By Ron Eggers

April 7, 2005 — Olympus and Panasonic have entered into a joint agreement to develop digital SLR cameras that are based on the Four Thirds System standard. The purpose of the agreement is to meet the needs of a rapidly growing market for digital SLR cameras by combining the Olympus SLR camera technology with Panasonic's advanced digital AV technology.

The agreement calls for the two companies to both jointly and individually develop cameras using the Four Thirds technology, while encouraging other third party companies to participate. The first Four Thirds system was the professional-oriented Olympus E-1 and related E-System lenses, flash units, and accessories. Olympus followed that with the introduction of the consumer-oriented E-300 digital SLR last December.

The Four Thirds system uses a Four Thirds-type image sensor, which permits camera manufacturers to design extremely compact lenses that combine high mobility and handling ease with the optical characteristics needed to maximize sensor performance. The Four Thirds System, which defines an open standard for lens mounts, was introduced in September 2002 by Olympus and Eastman Kodak. It is currently supported by Fuji Photo Film, Sanyo, Panasonic, and the Sigma Corporation.

(Contact Ron Eggers at Newswatch@earthlink.net)