WHATS NEXT FOR M43, after Olympus, what future is left?


After Panasonic fumbled with the Full Frame S9, Canon now fumbled with its Full Frame Flagship, the R1.
This is precisely why I keep saying that it is not be good idea for Olympus to Full frame.
Not only the Full Frame market is very competitive, any manufacturer would need to ensure that it is being
positioned properly.

 

After Panasonic fumbled with the Full Frame S9, Canon now fumbled with its Full Frame Flagship, the R1.
This is precisely why I keep saying that it is not be good idea for Olympus to Full frame.
Not only the Full Frame market is very competitive, any manufacturer would need to ensure that it is being
positioned properly.


Just go to show Petapixel has the goli to call out canon, it cannot behave like a prima Donna. This happens when canon is not in touch with reality. Their target niche which are photo journalists are not well paid and the cameras are provided by news agencies. Canon calling this " a business strategy" = BS. 🤪
 

Jimmy Cheng is a OMDS ambassador and apparently he is allowed to use other brands.
And I think his reasoning is very well said. We are creative people and should not be restricted by a brand or format.
Jimmy also mentioned that he wished Sirui would make the sames lenses for M43.
And he probably would not hesitate to use M43 anytime if it meets all his needs.

 

Lumix S9 is a terribly confused product. Reviewers even say so - openly. The Panasonic company is not clear what is its objective in creating S9.
But if Panasonic can address the blatant errors such as lack of EVF, lack of mechanical shutter, lack of hot shoe, lack of headphone jack etc...
The camera can be bigger with a grip.

Panasonic tried to concoct a new frenzy about LUT in-camera - as though it is the next big craze. Panasonic failed in this.
The public reaction so far is .... meh? Who cares about LUT in-camera? Don't waste my time.
If Panasonic produces a S9 Mk2 with improvements, there may be a chance. Otherwise S9 will die.

I agree S9 is a failure.
Because the Panasonic creators did not know what they wanted to achieve.
Ended up with a Frankenstein.

----------------

Canon R1 is a narrowly targeted product aimed at niche segment of customers. Sports photographers and news agency reporters.
Just in time for Olympics in France and US election in Nov 2024.
In that sense, the R1 is not a failure. Because Canon designers knew what is it they wanted to achieve.

Sports photographers and news agency reporters must get the vital critical photo related to a major event.
They can take 10,000 other beautiful photos but if they miss that 1 news-worthy photo, then they may get fired.
Canon traded Megapixels for high fps.

R1 can transmit over Wifi 6.
R1 has in-camera Upscaling and Neural Network Noise Reduction feature.
Clean images with a resolution of approximately 96MP even when shooting at ISO 102,400.

Actually Canon has the financial muscle and the technology expertise to create a variant R1.
Maybe with very high MP sensor (say 80MP) - if they want to.
Currently Canon already offers R5 Mk2 - 45 megapixels.

----------------

As for OMDS continuing to make MFT cameras.
MFT die-hard fans can continue to say how much they like micro 4/3. Go ahead. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.
Do not confuse this personal die-hard liking with the life+death of a business entity.

A company needs to be able to sell its products in order to survive.
Less than 1% market share is not encouraging.
Look, the now-dead Olympus Camera Division continued to make terrible losses for about 10 years.

If something Olympus Camera Division already tried was proven NOT to work (MFT cannot sell cameras).
Then OMDS stupidly continuing to do the same will not produce a different result.
OMDS will face total failure.

When the consumer market already showed its preference for Full Frame cameras.
Why is OMDS obstinately refusing to acknowledge this observation?

One more thing.
The money that the now-dead Olympus Camera Division lost over about 10 years did not come out of its CEO's personal bank account.
He was happily losing other people's money. Grandiosely declaring that Olympus will continue making MFT cameras.

This is very irresponsible.
No wonder the shareholders were angry.
 

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Since this is a M43 thread, I shall keep the reply pertaining to M43 only.

M43 fans are not confused on personal die-hard liking with life+death of a business entity.
A lot of M43 users and even ambassadors have different sensor-format cameras, depending on their needs.
M43 cameras to us is just another tool for us to use to take photos, just like my GoPro and Insta360 X3.
When I buy all these cameras, I do not think of whether I have a die-hard liking or whether the entity will die or not.
ALL my cameras lasted me at least 3 years or more, and they have enabled me to capture pictures in various situations.

