Originally posted by monochrome Frankly, prior to the great digital conversion last decade I don't think SLR sales were 'robust'. I think we're returning to the regular SLR turnover in the west and waiting for higher growth in ASEAN countries. Canon and Nikon overbuilt to supply American soccer moms and the sensor upgrade cycle. Those soccer babies are now $50,000 a year college students and the camera is on a shelf. The big sensor R&D is directed to machine vision (autonomous cars and robots).
Cameras are too good now. It won't matter what anyone introduces. I don't need a camera until my K-1 breaks.
But...but...I still have my working Pentax S1a SLR that I bought new in 1968,
however because I became a camera enthusiast I continued buying additional camera bodies and lenses since then.
I do agree with you though.
As you have said, I also do believe that the market is returning to the regular SLR level as we saw back in the film days. I am also a vintage car enthusiast and hit a lot of outdoor hot rod shows in the summer. I've done this for years. Back in the film days, I was part of a very small group at these shows...those carrying 35mm/ medium format SLR/TLR, rangefinder 35 equipment....yes there were more who carried point and shoot 35s at the shows.
About 5-8 years ago , now in the digital days, I noted more than a few DSLR toting people at these shows....also some P&S digital cameras.
The past couple of years...it's no... and I mean ...no P& S digital cameras...but many use cell phones and many times I'm the only guy walking around with a DSLR....anymore.
Kind of like the old times....just the odd enthusiast with a SLR.
The novelty of a sophisticated DSLR has worn off for most who dipped their toe in this pricey water and now they use their excellent little Cell phone cameras....and as you say their novelty DSLR sits alone and unloved, on a shelf or in a closet.
Me...I've got a cell phone camera...never use it though. It's hard to break my almost 50 year habit of carrying and using sophisticated cameras....Pentax SLR's, Olympus, Leica Rangefinder, Mamiya medium format, etc...and now in the digital age....one of my Pentax DSLR bodies mit lens.