[interested_observer]

WHILE by no means a flop, the most innovative idea to come out of the Japanese camera industry in decades—the mirrorless digital camera—has not exactly taken the photographic world by storm. By dispensing with the mirror in front of the shutter of a digital single-lens reflex (SLR) camera—which redirects the image created by the lens to an optical viewfinder above, before flipping briefly out of the way for a picture to be taken—the mirrorless camera promised to be lighter, smaller and quieter, with a specification only marginally less than its bulkier big brother at the pricier end of the market.

• Difference Engine: Mirror, mirror on the wall | The Economist

[Franky2step]

Interesting that this article made it into "The Economist". No mention of Fuji or Ricoh.

[boriscleto]

There was one mention of Fuji and Ricoh.

[Franky2step]

There was one mention of Fuji and Ricoh.

I stand corrected

[monochrome]

No mention of Fuji or Ricoh.

There was one mention of Fuji and Ricoh.

I stand corrected

"Indeed, with entry-level SLRs priced as loss-leaders (to lock customers into a manufacturer's system of camera mounts and lenses), mirrorless cameras are being forced into market niches. By no measure are their makers (Panasonic, Sony, Olympus, Fujifilm and Ricoh in Japan, plus Samsung in South Korea) on the verge of collapse. All are part of large electronics groups. But lacking robust sales, industry watchers fear they could be starved of research and development funds. Were that to happen, the innovation they have brought to the photographic world could falter."

[monochrome]

Interesting that this article made it into "The Economist".

It is likely that, in a Production Meeting when the Agenda turned to ideas for future articles, an Editor or Producer who shoots with a Nex or something similar suggested, "We could do someting on Mirrorless Cameras."

[JPT]

It's pretty well-written compared to most articles about the camera business that come from the financial press.

The Economist is one of the few publications that seems to have the capability to do proper background research in Japan. So many news stories about Japan seem to rely on the same handful of analysts from securities companies or are derived from other stories.

[ElJamoquio]

• Difference Engine: Mirror, mirror on the wall | The Economist

43% less area = 30% less area
$7000/2 = $2300
Phase detect is too expensive, except when it's in a mirrorless camera.


Sweet jeebus business school must be too easy.