The latest available financial statement shows the chill wind of economic downturn is biting Olympus too. In it's first quarterly financial statement for 2008/2009, Olympus says "Consolidated net sales for the Imaging Systems Business was 72,116 million Yen (an 11.7% decrease over the previous year), while operating income was 9,766 million Yen (down by 34.4%). Although the number of compact digital cameras and digital single-lens reflex cameras sold did not change from last year, revenues suffered due to a higher yen and a drop in unit prices. Operating income decreased due to lower revenue and higher raw material prices."

Source: Consolidated Financial Results for the First Quarter of the Fiscal year Ended March 31, 2009.

Is the digital 'Christmas' over, or is this a blip which technological radicalism will punch its way through?