PCR Tech and IT retail, distribution and vendor news
Digital camera manufacturers Olympus and Panasonic have teamed up to back a new smaller lens standard for digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras.
The move by the two Japanese firms is aimed at attracting those that currently shy away from investing in DSLR cameras primarily because of size concerns.
Currently, all DSLR conform to the Four Thirds standard for their lenses. However, the new version, dubbed Micro Four Thirds by the duo, is being pitched as a new, smaller standard for lenses and it is hoped that it will be enough to attract some compact users to upgrade.
"Packing high picture quality into a body thin enough to slide into a pocket. That is the basic concept of Micro Four Thirds," Haruo Ogawa, head of Olympus Imaging Corp’s SLR business division, told a news conference in earlier today.
Olympus and Panasonic are currently ranked fourth and sixth in terms of shipment volume of DSLRs and are hopeful that their new format will give them the edge to push past more entrenched rivals such as Nikon, Sony and Canon.
The firms are yet to reveal sizes or designs based on the new format and declined to comment on prices or a timescale for its launch.
Source: Reuters
