Press: Record Growth in Expanding Mirrorless Digital Camera Market!

Clavius · 06-04-2015, 03:33 AM

Press: Sony Boasts Record Growth in Expanding Mirrorless Digital Camera Market!

Press: Sony Boasts Record Growth in Expanding Mirrorless Digital Camera Market! | sonyalpharumors

SAN DIEGO, June 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Electronics – an overall leader in digital imaging and the world’s largest image sensor manufacturer – is experiencing record growth in sales of mirrorless cameras, a rapidly expanding segment of the interchangeable lens camera (ILC) business.

According to The NPD Group, overall mirrorless camera revenue has grown 16.5% over the past 12 months, with DSLR sales declining approximately 15% over the same period. During this time, Sony has experienced a robust 66% boost in their company’s mirrorless camera sales, strengthening their dominant position as the #1 overall mirrorless brand, a position they have held for 4 consecutive years.
“Growth in the mirrorless segment shows this new technology and form factor are resonating with consumers,” said Ben Arnold, executive director, The NPD Group. “Going forward, mirrorless will continue to command a greater share of the interchangeable lens camera category.”

On top of the sales momentum, InfoTrends’ customer surveys demonstrate how strong innovation in the mirrorless space is continuing to attract a younger and more photo active ILC customer. The latest data shows that over 61% of first time ILC buyers are under the age of 35, up from 54% approximately two years ago. Key motivating factors for their photography include travel and family.
“First time buyers in today’s ILC market will play an integral part in future growth of the segment, especially considering the increasingly younger customers that are buying into new systems,” said Ed Lee, group director of the Consumer and Professional Imaging group at InfoTrends.

This news comes on the heels of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) decision to recognize “Mirrorless” as the official term for interchangeable lens cameras that do not include a mirror mechanism.
“This information shines a spotlight on where the mirrorless market has been, where it is today, and the bright future it presents,” said Neal Manowitz, director of the still image business at Sony Electronics. “Our business continues to thrive based on strong innovation and the unique value propositions we are delivering with products like the a7 series and the a6000. Their impressive imaging credentials allow photo enthusiasts, hobbyist and professionals to capture content in ways they never before thought possible.”
Source: Prnewswire.com

---------- Post added 04-06-15 at 10:35 ----------

Seems like the evolution as it was expected.

derelict · 06-04-2015, 07:17 AM

I made the switch. Do not miss my DSLR at all.

GeneV · 06-04-2015, 08:00 AM

I have a foot in both waters.

Winder · 06-04-2015, 08:25 AM

The gap in sales is going to get a lot bigger over the next few years. MILC manufacturers still have a lot of work to do, but they are moving very quickly. Sony has stumbled around for years, but the A7 line seems to be a home run for the company. The FE lenses are all very, very good and by the end of they year they will have 20 native FE lenses. With the Sony/Zeiss 25mm, 35mm, 55mm, & 85mm my lens needs are complete.

normhead · 06-04-2015, 09:54 AM

At some point Pentax will have one.

Clavius · 06-05-2015, 12:10 AM

Originally posted by Winder

The gap in sales is going to get a lot bigger over the next few years. MILC manufacturers still have a lot of work to do, but they are moving very quickly. Sony has stumbled around for years, but the A7 line seems to be a home run for the company. The FE lenses are all very, very good and by the end of they year they will have 20 native FE lenses. With the Sony/Zeiss 25mm, 35mm, 55mm, & 85mm my lens needs are complete.

The gap is going to get bigger a lot faster this time. DSLRs are slowly turning into a niche. Whilst MILCs are increasingly getting churned out and sold by higher numbers, enabling lower prices.

**Rondec** · 06-05-2015, 03:54 AM

Maybe this will speed up the release of the K-02.

Winder · 06-05-2015, 06:02 AM

Originally posted by Clavius

The gap is going to get bigger a lot faster this time. DSLRs are slowly turning into a niche. Whilst MILCs are increasingly getting churned out and sold by higher numbers, enabling lower prices.

DSLR manufacturers (Canon, Nikon, Ricoh) have been slow to react, but once they do we might see some considerable innovation come out. I don't know how much farther they can take the OVF, but there has to be some way they can improve it. Going from my A7II to a K-3 I definitely notice the smaller view finder more than the difference between OVF/EVF.

