Common readers will by now know that I lastly managed to return to Japan in late July of this 12 months (2022 for these studying this sooner or later), after a 2 1/2-year absence because of the COVID disaster. It was nice to meet up with so many individuals I do know within the picture business, to not point out attending to as soon as once more go to the nation that is come to really feel virtually like a second residence to me. That is now the third interview I’ve revealed from that journey and the fourth article general. For simple reference, listed here are the earlier items I’ve posted:
In direction of the tip of my keep, I made my approach out to the Hachioji space of Tokyo. It was a well-recognized journey out on the Chuo Line, as a result of I might visited Olympus Company’s R&D headquarters there many instances. This time was a bit of completely different although, as my vacation spot was the brand new headquarters of OM Digital Options Company, a few kilometers from the Olympus facility.
As I am positive all our readers already know, OM Digital Options (OMDS for brief) is the title of the brand new firm that was fashioned when Olympus spun off their digicam enterprise in October of 2020. This was my first likelihood to go to them for the reason that spinoff, and I used to be very to see how issues had been going for them. As traditional, I additionally had plenty of questions on their know-how and product plans.
Many because of the next individuals who had been form sufficient to make room of their busy schedules to fulfill with me:
Kazuhiro Togashi, Vice President, International Advertising Division (Above Proper)
Kiroki Koyama, Affiliate Professional, International Advertising, Advertising Technique (Above Middle)
Naohiro Yamaguchi, Director, Advertising and Product Administration, OM Digital Options Americas, Inc (Above Proper)
Yuka Iwasawa, International Public Relations, Advertising Communications, International Advertising (Not proven)
Our dialogue lasted for over an hour, protecting a variety of subjects, so there’s plenty of materials to go over. I’ve organized all the pieces underneath subheads, to make it straightforward so that you can discover the elements you are most concerned about. All the individuals talked about above participated within the dialog, however my untrained ear wasn’t in a position to reliably establish every of them from the audio, so I’ve simply proven their replies as being from “OMDS”. As traditional, I’ve added explanatory notes and evaluation written after the assembly; these sections are inset and set in italic face. (The one exception is the ultimate part about autofocus and AIAF, which I wrote myself as a abstract clarification. I made that its personal separate part to interrupt up the textual content and keep away from the tedium of so many paragraphs of italics.)
With all that stated, let’s dive in, Get pleasure from!
How has the transition to being a standalone firm gone?
RDE: Because of COVID, I haven’t visited Japan since early 2020, so that is my first time visiting Hachioji for the reason that creation of OM Digital Options. Our readers and the group as a complete are very to understand how issues are understanding. It needed to be a large organizational change, not simply right here in Japan however with all of your workplaces worldwide. How has it been going? Have there been unanticipated challenges? How are you overcoming them?
OMDS: A few 12 months and a half has handed for the reason that graduation of our new firm in January 2021. On the identical time, we underwent organizational reforms whereas concurrently revamping our enterprise processes. Though these enterprise course of reforms are nonetheless underway, the mindset of our staff has additionally modified.
OMDS: Alternatively, since we had been unable to make use of the infrastructure that we had employed throughout our days as a part of Olympus, constructing enterprise infrastructure proved to be a big problem for us. Progress on a few of these efforts was slower than deliberate, nevertheless, we’re making progress on fixing them with help from our vendor corporations.
This hadn’t occurred to me beforehand, however after all is smart. Fashionable enterprise depends enormously on data know-how. On the time of transition, OMDS was primarily a startup with a worldwide group to handle and help, however with out the IT infrastructure wanted to handle it. Not solely that, nevertheless it was a worldwide group within the midst of present process a radical reorganization. I can’t start to think about the magnitude and complexity of making the IT infrastructure for a worldwide group from scratch, whereas the group itself was nonetheless within the technique of being redefined. Thankfully, it seems that OMDS is getting a deal with on this, because of herculean efforts by their IT vendor corporations.
How are gross sales going for OMDS?
International shipments of interchangeable-lens cameras have been trending strongly upwards to date this 12 months (orange line above). Within the case of OM Digital Options, their new OM-1 flagship has not solely seen sturdy orders by itself, however has pulled plenty of lens gross sales together with it.
RDE: From what I’ve seen within the US, OM Digital Options has been doing very nicely sales-wise for the reason that transition. Is that the case, and if that’s the case, are you able to give some concept of simply how nicely? (I understand you could not be capable of launch particular numbers, however are you able to give any relative magnitude relative to earlier years working because the imaging division of Olympus?)
OMDS: It’s a bit of tough to check between Olympus and our enterprise nowadays as a result of there was a dramatic change within the digicam market and market atmosphere, partly due to smartphones, but in addition COVID-19.
OMDS: Nonetheless, shoppers who love pictures, the high-end novice photographers, the demand from these shoppers for cameras and lenses has not modified. So our middle- and higher-end merchandise, their scenario is healthier than earlier than underneath Olympus. So which means our enterprise is mostly bettering, and our present enterprise goes easily. I clearly can’t share too many particulars, however our present enterprise appears to be good, particularly because of the OM-1.
RDE: So the OM-1 produced a giant surge in gross sales for you?
OMDS: Sure, extra new customers are buying the OM-1, in comparison with the merchandise up to now, individuals who possibly had used different manufacturers earlier than. When these individuals purchase our OM-1, in addition they purchase our PRO lenses as nicely. So the OM-1 contributed loads to our PRO lens gross sales as nicely. So our present enterprise is excellent.
This was nice to listen to: Particularly within the present world atmosphere, for a digicam firm government to explain their enterprise as “superb” appears fairly exceptional. (Though the temper I heard from everybody I spoke with on this journey was typically upbeat.) It’s significantly attention-grabbing to listen to that rising numbers of OM-1 prospects are new to the OM SYSTEM/Olympus platform, having migrated from different manufacturers. Olympus had at all times had glorious optics, and their our bodies had been typically superb as nicely, nevertheless it appeared like they had been at all times simply lacking having the ability to seize professional shooters en masse. Evidently the advances in pace and AF functionality within the OM-1 might have lastly tipped a lot of shooters over into the OMDS camp.
Will OMDS be publishing monetary knowledge publicly?
