Actually "Made in Germany" was forced onto the Germans as a warning initially. The quality of their work changed it from a warning into a label of pride and as such of quality, craftmanship etc.I think you are confused about Germany.
You are probably correct as I'm not a historian but a few things did occur:I think you are confused about Germany.
Personally, and I know this has no rational reasoning behind it, but I like the fact that my 5DSs are made in Japan.
How many months has the R5 sensor been out?Spoiler alert: The Canon R5 sensor is in no way inferior to Sony sensors.
And Nikon use Sony sensors...
The bulk of the market was for consumer cameras. Smartphones ate into it that's why almost all of today's point and shoots are positioned for the premium market with large sensors or specialized with super zooms or under water.That is such a distorted view of the market.
Yes it has been in decline for a decade, but it underwent unprecedented growth before that. In reality the market is returning to historical norms.
Canon have diversified very successfully. Sony sensor division was spun off years ago and has nothing to do with their camera division.
Corporations moving production to leverage cheaper facilities and labor is a time tested tradition, nothing particular startling or surprising in the announcement at all. Nikon are only talking about consolidating production in Thailand where the bulk of their manufacture ring was already done anyway.
For a period of time Sony image sensors for smartphones were the preferred image sensors for flagship smartphones like the iPhone.Senors in digital cameras are commodity silicon products and are in no way "superior tech." But since you mentioned Apple, their new M1 SOC is very much superior tech, and innovation like that is why they take the lion's share of the margins on their products. Sony's just another contract supplier.
I'm sure this is a cost-saving measure. They will probably save quite a bit on labor costs.
They aren't closing the Japanese factory and already produce some of their biggest hits our of the Thailand one. Also this isn't like they are outsourcing; they own the factory in Thailand. It likely has better connections for parts too as they'll be hundred factories around it. Rather than needing to wait a month for screws to come into Japan from China.
Until now, body manufacturing has been carried out at "Sendai Nikon" in Miyagi Prefecture and "Nikon Thailand (NTC)" in Thailand, but in order to reduce costs, it will be concentrated at the Thai factory...
...The Sendai production plant (Sendai Nikon) will transfer the camera production that has continued for about 40 years to the Thai plant, but will continue to produce the high-performance and high-precision parts required for video products.
Number of globally shipped cameras, lenses and accessories have been in decline YoY.This move by Nikon could potentially mean more competitive pricing, so it would be 'great' for photographers etc. However, as with most competition, it would likely end with with only a few players left through mergers and/or buyouts. When that happens, the monopolistic power of the remaining players would mean much higher prices for consumers. We'd better enjoy it while it lasts.
For a period of time Sony image sensors for smartphones were the preferred image sensors for flagship smartphones like the iPhone.
That is how Sony was able to raise R&D money to improve their larger image sensor cameras.
The law of comparative advantage is still valid today assuming free trade. Setting aside tariffs/importation duties and subsidies for local production, competition will always mean chasing lower costs if quality can be maintained or at an acceptable level. The latter is always the key issue!It's always a sad affair for the local population that is affected when manufacturing gets moved overseas as there would be a loss of jobs for those in the sectors concerned. Even if 'replacement' manufacturing can somehow emerge (which is not necessarily the case), it would be a different group of workers who benefit. It's true that such offshoring makes financial sense for the company involves, but it follows an economic model that lawfully requires corporations to make money for shareholders. Whatever practices that can gain a financial advantage legally, even if ethically questionable, would be pursued eventually by someone willing to strive towards greater profits regardless of social costs.
This move by Nikon could potentially mean more competitive pricing, so it would be 'great' for photographers etc. However, as with most competition, it would likely end with with only a few players left through mergers and/or buyouts. When that happens, the monopolistic power of the remaining players would mean much higher prices for consumers. We'd better enjoy it while it lasts.
Bankruptcy I can understand.2020 will be a record worst year for the global digital still camera market. Would not be surprised when 2021 comes about that smaller brands will either file for bankruptcy or be bought out by Canon or Sony.
The only reason Sony or Canon would buy one of the smaller camera manufacturers is patents.Bankruptcy I can understand.
Not sure why Canon or Sony would buy them though. Are there product niches that Canon or Sony don't currently cover that would be attractive? Manufacturing capacity wouldn't be an issue in a declining market
Medium format maybe? I don't know how fast that market is declining - if at all.
Bankruptcy I can understand.
Not sure why Canon or Sony would buy them though. Are there product niches that Canon or Sony don't currently cover that would be attractive? Manufacturing capacity wouldn't be an issue in a declining market
Medium format maybe? I don't know how fast that market is declining - if at all.
How are you defining tech leader? Ohh....you mean dominance by iso invariance / DR...that old chestnut that helped Nikon and Sony sell way more DSLR's / Sensor than Canon.....NOT!How many months has the R5 sensor been out?
How many years has Sony's mirrorless image sensors been the tech leader?
Nikon uses in-house image sensors and Sony sensors when economically applicable.
It makes a lot of sense to produce outside of Japan and Nikon have with Z been moving to a almost just in time production. And the Nikon build quality has been really high with the Made in Thailand editions, all the Z glass is really top form.
They aren't closing the Japanese factory and already produce some of their biggest hits our of the Thailand one. Also this isn't like they are outsourcing; they own the factory in Thailand. It likely has better connections for parts too as they'll be hundred factories around it. Rather than needing to wait a month for screws to come into Japan from China.