Don't have the mindset that Full Frame is the one and only format suitable for all needs and situations of capturing photos.

Currently Full Frame is the most popular format, but does that mean that everyone must force themselves to use Full Frame.
Why do you think vloggers and content creators are using smaller cameras like the Sony ZV-1, ZV-10 etc intead of Full Frame?
Should Sony stop manufacturing the ZV series which forms more than 40% of its camera sales?
Should Fujifilm stop manufacturing their APS-C cameras and move to Full Frame?
Should Fujifilm stop manufacturing its fixed lenses APSC X100vi which it has about half million pre-orders?
Should DJI, GoPRo and Insta360 where their cameras are used by many vloggers all discontinue and move to Full Frame?
All these are NOT full frame cameras.

If they are NOT full frame and manufacturers continue to manufacture, why should you insist that Olympus should have stopped manufacturing and move to full frame? Even with a 1% market share of 7.87 million camera sold last year, OMDS sold about 78,000 camera. x $2000 average price = $156 million annual revenue!!!! And lenses have not been include yet.

Are you asking OMDS to write off $156 million annual avenue and start from scratch in Full Frame with Zero revenue? Is that a wise business decision or are you the one which is very confused. LOL.

Also, Don't forget that OMDS now is using contract manufacturing and no longer have to keep a factory and a huge workforce and carefully managed by JIP, a venture capital company.

As for OMDS continuing to make MFT cameras.
MFT die-hard fans can continue to say how much they like micro 4/3. Go ahead. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.
Do not confuse this personal die-hard liking with the life+death of a business entity.

A company needs to be able to sell its products in order to survive.
Less than 1% market share is not encouraging.
Look, the now-dead Olympus Camera Division continued to make terrible losses for about 10 years.

If something Olympus Camera Division already tried was proven NOT to work (MFT cannot sell cameras).
Then OMDS stupidly continuing to do the same will not produce a different result.
OMDS will face total failure.

When the consumer market already showed its preference for Full Frame cameras.
Why is OMDS obstinately refusing to acknowledge this observation?

One more thing.
The money that the now-dead Olympus Camera Division lost over about 10 years did not come out of its CEO's personal bank account.
He was happily losing other people's money. Grandiosely declaring that Olympus will continue making MFT cameras.

This is very irresponsible.
No wonder the shareholders were angry.
 

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The Switchlens is an attachment that transform a mobile phone into a M43 camera and collected over US$670K pre-orders.

Looks like the M43 mount is still a very attractive proposition because of the wide range and quality lenses available :)


Isn't that Alice camera suppose to come out with that long ago?
 

Isn't that Alice camera suppose to come out with that long ago?
Yes, the Alice Camera came out first at $845!!!! (not very appealing).
I am really better off buying a used M43 camera at this price, and do not need to tie up my phone.

I think the Switchlens is only $199, which attracted a lot more backers.
 

In 2008 MFT was a good innovation.
There were a few good years immediately after 2008, for MFT.
But the camera business landscape changed with passage of time.

Since 2008, things happened that destroyed MFT.

• MFT may have hoped to occupy the lower end of the market. That was taken away by rapid advancement in mobile phones. With cheap China made Android phones, each year you get better performance at a lower price. Their phone cameras were good enough for non-fussy users.

• In 2013 Sony began making FULL FRAME MIRRORLESS digital interchangeable lens cameras. Sony quickly made improvements over a series of models. Now with A1 and A9 Mk3. Even their mid range is formidable with A7R5.

• In 2018 Canon & Nikon began making FULL FRAME MIRRORLESS digital interchangeable lens cameras. With their GIGANTIC user bases and wonderfully designed new R and Z mounts.

• In 2012 Canon made EOS M camera (now discontinued) with APS-C sensor.
In May 2023 Canon announced the EOS R100. Canon also made R50 and R10. All 3 with APS-C sensor.
In 2019 Nikon made Z50 with APS-C sensor. Also made Z30.
In 2020 Sony made A7C, and A7C II in 2023. Full Frame sensor.
Some of these camera bodies are smaller and/or cheaper than some MFT cameras.
All of them have a sensor that is bigger than MFT.
Long ago MFT lost the { MFT body is smaller } debate.

• Some MFT lenses are VERY expensive. Many MFT lenses are expensive.
Consumers ask themselves - if I pay so much for a MFT lens to use with a lousy small MFT sensor, then why don't buy a Full Frame camera + lens?

