Originally posted by clickclick There was a time I could not conceive that Kodak would become practically irrelevant to the world of photography. I hope Nikon is able to do what is necessary to stay in the game. I don't perceive them having issues as a boon for Pentax. Just the opposite. The gut says we're witnessing global shifts in technology, manufacturing, demand etc. Survival of conventional camera makers may truly be dependent on identifying and satisfying niche markets.
It isn't as dire as that though.. Nikon was positioned for the heyday of momtog and everybody-has-to-have-a-big-digital-camera' mentality that peaked around 2010 or 2011. As the low end side of the market shrunk, popularity as a sideline status symbol waned, and DSLRs on the whole have matured to the point they are 'good enough' ... all of this has slowed sales for Nikon.
Today they are, like Ricoh, trying to find the right size for the market with the right products for that market. Ricoh is ahead on the size aspect.. but I think they are behind in technology and brand recognition. Canon probably should be concerned.. I think they are closer to Kodak in boardroom thinking. Nikon seems to see the issues and is trying to adjust (hence closing of a factory and downsizing the staff).
Basically, the popular trend has shifted away from big/dedicated cameras, back to only people buying who are really serious or interested in photography today. The market shrunk from the peak. But surely it is just going back to roughly the size it was pre-digital boom before many consumers latched on to the idea that big camera = better photos of my kids. Canon, Nikon, Pentax, etc were there in the past. Nothing is stopping them from still being there... as long as they adapt to buyer expectations.
I wonder though.. hypothetically.. IF the market shifted heavily to full Mirrorless ILCs. Pentax could be the majority player in DSLRs. I just don't see Pentax shifting heavily to mirrorless and a new mount. They seem to be currently spending a lot of time and money getting K mount DSLR lenses just right.. which tells me they are into DSLRs for the long haul.