Official: Ricoh set to amass Pentax camera brand and business, get thinking about digital imaging

Reuters is reporting a little bit board room activity in Japan this morning, that can, by the top of today, lead to Ricoh purchasing the Pentax brand and camera business from current owner and proprietor Hoya Corporation. The worldwide news agency points out that Hoya’s initial acquisition of Pentax , back in 2007, was primarily motivated by its eagerness to obtain Pentax’s medical technology, and although the company’s had a slew of strong products since then, it probably is sensible for Hoya to pass the digicam work directly to someone who might feel more invested in it. For its part, Ricoh also has a well respected line of digital compacts, but lacks the DSLR lineage and experience that Pentax brings. Provided this deal goes through as rumored, and Reuters has three sources who say it’s imminent, the one question we’ve to ponder is whether or not the Pentax naming will take over for Ricoh’s slightly less recognizable branding or vice versa.

Update: That was quick! Hoya has confirmed the sale . Thanks, Ben! It’s as reported earlier: Hoya will hang directly to the rights to fabricate and develop products for the medical field, while Ricoh is gobbling up the Pentax Imaging Systems products in order to expanding its presence within the consumer camera market.

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This post is tagged: camera business, digital camera market, imaging systems, initial acquisition, medical technology