• The winding up of Olympus Camera Division. Now JIP/OMDS is like a patient that for all practical purposes, already died - but is kept artificially "alive" by life support machines in ICU. It sends a signal to new buyers that this is not a system that you want to buy and get into. MFT cameras and lenses have little or no second hand value. Panasonic has found an escape hatch called L mount alliance to tactfully concentrate 95% o their company resources to Full Frame. While letting MFT die a natural death.
 

I think you got a lot of things wrong!

1) Since 2010, not only m43 but ALL camera sales regardless of format has dropped 87%.

2) It was not Olympus hope to occupy the cheap market, but a more compact camera.

3) Yes, some Olympus lenses are expensive, but they either offer size and weight savings or have some unique features. For the same price why don't buy Full Frame? Yes, if sensor size is your only concern, you should buy Full Frame. Obviously you have missed several features I have mentioned which I prioritize over sensor size eg. 120 FPS shooting in RAW. Once you add the cost of the Sony A9iii that offer 120FPS plus an equivalent 600mm F4 lenses, the cost is a few times more than the OM-1 with a 600mm F4 equivalent lenses. Problem is you did not compare apple to apple and blinded by your prejudice.

4) OM System is NOT in ICU and has kept itself alive for 4 years without parent company Olympus pumping in more money. Venture Capitalist JIP can't easily pump in more money as the amount they invest in each company is per-approved and fixed.

In 2008 MFT was a good innovation.
There were a few good years immediately after 2008, for MFT.
But the camera business landscape changed with passage of time.

Since 2008, things happened that destroyed MFT.

• MFT may have hoped to occupy the lower end of the market. That was taken away by rapid advancement in mobile phones. With cheap China made Android phones, each year you get better performance at a lower price. Their phone cameras were good enough for non-fussy users.

• In 2013 Sony began making FULL FRAME MIRRORLESS digital interchangeable lens cameras. Sony quickly made improvements over a series of models. Now with A1 and A9 Mk3. Even their mid range is formidable with A7R5.

• In 2018 Canon & Nikon began making FULL FRAME MIRRORLESS digital interchangeable lens cameras. With their GIGANTIC user bases and wonderfully designed new R and Z mounts.

• In 2012 Canon made EOS M camera (now discontinued) with APS-C sensor.
In May 2023 Canon announced the EOS R100. Canon also made R50 and R10. All 3 with APS-C sensor.
In 2019 Nikon made Z50 with APS-C sensor. Also made Z30.
In 2020 Sony made A7C, and A7C II in 2023. Full Frame sensor.
Some of these camera bodies are smaller and/or cheaper than some MFT cameras.
All of them have a sensor that is bigger than MFT.
Long ago MFT lost the { MFT body is smaller } debate.

• Some MFT lenses are VERY expensive. Many MFT lenses are expensive.
Consumers ask themselves - if I pay so much for a MFT lens to use with a lousy small MFT sensor, then why don't buy a Full Frame camera + lens?

• The winding up of Olympus Camera Division. Now JIP/OMDS is like a patient that for all practical purposes, already died - but is kept artificially "alive" by life support machines in ICU. It sends a signal to new buyers that this is not a system that you want to buy and get into. MFT cameras and lenses have little or no second hand value. Panasonic has found an escape hatch called L mount alliance to tactfully concentrate 95% o their company resources to Full Frame. While letting MFT die a natural death.
 

There is a call for OMDS to launch a Pen-II on Kickstarter.

I thought this is a very good idea because:
1) OMDS would have gotten the funds like Alice and Switchlens before committing to manufacturing
2) M43 has a very wide rage of TINY lenses
3) it offers a unique advantage over the Fujifilm X100vi and Leica D-lux 8 with fixed lenses
4) even though the Sony ZV series has been popular, there is very limited compact lenses available

I will definitely get one if it is on kick starter because sometimes I just want a fun camera with interchangeable lenses.

 

In my opinion this is just click bait by m43 rumours. Olympus decided based on penF sales that it is a failure so no matter what photo enthusiasts say now they are not going to be persuaded. If penF is such a hit why then did the fans did not buy in large numbers to show that it's a good camera, the past reviews tell why.

