Olympus quits camera business after 84 years (bbc.com)

Article summary

Olympus is selling off its camera business after 84 years due to the unprofitable digital camera market, largely caused by the rise of smartphones. The company has recorded losses for the last three years and is seeking a deal to carve off the camera part of its business. Olympus will continue to operate in other areas, such as microscopes and medical equipment. The camera business has seen a significant decline, with the market dropping by 84% between 2010 and 2018.

Main themes

• camera industry decline
• smartphone impact
• innovation and technology
• brand loyalty and preference
• professional photography
• lens compatibility and service support

What commenters say

• The rise of smartphones has significantly contributed to the decline of the camera industry, making standalone cameras less necessary for casual photography.
• Some commenters argue that the camera industry has not seen significant innovation in recent years, while others point out advancements in areas like diffractive optics and phase fresnel lens designs.
• The professional photography community tends to prefer certain brands, such as Canon, due to factors like serviceability and muscle memory, rather than technical differences.
• The choice of camera brand is often influenced by factors like lens availability, compatibility, and service support, rather than just sensor quality or technical specifications.
• Some photographers feel that shooting in RAW negates the importance of brand-specific color science, while others value the unique characteristics of different brands' equipment.
• The decline of the camera industry is attributed to the lack of innovation and the rise of smartphones, which has made casual photography more accessible and convenient.
• Brand loyalty in the photography community can be strong, with some photographers preferring certain brands due to their unique features, lens selection, or service support.