Camera sales are revealing.

In 2010, there were 8 times more DSLRs than Mirrorless. In 2016, the numbers evened out but dropped for both, with 12 million DSLRs and 11 million Mirrorless cameras. Apparently, Nikon is solely focusing on the DSLR market. Not sure about Canon, however, in the DSLR market Sony has relegated Nikon to 3rd. place behind Sony at #2 and the reigning champ, Canon.

The DSLR market share is taking a beating. The Mirrorless promise of market dominance likewise. The interchangeable lens DSLR/Mirrorless market is falling off. In 2016 there has been a significant drop in those camera sales of 12%, yes, in a single year! Total cameras manufactured dropped a startling 35% in 2016 alone. Between 2013 and 2016 Mirrorless camera production fell off 4% and DSLR sales with over four times as much at 17%.

The entire camera market (DSLR/Mirrorless & non-interchangeable lens cameras) took an astounding hit of 81% (from 121 million to 23 million) between 2010 and 2016. This number is reflective a massive drop in non-interchangeable lens camera manufacturing due to poor sales with the DSLR/Mirrorless sales remaining pretty steady over the same time frame. Having said this, the Mirrorless component has not really kept up with its promise of market domination and enjoyed only marginal gains over that time frame.

Compared to 2015, in 2016 there was 35% drop in shipped cameras, which is pretty significant. There is also 12% decrease in shipped lenses. Market share over this time frame indicates DSLR sales at 21% vs Mirrorless at 5% in 2013 vs. DSLR at 34% and Mirrorless with 13% in 2016. Clearly, the market for cameras is being hit hard by the upcoming "runt" of the litter, the smartphone.

Other issues impact on this fall from grace for the DSLR/Mirrorless camera contingent. Smartphones are winning the battle with better technology with every new generation. Young people are attracted to smartphone technology and portability and are much less enamoured of single-use cameras. To be clear, it isn't cool to be seen with a camera. It is difficult to identify empirical evidence, however, aside from professionals, the younger generation isn’t generally interested in cameras. They prefer using their smartphones for taking photos. This is not the case only when taking snapshots, but even at the point when they actually get really interested in photography.

The DSLR market is shrinking. This is quite obvious, but contrary to common opinion, it’s not only because of the rise of the Mirrorless. It’s likely a combination of several reasons. With smartphone sales up 5% in 2016 a younger generation is not interested in lugging around a large format camera rig. The Mirrorless market is taking a bite out of the DSLR market, although not as much as was anticipated. The DSLR manufacturers are slower to update technology than either the Mirrorless or the Smartphone makers. Many DSLR owners remain satisfied with their older cameras since the newer models don’t seem to offer cost-effective upgrades.

The future may not bode well for the DSLR market and to a lesser degree the interchangeable lens Mirrorless camera market. It is apparent that camera manufacturers will continue to lose market share and cut jobs and product as a result. Nikon apparently is not even "interested" in the Mirrorless market. Nikon is laying off personnel. Recently, Samsung quietly dropped out of the camera market due to the smartphone "killing" their camera sales. I predict there will be more to come in the coming few years.

Notwithstanding how many Flikr users post, the "writing" is on the wall. As the art of photography changes with new generations, increased social media, and improved Smartphone cameras, single-use cameras as we know them will take a huge hit. As sales drop the costs will rise furthering the dilemma faced by major camera manufacturers. If the trend carries on, there could be some significant changes in the market by the end of this quickly fading decade.

Camera sales are revealing.

In 2010, there were 8 times more DSLRs than Mirrorless. In 2016, the numbers evened out but dropped for both, with 12 million DSLRs and 11 million Mirrorless cameras. Apparently, Nikon is solely focusing on the DSLR market. Not sure about Canon, however, in the DSLR market Sony has relegated Nikon to 3rd. place behind Sony at #2 and the reigning champ, Canon.

The DSLR market share is taking a beating. The Mirrorless promise of market dominance likewise. The interchangeable lens DSLR/Mirrorless market is falling off. In 2016 there has been a significant drop in those camera sales of 12%, yes, in a single year! Total cameras manufactured dropped a startling 35% in 2016 alone. Between 2013 and 2016 Mirrorless camera production fell off 4% and DSLR sales with over four times as much at 17%.

The entire camera market (DSLR/Mirrorless & non-interchangeable lens cameras) took an astounding hit of 81% (from 121 million to 23 million) between 2010 and 2016. This number is reflective a massive drop in non-interchangeable lens camera manufacturing due to poor sales with the DSLR/Mirrorless sales remaining pretty steady over the same time frame. Having said this, the Mirrorless component has not really kept up with its promise of market domination and enjoyed only marginal gains over that time frame.