We will see who has the best understanding of the market and who has the best marketing. Fuji is a good example of a company that knows what photographers want, knows the market, and knows how to market. They went for 0% o the market share a few years ago to 8% and expect to double that in the next 2 years. Samsung is a good example of a company that turns out a lot of technology, but doesn't seem to understand the market or what photographers want. Sony is somewhere in between.

derelict · 06-05-2015, 06:16 AM

Originally posted by Rondec

Maybe this will speed up the release of the K-02.

The K mount is their problem. They need a new system.

Winder · 06-05-2015, 08:36 AM

Originally posted by derelict

The K mount is their problem. They need a new system.

Yes. You have to have lenses that were designed for a mirrorless system AF. Lenses designed for PDAF DSLRs don't work well on a PDAF/CDAF MILC. Even using Sony's own adapter for A-mount to E-mount the performance is pretty awful.

Clavius · 06-05-2015, 10:20 AM

Originally posted by Winder

Yes. You have to have lenses that were designed for a mirrorless system AF. Lenses designed for PDAF DSLRs don't work well on a PDAF/CDAF MILC. Even using Sony's own adapter for A-mount to E-mount the performance is pretty awful.

This is my gripe here. By the time Canon, Nikon and Pentax are awake and rub the sleep from their eyes, Sony will have built a complete range, learnt from all their mistakes and be fully matured.

derelict · 06-05-2015, 10:34 AM

Originally posted by Clavius

This is my gripe here. By the time Canon, Nikon and Pentax are awake and rub the sleep from their eyes, Sony will have built a complete range, learnt from all their mistakes and be fully matured.

Not to mention Panasonic, Olympus, and the others. More M4/3 stuff comes out all the time.

Winder · 06-05-2015, 11:13 AM

Originally posted by Clavius

This is my gripe here. By the time Canon, Nikon and Pentax are awake and rub the sleep from their eyes, Sony will have built a complete range, learnt from all their mistakes and be fully matured.

Fuji is apparently serious about a medium format mirrorless. They don't want to compete in the FF market and will skip it completely. In 2 years we have finally have a medium format mirrorless the size of a typical FF DSLR.

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06-04-2015, 03:33 AM	#1
Clavius Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: De Klundert Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,150	Press: Record Growth in Expanding Mirrorless Digital Camera Market! Press: Sony Boasts Record Growth in Expanding Mirrorless Digital Camera Market! Press: Sony Boasts Record Growth in Expanding Mirrorless Digital Camera Market! \| sonyalpharumors SAN DIEGO, June 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Electronics – an overall leader in digital imaging and the world’s largest image sensor manufacturer – is experiencing record growth in sales of mirrorless cameras, a rapidly expanding segment of the interchangeable lens camera (ILC) business. According to The NPD Group, overall mirrorless camera revenue has grown 16.5% over the past 12 months, with DSLR sales declining approximately 15% over the same period. During this time, Sony has experienced a robust 66% boost in their company’s mirrorless camera sales, strengthening their dominant position as the #1 overall mirrorless brand, a position they have held for 4 consecutive years. “Growth in the mirrorless segment shows this new technology and form factor are resonating with consumers,” said Ben Arnold, executive director, The NPD Group. “Going forward, mirrorless will continue to command a greater share of the interchangeable lens camera category.” On top of the sales momentum, InfoTrends’ customer surveys demonstrate how strong innovation in the mirrorless space is continuing to attract a younger and more photo active ILC customer. The latest data shows that over 61% of first time ILC buyers are under the age of 35, up from 54% approximately two years ago. Key motivating factors for their photography include travel and family. “First time buyers in today’s ILC market will play an integral part in future growth of the segment, especially considering the increasingly younger customers that are buying into new systems,” said Ed Lee, group director of the Consumer and Professional Imaging group at InfoTrends. This news comes on the heels of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) decision to recognize “Mirrorless” as the official term for interchangeable lens cameras that do not include a mirror mechanism. “This information shines a spotlight on where the mirrorless market has been, where it is today, and the bright future it presents,” said Neal Manowitz, director of the still image business at Sony Electronics. “Our business continues to thrive based on strong innovation and the unique value propositions we are delivering with products like the a7 series and the a6000. Their impressive imaging credentials allow photo enthusiasts, hobbyist and professionals to capture content in ways they never before thought possible.” Source: Prnewswire.com ---------- Post added 04-06-15 at 10:35 ---------- Seems like the evolution as it was expected.

