10 Things OM DIGITAL SOLUTIONS Must Do To Succeed

A lot has happened in such a short span of time, JIP carving out the imaging business from Olympus Corporation, with a new company OM Digital Solutions effectively taking over the Olympus brand of products starting 1st January 2021 effectively. Some may predict the end of Olympus now that the parent company has given up on the business, but I see this as a new opportunity with potential for growth, and better future directions for Olympus Micro Four Thirds. However, the new company, OM Digital Solutions cannot repeat the old formula, and must take necessary bold actions to move forward. Based on my experience as a product specialist for Olympus previously, as well as a practicing professional photographer I am sharing my opinion on 10 things OM Digital Solutions must do to succeed.
0:00 Intro
0:25 Recap of Recent Incidents
2:15 New Image Sensor
3:07 Fulfill Lens Roadmap
4:07 Upgrade LCD Screen & EVF
5:16 Rework Menu & UI
7:35 AI & Computational Photography
8:22 1 Inch Image Sensor for TG-Series
9:16 Enhance Marketing Strategy
11:26 Work More Closely With Panasonic
13:05 Be Less Conservative
14:59 Conclusion/END

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[robinwong]

Guys, stop wishing for Olympus/OM Digital Solutions to go full frame. That is NEVER going to happen.

[TheJopokus]

I totally agree with you and, man, you’re the greatest ambassador Olympus has ever had! ✌️☕️

[samicassis]

You know Robin, I think you missed an important point that should come right after the new sensor. You yourself did say 2 years ago that the rise of the cellphone cameras is because of CONVENIENCE. Today, when I take a picture with my iPhone, it shows automatically on my laptop, iPad, etc. AUTOMATICALLY. No other camera manufacturer has achieved that yet. Olympus should set that as a major differentiator target.

[andresmalo]

Robin congratulations, personally I think you are the best on the planet teaching us about the Omd system, not only the technical part but also because of your charisma, I totally agree with all your points of view. Greetings from Ecuador

[marc]

Dear JIP, please hire Robin as CTO and give him a decent budget to redesign the product portfolio according to his ideas. It is really that simple. And don‘t forget the Pen-F II

[steps]

Robin, I've watched many of your videos and feel it's time to express how much I enjoy and appreciate them. Not only have you helped me understand my Olympus camera, you've done so with boundless enthusiasm, clarity, and intelligence. When I first discovered your videos, it was like finding the Rosetta Stone. And not was your translation of Olympus' sometimes bewildering capabilities illuminating, is was--and remains--highly entertaining, even infectious. So thanks, Robin.

[kriseric]

Great video Robin. A counterargument might be that an acquisition company who just took over an aging business is not likely hoping to spend more money. Some of your proposals sound mighty expensive from an R&D perspective. Maybe a follow-up video on things OM can cut or remove to improve competitiveness?

One more thought: given the value you provide, I actually think cutting back the ambassador program is a fatal mistake

[Brummbaerchie]

Yes for weather sealed 1.8 primes. Really does not make sense having perfectly weather sealed compact E-M5 cameras and no tiny weather sealed primes to go along with them

[randyblack]

Number 11: Be more competitive in pricing. I know that means getting squeezed on both ends - more $$ for R&D, marketing, fulfiling the lens map AND less expensive? Maybe impossible, but looking at the competitors they all offer more camera for the price PLUS the stability of a large consumer base. At some point Olympus is going to have to get real with pricing.

[francoisbrice]

Thanks Robin!
My views as an Olympus user:
#1- Advertise. (Agree with #8) The general public does not even know that the OMD system exists, not to mention how good it is
#2- Develop a never seen before camera to mobile interface, to allow first in class user experience and transfer images and allow easy post processing
#3 - Agree with you about the TG, but need 40m waterproofing, to allow real use for scuba divers

[TheNaught]

2 points to add to your great video, Robin - 1) OMDS should buy the Alice Camera project, and apply everything you said, Robin. Alice Camera is what the janky AIR should have been. The timing is perfect, and the Alice team already has a good handle on the App. 2) Why bolt the EVF to the camera body in 2021??? Better to place it in front of the eye in glasses that have batteries and the tech in the frames. Keep up the great work, and keep rockin the tight shirts!

[RogerBenno]

New sensor with more dynamic range. Weather proof 1.8 primes.

[robertbirnbach]

Robin, I don't even shoot Olympus and I don't think I ever will but your videos are so infectious I always watch them !

[wbblydinkbink]

I want to take what Robin has taken to make himself so happy😄

[MrBrendanLowe]

Again spot on with your observations. Most are blinding obvious to those of us who use olympus, but it seems that they were not historically, what saved olympus for so long was not its cameras, but its lenses, their quality and sharpness. But you cannot expect to keep selling the same item year in year out, while competing firms like Sony not only make incriminating improvements, they manage to fire off a volly of salvos at the same time as delivering killer results.
OM solutions have left their UK site with no recent update, if you cannot get the basics of customer curtesy right, you are going off on the wrong foot. Embrace some of the beauty of Japanese culture and the importance of honour and mindfulness in each motion

[extremelydave]

I think Olympus needs to rethink their connection with you Robin. If they are looking for an ambassador to spread the word about OMDS in a positive manner.... well, you are an obvious choice. To me you are just as valuable a resource as Jimmy Cheng.... You have great ideas and present them well. Let's hope OMDS sees beyond the past and brings you into the fold in a elevated manner. Love your videos Robin!!!!

[richarddutchholland]

Why do people want Olympus to change to FF? I just want a better version of the next EM1 with better EVF and rear screen, plus a 24mp sensor.

[robertcudlipp]

Excellent Robin. Sound common sense.
Just trust the new owner will listen!

[mattisulanto]

All excellent points. Let's hope we are going to see real products soon and not only sweet talk. Thanks for sharing, Robin.

[franzweber]

I would give this video 10 thumbs up at least, but I can give it only once. This is by far Robins best video!! Kudos to Robin. These 10 ideas should definitely be realized in order to make the new company successful