Canon Celebrates 12th Straight Year of No.1 Share of Global ILC Market

[Canon Rumors]

TOKYO, March 26, 2015—Canon Inc. announced today that the Company’s interchangeable-lens digital cameras (digital SLR and compact-system cameras) have maintained the No.1 share worldwide in terms of volume within the interchangeable-lens digital camera market for the 12-year period spanning 2003 to 2014.<sup>1</sup></p>
<p>Canon develops the key components, namely the CMOS image sensors, image processors and interchangeable lenses, employed in its interchangeable-lens cameras. The most advanced of these technologies are incorporated across the Company’s entire product lineup, spanning from professional-use flagship cameras to entry-level models, enabling the Company to maintain the top global share by offering a robust product lineup that effectively responds to the needs of a wide range of users.</p>
<p><!--more--></p>
<p>In 2003, the dawn of digital SLR cameras, Canon introduced its breakthrough EOS Kiss Digital (EOS Digital Rebel or EOS 300D Digital in other regions). This groundbreaking camera, which featured a compact, lightweight design and was offered at a competitive price, set the stage for growth in the digital SLR market and enabled the Company to capture the top share of the global market. Since that time, Canon has continued to launch epoch-making new products, including the EOS-1D series of digital SLR cameras targeting professional users, and the EOS 5D series, which paved the way for digital SLR video recording thanks to its full-frame sensor employing a video-capture function.</p>
<p>In October 2014, targeting advanced-amateur users, Canon launched the EOS 7D Mark II, which has garnered high acclaim from the market for its fast continuous shooting speed of 10 frames per second and superior autofocus performance. It is thanks to Canon’s impressive camera lineup, including the EOS 7D Mark II, that the Company has maintained the No. 1 share in the market for 12 years running. Furthermore, in April 2014, Canon celebrated an impressive lens-manufacturing milestone with the production of its 100 millionth EF-series interchangeable lens for EOS cameras. The Company’s extensive EF lens-series lineup, which currently comprises a total of 97 models,<sup>2</sup> is one of Canon’s biggest strengths, helping the EOS series to realize a wide spectrum of imaging possibilities and rich visual expression.</p>
<p>Aiming to further strengthen its wide product lineup, Canon introduced five new camera models in February of this year. The new lineup comprises the EOS 5DS and 5DS R, which achieve the world’s highest pixel count among 35 mm full-frame sensor digital SLR cameras,3 the EOS 8000D (EOS Rebel T6s or 760D) and EOS Kiss X8i (EOS Rebel T6i or 750D in other regions) entry-level digital SLR cameras, and the EOS M3 digital compact-system camera, which achieves greatly enhanced AF performance.</p>
<dl class="list list02 clearfix small">
<dt>1. Based on a survey by Canon.</dt>
<dt></dt>
<dt>2. Includes EF Cinema Lenses.</dt>
<dt></dt>
<dt>3. As of February 6, 2015, based on a survey by Canon.</dt>
</dl>

 

[CaptureWhatYouSee]

We'll never get more DR!

 

[Foxdude]

How is this possible with this crap Canon sensors/bodies, Sony is soooo much better in every way...

 

[AvTvM]

Nothing more but whistling in the dark forest. ;D

Utterly ridiculous that canon celebrates its market leadership mot only in DSLRs but also imply that they got much of anything in compact system cameras (mirrorless), when EOS-M comes in way below Sony, Fuji and mFT.

 

[Eldar]

The entire market is shrinking. Canon, being the market leader is leading the way into decline. There is no one else to blame. The higher they sit, the deeper they fall (DEC, Nokia ... and a few other examples out there).

Where is the innovation and strategy to lead people back into ILC?

Sony, Samsung, Nikon ... are eating their way into this shrinking market. Yes, they have the most complete system, but they are loosing just about every single IQ comparison I have seen. Where is Canon's counter attack?

Sony and Samsung is flooring Canon in mirrorless. Where is the counter attack?

Cell phones are killing point&shoot. Where is the counter attack?

Sigma 24/1.4, 35/1.4, 50/1.4 and soon 85/1.4. Where is the counter attack?

In my view Canon is showing all the signs of a market leader falling asleep at the wheel ...

 

[sanj]

Guys. Don't say anything against Canon, the grandfather of the forum will say rude things and put you down.
You will write earnestly and politely but you will be called names.
You have been warned.