By the kind of comments made by people, they are barking up the wrong tree. Now here is a bit of news even if it is a rumour. Apple although it has collaborated with Sony on the camera sensor for 10 years as revealed by apple CEO they have decided this time around use Samsung's sensor. Why? Perhaps it is the bulk pricing or Samsung has some technology and most important is it is willing to work with apple on their vision which is a win - win partnership. Also apple thinks consumers want the final look of photos as if it is post edited in pc. So Apple has taken a leaf from Leica which is known for their signature Leica "look" and Apple is also trying to get an "apple look" to distinguish it from other smartphones. OMDS being Japanese will not do like Apple does just saying.

“We replicate as much as we can to what the photographer will do in post,” Apple’s Vice President, Camera Software Engineering Jon McCormack told PetaPixel earlier this year. “There are two sides to taking a photo: the exposure, and how you develop it afterwards. We use a lot of computational photography in exposure, but more and more in post and doing that automatically for you. The goal of this is to make photographs that look more true to life, to replicate what it was like to actually be there.”


Richard Wong explains why there will not likely going to be another compact m43 camera.
He has a Masters degree in Electronic engineering.

Thread views have crossed 107k. ✌️


There is a call for OMDS to launch a Pen-II on Kickstarter.

I thought this is a very good idea because:
1) OMDS would have gotten the funds like Alice and Switchlens before committing to manufacturing
2) M43 has a very wide rage of TINY lenses
3) it offers a unique advantage over the Fujifilm X100vi and Leica D-lux 8 with fixed lenses
4) even though the Sony ZV series has been popular, there is very limited compact lenses available

I will definitely get one if it is on kick starter because sometimes I just want a fun camera with interchangeable lenses.

 

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The Olympus Pen F was introduced in 2016. At that time photographers were clamoring on bigger sensor and higher megapixel.
8 years later, a fixed lenses camera Fujifilm x100vi gathered 500,000 pre-order sales.
Sony's compact ZV series almost overtaken it's Full Body Mirrorless sales.
These are signs that market trend have changed. Bigger sensor and higher megapixel is no longer the priority, usually with Vloggers and Content Creators.
What they want is a handy and compact (yet capable enough) camera they can bring along with in their activities and show how much fun they are having.

This could be the time to bring back the Pen F, to offer an alternative to some photographers who wants a compact mirrorless with interchangeable lenses.

In my opinion this is just click bait by m43 rumours. Olympus decided based on penF sales that it is a failure so no matter what photo enthusiasts say now they are not going to be persuaded. If penF is such a hit why then did the fans did not buy in large numbers to show that it's a good camera, the past reviews tell why.

By the kind of comments made by people, they are barking up the wrong tree. Now here is a bit of news even if it is a rumour. Apple although it has collaborated with Sony on the camera sensor for 10 years as revealed by apple CEO they have decided this time around use Samsung's sensor. Why? Perhaps it is the bulk pricing or Samsung has some technology and most important is it is willing to work with apple on their vision which is a win - win partnership. Also apple thinks consumers want the final look of photos as if it is post edited in pc. So Apple has taken a leaf from Leica which is known for their signature Leica "look" and Apple is also trying to get an "apple look" to distinguish it from other smartphones. OMDS being Japanese will not do like Apple does just saying.




Richard Wong explains why there will not likely going to be another compact m43 camera.
He has a Masters degree in Electronic engineering.

Thread views have crossed 107k. ✌️

 

These are signs that market trend have changed. Bigger sensor and higher megapixel is no longer the priority, usually with Vloggers and Content Creators.
What they want is a handy and compact (yet capable enough) camera they can bring along with in their activities and show how much fun they are having.

Your key operative sentence " yet capable enough" which Richard Wong had explained cannot be realised in a compact body simply because of physical limits hence the Panasonic S9. Even then when Panasonic explains their rationale for design decisions people say oh why did not include evf, flash hot shoe, etc. It will be the same for penF MK2. Then some will point out Lumix GM5, got evf , got mechanical shutter up to 1/500 sec plus electronic shutter, blah, blah, blah. Only available in black. Still people bitch about GM5.

 

The PenF is 125 x 72 x 37mm housing a M43 sensor.
The Sony ZV-E10ii is 121 x 68 x 54mm housing a APSC Sensor.
They are about the same size except for the thickness, which comes from the grip to house a bigger battery.

If Sony is able to squeeze in all the features of the ZV-E10ii into that body size, I am quite sure it is technically possible for OMDS to do it.
Most of the features on the Sony ZV-10ii are actually software programming on a fast enough processor, which can be implemented on the Pen F ii.