06-04-2015, 07:17 AM	#2
derelict Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: NoVa Posts: 525	I made the switch. Do not miss my DSLR at all.

06-04-2015, 08:00 AM	#3
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	I have a foot in both waters.

06-04-2015, 08:25 AM	#4
Winder Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 6,617	The gap in sales is going to get a lot bigger over the next few years. MILC manufacturers still have a lot of work to do, but they are moving very quickly. Sony has stumbled around for years, but the A7 line seems to be a home run for the company. The FE lenses are all very, very good and by the end of they year they will have 20 native FE lenses. With the Sony/Zeiss 25mm, 35mm, 55mm, & 85mm my lens needs are complete.

06-04-2015, 09:54 AM	#5
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	At some point Pentax will have one.

06-05-2015, 12:10 AM	#6
Clavius Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: De Klundert Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,150 Original Poster	Originally posted by Winder The gap in sales is going to get a lot bigger over the next few years. MILC manufacturers still have a lot of work to do, but they are moving very quickly. Sony has stumbled around for years, but the A7 line seems to be a home run for the company. The FE lenses are all very, very good and by the end of they year they will have 20 native FE lenses. With the Sony/Zeiss 25mm, 35mm, 55mm, & 85mm my lens needs are complete. The gap is going to get bigger a lot faster this time. DSLRs are slowly turning into a niche. Whilst MILCs are increasingly getting churned out and sold by higher numbers, enabling lower prices.

06-05-2015, 03:54 AM	#7
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,650	Maybe this will speed up the release of the K-02.

06-05-2015, 06:02 AM	#8
Winder Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 6,617	Originally posted by Clavius The gap is going to get bigger a lot faster this time. DSLRs are slowly turning into a niche. Whilst MILCs are increasingly getting churned out and sold by higher numbers, enabling lower prices. DSLR manufacturers (Canon, Nikon, Ricoh) have been slow to react, but once they do we might see some considerable innovation come out. I don't know how much farther they can take the OVF, but there has to be some way they can improve it. Going from my A7II to a K-3 I definitely notice the smaller view finder more than the difference between OVF/EVF. We will see who has the best understanding of the market and who has the best marketing. Fuji is a good example of a company that knows what photographers want, knows the market, and knows how to market. They went for 0% o the market share a few years ago to 8% and expect to double that in the next 2 years. Samsung is a good example of a company that turns out a lot of technology, but doesn't seem to understand the market or what photographers want. Sony is somewhere in between.

06-05-2015, 06:16 AM	#9
derelict Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: NoVa Posts: 525	Originally posted by Rondec Maybe this will speed up the release of the K-02. The K mount is their problem. They need a new system.

06-05-2015, 08:36 AM	#10
Winder Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 6,617	Originally posted by derelict The K mount is their problem. They need a new system. Yes. You have to have lenses that were designed for a mirrorless system AF. Lenses designed for PDAF DSLRs don't work well on a PDAF/CDAF MILC. Even using Sony's own adapter for A-mount to E-mount the performance is pretty awful.

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06-05-2015, 10:20 AM	#11
Clavius Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: De Klundert Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,150 Original Poster	Originally posted by Winder Yes. You have to have lenses that were designed for a mirrorless system AF. Lenses designed for PDAF DSLRs don't work well on a PDAF/CDAF MILC. Even using Sony's own adapter for A-mount to E-mount the performance is pretty awful. This is my gripe here. By the time Canon, Nikon and Pentax are awake and rub the sleep from their eyes, Sony will have built a complete range, learnt from all their mistakes and be fully matured.

06-05-2015, 10:34 AM	#12
derelict Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: NoVa Posts: 525	Originally posted by Clavius This is my gripe here. By the time Canon, Nikon and Pentax are awake and rub the sleep from their eyes, Sony will have built a complete range, learnt from all their mistakes and be fully matured. Not to mention Panasonic, Olympus, and the others. More M4/3 stuff comes out all the time.

06-05-2015, 11:13 AM	#13
Winder Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 6,617	Originally posted by Clavius This is my gripe here. By the time Canon, Nikon and Pentax are awake and rub the sleep from their eyes, Sony will have built a complete range, learnt from all their mistakes and be fully matured. Fuji is apparently serious about a medium format mirrorless. They don't want to compete in the FF market and will skip it completely. In 2 years we have finally have a medium format mirrorless the size of a typical FF DSLR.