Originally founded in 1919 as Takachiho Seisakusho, as an optical company - its early market was in microscopes. As a camera company they became famous for the inventions of their renowned and imaginative designer/engineer, Yoshihisa Maitani, whose designs placed a focus on usability, friendliness, and compact design. The legacy he started with lines like the half-frame Pens (in many ways the first true point-and-shoots), the OM series of SLRs (the fist cameras to support TTL flash), and later clamshell compacts like the XA line set the tone and DNA which continues today. They were the first company to embrace live view in digital SLRs, and together with Panasonic developed the Micro Four Thirds system for the first true mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras. The OM SYSTEM, its core values, and advantages can be summed up into two words: Compact Impact.

 

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M.ZUIKO Lenses

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OM-D Series Cameras

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Why OM-D?

Why OM-D?

The Olympus OM-D line represents their flagship line of cameras, modeled after the legendary OM series of 35mm film cameras. Like all Olympus cameras, they utilize a Four Thirds sensor, which was designed from the ground up for digital applications and allows lenses to simultaneously be smaller and higher quality than other digital lines. The OM-D series also always feature built-in electronic viewfinders. The higher models represent the very best cameras Olympus makes with an astounding array of innovative and often unique features.

Pen Series Cameras

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Why a Pen Camera?

Why a Pen camera?

The Pen line is modeled after the original Olympus Pen half-frame series of compacts, and the famous Pen F half frame SLR. The E-P series represent the entry level mirrorless models, and feature simpler controls and lower price points, but which lack built-in viewfinders. The Pen F is more on par with the OM-D line, offering sophisticated imaging tools in a rangefinder-styled body. If you're looking for an easy camera with access to the largest selection of mirrorless lenses on the market, the entry level Pens are ideal for you. If you're more of a serious shooter, whether you prefer the Pen F or the OM-D line will come down mostly to taste and available features.

TOUGH Series Cameras

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Why a TOUGH Camera?

Why a TOUGH Camera?

The Olympus TOUGH line are widely regarded as the best completely waterproof, freezeproof, and crushproof cameras on the market. While they still utilize more standard point and shoot sensors, as compared to the trend towards super-premium compacts, they are capable of functioning in many environments where most cameras simply could not. Take them to the beach, the pool, scuba diving, skiing– TOUGH cameras will go more places than most cameras on the market without failing.