Yes, I could have gotten the ZV-E10ii. My only gripe is there is no EVF and APSC lenses are still a little large for my intended purpose.
After all, this is a "FUN" camera to capture moments while I am having fun and do not want to lug around anything clunky.
Your key operative sentence " yet capable enough" which Richard Wong had explained cannot be realised in a compact body simply because of physical limits hence the Panasonic S9. Even then when Panasonic explains their rationale for design decisions people say oh why did not include evf, flash hot shoe, etc. It will be the same for penF MK2. Then some will point out Lumix GM5, got evf , got mechanical shutter up to 1/500 sec plus electronic shutter, blah, blah, blah. Only available in black. Still people bitch about GM5.

 

This will make MFT die-hard fans happy.
A casual search of YouTube gives the following videos (not exhaustive).
There are probably hundreds (if not thousands) of them if you were to do a 100% check.

Why I Switched From Full Frame To Micro Four Thirds
I switched to Micro Four Thirds from full frame,
Do I Miss Shooting Full Frame Since Switching to Micro Four ...
Why I Switched To Micro Four Thirds
How I SWITCHED Micro Four Thirds (and Why I'm not ...
My Story Why I switched to Micro Four Thirds | Micro 4/3
Why Did I Switch To Micro Four Thirds While Living In A Full Frame World?
Why I Switched from a Canon DSLR to Olympus Micro Four Thirds
PENTAX K1 to PANASONIC G9: Aussie Landscape
Switching to Micro Four Thirds The Shoot That Convinced
This Camera Changed My Mind About Micro Four Thirds
I Ditched Full Frame for Micro Four Thirds... Was it A Mistake?
Why I Switched to Micro Four Thirds from a Nikon Full Frame ...
My Story Why I switched to Micro Four Thirds
1 Reason I Don't Switch to Full Frame and STAY With Micro ..

No other camera manufacturers indulge in YouTube marketing in such an over-the-top way.
The video uploaders are not internationally reputed world class photographers from Magnum.
They are probably casual hobbyists who want to make some extra money $.

Instead of spending money on making good Full Frame sensor cameras,
MFT manufacturers indulge in these marketing tactics.
Maybe MFT manufacturers pay money to people to make + upload such videos. It is a known marketing method.

Don't believe what they say in the videos. To them it is a job.
It is just video entertainment. And should be treated as such.
It is merely ACTING. As in Hollywood movies. In the video they say what the boss/employer/client wants them to say.

After they collect their $ for the video, they go back to using their other full frame cameras from Canon/Nikon/Lumix/Leica/Sony.
You would not know what they actually use, after uploading the video.
It is not illegal because they have a right to change their minds 1 day after making and uploading the video.

Do such scams still work?
No.
Consumers are not stupid.

If what they say was true and going by the huge number of such marketing videos.
Then logically the world wide market share for MFT in 2023 should be reported as cornering 80% of the market.
Which in reality, is obviously not the case.

Anyway the worldwide market share each year for past 10 years show MFT has a very low market share (now maybe less than 1%).
It will get worse for next 10 years in future,
After next 10 years, MFT may not be around anymore.
 

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Anyway the worldwide market share each year for past 10 years show MFT has a very low market share (now maybe less than 1%).
It will get worse for next 10 years in future,
After next 10 years, MFT may not be around anymore.

Well, the poison seed has been sown since the introduction of m43 because the other formats see m43 as a threat if it catches the imagination of the masses just like Fujifilm with x100vi did. So the other formats are fighting over whatever share of f the dwindling photography pie.

I am neither sad or happy because I accept that the only constant in life is change. So whether m43 want to change direction or create new photographic niches is their call.

Just like Pentax, the die hard dSLR champion that has recognised it needs to find new niches. Thus the K3 MK3 monochrome fullframe and the film camera Pentax17.

Even Leica cannot always depend on fullframe and has introduced Leica compact camera Dlux8 in m43 format.

While someone commented that Sony may be thinking of abandoning it's E mount as it has already a complete list of lenses and cannot depend just on camera bodies to be profitable.


At the same time someone said is fullframe an upgrade?

 

Ricohflex, you are giving the impression that you buy camera based on their youtube videos and market share?
And the most popular camera is the most suitable one for you?
And because Canon is currently the most popular brand, you will use it for Action Sports like mounting it to a mountain bike and surf board?

If you look back at all your posts, you have not talk about one feature of M43 camera which is a benefit to any photographer, meaning either you totally do not understand or totally ignore because of your prejudice.