RDE: That really touches on a extra basic query: Underneath the present enterprise construction, will OM Digital Options produce quarterly and annual monetary statements, or does the construction underneath Japan Industrial Companions (JIP) not require them? (I believe underneath JIP, it’s extra such as you’re a personal firm, there’s no basic inventory, so possibly not the identical reporting necessities?)
OMDS: We produce annual monetary statements, underneath the present enterprise construction as nicely.
RDE: So these are publicly obtainable someplace?
OMDS: In accordance with any relevant authorities rules, fundamental monetary data could also be revealed on their platforms, nevertheless as we aren’t a publicly listed firm, monetary statements can be found solely to our shareholders. [Any statements about a company’s finances and reporting must adhere to strict rules, even if the company in question isn’t publicly traded. The above is a statement given to me by OM Digital Solutions that meets those requirements, to replace a more casual reply in the conversation itself. The bottom line is that OMDS will adhere to any reporting requirements of any relevant government agencies, but as a matter of course for a privately-held company, their financial statements are only available to their shareholders.]
I learn that OMDS was created to spin off an Olympus “video system”(?)
RDE: OM Digital Options’ Chief Know-how Officer Setsuya Kataoka – talked about in an interview with the publication Asahi again in February of 2021 that you simply had developed a “video system” underneath Olympus, and the will to proceed to pursue that was a part of the rationale for the spinoff. I additionally observe that the funding is described on JIP’s web site as “Carve out of the video enterprise of Olympus Company.” Are you able to clarify what “video system” means on this context, and the way that can affect ongoing product plans?
OMDS: This can be a mistranslation of the content material of the Japanese article when it was translated into English. Mr. Kataoka truly talked about the “imaging enterprise” (not “video enterprise”), so this must be interpreted because the “digicam enterprise.”
Is there any relationship with Olympus on the subject of R&D?
I might visited the Olympus R&D headquarters in Hachioji many instances up to now. Within the new firm, OMDS has it is personal R&D group, which it dietary supplements by outsourcing some work on a contract foundation to each Olympus and different know-how suppliers.
RDE: The truth that we’re assembly right here in Hachioji, however not within the Olympus R&D headquarters constructing the place we at all times met earlier than touches on certainly one of my greatest questions, particularly what does OM Digital Options’ R&D construction seems like post-transition? As I understood it, R&D for the pictures and medical sides of Olympus’ enterprise had been at all times separate, however there was plenty of know-how sharing between the teams. How is OM Digital Options’ R&D structured, and the way would you say the headcount or basic degree of assets there compares to the best way issues had been if you had been the imaging division of Olympus Company? Do you share or lease any amenities on the Olympus R&D constructing?
OMDS: We are actually a brand new firm as OM Digital Options, and the assets and construction of an R&D group have been altered consistent with the scale of our enterprise. Nonetheless, we consider that it is most necessary to proceed to supply enticing merchandise supported by the market, due to this fact we do retain the first growth assets obligatory to attain this.
OMDS: We additionally make the most of outsourcing for among the components required for product growth. The R&D assets owned by Olympus are one a part of this outsourcing, and we work with them in that facet as nicely.
RDE: I didn’t fairly catch that; there’s cooperation between you and Olympus on some issues?
OMDS: We nonetheless use among the Olympus R&D assets on the premise of outsourcing.
RDE: So that you contract with them for some R&D companies?
OMDS: Sure, nevertheless it’s not solely with them; we have now different sources as nicely.
RDE: So that you contract with them, nevertheless it’s an arms-length relationship.
OMDS: Sure, however after all, we even have our personal R&D workers inside our group as nicely
Olympus’ R&D heart in Hachioji is a powerful facility that was the venue for a lot of conferences and the supply of many articles over time. Analysis originating within the digicam division was typically cited by executives as being an necessary contributor to the event of their medical merchandise as nicely. Given the quantity of labor that was finished there to develop picture stabilization programs, picture processing algorithms and optical designs for his or her lenses, I questioned how R&D can be structured for OMDS post-transition. I am glad to listen to that there is nonetheless a relationship there. We do not know the main points of that (I knew higher than to trouble asking for deeper element 😉 nevertheless it’s attention-grabbing that OMDS talked about that Olympus was only one R&D contractor amongst an unspecified variety of others.
OMDS after all additionally has their very own inner R&D workers. We do not know the detailed construction, however I am counting it as a optimistic that they are nonetheless in a position to faucet into the R&D assets at Olympus on a contract foundation.
It is clearly an open query how the brand new R&D construction will play out over time, however to my thoughts, the know-how embodied within the OM-1 provides OMDS a wonderful start line. They led the sphere with their AI-based topic recognition (which continues to be arguably class-leading), the OM-1’s 120fps seize at full decision (or 50fps with autofocus lively) is top-tier, and OM System/Olympus-developed picture stabilization know-how led the sphere for years till open-market know-how lastly let others catch up. That is an extremely sturdy base to begin from, and even incremental advances will maintain OMDS aggressive for years to come back.
What’s the association for manufacturing OMDS merchandise?
Olympus Company consolidated all its manufacturing right into a single large manufacturing unit in Vietnam a number of years again. When OM Digital Options was spun off, possession of a part of this facility was transferred to OMDS. In consequence, OMDS totally owns and controls their very own manufacturing operation.
RDE: Pre-transition, Olympus had made an enormous transfer with their manufacturing, withdrawing from China and consolidating operations at their manufacturing unit in Vietnam. (A transfer I’m positive they’re particularly completely satisfied about now, given the present world scenario 🙂 How is OM Digital Options’ manufacturing presently dealt with? Are your cameras and lenses nonetheless being made in that very same facility? Did possession of the manufacturing gear switch to the brand new firm? Are you leasing house within the manufacturing unit from Olympus Company? Is Olympus Company doing the manufacturing underneath contract to OM Digital Options? Or not one of the above?
OMDS: A part of the Olympus manufacturing unit in Vietnam has been transferred to us as an asset, and serves as a producing website for OM Digital Options. Subsequently, we’re primarily manufacturing our personal merchandise in our personal manufacturing unit.
RDE: Wow, that’s an enormous asset. I believe Olympus manufactured different issues moreover cameras and lenses in that very same manufacturing unit, I believe among the medical manufacturing was finished at that location additionally. So it’s your asset; are you leasing a few of it again to Olympus, or working underneath contract with Olympus to do their manufacturing as nicely?