Compared to 2015, in 2016 there was 35% drop in shipped cameras, which is pretty significant. There is also 12% decrease in shipped lenses. Market share over this time frame indicates DSLR sales at 21% vs Mirrorless at 5% in 2013 vs. DSLR at 34% and Mirrorless with 13% in 2016. Clearly, the market for cameras is being hit hard by the upcoming "runt" of the litter, the smartphone.

Other issues impact on this fall from grace for the DSLR/Mirrorless camera contingent. Smartphones are winning the battle with better technology with every new generation. Young people are attracted to smartphone technology and portability and are much less enamoured of single-use cameras. To be clear, it isn't cool to be seen with a camera. It is difficult to identify empirical evidence, however, aside from professionals, the younger generation isn’t generally interested in cameras. They prefer using their smartphones for taking photos. This is not the case only when taking snapshots, but even at the point when they actually get really interested in photography.

The DSLR market is shrinking. This is quite obvious, but contrary to common opinion, it’s not only because of the rise of the Mirrorless. It’s likely a combination of several reasons. With smartphone sales up 5% in 2016 a younger generation is not interested in lugging around a large format camera rig. The Mirrorless market is taking a bite out of the DSLR market, although not as much as was anticipated. The DSLR manufacturers are slower to update technology than either the Mirrorless or the Smartphone makers. Many DSLR owners remain satisfied with their older cameras since the newer models don’t seem to offer cost-effective upgrades.

The future may not bode well for the DSLR market and to a lesser degree the interchangeable lens Mirrorless camera market. It is apparent that camera manufacturers will continue to lose market share and cut jobs and product as a result. Nikon apparently is not even "interested" in the Mirrorless market. Nikon is laying off personnel. Recently, Samsung quietly dropped out of the camera market due to the smartphone "killing" their camera sales. I predict there will be more to come in the coming few years.

Notwithstanding how many Flikr users post, the "writing" is on the wall. As the art of photography changes with new generations, increased social media, and improved Smartphone cameras, single-use cameras as we know them will take a huge hit. As sales drop the costs will rise furthering the dilemma faced by major camera manufacturers. If the trend carries on, there could be some significant changes in the market by the end of this quickly fading decade.

Camera sales are revealing.

In 2010, there were 8 times more DSLRs than Mirrorless. In 2016, the numbers evened out but dropped for both, with 12 million DSLRs and 11 million Mirrorless cameras. Apparently, Nikon is solely focusing on the DSLR market. Not sure about Canon, however, in the DSLR market Sony has relegated Nikon to 3rd. place behind Sony at #2 and the reigning champ, Canon.

The DSLR market share is taking a beating. The Mirrorless promise of market dominance likewise. The interchangeable lens DSLR/Mirrorless market is falling off. In 2016 there has been a significant drop in those camera sales of 12%, yes, in a single year! Total cameras manufactured dropped a startling 35% in 2016 alone. Between 2013 and 2016 Mirrorless camera production fell off 4% and DSLR sales with over four times as much at 17%.

The entire camera market (DSLR/Mirrorless & non-interchangeable lens cameras) took an astounding hit of 81% (from 121 million to 23 million) between 2010 and 2016. This number is reflective a massive drop in non-interchangeable lens camera manufacturing due to poor sales with the DSLR/Mirrorless sales remaining pretty steady over the same time frame. Having said this, the Mirrorless component has not really kept up with its promise of market domination and enjoyed only marginal gains over that time frame.

Compared to 2015, in 2016 there was 35% drop in shipped cameras, which is pretty significant. There is also 12% decrease in shipped lenses. Market share over this time frame indicates DSLR sales at 21% vs Mirrorless at 5% in 2013 vs. DSLR at 34% and Mirrorless with 13% in 2016. Clearly, the market for cameras is being hit hard by the upcoming "runt" of the litter, the smartphone.

Other issues impact on this fall from grace for the DSLR/Mirrorless camera contingent. Smartphones are winning the battle with better technology with every new generation. Young people are attracted to smartphone technology and portability and are much less enamoured of single-use cameras. To be clear, it isn't cool to be seen with a camera. It is difficult to identify empirical evidence, however, aside from professionals, the younger generation isn’t generally interested in cameras. They prefer using their smartphones for taking photos. This is not the case only when taking snapshots, but even at the point when they actually get really interested in photography.