 

[MintChocs]

And they continue to be market leaders, they probably make more on each camera than the other manufacturers. Image quality is still decent enough so I can't see any improvements being made on that front. If anyone really really needs more dynamic range, you can have another system.

 

[dak723]

How is this possible with this crap Canon sensors/bodies, Sony is soooo much better in every way...

Yes, so much talk and internet testing proves this beyond a shadow of a doubt! So I bought one the other day - the new A7 II. Lot's of nice innovations and, of course, that great sensor! Too bad the lens was soft on the right side. Too bad the EVF was too dark in the daylight and too light indoors, thus reducing the advantage of WYSIWYG. Too bad the camera underexposed most shots. Too bad, in direct comparison with the shots I took with my 6D, there was no real noticeable difference in IQ (aside from the less sharp pics). Too bad I had to return the A7 II for a full refund! The biggest advantage of the Sony cameras is that the grass always seems greener on the other side.

 

[Loswr]

Careful, sanj – someone might accuse you of having a regressive mentality.

That Canon remains the market leader isn't terribly surprising, they clearly know how to develop products that a majority of customers want to buy. Many people here on CR Forums just seem unable to grasp the reality that our view simply do not represent those of that majority.

As for MILC, Sony and Olympus are clear leaders, Canon is nearly tied with Panasonic and Fuji and Samsung are barely a blip. Sony's share of MILC sales in Japan actually dropped ~10% over 2014. Keep in mind that Canon is actually fairly competitive in that space, and doing so with only one model series, not the diverse selections that the other players have. Canon probably sees no need to do more than dip a toe into what is currently still a very shallow pool (MILC is ~7% of total camera sales).

And they continue to be market leaders, they probably make more on each camera than the other manufacturers.

That may be true, but this announcement is based on volume of sales, not revenue or profit.

 

[ritholtz]

Careful, sanj – someone might accuse you of having a regressive mentality.

That Canon remains the market leader isn't terribly surprising, they clearly know how to develop products that a majority of customers want to buy. Many people here on CR Forums just seem unable to grasp the reality that our view simply do not represent those of that majority.

As for MILC, Sony and Olympus are clear leaders, Canon is nearly tied with Panasonic and Fuji and Samsung are barely a blip. Sony's share of MILC sales in Japan actually dropped ~10% over 2014. Keep in mind that Canon is actually fairly competitive in that space, and doing so with only one model series, not the diverse selections that the other players have. Canon probably sees no need to do more than dip a toe into what is currently still a very shallow pool (MILC is ~7% of total camera sales).

It is also not true about Canon not innovating. At least for crop users they innovated duel pixel sensors and stm lens. Only thing they are lacking is DR at low ISO. So they are loosing all those comparisons in DPR and DXO.
Recently DPR did exposure latitude test by pushing 5EV on 70D and E-M5 2 and declared E-M2 sensor is superior. If one looks at actual results, both are terrible. 70D is very noise and E-M52 is clean without showing any picture details.

Not sure if any one looked into Sony MILC offerings. I tried to find out alternatives for general purpose lens for kit lens (something like 17-55 IS f2.8). I am surprised that there are none. There are threads running for pages and pages recommending to live with sigma 19mm f2.8 prime or buying expensive f4 zooms. Sony kits lens scores are not great either in photozone tests. They have lot of f2.8 primes and expensive f4 zooms. Every one recommended me to get Canon 10-18. Though it is considered terrible, Canon M has very useful lens with good IQ.

 

[ritholtz]

Careful, sanj – someone might accuse you of having a regressive mentality.

That Canon remains the market leader isn't terribly surprising, they clearly know how to develop products that a majority of customers want to buy. Many people here on CR Forums just seem unable to grasp the reality that our view simply do not represent those of that majority.

As for MILC, Sony and Olympus are clear leaders, Canon is nearly tied with Panasonic and Fuji and Samsung are barely a blip. Sony's share of MILC sales in Japan actually dropped ~10% over 2014. Keep in mind that Canon is actually fairly competitive in that space, and doing so with only one model series, not the diverse selections that the other players have. Canon probably sees no need to do more than dip a toe into what is currently still a very shallow pool (MILC is ~7% of total camera sales).