OMDS: We do have an imaging enterprise half inside that manufacturing unit that’s our asset, so it’s not leasing again.
RDE: Ah, so you’ve got your a part of the manufacturing unit, and different elements belong to Olympus?
OMDS: Sure, different elements of the manufacturing unit are nonetheless for Olympus. There’s one manufacturing unit (constructing), nevertheless it has been divided into two elements, and we personal our a part of it.
RDE: Ah, I perceive. As I stated, that’s important so that you can have, and it was an enormous transfer that Olympus made.
Has having your manufacturing unit in Vietnam helped with supply-chain points?
RDE: Together with your primary manufacturing unit in Vietnam, you’re shielded considerably from the present disruption and uncertainty attributable to the lockdowns in China, however I think about that a few of your provide chain continues to be there. To what extent has the upheaval in China affected your manufacturing potential? Are you experiencing supply-chain disruptions with elements coming from different elements of the world as nicely? What has been your technique for managing supply-chain disruptions? (Modified suppliers? Carrying extra elements stock? Shifting manufacturing from lower-demand merchandise? All the above?)
OMDS: Part of our provide chain nonetheless stays in China. Though we have now been affected to a sure extent by elements equipped from different areas of the world, we have now responded by working with further suppliers and adjusting order portions to safe elements, as required by the scenario.
RDE: Have you ever been in a position to meet shopper demand? I suppose the demand elevated with the OM-1, however from the patron’s facet, have they seen any product availability points?
OMDS: We (should say) we’re very sorry to the customers who’ve been ready to purchase the OM-1. It’s nonetheless persevering with briefly provide to the market. However I believe beginning in two months we will catch up. [That would be two months from the end of July, when I spoke with OMDS, so it sounds like they could catch up as early as the end of September.]
RDE: So to be clear, a few of that isn’t simply provide chain points, it feels like demand for the OM-1 has been a lot increased than you projected, proper?
OMDS: Sure, however we’re very sorry for the shoppers.
Guarantee restore in Canada goes past what Olympus provided. What is the story there?
RDE: OM Digital lately shared information of a brand new guarantee/restore service in Canada, which is one thing that I believe Olympus didn’t supply. Is that this new service the results of elevated buyer exercise in Canada, a results of OMDS’s completely different enterprise strategy versus that of Olympus, or one thing else totally?
OMDS: With the rising demand for Olympus/OM SYSTEM merchandise, the significance of the Canadian market, and our dedication to supply excellent service to our prospects, we felt it was time so as to add one other layer of help service for our prospects in Canada.
OMDS: Subsequently, we have now partnered with Solar Digital camera Ltd. to supply a Canadian Licensed Restore Middle. Solar Digital camera Ltd. has a wonderful repute, having almost 50 years of expertise and professionalism within the subject of picture, video and digital product upkeep and restore. The service heart will present full-service and guarantee repairs for Olympus and OM SYSTEM branded merchandise, permitting us to service the wants of our Canadian-based prospects shortly and seamlessly.
How will merchandise be branded going ahead?
The OM-1 flagship would be the final digicam to hold the Olympus model. As a bridge between the 2 manufacturers and to characterize the DNA of the model and growth philosophy that has been inherited from Olympus to date, OMDS included each manufacturers on the digicam’s physique; the Olympus title within the conventional location on the entrance of the viewfinder housing, and the brand new OM Digital model within the decrease righthand facet of the physique’s entrance panel.
RDE: Are you able to converse to the general model transition from Olympus to OM System? For instance, the current OM-1 digicam nonetheless contains ‘Olympus’ branding on the entrance. It’s been acknowledged that it is a celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the unique OM-1 35mm digicam, however some would possibly say it additional muddies the general model transition. Is the OM-1 the final OM System product we’ll see with any Olympus branding on it? (Will the branding change on present lenses that had been launched underneath Olympus?) What is going to the model transition seem like from right here on out, and the way will you handle communications to protect the notice and model loyalty that Olympus loved for thus a few years?
OMDS: The Olympus brand featured on the OM-1 was not for the fiftieth anniversary of the OM-1 movie digicam, however to represent the fusion of the progressive new know-how provided by the OM SYSTEM with the DNA of the model and growth philosophy inherited from Olympus.
The OM-1 would be the final digicam with the Olympus model brand. Though we’re presently contemplating model modifications for present merchandise similar to lenses, we can’t present any particulars at this second.
OMDS: The Olympus model title has been constructed by way of years of producing and communication available in the market, due to this fact we really feel that from the standpoint of title recognition a easy shift to a brand new title can be tough. Nonetheless, as you already know that the OM SYSTEM model doesn’t deny its Olympus origins, and truly it continues the Olympus philosophy and fervour for craftsmanship, whereas looking for to supply extra new values. That is why, when it comes to sustaining and rising model loyalty, we consider that an important technique of communication is to reliably proceed to offer enticing merchandise and CRM measures on an ongoing foundation.
OMDS: We consider that our digicam programs present distinctive values, by providing straightforward handheld taking pictures and computational pictures that permit customers to broaden their photographic skills. We hope to convey the truth that our programs are optimum for a broad vary of taking pictures eventualities each indoors and outdoor.
This was as anticipated; OMDS is a brand new firm, distinct from Olympus, so after all they should change the branding of the merchandise. I wasn’t positive whether or not it is likely to be a extra gradual transition or if the OM-1 would certainly be the final digicam to bear the Olympus title, nevertheless it’s no shock that that’s the truth is the case. It is a bit of unhappy to see the Olympus model disappear from the picture market after so many a long time, and it most likely presents at the least considerably of a problem for OMDS to construct mind-share for his or her new model within the market.
That stated, as OMDS themselves alluded to, the Olympus title and its connection to OMDS are very well-known: It is onerous to think about any potential prospects for the system not already being aware of the backstory, the lengthy historical past of the Olympus model and the connection between it and the brand new “OM System” branding. It is typically difficult for extra generic consumer-goods corporations to make main branding probabilities, however I do not see OMDS’s goal prospects (fanatic {and professional} photographers) having any issue making the connection between new OMDS merchandise and the lengthy Olympus heritage.
