Camera sales by category in Japan, just my $.02 worth . . .

[AndyS]

Some very interesting numbers here. The BCN awards are based on camera sales in Japan which don't always translate into US or European numbers but tend to predict future trends.

The first category, Integrated Lens Cameras, doesn't surprise me at all. Canon makes some impressive super zoom 'bridge cameras' and still offers some P&S. Kinda' disappointed that Nikon doesn't show in the top 3.

In DSLRs Canon and Nikon aren't surprising even if they aren't producing new DSLR technology but Ricoh? Ricoh is basically Pentax (yes they're still out there with a dedicated following) and although it's not the power it once was has done some really cool stuff like star tracking. On one hand it's good to see the recognition, on the other (why always two hands?) it shows how far the DSLR technology has slipped.

For Mirrorless ICL cameras the Sony placement isn't much of a surprise and Canon's second place shows how strong that brand is with only one year into the technology. Image how strong they'll be when they figure out how stuff works! But OM in third place??? They haven't had a new camera in two years, how do they hang on to 3rd place? I guess it's a tribute to the insane brand loyalty and the low key marketing of the product via Facebook, Youtube and direct outreach (I get at least two emails a week). It's obviously not new product . . .

Video shouldn't be a surprise to anybody. Panasonic rivals pro gear (as in studio stuff) and video has been the focus from the start, "Oh, yeah, we make still pics too!" Sony has made major inroads in that market and DJI is the world leader in UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles). The embrace of UAVs for aerial photography by everybody from local police to Hollywood (not to mention the teenager looking for sunbathers) has been unprecedented. It will be interesting to see how the Canon R5C fits in next year.

Just my humble thoughts. Take with a grain or two of salt . . .

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Thanks for the info!

I suspect that since you've been in the camera business for lo these many years, your thoughts are always worth listening to.