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Thursday, June 25, 2020

Olympus announced Imaging Business will be sold by the end of 2020




Olympus Corporation ("Olympus") and Japan Industrial Partners, Inc. ("JIP") hereby announce that, today, the parties signed a memorandum of understanding to carveout Olympus’s Imaging business to a new company (“NewCo”) and subsequently transfer its shares to a fund managed, operated or otherwise handled by JIP (the "Transaction").

After the due diligence and further discussions and negotiations, the parties are aiming to sign a legally- binding definitive agreement for the Transaction (the "Definitive Agreement") by September 30, 2020. We will promptly make further announcement if any matters relating to the Transaction that needs further announcement occur.

1. Background and Purpose of the Transaction

Olympus's Imaging business began with the manufacture and sale of a camera using the photographic lens Zuiko in 1936. Through innovative technology and unique product development capabilities, Olympus has developed and launched various products, aiming to contribute to make people’s lives more fulfilling. Those products include: Olympus Pen, the innovative half-sized camera; Zuiko Pearlcorder, the world's first micro-cassette tape recorder; and Olympus OM-D series, the mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. Olympus has implemented measures to cope with the extremely severe digital camera market, due to, amongst others, rapid market shrink caused by the evolution of smartphones; Olympus has improved the cost structure by restructuring the manufacturing bases and focusing on high-value-added interchangeable lenses, aiming to rectify the earning structure to those that may continue generating profit even as sales dwindles. Despite all such efforts, Olympus’s Imaging business recorded operating losses for 3 consecutive fiscal years up to the term ended in March 2020.

Under such circumstances, Olympus considers that, by carving-out the Imaging business and by operating the business with JIP, the Imaging business’s corporate structure may become more compact, efficient and agile and it is the most appropriate way to realize its self-sustainable and continuous growth and to bring values to the users of our products as well as our employees working in the Imaging business. Olympus therefore has decided to sign the memorandum of understanding for the Transaction.

JIP has strong track records in supporting strategic carve-outs that realize growth potential and encourage autonomous growth. By adding support from JIP, the NewCo, as the successor of reputable brands such as “OM-D” and “ZUIKO,” will utilize the innovative technology and unique product development capabilities which have been developed within Olympus, and will realize continuous growth of the business by bringing better products and services to the users and customers and by making itself a productive and rewarding work place for its employees.

2. Imaging Business after the Transaction

NewCo will succeed and maintain the research and development functions and manufacturing functions globally as reformed under the contemplated structuring reforms to continue to offer high-quality, highly reliable products; and also continue to provide supports to the imaging solution products that have been distributed by Olympus.

3. Outline of the Transaction

The specifics of the Transaction shall be decided in the Definitive Agreement after careful examination and consultation between the parties. The parties currently consider the outline of the Transaction shall be as follows.

The parties will proceed with the actions and procedures for Transactions in full compliance with applicable laws including consultation obligations and other requirements under local employment laws.

Structure

Olympus’s Imaging business will be transferred to the NewCo by way of company split or otherwise, and then, shares in the NewCo will be transferred to a new company to be established by JIP.

Signing of Definitive Agreement : Scheduled to be signed by September 30, 2020
Closing : Olympus and JIP strive to close the Transaction by December 31, 2020.

Structuring Reform

Prior to the closing of the Transaction, Olympus plans to implement structuring reforms to the Imaging business aiming to change the business structure of Imaging business to be more profitable and sustainable. We are currently investigating costs and other impacts of the structuring reform. If any future event which requires disclosure arises, Olympus will announce it promptly.

Wednesday, June 24, 2020

Canon Camera Connect App can remotely control many EOS camera or Camcorder




Camera Connect is a unified app that connects your mobile devices to any Wi-Fi® or Bluetooth®-equipped Canon camera or camcorder. Whether you shoot with a compatible EOS camera, PowerShot camera or VIXIA camcorder, one app is all you need.

With a fresh and intuitive new interface developed for both iOS® and Android™ operating systems, Camera Connect makes it easy to see what you’ve captured, transfer photos and videos to your mobile device, and use your device to control your camera. Click here for more information from Canon.

Thursday, June 11, 2020

Canon EOS R5 and EOS R6 cameras and lens kit options coming in July 2020




Canon is expected to announce the EOS R5 and EOS R6 full frame mirrorless cameras the first week of July. The new cameras will also be sold with RF lens kits options. Pre-order will be accepted on day of announcement and delivery is expected to commence in Q3, 2020.

Canon EOS R5 and EOS R6 lens kit options :

  • Canon EOS R5 body only
  • Canon EOS R5 with RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
  • Canon EOS R6 body only
  • Canon EOS R6 with RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM

Below are the SKU for the newly registered RF lenses :

  • 4515C005 - Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 IS STM
  • 4318C005 - Canon RF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM
  • 4234C005 - Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM
  • 4112C005 - Canon RF 100-500mm f/4-7.1L IS USM
  • 3986C005 - Canon RF 600mm f/11 DO IS STM
  • 3987C005 - Canon RF 800mm f/11 DO IS STM
  • 4113C005 and 4114C005 - RF 1.4x and RF 2x