After all, it is a fully moot level within the current second, for the reason that OM-1 is dual-branded with each the Olympus and OM System logos, and all the opposite cameras and lenses presently available in the market nonetheless bear the Olympus brand. I did ask whether or not or not any of the prevailing merchandise (particularly lenses, which generally have a for much longer life cycle than digicam our bodies) might need the Olympus title eliminated and be rebranded solely as OM System merchandise, however the reply was noncommittal. Studying between the strains, it feels like there are no present plans to take action, however it could or might not occur sooner or later.
What kind of lenses will the approaching tele zooms be?
OMDS’s most present lens roadmap reveals two telephoto zooms coming, with focal lengths within the basic vary of ~~40-150. (Is a type of inexperienced bars a bit longer and shifted barely to the appropriate? It is onerous to inform whether or not the 2 lenses will primarily be sooner/slower variations of one another, with the identical focal size vary, or if one would possibly typically be a bit extra in the direction of the longer tele facet of the chart. No additional particulars can be found presently, however my guess is that we’ll see each inside the subsequent 12 months.
RDE: On the final lens roadmap from September 2021, there are two telephoto zoom lenses listed that I don’t consider we’ve seen but. Are you able to speak about these lenses in any respect? Will they be geared toward novices or professionals?
OMDS: Sadly we can’t go into any element on these lenses at this second, however we consider that these lenses will please the pictures fanatic.
RDE: After all you possibly can’t say something particular, however I can at the least inform our readers that the approaching tele zooms will likely be enthusiast-focused. As you stated earlier than, the fanatic market has continued all through all of the ups and downs of the business. New individuals come and use cell telephones or they’re vloggers, however that core group of people who find themselves enthusiastic about pictures continues to be there and continues, so that is geared toward that group. I are inclined to agree that that’s the place OMDS’s true core prospects are.
OMDS: In line with our firm’s surveys, it reveals that the market quantity of professional photographers and high-end amateurs has not modified. We consider that sooner or later, this market quantity won’t change considerably. So we’re specializing in the mid- to high-range. That’s our technique.
This was a recurring theme in my dialog with OMDS: They acknowledge that their core person base are fanatic photographers, and that’s the place their focus will likely be going ahead. I take this as superb information certainly.
Are there any extra lenses coming within the f/1.2 line?
OMDS has a wonderful trio of very quick f/1.2 prime lenses. I together with others have been questioning if we might see an extended focal size mannequin in some unspecified time in the future, however plainly such a lens must be heavier and bulkier than the others within the line, and so would not match into the identical set of use instances and pursuits that the present trio handle.
RDE: Since saying a trio of F1.2 prime lenses in 2017, there haven’t been any new F1.2 PRO primes. Is that this as a result of the trio of 17, 25 and 45mm lenses satisfies the wants of your customers, or are there explicit challenges in creating extra F1.2 prime lenses for Micro 4 Thirds?
OMDS: So far as the F1.2 collection goes, we perceive that there have been requests for F1.2 lenses with different focal lengths. So we have now studied what lenses we will or can’t present. If the focal size had been wider or longer than the present ones, the lenses can be greater, and shoppers won’t be as keen to just accept them. Shoppers have instructed us that they need a compact-sized light-weight digicam system. So increasing that collection isn’t as excessive a precedence, as a result of longer or wider lenses can be bigger than the present ones.
RDE: Ah, in order that they wouldn’t match with the idea of the system. The shoppers are saying “I would like an 85/1.2 however solely this huge. <guesturing, displaying a tiny lens> <laughter>
What’s behind the backlog for the 150-400mm?
Demand for the 150-400mm lens with built-in 1.25x teleconverter is off the charts, however OMDS hopes to have their produciton caught up quickly.
(See under for some further eye-candy from the show proven above 🙂
RDE: The M.ZUIKO ED 150-400mm F4.5 TC1.25x IS PRO is an incredible lens; we had been fairly blown away by its picture high quality, functionality and general efficiency once we reviewed it again in late 2020. It’s a really advanced design, with at least 28 components in 18 teams and a *lot* of very high-spec glass in it, together with an aspherically-molded ED optic (you discuss with it as an “EDA” lens). Whereas I don’t suppose there’s been such an announcement within the US market, I noticed that again on June 23, you introduced that you simply had been pausing the acceptance of recent orders within the Japanese home market. Has the advanced design confirmed tough to fabricate, or are there different components at play? How do you suppose you’ll overcome the problems, and do you’ve got an approximate concept of when manufacturing would possibly match demand?
OMDS: As you say, we have now lately introduced that we have now briefly paused the acceptance of recent orders for the 150-400mm PRO lens in Japan. There are two causes for this.
OMDS: Firstly, manufacturing is managed to strict high quality management requirements, utilizing superior manufacturing and meeting applied sciences, and solely a restricted quantity may be made every day.
OMDS: Secondly, for the reason that launch of the OM-1, we have now seen a rise within the variety of new prospects wanting to make use of our programs, along with present prospects. This may be attributed to the rise in orders for this product, significantly amongst fans in wild hen pictures. Particularly for wild hen pictures, customers have a really sturdy curiosity within the OM-1, and lots of of these individuals additionally need the 150-400, so the order amount is increased than our expectations. Please observe that this momentary pause in acceptance of recent orders is particular to Japan solely. It’s not the case within the North American area.
RDE: Nicely, I suppose that’s an excellent downside to have, that the demand has been so excessive. And that’s not an affordable lens, it’s a serious funding, so it speaks nicely that there are such a lot of individuals who need to get it. (I can actually see that particularly for hen or wildlife pictures, that lens paired with the OM-1 can be an unbelievable setup.)
Right here once more, plainly the OM-1 and probably the particular combo of OM-1 and the 150-400mm are drawing new customers to the OM System platform. OM System’s mixture of compact dimension and weight, particularly at longer focal lengths, nice glass, nice IS and glorious climate resistance had already made birders a powerful marketplace for them. The OM-1’s excessive body price and succesful AI-based autofocus for birds in flight, and the distinctive attain of the 150-400mm (together with its built-in teleconverter, it has a 35mm-equivalent focal size vary of 300 – 1,000mm in a really compact bundle) made the platform all of the extra compelling, bringing a big variety of new shooters into the OM System fold.
How are you utilizing the stacked-CMOS know-how within the OM-1?
The OM-1’s blazing pace (in each steady taking pictures charges and autofocus skills) is enabled by the brand new backside-illuminated stacked-CMOS picture sensor teamed with OMDS’s newest TruePic X processor.
