Olympus has previously indicated that the alliance, announced in September 2012, would mean the companies working together.
[NEWS UPDATE 29 MAY: Olympus remains tight-lipped on whether it will supply lens parts for Sony compact system cameras, as well as fixed-lens compacts, after Amateur Photographer sought clarification from Olympus Japan yesterday. An Olympus Japan spokesperson said the firm will not disclose such information]
Sony already supplies imaging sensors to Olympus, a collaboration that is set to expand.
Asked whether – in light of restructuring plans announced on 15 May – the alliance will mean the companies working on the development of compact system cameras as well as fixed-lens compacts, an Olympus Tokyo spokesperson said yesterday: ‘In the imaging business, the mutual parts supply has been partially started between Sony and Olympus…
‘The imaging sensor has already started to source from Sony to Olympus. And the lens [parts] and lens units will start to source from Olympus to Sony.’
Speaking last year, Olympus president Hiroyuki Sasa said the tie-up would give Olympus ‘greater business synergy in the core business domains of medical and imaging’.
He added: ‘In the field of digital cameras, we will seek to achieve collaboration in a manner that further improves the competitiveness of the two companies.’
The deal meant Sony Corporation became the largest shareholder in Olympus, giving it nearly 35 million shares and 11.46% of overall voting rights.
