Dismal Camera Industry Sales Numbers

Ted Striker

Ted Striker

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The latest camera sales numbers are in and the bloodletting that the industry has been undergoing the past several years shows no signs of letting up. There's still a massive contraction in the camera market with revenues down severely. Something has *got* to give.



What is going to save the traditional camera industry? Can it be saved?

  • Canon down 23%
  • Sony down 7%
  • Nikon down 21%
  • Fujifilm down 3%
  • Olympus down 24%
  • Ricoh (Pentax) up 4%
  • Overall camera shipments (CIPA) were down 25% in dollars
  • Overall lens shipments (CIPA) were down 13% in dollars
 
Canon Nikon continue to build larger and larger cameras and lenses that now ,
approach the look of long large mirror lenses that outweigh the user..
Sony has never corrected it's coded menu, a holdover from Minolta.
Maybe others have found the Enigma machine, but sadly not me and everybody else..
Strangely no numbers from Leica, but they so small, almost insignificant in numbers..
Ricoh/Pentax up! I guess making cameras and lenses for some small company..

The phone camera is devastatingly good, handy, small and loaded with superb photoshops..
Until the companies re-think, it's way of dinosaurs..
 
leicapixie said:
The phone camera is devastatingly good, handy, small and loaded with superb photoshops..
Until the companies re-think, it's way of dinosaurs..
Click to expand...


Very true. I have not shot my Fuji X100 in years, since I got my iPhone. Why carry another camera when the iPhone produces incredible results.
 
If we ignore the obvious low-end camera vs. cell phone issue that results in lower sales numbers, I think the biggest “problem” for the industry is their success at producing cameras that are so good that there is little reason to upgrade. Until a major innovation comes through, such as global shutters, I don't think sales numbers will change much.

Let's hope the manufacturers never consider a “subscription model” for cameras... $1 per day of usage for your camera body?
 
leicapixie said:
The phone camera is devastatingly good, handy, small and loaded with superb photoshops..
Until the companies re-think, it's way of dinosaurs..
Click to expand...

Yeah, absolutely, for the vast majority of people there is no point in having a stand alone camera. Each advancement in phone hardware and software eats another chunk out of the traditional camera companies.

Canon, Nikon, Fuji etc will probably follow the Leica route - ever expensive 'luxury' cameras for an increasingly small niche market.
 
Very true. I have not shot my Fuji X100 in years, since I got my iPhone. Why carry another camera when the iPhone produces incredible results.
Click to expand...
Because it's not much fun making pictures with a phone. And, as you know, high-end phones sales -with enhanced camera capabilities, are tanking.
 
Mass production and consumption belongs to mobile phones. If you need regular subject picture or video for sharing on social media, no cameras are needed.
Manufacturers who are only making consumer products are in trouble. Those who are in professional market are not. For those who are not aware, professional cameras are also made for broadcast, production and film industry. Canon is one of manufactures. Cameras and Lenses.
Panasonic also makes cameras for this market. And they are not cheap.

Those who are wining about camera and lens size needs to realize what quality comes with size. And image quality is not something always visible on mobile phones and tablets :)
 
Peter Wijninga said:
Because it's not much fun making pictures with a phone. And, as you know, high-end phones sales -with enhanced camera capabilities, are tanking.
Click to expand...



I don't think the fun factor really comes into it ... that's a perspective unique to people like us who actually enjoy using a real camera. The average Joe or Jill couldn't give a fig about the form factor of what they use to capture an image ... they just want the image and everyone carries a smart phone these days.
 
I dunno folks, maybe the old line companies need a gimmick.
Hey! I’ve got it! They could go back to and promote film. I’d like a brand new, factory fresh OM-1n.
I’ll flap my arms and fly to the moon to, about the same time that happens.
 
The phone camera is devastatingly good, handy, small and loaded with superb photoshops..
Until the companies re-think, it's way of dinosaurs..
Click to expand...

You got it.

I’d also add tablet computers like the iPad.
 
Peter Wijninga said:
...tanking.
Click to expand...


camerasalesfeat-800x420.jpg
 
And if ... tariff threats from this past weekend, that'll add 25% to the price of iPhones and some other smartphones sold here in the States. I think that will put a big damper on smartphone sales.

Best,
-Tim
 
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