DE: The OM-1 has the primary stacked-CMOS sensor in a Micro 4 Thirds digicam, contributing to its blazing pace. I’m curious how the readout processing and storage are distributed throughout the layers of silicon, so have a number of questions associated to this:
I requested three sub-questions right here:
Does the stacked chip have any buffer reminiscence on it?
Because the digicam OEM, are you able to select what logic or reminiscence is on the stacked chip?
Is there image-processing circuitry on the stacked chip?
Can some low-level elements of focus dedication be finished on the stacked chip? (eg, cross-correlation processing) How about video resampling?
Sadly, I bought the next reply to all of those questions:
OMDS: Sadly, we can’t present any solutions relating to the processing particulars of our Stacked BSI Stay MOS sensor. Thanks on your understanding. (Though they did verify that they’re ready to decide on what precisely to placed on the stacked chip.)
This was all after all a bit of disappointing, however I suppose I shouldn’t have been stunned by the dearth of solutions. I requested an analogous query of Fujifilm after I spoke with them, and realized that of their case, they’re simply utilizing the second chip to carry the A/D converters and high-speed knowledge channels to hold the picture knowledge to the processor.
The large new studying for me on this journey was that the sensor prospects can certainly put any type of circuitry on the stacked chip that they need to.
One apparent factor to do is what Fuji did, particularly utilizing the second chip to get knowledge off the sensor chip and into the principle processor a lot sooner. One other potential use is likely to be so as to add buffer reminiscence straight behind the sensor, permitting some variety of frames to be captured much more shortly than if the information needed to be despatched to the processor first. Or, as I instructed, how about resampling video on the fly? What in case you didn’t should clock the information out to the processor? Might that let even increased video body charges than we’re seeing presently (particularly for issues like 4K or FHD from higher-resolution sensors)?
On condition that the system designers can put something they need on the logic chip makes me marvel if it might result in much more spectacular autofocus operation sooner or later. Might it make a distinction if some low-level components of each autofocus and AI topic detection might be executed straight on the sensor stack?
It’d prove to not be sensible for quite a lot of causes, however each typical and AI-based AF contain plenty of low-level processing as enter to higher-level algorithms. Within the case of phase-detect autofocus, a course of referred to as correlation takes units of knowledge from two units of focus pixels and “slides” them previous one another, to seek out how a lot they’re offset from one another. (The quantity of offset is mainly the main target error.)
AI subject-recognition algorithms take as their enter “options” extracted from the uncooked picture knowledge. Typical options are issues that seem like edges or strains within the topic, and their orientation. Different options might be issues like small darkish objects in opposition to lighter backgrounds (suppose: eyes), rectangular objects of assorted sizes in opposition to different-colored backgrounds (suppose: faces), and so forth. These options are recognized by so-called convolution operators. There’s not the time or house right here to debate this extra deeply, however convolution includes hundreds of thousands of multiply-add calculations, working on knowledge all throughout the picture body. Might we implement extra subtle AI algorithms by offloading a few of this preliminary calculation to processing circuitry proper behind the sensor?
All of that is pure blue-sky hypothesis on my half, and there could also be superb the explanation why you possibly can’t or wouldn’t need to do any of the above. (As only one instance, the semiconductor fabrication processes you’d use to make extremely environment friendly processor chips can be prohibitively costly to make use of for chips the scale of picture sensors. You’d most likely want to make use of a lower-spec course of for any logic on the stacked chip, which could totally erase any benefit gained by placing the processing nearer to the sensor.) Nonetheless, it’s attention-grabbing to take a position what the tech would possibly carry us sooner or later. I’d give my proper arm (or at the least a finger or two) to know precisely how the digicam producers are utilizing stacked-CMOS know-how now, and what they’re engaged on that we’ll see 3-5 years from now…
With cross-quad AF know-how, are all of the OM-1’s pixels focus pixels?
Additionally because of the brand new sensor and processor, the OM-1’s autofocus system is next-level additionally. Each pixel on the array is a phase-detect AF pixel, delicate to each horizontal and vertical element. That is achieved by splitting every pixel into 4 elements, positioned underneath the identical shade filter and microlens.
RDE: With the OM-1’s cross-quad autofocus know-how, all pixels on the sensor had been cross-point AF pixels, which means they’re delicate to distance data each horizontally and vertically. I needed to substantiate first that certainly *all* the sensor pixels are PDAF pixels, or is it simply a few of them?
OMDS: Sure, your understanding is appropriate. Section detection data may be acquired in any respect pixels, so AF is feasible no matter the place the topic is within the picture.
RDE: So which means you possibly can mainly kind phase-detect AF factors with their facilities wherever within the body, or with any baseline you’d like?
Section-detect AF includes taking a look at two strains of pixels separated from one another both horizontally or vertically alongside their frequent axis. At very huge apertures, you will get higher AF accuracy by having an extended string of focus pixels with a wider span. Alternatively, small apertures want larger decision throughout a shorter baseline. The truth that *each* pixel on the array is a spotlight pixel signifies that the processor can create an AF level wherever within the picture simply by selecting which pixels it desires to make use of to focus with. Within the previous days of SLRs, the AF pixels had been on a separate sensor, with a particular, mounted sample of pixels on it, so the digicam might solely measure the gap to a topic that occurred to be on prime of an AF level. AF monitoring algorithms are one other entire (and deep) topic on their very own, however a mirrorless system with every-pixel AF just like the OM-1 has at the least the theoretical flexibility to create AF factors that comply with a topic across the body, at all times understanding its actual distance with out having to foretell the place it is going to find yourself because it strikes from one mounted AF level to a different.
Can the OM-1’s AF system run sooner than 120fps?
RDE: The OM-1 can shoot full-resolution photos at 120 frames/second, and the EVF operates at 120fps as nicely. Is that additionally the speed at which the AF system “seems” on the topic, or can the AF processing run even sooner?
OMDS: We can’t offer you particular numbers, however the AF is as quick or sooner than the EVF show.
Can the total quad-pixel PDAF knowledge be learn out for different makes use of?
RDE: Might or not it’s potential to seize the sub-pixel data that makes up the quad-pixel AF system within the RAW format? Is the sub-pixel knowledge digitized, or are the sub-pixels solely learn out on a selective foundation throughout AF cycles? – If it might, it would permit post-capture processing for DOF enhancement, with very excessive spatial decision…
OMDS: Particular person sub-pixel knowledge is simply utilized in AF processing, due to this fact knowledge is just not supplied as uncooked knowledge.
