JD750 Loc: SoCal

Several big DSLR manufacturers have resisted making high end mirrorless cameras. In the meantime DSLR sales continue to drop.

Companies that resist technology, because they fear cannibalizing their own market, are usually rewarded by having their market cannibalized by their competitors.

One could argue it is well past the time for the big DSLR manufacturers to introduce mirrorless cameras. When they do, should they incorporate a completely new format not based on SLR technology? Should the introduce a new lens mount? How important is existing lens compatibility?

BebuLamar

New format as to sensor size? No, although there is nothing magic about the existing formats like 24x36mm or APS-C I think they will introduce mirrorless in those formats rather than creating new formats.
Nikon will have to introduce new mount as their existing F mount has a lot of incompatibilities and not best for mirrorless due to long flange distance. Canon may or may not keep their EF mount because there isn't the incompatibilities issue just that the flange distance is long for mirrorless.
In the case of Canon even if they introduce the new mount a simple adapter would make their EF lenses 100% compatible. It would be much much more difficult for Nikon to do the same. The only easy lens type to adapt for Nikon is the new E Type lenses.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

If there already is a demand for mirrorless cameras, then I don't see it as cannibalizing, but rather as the company expanding its participation in the camera market. If a photographer wants to switch from DSLR to mirrorless, then he/she won't necessarily need to switch brands as well if the manufacturer is involved in both markets.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Nikon has already revealed that their new MILC will use something called a 'Z-mount'
We just don't have details right now.

Canon has patented a new mount - perhaps for use on FF MILC
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-533988-1.html

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

This is an interesting subject, both from the consumer's and camera maker's perspective.

Although the price of technology continues to drop, the MILC technology is still inherently more expensive than DSLR, and manufacturers have a tendency for price creep in the camera field, more so than in other tech areas, I think.

So my question is this: Whichever manufacturers go full force into this new area, are we pricing ourselves out of an amateur market, abandoning it to the dying bridge and point and shoot market? Will we ultimately have a market comprised of millions happily clicking away on their cell phones and dedicated amateurs who spend much more than they can afford on this hobby?

It will probably happen long after I'm gone, but it is something I'm concerned with.

Andy

Photocraig

All manufacturers facing this question inherently know that their Flagship Technology will be disrupted. They need to answer, "Who better to disrupt me than ME?" Because really the question is where will the revenue flow? If a Nikon DSLR user opts for another Camera Type, Nikon Shareholders would HOPE that new purchase revenue flows to NIKON! Corporate Management that decides otherwise are derelict. And subject to legal proceedings.

It is the same for all other brands. The interesting part is what strategies they devise and how they are executed. It will be fun to watch.
C

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Exactly!

I will add that I think DSLR manuf's will have to win back those who have already migrated to the new format.

For example, I love my DSLR, but my OM-D is the camera that I carry with me every day, and also my go-to travel or adventure camera. I get 95% of the DSLR IQ at 1/2 the wight and size of the DSLR. I still use my DSLR when I can afford the size and weight, like studio work or other important shoots where I want maximum IQ.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I don't worry about such matters. They will do what they need to do to make money - and sell decent gear for us to buy.

Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio

I agree - if you don't cannibalize your own market, someone else will do it for you.

I remember years ago when digital first started to hit the market. A local camera store with multiple locations absolutely refused to sell digital cameras because a large part of their business was based on film processing. So, they stood by and refused to participate in the digital revolution. And they are completely gone now.

Companies need to adapt to the market and what customers want, that simple.

PhotogHobbyist Loc: Bradford, PA

I think the MILC market will follow in a similar path that the FF DSLR has. One company will decide to make a major change in the market, whether it be to add MILCs to the DSLR line or perhaps to change over to MILC exclusively and abandon the DSLR completely. Time will tell and we the consumers will make the decision for that (or maybe those) company(ies) with our decision of what we, collectively, want. All the major DSLR companies have made the move to FF, I believe, and that may very well be what occurs in the mirrorless market. It certainly could bring in more customers who want more than a cell phone camera but do not want the size and weight of a DSLR, especially a FF one.

Bob Locher Loc: Southwest Oregon

There really is no question of what the DLSR makers need to do. It is "Adapt or Die."

After years of being away from photography as a serious hobby I returned with a Sony A-6000 - a mirrorless camera. It is an absolutely amazing camera, and I am completely convinced mirrorless is the future.

The only perceived negative of mirrorless cameras, other than owner loyalty to a legacy system, is the electronic viewfinder (EVF). But with the advanced OLED displays even this is a perception rather than a reality.

For lens designers, high quality lenses of short focal length, be they prime lenses or zoom, are much easier to design for mirrorless cameras than for DSLRs, and also cheaper to manufacture. Mirrorless cameras and their lenses are significantly lighter, all else being equal. Virtually no moving parts in the camera equals higher reliability.

To that very rare creature - the unbiased observer who has no loyalty to a legacy system - the choice between mirrorless and DSLR's is easy and obvious.

Remember the day not so long ago when the argument was between film and digital? We are seeing the replay.

The adventure continues!

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

What evidence do you have of this?? An MILC can be more from a DSLR by removing mirror, mechanism, and prism {mechanical things} and putting in EVF {electronic thing}. I don't know that exact difference in cost right now, but by Moore's Law, EVF will certainly have a price advantage at some point. There is still enough price competition between Canon, Nikon, Sony, and even Pentax to keep any creep in check.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

More tech = more $ in most every instance.

Moore’s Law won’t kick in until there’s a lot more volume IMHO.

Andy

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

DSLR sales aren't what they're used to, but still strong for certain market segments and vendors. Ask anybody who still is waiting for a Nikon D850.

Also, both Canon and Nikon are working on a mirrorless camera system. Nikon announced that their product offering will be announced at the Photokina show in 2018, with expected ship date of spring of 2019. Canon's will be announced at Photokina as well.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

Yes. As Andy Grove said:, "Only the Paranoid Survive" - you have to eat your own children. However, when, at what pace, and how you do it makes a big difference. Intel is on the back foot right now, having missed many of the technology trends, and having saturated the server and PC markets that are now in decline. Plus their CEO got pole-axed for having an affair with an employee! Not the best timing.

There are many excellent mirrorless cameras, (Sony, Panasonic, Fujifilm, Olympus, et al) but it is a market in transition. Both Canon and Nikon have much to lose if they don't get it right. Nikon isn't really in the mirrorless market yet, Canon has been experimenting, and although few of their offerings have been really inspiring, as yet.

That said Olympus is #1 in mirrorless in Japan, but Canon has pushed Sony into the #3 slot. Japan is adopting mirrorless faster than the US or Europe.

It will be interesting to watch, indeed.