[philbaum]

Japanese 2012 market analysis: Only High End product sales didn’t decline. | sonyalpharumors

If you click on the graphs below the article, the SLR one on the right lists Pentax K5 (this must include all variants), K30 and Kr for a total of 4.5 percent.

The graph to the left is entitled "less SLR" which i take to mean mirrorless models, because thats all they list. In this chart, both the Q and the K01 are listed and said to have a total of 7.1 percent of mirrorless sales.

Japanese Companies produced 44% less cameras (14,4 Million cameras).
- The compact camera production declined by 50% (11,2 Million cameras produced).
- The DSLR and the Mirrorless production declined by 25% (3,1 Million cameras produced).
- Only High End Camera and Lens sales saw a small growth. There is a growth of 14,1% in the Full Frame Lens production while APS-C lens production felt by 21 %.
- In the Japanese DSLR segment Sony has a 6,1% share. In 2010 Sony had 7,8%. Canon (52,2%) and Nikon (33,6%) are the leaders.

This is a rather dismal situation for the whole of the camera market. I think one can only view Pentax actions with this background in mind. Again, this is not the market outside Japan, just Japan units. When they talk about High End cameras - this refers to FF only.

I'm surprised that Sony is having such a hard time with this DSLR percentage, a lot more effort than Pentax and still only 6.1 percent of DSLRs. If one adds up all the Nex models listed in the "less" chart, they have 18.4 percent of the mirrorless sales which is some consolation and probably the reason they keep putting effort into that category. Of course, they are huge in selling sensors.

If one adds up all the FF units sold in Japan, its only 6.2 percent of the DSLR sales. Sales of DSLRs are much higher outside of Japan, and i think the reason is that Japan is still in a recession so that has biased the sales.

---

Last edited by philbaum; 05-08-2013 at 08:04 AM.

[Aristophanes]

The market for all camera is maturing.

Cameraphones are eating the P&S market.

The tech curve has stabilised at more than "good enough" with regards to megapixels, ISO, AF, etc. Consumers will hold on to existing cameras and are not jumping on the next gen anywhere near as frequently.

FF is very expensive and can only make up a limited amount of unit sales. It will continue to be very expensive to supply margins.

Sony = Oldsmobile.

The Yen was overvalued.

Mirrorless is poor value in many cases.

The Japanese like smaller cameras.

Pentax is doing OK (just).

Pricing is probably a major issue.

[kenafein]

The market is saturated, and it will take more than incremental improvements for people to buy something new. I wonder how lens and accessory sales are doing.

[DeadJohn]

Looking for a possible ray of sunshine in those numbers, if the Japanese DSLR market collapses maybe Pentax/Ricoh will refocus on the USA

[RonHendriks1966]

Well not to bad figures for Pentax. K-01 made it to #20, so not doomed at all.

[RonHendriks1966]

Looking at the figures. Well when Full Frame is less then 7 % off the market then it will be hard for Pentax to get out a Full Frame K-1 and being able to come in at #20 on the list with a unit sales share off 0,7 %.

[kenafein]

Looking at the figures. Well when Full Frame is less then 7 % off the market then it will be hard for Pentax to get out a Full Frame K-1 and being able to come in at #20 on the list with a unit sales share off 0,7 %.

They've said they want it to be different from other full frame options. Perhaps if it's better or cheaper than the other options they will grow a new segment. Nikon and Canon seem to be trying to grow the full frame market share.

[konraDarnok]

Look at it from Ricoh's perspective; they've finally cracked the top 20 in camera sales.

[mamethot]

I like where the K-30 stands, not far from D3200. Maybe a good sign for the future (just if Pentax is not doomed). ;-)

[VladimirYo]

Where is Fuji?
BTW it's very OLD news http://bcnranking.jp/news/1212/121228_24511.html

[Aristophanes]

Where is Fuji?
BTW it's very OLD news 2012???????????????????????????????

They don't make DSLR's (anymore..they made one ages ago).

[boriscleto]

They don't make DSLR's (anymore..they made one ages ago).

But they do make a MILC...an extremely niche MILC.

[tuco]

But they do make a MILC...an extremely niche MILC.

What is interesting is Zeiss is now making lenses for the X-mount whereas they dropped the K-mount. I guess the frugal Pentax crowd was not cost effective anymore.

[philbaum]

Where is Fuji?
BTW it's very OLD news 2012???????????????????????????????

The charts are older but the discussion is new dated May 5, 2013 on SAR. which probably means it was a slow newsday at SAR, and they had to reinterpret older information to fill space.

[Miguel]

I can see why Pentax management is pushing the Q platform. Everything else is dismal among Pentax imaging offerings. Hopefully the new wristwatch line will be successful and be able to subsidize the camera lines.

M