OMDS: We’re evaluating methods to place sub-pixel knowledge to make use of, similar to reaching photographic expression that was not potential to comprehend earlier than.
RDE: So that you’re finding out or contemplating how one can save that data to permit that processing?
OMDS: Sure, we’re finding out how we will put it to use in varied methods.
RDE: Yeah, I believe that data can be helpful for depth-of-field processing and different issues.
How has your AI AF progressed, past the addition of recent topic sorts?
Olympus was an early chief in AI-based autofocus algorithms, as first seen within the E-M1X, the primary digicam to make use of AI for topic detection and recognition. OMDS is constant that custom, increasing the vary of topics acknowledged and rising the pace of topic recognition and monitoring within the OM-1.
RDE: A trademark of the OM-1 is its AI-based autofocus know-how, inherited from the E-M1X and expanded to incorporate extra topic sorts. (Initially birds, trains, automobiles and bikes, now with canines and cats added) Along with including the brand new topic sorts, in what methods has the efficiency of the AI autofocus know-how improved?
OMDS: A brand new picture processing engine permits sooner topic detection. Mixed with the brand new picture sensor, this has improved AF monitoring efficiency.
RDE: So that you’re in a position to initially discover the topic a lot faster than you used to have the ability to?
OMDS: Sure.
RDE: And naturally, now you’re studying the information out so quick, you possibly can monitor it higher.
Does the OM-1 have devoted neural web {hardware}?
RDE: When the E-M1X was introduced, you used a general-purpose processor for the AF processing as a result of the algorithms had been altering a lot that you simply didn’t need to lock-in to customized neural-net processing {hardware} at the moment. Has your neural-net structure continued to evolve since then?
OMDS: Though the E-M1X featured a DSP (Digital Sign Processor) or a CPU inside the engine to attain what was deemed to be optimum neural-net processing on the time, the OM-1 makes use of a customized processor for extra superior neural-net processing primarily based on the achievements of the E-M1X, delivering high-performance, high-speed processing, in addition to decrease energy consumption.
Will or not it’s potential to replace the AIAF algorithms by way of firmware updates?
RDE: This wasn’t in my unique questions, so no downside in case you’re not in a position to reply it, nevertheless it occurred to me to marvel concerning the potential to replace the AI algorithms. On the time of the E-M1X’s introduction, I keep in mind speaking with an autofocus engineer, asking if it might be potential to replace the AIAF algorithms by way of firmware so as to add new topic sorts or that form of factor. With the present OM-1 structure, would it not be potential sooner or later to extend the variety of topics, the varieties of topics it acknowledges, or to replace the algorithms, or are they extra on the {hardware} than the firmware degree?
OMDS: The replace might be finished on the firmware degree. We can’t present any particulars, however we’re contemplating the evolution of AIAF primarily based on market situations and buyer suggestions.
What’s behind the OM-1’s improved AF efficiency?
A whole lot of the efficiency of the OM-1 is all the way down to its superior TruePic X processor. The E-M1X required two processors (proven above) to do the wanted work. The only chip within the OM-1 is extra highly effective than the 2 chips within the E-M1X mixed.
RDE: How a lot of the improved AF efficiency is a results of improved {hardware}, and the way a lot is the results of modifications to the algorithms?
OMDS: It’s tough to supply a proportion as a result of it modifications relying on the scenario in query, however enhancements in each the {hardware} and algorithms used have helped enhance AF efficiency.
What’s coming subsequent with AI?
RDE: What’s subsequent for AI in your cameras? How about enhanced shallow DOF, a la the iPhone’s portrait mode? That might make plenty of sense, to assist Micro 4 Thirds compete extra with full-frame cameras on this space.
OMDS: We hope to leverage additional advances in computational pictures to permit high-quality photos and larger photographic expression with out counting on sensor dimension, in order that prospects who personal full-frame cameras may also get pleasure from our digicam programs.
RDE: So if I’m decoding that proper, you’re saying that certainly one of your hopes is that by additional creating computational pictures, your cameras will seem as a gorgeous choice even to people who find themselves presently full-frame customers.
OMDS: Sure
What’s the story with AI Detection AF (AIAF), Monitoring AF (TR-AF), Steady AF, Goal AF, and so forth?
There’s been plenty of confusion about how the OM-1’s AI-based topic detection characteristic works with autofocus monitoring. It seems that the monitoring finished in regular C-AF mode is a separate system from “Goal AF”. See the textual content under for a proof of the variations.
RDE: Lastly, a relatively detailed query about autofocus operation: What’s up with AF monitoring and steady AF mode, vs utilizing Goal AF in steady AF mode. Evidently the mix of AF monitoring and steady AF doesn’t work nicely, to the purpose that you simply advise in opposition to it. Might you clarify a bit about how the assorted modes work, and what it’s about steady AF mode that interferes with AF monitoring?
OMDS: We suggest utilizing Goal AF in C-AF when taking pictures with AI Detection AF. Actions of the topic detected are predicted, permitting AF with excessive degree of monitoring efficiency to be achieved.
OMDS: When monitoring is used, monitoring the first topic with the mixing of knowledge similar to shade and complete display screen vector detection aside from topic detection is given precedence, so topic detection is dealt with as a part of the knowledge to be tracked, and thus different detection outcomes could also be given increased precedence than detection of the topic alone.
When monitoring, if the topic is misplaced, AF stops, and is restarted when the topic is detected once more, or the button is half-pushed as soon as extra. When working with topic detection alone, operation switches to AF operation in zone settings when a topic is just not detected.
OMDS: In case you attempt to shoot the topic, for instance a cat or a hen, we suggest Goal AF and CAF — not monitoring AF — with AI topic detection. Alternatively, in case you tried another topic [not an AI subject, just a moving object], we suggest C-AF + TR-AF. As a result of the AF course of is completely different between C-AF and Monitoring AF, so in case you use AI Detection AF or AIAF, it’s working solely with the knowledge from AI detection, however in case you use Monitoring AF, the digicam AF works not solely detection AF, however different data, for instance, shade data or motion course and so forth. Generally, solely the AI detection course of is healthier than a number of AF processes with a number of items of data. That is the rationale in case you activate the AI Detection AF or AIAF, we suggest C-AF, however in case you tried to shoot a shifting topic and its motion is unpredictable, we suggest Monitoring AF.
