Originally posted by TaoMaas I haven't really followed it, but I don't doubt that. I just feel like camera technology has evolved to a point where people don't feel the need to upgrade as often as they were so that's slowing things down at the top end and the improved abilities of smart phones are eating up the entry-level sales. I also feel that if there's going to be any growth for these companies, it's likely to come from expanding their video capabilities and bringing in new users that way. I think that's part of what's behind the move to mirrorless cameras. We're living in more of a multi-media world these days and the camera makers are trying to build the tools for that...with varying degrees of success apparently.
You are right that camera technology has matured to the point that people don't need to upgrade as often.
However, I doubt the video can bring in many new users.
Smartphones are an even bigger threat to the video camera world than they are to the still camera world. Small-sensor devices are superior for video -- it's easier to read a small sensor extremely fast (and harder to do so with a big sensor). Some smartphones now offer 960 FPS super-slow-motion that no APS-C or FF camera could ever even dream of doing. Small sensor devices are also superior for many action-video genres such as drone and action-sports video -- it's a lot easier to mount a 2.6 ounce Go-Pro on a drone or bike/ski helmet than a 2.6 pound ILC & lens.
For the stills photographer, "good" video features only add expense and compromise such as the added electronics and ports for professional audio or the added constraints on lens designers if they must eliminate focus breathing. Thus, adding video might attract a few new video users but it might also reduce upgrade-purchases by stills photographers that don't want to pay the higher price required for decent video.