For me and a lot of photographers I know, we look at what are the lenses available for that camera system followed by which one has the features I need for the kind of photography I am going to use it for.

When I was interested in birding, I look for cameras with crop factor of 1.5 or 2x to get the furthest reach, followed by fast focus with bird id, and fast fps.
When I was doing trekking, I want the smallest Interchangeable Lens Camera and the compact lenses available.
Why would I want to look at what Canon has to offer just because it has the highest market share, but do not have the features or lenses I need?

And why do I even want to go thru so many videos below?
I can almost for sure say that none of the M43 users I know ever look at those videos why do I switch from xxx to M43?
Why do I even care? What is suitable or not suitable for one person may not be suitable for me!!!!!

Being paid to make videos? How much? You already say it does not work......
Aren't you contradicting yourself???? LOL

When JIP took over Olympus Imaging, you have posted that it will last only 1 year.
After 3 years, you have now set its death to 10 years.
When 10 years is up, are you going to change it to 30 years? LOL





This will make MFT die-hard fans happy.
A casual search of YouTube gives the following videos (not exhaustive).
There are probably hundreds (if not thousands) of them if you were to do a 100% check.

Why I Switched From Full Frame To Micro Four Thirds
I switched to Micro Four Thirds from full frame,
Do I Miss Shooting Full Frame Since Switching to Micro Four ...
Why I Switched To Micro Four Thirds
How I SWITCHED Micro Four Thirds (and Why I'm not ...
My Story Why I switched to Micro Four Thirds | Micro 4/3
Why Did I Switch To Micro Four Thirds While Living In A Full Frame World?
Why I Switched from a Canon DSLR to Olympus Micro Four Thirds
PENTAX K1 to PANASONIC G9: Aussie Landscape
Switching to Micro Four Thirds The Shoot That Convinced
This Camera Changed My Mind About Micro Four Thirds
I Ditched Full Frame for Micro Four Thirds... Was it A Mistake?
Why I Switched to Micro Four Thirds from a Nikon Full Frame ...
My Story Why I switched to Micro Four Thirds
1 Reason I Don't Switch to Full Frame and STAY With Micro ..

No other camera manufacturers indulge in YouTube marketing in such an over-the-top way.
The video uploaders are not internationally reputed world class photographers from Magnum.
They are probably casual hobbyists who want to make some extra money $.

Instead of spending money on making good Full Frame sensor cameras,
MFT manufacturers indulge in these marketing tactics.
Maybe MFT manufacturers pay money to people to make + upload such videos. It is a known marketing method.

Don't believe what they say in the videos. To them it is a job.
It is just video entertainment. And should be treated as such.
It is merely ACTING. As in Hollywood movies. In the video they say what the boss/employer/client wants them to say.

After they collect their $ for the video, they go back to using their other full frame cameras from Canon/Nikon/Lumix/Leica/Sony.
You would not know what they actually use, after uploading the video.
It is not illegal because they have a right to change their minds 1 day after making and uploading the video.

Does such scams still work?
No.
Consumers are not stupid.

If what they say was true and going by the huge number of such marketing videos.
Then logically the world wide market share for MFT in 2023 should be reported as cornering 80% of the market.
Which in reality, is obviously not the case.

Anyway the worldwide market share each year for past 10 years show MFT has a very low market share (now maybe less than 1%).
It will get worse for next 10 years in future,
After next 10 years, MFT may not be around anymore.
 

Below is a camera youtuber saying how much he made. He is probably making videos on Fujifilm (which has definitely more advertising budget than M43 camera manufacturers.

1. Notice where most of his revenue comes from (from Donations and Ads)
2. Notice he hardly get any money from the brand he is promoting (1 review that gave him $400 and he said he wont do again)

All this is inline with what an established photographer (my ex-customer told me). The amount they get is usually just a small token on time spent, to cover meals and transport allowances for conducting the workshop or creating the video. All of them receive much more revenue from donations, ads and from their professional work.

What they get in return from the manufacturer is
1) to remain in the manufacturer's network to get first hand information (product launch and firmware updates etc) and promotions
2) equipment loan

So they will only do it for the brands which they actually use.

Ps. OMDS hardly have any marketing budget under JIP. So don't imagine wild things they are offering huge rewards or luxurious holidays for reviewers to post false reviews to promote their products. False reviews are usually quickly shot down by viewers!


 

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