RDE: So I believe I perceive. The AI detection, the neural community is wanting on the picture, and all the colours, the shapes, the place the eyes are, that form of factor. However it’s not counting on the PDAF data to seek out the topic, it’s simply wanting on the image like a human would. Alternatively, if you’re Monitoring AF, it’s taking a look at distance over time and the way it’s shifting, however not at what the knowledge is like. Though you stated that Monitoring AF additionally makes use of shade and form. So… let me attempt to boil that down.
RDE: So AIAF is admittedly trying to discover the topic simply primarily based on what the picture seems prefer to it. And as soon as it identifies the topic, then it is going to use PDAF simply in that space (I believe) to focus. Whereas monitoring AF, it’s searching for basic shifting shapes, it’s a blob of crimson and it’s shifting primarily based on distance data and so forth. So actually they’re simply two various things, and attempting to mix them doesn’t work nicely. [Actually, they don’t combine at all, they’re two entirely different systems.]
My abstract of how AIAF and Monitoring AF work…
There was plenty of forwards and backwards within the above, so I’ve made this abstract a separate subhead right here. That is my tackle the important thing factors about how AIAF and Monitoring AF work, and why you possibly can’t mix the 2:
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AIAF and Monitoring AF are two basically completely different and separate programs.
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AIAF seems on the scene in entrance of the digicam the best way a human would, figuring out topics by their look. As soon as a topic has been recognized, the digicam makes use of the PDAF pixels in that particular space to set focus.
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Monitoring AF is the traditional AF that we’ve lengthy been aware of: It makes use of a mixture of distance (from the PDAF pixels), shade and form to establish the topic (or to comply with one that you simply’ve instructed it to by way of the person interface), then makes use of its motion over time to foretell its possible future place. The colour and form assist it keep away from being confused by different objects within the scene as the topic strikes round, however there isn’t the form of AI-based “intelligence” to acknowledge an object as a particular sort of topic.
- In case you’re doing steady taking pictures with AIAF, the digicam is mainly re-identifying the topic in every body after which specializing in it. It doesn’t make any predictions concerning the topic’s future place primarily based on previous conduct.
The 2 processes are fairly distinct. Here is a story description of how I believe they every proceed:
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AIAF’s topic monitoring body by body is like:
- “Ah, there’s a hen, focus, click on
- (subsequent body) “Ah, there’s a hen. Focus, click on”
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and so forth, and so forth…
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Monitoring AF is like:
- Okay, the human instructed me to deal with this factor right here. It’s a pink, roundish blob about so huge, and it’s this far-off from me proper now. Focus, click on.
- Okay, that blob is a little more to the appropriate now and a couple of ft nearer to me; Focus, click on.”
- All proper, between the earlier two frames, the blob moved nearer to me by two ft and a bit to the appropriate, so I’m anticipating it to point out up a bit extra to the appropriate and one other 2 ft nearer to me.
- Shift focus by 2 ft. (This could occur forward of time, earlier than it is time to seize the following body)
- Take a look at the scene. Ah, positive sufficient, there’s that blob proper the place I anticipated it to be, nevertheless it’s solely about 1.8 ft nearer to me this time. I’ll make an observation of that for subsequent time…
- Focus, click on.”
- and so forth…
Hopefully that makes all of it a bit extra clear. AIAF and Monitoring AF are two basically completely different processes, and the digicam is both in a single mode or the opposite. Sooner or later, we will hope for the 2 to be extra intently built-in, nevertheless it’s understandably advanced to mix the 2 separate flows of data. It would require the addition of a complete new increased degree of processing, taking a look at and evaluating the AI-based and traditional distance/form/color-based monitoring data. Finally (most likely in some distant future), AI might deal with the entire job, however the problem will likely be arising with the human-interpreted uncooked knowledge to make use of to coach the algorithms. It is one factor to manually label tens of 1000’s of nonetheless photos to coach the AI system with, however creating labeled video streams that additionally incorporate full PDAF knowledge will likely be one other matter totally.
Personally, I think the mixing of distance data into AI-based AF algorithms is one thing that the R&D departments of a number of digicam corporations are most likely taking a look at proper now. As extremely succesful as fashionable AF programs are, that is nonetheless the world the place there’s essentially the most room for future enchancment. That stated although, the pace, accuracy and intelligence of present AF programs have reached ranges film-era photographers might solely have dreamt of.
RDE: I believe that’s truly all of the questions I had. You answered them in a short time! Thanks!
OMDS: Thanks as nicely!
Abstract
This was an awesome assembly, and it was good to see OMDS doing so nicely following the spinoff. I can not think about the sheer magnitude of the duty executing the spinoff will need to have been, involving an entire restructuring of operations not solely of the engineering and manufacturing parts (in Japan and Vietnam, respectively), however of the various nationwide and regional gross sales workplaces world wide. From their feedback, this was additional sophisticated by the problem of mentioning a model new IT infrastructure from scratch. Thankfully, plainly essentially the most tough elements of the transition have been accomplished, and gross sales are apparently stronger than ever.
Like many people, I might considered the spinoff with cautious optimism, but in addition an excellent little bit of concern, particularly because the world plunged into the COVID period. Would OMDS be capable of keep the mandatory ranges of customer support world wide? Would they be capable of effectively manufacture and ship product? What would their know-how and R&D seem like going ahead?
This assembly (in addition to having seen for myself the continued power of the Olympus/OMDS model within the US) allayed plenty of my considerations; they offer each look of getting efficiently navigated the changeover, and their gross sales are higher than they’ve ever been.
Particularly noteworthy is that OMDS is seeing plenty of professionals switching to their platform from others, because of the distinctive efficiency of the OM-1 and the compactness of their whole system. (Some full-frame our bodies are very compact nowadays, however if you assemble a full package of lenses of equal focal lengths on each platforms, the scale and weight distinction is dramatic.) Additionally supporting this transition is the unbelievable 150-400mm f/4.5 supertele zoom with its built-in 1.25x teleconverter. It is an exceptionally sharp, well-performing optic, and the mix of it and the OM-1 is an unbeatable resolution for hen and wildlife photographers, to not point out sports activities shooters searching for additional attain with out breaking their arms.