It is also not true about Canon not innovating. At least for crop users they innovated duel pixel sensors and stm lens. Only thing they are lacking is DR at low ISO. So they are loosing all those comparisons in DPR and DXO.
Recently DPR did exposure latitude test by pushing 5EV on 70D and E-M5 2 and declared E-M2 sensor is superior. If one looks at actual results, both are terrible. 70D is very noise and E-M52 is clean without showing any picture details.

Not sure if any one looked into Sony MILC offerings. I tried to find out alternatives for general purpose lens for kit lens (something like 17-55 IS f2.8. I am surprised that there are none. There are threads running for pages and pages recommending to live with sigma 19mm f2.8 prime or buying expensive f4 zooms. Sony kits lens scores are not great either in photozone tests. They have lot of f2.8 primes and expensive f4 zooms. Every one recommended me to get Canon 10-18. Though it is considered terrible, Canon M has very useful lens with good IQ.

 

[ashmadux]

Fantastic.

Now how about an AFMA tool so photogs dont have to waste time with this nonsense.

Sigma can do it, why lazy canon

 

[sanj]

Neuro. Peace.
Lets forget and move on.

 

[Loswr]

Now how about an AFMA tool so photogs dont have to waste time with this nonsense.
Sigma can do it, why lazy canon

Can you share some more info on this Sigma AFMA tool?

 

[unfocused]

Now how about an AFMA tool so photogs dont have to waste time with this nonsense.
Sigma can do it, why lazy canon

Can you share some more info on this Sigma AFMA tool?

If he is talking about the Sigma lens dock, I don't think it does what he thinks it does. On the other hand, I do hope Canon soon finds a way to use DPAF to make AFMA automatic. As I understand it, DPAF guarantees that in live view, the lens plane of focus will actually fall on the sensor. (Probably not using the right terms) It does seem as though there ought to be a way to feed that data back to the lens and then adjust it for the viewfinder.

 

[unfocused]

Neuro. Peace.
Lets forget and move on.

Yikes, that's a creepy picture!

 

[unfocused]

How is this possible with this crap Canon sensors/bodies, Sony is soooo much better in every way...

Something tells me your sarcasm will go over the heads of many on this forum.

 

[AvTvM]

If he is talking about the Sigma lens dock, I don't think it does what he thinks it does. On the other hand, I do hope Canon soon finds a way to use DPAF to make AFMA automatic. As I understand it, DPAF guarantees that in live view, the lens plane of focus will actually fall on the sensor. (Probably not using the right terms) It does seem as though there ought to be a way to feed that data back to the lens and then adjust it for the viewfinder.

Yes. Actually any Canon camera with liveview would be fully capable to do full automatic in-camera AFMA. All that's needed is a rather simple piece of software. But for whatever reasons, Canon seems unable to deliver it.

Yet another wasted opportunity to create additional, massive unique sales propositions for the EOS system that would be truly useful to every serious photographer.

Just like the refusal to bring back Eye Control AF in a much improved, digital-age version 2.0

Or the strange hesitation to really push the radio wireless RT speedlite system forward - i.e. to build an RT commander into every single EOS camera and bring a smaller/cheaper 430EX-RT slave flash and a small, reliable and affordable RT-transceiver to allow owners of 580EX II/430EX II speedlites [but not third party flashes] to include those speedlites in a radio wireless flash setup.

Absolutely inexplicable, why Canon still did not implement those 3 things. Would not cost a lot, but generate massive advantages for Canon EOS users and help Canon in the marketplace.

 

[Don Haines]

yet unlike my waterproof Olympus P/S camera, Canon has yet to come out with a dedicated mode for taking pictures of cats... they really have not grasped the true meaning of photography for the internet age....

 

[Loswr]

If he is talking about the Sigma lens dock, I don't think it does what he thinks it does.

I thought that was most likely the case, but I wondered if he might have wanted to dig a deeper hole for himself before jumping in headfirst. Even more amusing is that since the Sigma dock lets you enter values for four different focus distances, it's potentially more accurate than Canon's implementation...but even more complex for someone who thinks they're getting an automagical AFMA solution.

Yes. Actually any Canon camera with liveview would be fully capable to do full automatic in-camera AFMA. All that's needed is a rather simple piece of software. But for whatever reasons, Canon seems unable to deliver it.

What makes you think they're unable? I trust you're aware that unable and unwilling aren't the same.