TOKYO, Jan. 19 -- (Kyodo), Olympus Corp. plans to revive its once popular OM camera brand for its new digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera this spring, industry sources said Thursday.
The company is hoping that the new product will come to symbolize its recovery from the recent scandal involving its coverup of investment losses, they said.
Olympus launched the OM-1 single-lens reflex film camera in 1973, which became a hit because of its small size and durability. The company sold OM series products for around 30 years.
The new OM-D model will be offered in the United States, Europe and some Asian countries as the top model of the company's digital mirrorless interchangeable lens camera series, selling for above 100,000 yen in Japan.
The new model resembles the OM-1 film camera and is equipped with high-speed autofocus and image stabilization functionality as well as 16 megapixel resolution.
In December, Olympus held the largest share in Japan's market for digital mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras, which have gained in popularity thanks to their smaller size and lighter weight, according to marketing research firm BCN Inc.
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