The characteristics of conventional lenses and mirrors cannot be altered after they have been manufactured, so the optical system must be adjusted in order to focus cameras and other optical products. In contrast, the active optical system based on lenses and mirrors with variable focus requires no adjustment of the optical system since the focal length of the optical system changes itself. And by using this active optical system, we can produce compact, lightweight and yet durable optical products.

Olympus Future Creation Laboratory
Kimihiko Nishioka, Chief Optical Researcher