New Partners Olympus and Panasonic

According to a Peterson’s photographic article Olympus and Panasonic have signed an agreement to develop digital cameras based on the Four Thirds system. Olympus bring the SLR technology while Panasonic adds the digital AV technology. Both companies may still develop four thirds cameras separately if they choose.

I for one have always been skeptical of the four thirds system. I relate it to the APS craze of the 90’s. Many people invested money in products to support the new format but the consumer was not interested in supporting it. Olympus is smart to partner as they enter the DSLR market utilizing resources from both companies to compete against Nikon, Canon, and Konica Minolta.