– And that touches on one other necessary level: OMDS understands who their buyer base is (particularly fans and professionals, particularly these for whom compact, light-weight and very weather-resistant gear is necessary) and is laser-focused on them. I am positive they will at all times have lower-end fashions just like the E-M10 to function cheap entry factors to their system, however they are not going to waste assets attempting to compete on the backside finish of the market.
The long-term query of know-how and R&D is one that can take a few years to totally reply, however I used to be inspired that among the technical prowess of Olympus Company are nonetheless obtainable to the brand new firm by way of an arms-length contractual relationship, along with their very own inner R&D workers.
Because of the tech embodied within the OM-1, the brand new firm can be beginning out from a really sturdy place. Whereas the remainder of the world has lastly caught as much as their IS functionality, OMDS’s IS is second to none, and arguably pretty much as good as 99.9% of individuals want it to be. At 7.5 stops of stabilization, you are actually attending to the purpose the place the system is delicate to the rotation of the Earth. I actually do not suppose we’ll see 8.5 or 9 cease IS, at the least not in any typical sense. (I do suppose there’s some room for advances by way of computational pictures, however we’re additionally speaking a couple of small section of the market who’d have to handhold 5 second exposures.)
On the AF entrance, Olympus was a powerful, early chief in AI-based topic detection; it is onerous to consider that the E-M1X was launched over 3 1/2 years in the past now. Its AI-based topic detection was revolutionary on the time for the vary of various topics it not solely might establish, but in addition decide the most effective a part of the topic to deal with. The OM-1has constructed on that base with extra topic sorts and better efficiency. I see OMDS as being very well-equipped to innovate and compete deep studying AI know-how turns into ever extra necessary.
The backside-illuminated stacked-CMOS sensor within the OM-1 additionally bodes nicely for future growth, in that OMDS now has direct expertise with stacked-CMOS know-how and the very excessive knowledge switch charges it supplies.
Total, I am feeling extra assured about OMDS’s place available in the market now than I used to be about Olympus’s shortly earlier than the spinoff. Their know-how is even higher, their gross sales are sturdy, they usually have a a lot leaner, extra cost-efficient group than Olympus ever did. I clearly have no crystal ball, however OMDS seems to me to be very nicely arrange for the long run.
What do you suppose? Depart your feedback and questions under, and I am going to attempt to reply in at the least a semi-timely trend 🙂
Additional Bonus Content material: 150-400mm Eye Sweet!
After the interview session, Kyoji Murayama, Advertising Technique, International Advertising joined us to point out off the “exploded” 150-400mm lens within the show case within the foyer. Murayama-san was roughly the “father” of the 150-400mm, so was in a position to reply a lot of my questions on it.
After my interview with the others, we had been joined by Kyoji Murayama (Advertising Technique, International Advertising), who walked me by way of among the parts of the 150-400mm lens, arrayed in a show case outdoors the convention room. The OMDS 150-400mm is a veritable tour de pressure of optical know-how, delivering actually distinctive efficiency in a surprisingly compact and light-weight kind issue. (There is a *lot* of know-how packed into this lens, learn my Deep Dive on the OM Digital Options 150-400mm Tremendous-Tele Zoom article for plenty of internal particulars.)
I do know plenty of our readers are each bit as geeky as I’m, so I snapped some images of the show to incorporate right here as “bonus content material”, together with feedback on elements I discovered attention-grabbing. Get pleasure from!
The 150-400mm makes use of two giant magnesium-alloy die castings to offer the rigidity wanted to carry the elements of the lens in exact alignment with out drastically rising the burden. The bigger of the 2 encloses the majority of the lens. ( my images afterward, I observed the completely different textures on the barrel, and am inquisitive about their perform. Does the feel assist an adhesive grip the metallic, to carry the rubber grip in place?)
The extent of precision within the die-castings is fairly unbelievable. Judging from the floor end, I am fairly positive that the superb threads above are as-cast, not having wanted any subsequent machining to attain the wanted tolerances.
That is the cam that strikes varied elements of the lens if you flip the zoom ring. That is an unusually advanced cam, in that it has three units of slots set at completely different angles and with completely different ranges of motion, which means that it strikes three units of lens components when the lens is zoomed. It additionally struck me as uncommon the best way the shallow slots on the appropriate overlap the vary of the steeper ones on the appropriate, which means that the vary of movement of the related teams overlap one another. Cams like this have to carry extraordinarily tight tolerances, to make sure that the lens teams are at all times within the optimum positions relative to one another. Most individuals do not understand it, nevertheless it’s truly potential to carry tighter tolerances with structural plastic like this than with aluminum, and the fabric is almost as sturdy on a weight foundation. (The secret’s that the molds can prove 1000’s of completely an identical elements, whereas machined elements can range because of put on on the instrument bits used to make them.)
That is the heart of the lens barrel. The cam from the earlier shot is on the left, whereas the central portion is a housing for varied components together with the IS unit (see the following picture). On the decrease proper is a board containing the 2 gyros that the in-lens IS system makes use of to detect lens/digicam movement so it could possibly compensate for it. The issues that seem like chips the facet of the housing are literally flat-cable connectors for carrying indicators to different elements of the lens. Trying on the bigger unique shot, it seems that there are a few sensors positioned underneath the metallic plate on the facet of the housing, maybe for suggestions for zoom or focus place.
The system within the heart right here (the one with the metallic plate on it) is the picture stabilization unit. The lens components are mounted in a body that may transfer in two dimensions to compensate for any angular movement of the lens/digicam. Electrical present operating by way of coils of wire push in opposition to the sphere of rare-earth magnets to maneuver the meeting. When coupled with the OM-1’s in-body stabilization, the mix supplies larger compensation than both alone.
There’s not plenty of house inside a lens barrel and fashionable lenses just like the OMDS 150-400mm have to pack in plenty of circuitry, so the person parts must be fairly small. It seems like this meeting primarily mediates communication between the digicam physique (by way of the lens flange’s contacts seen on the appropriate) and the remainder of the lens. Even the zoomed-in portion right here would not actually convey simply how tiny among the parts are. The smallest parts listed here are lower than a millimeter in size.
That is it, I hope you loved this little eye-candy bonus! Be at liberty to ask any questions you might need under and I am going to attempt to reply them.