The DSLR market is shrinking. This is quite obvious, but contrary to common opinion, it’s not only because of the rise of the Mirrorless. It’s likely a combination of several reasons. With smartphone sales up 5% in 2016 a younger generation is not interested in lugging around a large format camera rig. The Mirrorless market is taking a bite out of the DSLR market, although not as much as was anticipated. The DSLR manufacturers are slower to update technology than either the Mirrorless or the Smartphone makers. Many DSLR owners remain satisfied with their older cameras since the newer models don’t seem to offer cost-effective upgrades.

The future may not bode well for the DSLR market and to a lesser degree the interchangeable lens Mirrorless camera market. It is apparent that camera manufacturers will continue to lose market share and cut jobs and product as a result. Nikon apparently is not even "interested" in the Mirrorless market and is laying off personnel. Recently, Samsung quietly dropped out of the camera market due to the smartphone "killing" their camera sales. I predict there will be more to come in the coming few years.

As the art of photography changes with new generations, increased social media, and improved Smartphone cameras, single-use cameras as we know them will take a huge hit. As sales drop the costs will rise furthering the dilemma faced by major camera manufacturers. If the trend carries on, there could be some significant changes in the market by the end of this quickly fading decade.

Camera sales are revealing.

In 2010, there were 8 times more DSLRs than Mirrorless. In 2016, the numbers evened out but dropped for both, with 12 million DSLRs and 11 million Mirrorless cameras. Apparently, Nikon is solely focusing on the DSLR market. Not sure about Canon, however, in the DSLR market Sony has relegated Nikon to 3rd. place behind Sony at #2 and the reigning champ, Canon.

The DSLR market share is taking a beating. The Mirrorless promise of market dominance likewise. The interchangeable lens DSLR/Mirrorless market is falling off. In 2016 there has been a significant drop in those camera sales of 12%, yes, in a single year! Total cameras manufactured dropped a startling 35% in 2016 alone. Between 2013 and 2016 Mirrorless camera production fell off 4% and DSLR sales with over four times as much at 17%.

The entire camera market (DSLR/Mirrorless & non-interchangeable lens cameras) took an astounding hit of 81% (from 121 million to 23 million) between 2010 and 2016. This number is reflective a massive drop in non-interchangeable lens camera manufacturing due to poor sales with the DSLR/Mirrorless sales remaining pretty steady over the same time frame. Having said this, the Mirrorless component has not really kept up with its promise of market domination and enjoyed only marginal gains over that time frame.

Compared to 2015, in 2016 there was 35% drop in shipped cameras, which is pretty significant. There is also 12% decrease in shipped lenses. Market share over this time frame indicates DSLR sales at 21% vs Mirrorless at 5% in 2013 vs. DSLR at 34% and Mirrorless with 13% in 2016. Clearly, the market for cameras is being hit hard by the upcoming "runt" of the litter, the smartphone.

Other issues impact on this fall from grace for the DSLR/Mirrorless camera contingent. Smartphones are winning the battle with better technology with every new generation. Young people are attracted to smartphone technology and portability and are much less enamoured of single-use cameras. To be clear, it isn't cool to be seen with a camera. It is difficult to identify empirical evidence, however, aside from professionals, the younger generation isn’t generally interested in cameras. They prefer using their smartphones for taking photos. This is not the case only when taking snapshots, but even at the point when they actually get really interested in photography.

The DSLR market is shrinking. This is quite obvious, but contrary to common opinion, it’s not only because of the rise of the Mirrorless. It’s likely a combination of several reasons. With smartphone sales up 5% in 2016 a younger generation is not interested in lugging around a large format camera rig. The Mirrorless market is taking a bite out of the DSLR market, although not as much as was anticipated. The DSLR manufacturers are slower to update technology than either the Mirrorless or the Smartphone makers. Many DSLR owners remain satisfied with their older cameras since the newer models don’t seem to offer cost-effective upgrades.

The future may not bode well for the DSLR market and to a lesser degree the interchangeable lens Mirrorless camera market. It is apparent that camera manufacturers will continue to lose market share and cut jobs and product as a result. Nikon apparently is not even "interested" in the Mirrorless market and is laying off personnel. Recently, Samsung quietly dropped out of the camera market due to the smartphone "killing" their camera sales. I predict there will be more to come in the coming few years.

As the art of photography changes with new generations, increased social media, and improved Smartphone cameras, single-use cameras as we know them will take a huge hit. As sales drop the costs will rise furthering the dilemma faced by major camera manufacturers. If the trend carries on, there could be some significant changes in the market by the end of this quickly fading decade.