The State of the Camera Industry in 2014

[old-pr-pix]

This is quite interesting. The decline in DSLR-sales is tremendous. Does anyone have data from pre-digital age wich compare for instance SLR-sales vs. simple cameras like the Kodak instamatic?

According to CIPA statistics, during the ILC peak around 1997-2000 (just prior to digital domination) about one out of eight film cameras sold was an interchangeable lens camera (mostly SLR). I can't read the footnotes to tell if disposable cameras are officially counted as "cameras" or if they are counted as "film sales." I suspect they are counted as film.

CIPA statistics go back to 1951, for anyone interested their English language website is: http://www.cipa.jp/stats/dc_e.html

 

[jeffa4444]

The 10 year average for film SLRs was 8.8M. Before the introduction of the Canon AE-1 the average was 5.6M.

 

[mclaren777]

The mirrorless market isn't growing the way some people (eg, sponsored photographers) like to claim. However, that's not going to stop them from beating the same drum again this year.

 

[Loswr]

The prediction from 2009: the rise of mirrorless means the end of the dSLR in five six seven years someday.

 

[old-pr-pix]

The 10 year average for film SLRs was 8.8M. Before the introduction of the Canon AE-1 the average was 5.6M.

I'm not sure whose data you are referencing. Here is the chart from the CIPA 2015 forecast to manufacturers. According to their data. shipments of all ILC's reached a peak of 7.5 million units in 1981 - this includes 35 mm SLR, rangefinder, and medium format, i.e. mostly 35 mm SLR's. Key Canon introductions were the AE-1 in 1976 and the A-1 (which added Program mode for first time) in 1978. AE-1 Program came along in 1981. By my eye, it looks like the 30 year average (1975-2005) is somewhere around 4.5 million. Please tell me if I'm missing something.

I assume the orange dash line is to show how far current ILC shipments would need to fall to match the previous peak level.

 

[dolina]

^^ you should also overlay world population as well.

I'd love to see how Asia breaks down into per country with HK, TW from CN as separate camera markets.

 

[jeffa4444]

The 10 year average for film SLRs was 8.8M. Before the introduction of the Canon AE-1 the average was 5.6M.

I'm not sure whose data you are referencing. Here is the chart from the CIPA 2015 forecast to manufacturers. According to their data. shipments of all ILC's reached a peak of 7.5 million units in 1981 - this includes 35 mm SLR, rangefinder, and medium format, i.e. mostly 35 mm SLR's. Key Canon introductions were the AE-1 in 1976 and the A-1 (which added Program mode for first time) in 1978. AE-1 Program came along in 1981. By my eye, it looks like the 30 year average (1975-2005) is somewhere around 4.5 million. Please tell me if I'm missing something.

I assume the orange dash line is to show how far current ILC shipments would need to fall to match the previous peak level.

Agreed CIPA stats should be more accurate mine came from GfK data.

 

[Ivan Muller]

I think what this shows about Canon is that they are playing it safe with mirrorless R&D spend in a declining camera market..we might not like it but from their pov it makes good business sense especially with the wildly optimistic mirrorless growth predictions...obviously Canon's internal predictions were more accurate and that's why perhaps they are taking mirrorless r&d and production slowly and also why its not being released in the usa...it just doesn't make economic sense yet...it would seem the mirrorless fans,although very vocal, are few and far between especially in the West.

 

[chukronos]

Not surprised at all. The DSLR market is still greater than it was in 2009.

The DSLR market had to be expected to decline. I am certain that Canon, Nikon, etc expected it. They were marketing inexpensive DSLR's as a pro-ish camera to be used like a point and shoot.

How many people bought an inexpensive dslr and thought that their new cameras would make their kids look like celebrities, their pigeon closeup awe-inspiring, their cats able to finally haz cheezburger, and their landscapes automatically publication ready?

I know many people that just use their phone camera now. All because their "good" camera doesn't make their photos look as good as it should.

I hate it when cameras don't do their jobs. I guess I was lucky and got one of the good ones.

 

[jeffa4444]

All of the photography market is suffering VITEC Group report sales declines in tripods, bags etc. for 2014 and dont see any improvement in 2015.

 

[davidmurray]

All of the photography market is suffering VITEC Group report sales declines in tripods, bags etc. for 2014 and dont see any improvement

Going by the number of camera bags ive been buying for my one camera body I guess that means it's been just me and maybe one other propping up the industry.

 

[Loswr]

Going by the number of camera bags ive been buying for my one camera body I guess that means it's been just me and maybe one other propping up the industry.

I suspect I'm that other person….

 

[awinphoto]

Going by the number of camera bags ive been buying for my one camera body I guess that means it's been just me and maybe one other propping up the industry.

I suspect I'm that other person….

Neuro, in my household, that right there would be grounds for a divorce lol