Or, it's just fiction to boost the preorders.
It's not like Olympus has a good record of disclosure.
Think about it from a corporate standpoint:
- This announcement creates a demand for early orders.
- customers who get theirs in January will be thrilled.
- customers who have to wait have been warned. Their expectations have been managed. It's always good to have happy customers. It's better to underpromise and overdeliver than vice versa.
- the demand provides a good rational to increase the price. Supply and demand.
- this could encourage more purchases of the already released 100-400. Numerous posters who, upon seeing the price of the 150-400, commented they were now ordering the 100-400.
No one who' already preordered knows if they ordered in time to avoid the alleged delay. That ambiguity is great corporate cover.
Consumers items are often marketed as "limited supplies" in order to boost the demand.
I enjoy my gear, most of which is Olympus and all very reliable. But I trust Olympus products, not its public statements.