Olympus AIR A01

Name: Olympus AIR A01
Brand: Olympus

The Olympus AIR A01 is a finderless 16MP Micro Four Thirds interchangeable-lens camera that clips onto a smartphone and uses it as the display and control surface. It was announced initially for Japan only. Olympus called it an experiment in open-platform photography and promised an SDK and 3D data release for hack-and-make projects. It is also tiny: 2.2 inches in diameter, 1.7 inches tall, and just 0.4 pounds (147g). TechRadar said that's lighter than a small jar of baby food.

The idea is simple. Instead of a traditional camera with an LCD, Olympus built a lens-shaped body with a Micro Four Thirds mount and a 16.1MP Live MOS sensor paired with the TruePic VI processor. You attach it to your phone with a grippy clip, pair over Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and control everything through the companion OA Central app. There is a physical shutter button for a more traditional feel, and an "AIR Coupler" accessory let you mount a smartphone at a 45° angle. It shoots full HD 1080p video at up to 30 fps, has an 81-point AF system, bursts at 10 fps, and its electronic shutter reaches 1/16000. Images go to a microSD card or straight to your phone. Olympus claimed up to 320 shots per charge.

The approach echoed what Sony had done with its QX line the year before. *PCMag* (September 28, 2015) reviewed the AIR A01 and noted that the small mirrorless camera omits an LCD and includes a clip to attach to a smartphone, which brings some inherent drawbacks. The US launch came in July at $299.99 body-only, or $499.99 with the 14-42mm EZ kit lens. Canada followed in August at CA$399.99 body-only or CA$599.99 with the lens.

No production run dates or discontinuation details are documented. The AIR A01 never spawned the open-platform ecosystem Olympus seemed to be reaching for.

16.1MP Digital Live MOS sensor (Four Thirds), TruePic VI processor
Micro Four Thirds mount — accepts M.Zuiko and other M43 lenses
Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth; no LCD or viewfinder
81-point AF, 10 fps burst, electronic shutter to 1/16000
Full HD 1080p video at 30 fps; microSD storage
Dimensions: 56mm diameter × 43mm tall; 147g
Released Japan (March, ¥33,800), US (July, $299.99 body), Canada (August, CA$399.99 body)