Olympus announced its plan to sell its imaging division, which was completed in January 2021. The company transferred its camera business to OM Digital Solutions, a subsidiary of Japan Industrial Partners (JIP), for $360.9 million. This move allowed Olympus to triple the value of its share price as it concentrated on the medical sector.

The decision to sell the camera division was made by Olympus' chief executive, Yasuo Takeuchi, who recognised the need to act before the camera business became obsolete. While cameras played a significant role in shaping the brand's identity, offloading this division was crucial for the company's survival and long-term success. Takeuchi emphasised that the cameras still had a right to exist and deserved a new owner who could ensure their future.

The sale of the imaging division to JIP included the Zuiko and OM brands, as well as the Olympus brand name, which will continue to be used for the foreseeable future. OM Digital Solutions will retain the research and development, production, sales, and marketing capabilities of Olympus, ensuring that services, repairs, and warranties are maintained for customers.

With this strategic shift, Olympus Corporation is now predominantly focused on medical and surgical equipment, including endoscopic, ultrasound, and electrocautery devices. The company holds a substantial share of the global endoscope market and has been a renowned manufacturer of microscopes since its inception in 1919. This transition from cameras to medical technology reflects Olympus' adaptability and commitment to staying competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

Olympus cameras were made by OM Digital Solutions

The Olympus camera brand has a long history, with the company's first camera, the Semi-Olympus I, released in 1936. The company's imaging division has struggled financially in recent years, and Olympus sold the division to JIP in a bid to get any value for it before it became obsolete.

The OM Digital Solutions Co. building in Takakuramachi, Hachioji-shi, Tokyo, is where sales and research and development will take place, while production of equipment will occur at factories in Dong Nai Province, Vietnam.

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