AZNikon Loc: Mesa, AZ

You must be quite thrilled! I am very happy for you!

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

OR, if the cameras were as heavily subsidized as phones!!!

This is a simple view from 20K feet:- Your phones would be but a toy without the heavy support base, the networks and providers. You can get a pretty capable smartyphone for "free" (of course it isn't free, because it is nearly useless without the support system, and costly plans) because in order to use it you spend a lot of money each year on the privilege of being part of the network.

All of that and the constant upgrades to new phones is a multi-trillion$$ business world-wide. And then they are one of the most "breakable" devices I've ever seen, look at one wrong and the screen cracks, casings bend, etc.. Ever notice how useful they are when the system is down? Paperweight... oh wait, the camera still works...but only you can look at it! (yes I know other features will work, but it is just a personal device at that point, no service....).

The modern phones are true tech wonders, but they are virtually useless without the support system operating correctly....and you pay and pay and pay and pay for that...for many folks, still paying for the phone when it is broken and dead (unless insured).

Top-of-the-line phones would cost thousands if not for the subsidizing built into the business model.

LEWHITE7747 Loc: 33773

So sorry you use Nikon (there are some good cell phones out there) lol

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

It is easy to understand that many people use cell phones instead of cameras. It is more convenient and the camera is incorporated within the phone. The pandemic has been a decisive factor not only on camera sales but also on many of us limited to what we can do during this crisis with them.
I guess Olympus surprised us all when last year they announced the camera division was to be sold. Losses for the previous 3 years prompted that decision.

Did anyone ever thought Kodak would end up with bankruptcy? What about Agfa, arguably the largest manufacturer of film in Europe. Digital transformed everything photographic and we have reached a point where the market is super saturated. The new cameras are expensive and good lenses are also very expensive. I bet there has been a proliferation of the second hand market. Many people cannot afford the exorbitant prices Sony is asking for their cameras and lenses, not that they are the only ones to raise prices. It is said they are doing very well if selling their mirrorless better than other cameras is a sign of "prosperity."

We are living rough times, compounded by the pandemic. The market for professional cameras and lenses will continue to attract buyers but the amateur division will suffer. In my particular case and if I were in need of another camera I surely would go to the second hand market. It would be practical and economical. I do not need anything fancy to make pictures and I bet a majority of you are in my same shoes.

I have used Nikon cameras and lenses for over 55 years and they have served me well, I hope they find a solution to their financial problems.

Vince68 Loc: Wappingers Falls, NY

I see you are from LI, so I guess you are a disgruntled Mets fan by the thumbs down you sent. I wish the Mets had signed Springer, getting him out of the AL. Now, the Yankees will have to face him 19 games during the regular season instead of the 7 games when he was with the Astros.

At least you have an owner now who is more willing to spend money on the team instead of the previous owners.

DJCard Loc: Northern Kentucky

Ditto! 👍

Peteso Loc: Blacks Hills

Where did you receive this information? This is how destructive rumors start. Attached is their annual report from their SEC annual filing, Form 10K, for Nikon's fiscal year year ended 3/31/2020. Suggest you look at the income statement, balance sheet and segment information, at a minimum. I was unable to find their quarterly report, Form 10Q, online for quarterly results since 3/31/2020, but their annual report for the fiscal year year ended 3/31/2021 should be available in a few months. They are a publicly traded company, and accurate information is readily available.

Attached file:
(Download)

Attached file:
(Download)

rcarol

Do you have a source for your information that you can share with the rest of the community?

budjordan1 Loc: Pittsburgh, Florida

It already happened, its the Cell Phone.

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

For the fiscal year ending in March of 2021, Nikon is expected to post a colossal 75 billion yen (~$720 million) loss compared to a surplus of 6.7 billion yen (~$65 million) in the previous fiscal year....Nikon’s video division specifically is expected to end this upcoming fiscal year operating at a deficit of 45 billion yen (~$433 million), which adds to the previous deficit of 17.1 billion yen (~$164 million) from March of 2020.

If Nikon does indeed lose that amount by March, it would be the worst scale financial loss the company has ever experienced.

Sure hope they can turn it around, competition is great for everyone, especially the consumer.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

All durable goods markets face the same trials and tribulations. Customers are a consumable item and they must be replenished to make the product viable as well as profitable. Cameras are an item that one will buy a few times in their lifetime as well as the lenses. Business models need to be dynamic as well as being good at forecasting future trends.

Sony was a textbook example where they 'created' a market with products that no competition was in. The Sony Walkman was one such item. They created the technology, the item and created the sense of need which drove sales to them.

Most brands today fall into the "Me Too" category with very few distinguishing features other than price and that is a slippery slope to down...and out!

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Nikon was too slow in changing over to mirrorless. Sony made the move faster and has even surpassed both Canon and Olympus which were 1st and 2nd in mirrorless camera sales last year. Right now, Sony, Canon, and Olympus have more than 70% of the mirrorless market. And that is still a shrinking market abet a slower shrinking market than the past.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Nikon's financial woes are well known, but two of the sources are Toyo Keizai and BCN. Both of those are well respected industry sources. Both of these sources are being quoted by Pentapixel, another photographic source.

johnec Loc: Lancaster county, PA

Amen! Me too

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

...yah, no sh*t.