Future 4/3rd sensors?

[joachim]

Hi, as discussed in, http://fourthirds-user.com/forum/sho...5263#post15263 Panasonic (present supplier of 4/3rd sensors for Olympus) has decided to pull out of 4/3rd SLRs. Will they continue to develop sensors for Olympus or is this the beginning of the end of 4/3rd? Anyone any more info? -Ta-

[Ledgem]

This post was rather frightening. The linked thread doesn't conclude anything more than that this is a rumor.

If it were true it'd just mean that 4/3 sensor development would either change hands or stop. I can't imagine that Olympus would just shut off its DSLR products, but who knows?

[John Perriment]

Originally Posted by Ledgem

This post was rather frightening. The linked thread doesn't conclude anything more than that this is a rumor.

If it were true it'd just mean that 4/3 sensor development would either change hands or stop. I can't imagine that Olympus would just shut off its DSLR products, but who knows?

No chance! Supply and Demand Rule O.K.

If Olympus have a demand for sensors they'll have no problem finding a supplier. Although direct competitors, Sony would oblige if necessary, providing enough profit was to be made. Profit makes the World go round and most Chief Execs (whose jobs are only as safe as the next balance sheet and set of trading figures) would sell their daughters and mothers if it gave their company a slight edge in results. There won't be any partisan loyalty issues regarding supplying a competitor like Olympus. Only amateur photographers play that sort of game! There might be a price premium to pay of course, but the supply will be available without doubt.

John

Looking forward to the E4 and beyond.....

[Barr1e]

From what I have read the manufacturer has said the information came from a source that had no authority to comment on such a story. They will be issuing a press release later.

AIMHO + DYOR.

Regards. Barr1e

[mikefellh]

Check out the thread in the "fourthirds-user" Panasonic forum (especially my comments):
http://www.fourthirds-user.com/forum...ead.php?t=1979

You may be worrying about nothing as the original statement has been made by someone who was "unauthorized and uninformed," and personally I wouldn't rule out corporate espionage.

[joachim]

Hi,

I saw there are major revisions to the German site underlying all of this. See http://diefotoredaktion.de/nachricht...-von-panasonic and http://diefotoredaktion.de/nachricht...-stellungnahme

The original, now no longer available, German article, linked from the posting in the Panasonic section which I was referring to, claimed they had spoken to a Panasonic representative at a product show. To me this read more like a definite than a rumour.

Now with the Panasonic statement stating everything was uninformed and had no authority, I just don't know any more what is going on here.

But anyway thanks for your contributions and thoughts.

[Barr1e]

http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk...ws_258274.html

Regards. Barr1e

[viewwing]

oh oh then are we getitng the CCD back

[Bear]

This story has been totally discounted at the moment. panasonic was very quick to distance itself from the story which apparently came from an ill-informed, employee, unauthorised to comment. In the light of the m4/3rds announcement it seems even more unlikely.