RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

I believe you’re on to something Larry, I agree with you!

marycar53 Loc: Tuscumbia Al

I told some fellow photographers a hundred years from now, the researchers will peg this time period as the fuzzy photo generation. I see so many blurry cell phone photos on facebook.

Bill_de Loc: US

100 years is a long time. Way before then, whatever replaces Facebook will migrate all those pictures to a new platform. During the transition AI will transform them all into masterpieces.

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marty wild Loc: England

👍🏻

anotherview Loc: California

So much for trying to peer into the future with any success. We may expect, however, that if history teaches, then the advance of photography will go ahead apace, moved by technology and innovation.

The cellular telephone with its capacity for taking pictures has carried photography more to the masses, a profound development. Who can say now what this movement will produce.

This citizen believes the future will bring out more photographers as the means of photography spreads.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Some people seem to miss the big picture here. Sure, Sony keeps coming up with neato wizz bang bells and whistles. They are fun and do move the industry forward. Canon's approach is different. Always has been. They focus on developing camera systems (bodies, features, lenses, etc....) that produce reliable workable results. For instance, one of the big criticisms of the EOS R has been the cropped video. But a lot of video types are using it anyway. Why? C-LOG. The results are easier to post process. At least that is what is being reported. Even Nikon lover Fro, just did a comparison of the EOS R, 5D IV and the 6D II. The R won for a lot of reasons that ultimately have to do with producing results.

Canon did enough with the R to hold its base. When you are the undisputed leader, you do not need to fight every little battle that the little companies decide to call a war.

DanielB Loc: San Diego, Ca

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

If you check their history, Canon has been making mirrorless cameras, (as it's name implies, a camera that does not have a mirror, thus "mirrorless") since 1937, before Sony even existed. Canon's first "mirrorless" digital camera was the PowerShot 600 which hit the streets in mid 1996. Canon's first Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera, the EOS M, was introduced in late summer of 2012.

As for catching up, here's an extract from an article on camera sales in Japan:

In Japan, the Canon EOS R has been outselling all its rivals
Now that the big boys have arrived, Sony’s share has dropped to 67%. The Nikon Z7 grabbed 10.4%, while the Canon EOS R stole a whopping 22.1% of Sony’s lunch money – impressive, considering that it only came out in October, while Nikon’s camera was released in September.
More alarming for the previous ruler of the playground is that the EOS R is outselling the Sony A7III and the Sony A7RIII, which are widely considered the “best” full-frame mirrorless bodies (while the EOS R famously has many limitations).

I'd say they have little if any distance to make up.

repleo Loc: Boston

You are missing the point behind your figures. Canon's own annual financial report states that they expect their EOS R sales to be a direct hit on their DSLR sales. They actually expect overall unit sales to continue to drop pretty dramatically (-9% last year). They don't even mention DSLR's in their future plans. They are placing all of their bets for imaging profits on sales of a plethora of 'new' lenses for the R cameras and some gimmicky 'lifestyle' snap taker. Meanwhile, they are shifting 'resources' (ie money) from 'development' to marketing and production cost reduction. In other words, they plan on rehashing their old lens designs with cheaper materials and labor costs and marketing the hell out of them as new 'R' lenses at premium prices. Expect to see the first of these lenses announced in the next couple of weeks.

Don't take my word for it - take Canon's word for it.

https://global.canon/en/ir/conference/pdf/conf2018e.pdf
https://www.canonrumors.com/canon-inc-full-year-2018-financial-results-and-thoughts-on-the-industry-and-future-goals/

On the other hand, nearly all of Sony's mirrorless sales are 'new to Sony' sales - not cannibalized Sony DSLR sales although the new crop of 3rd generation A7xxx and the A6400 may appeal to upgraders.

marycar53 Loc: Tuscumbia Al

Canon no longer cares about quality. I reference my previous comments about the 7D MII & 5D MIV I purchased.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Makes you wonder what is wrong with all these reviewers who keep praising the R lens line for its quality. Weird hun?

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Maybe the point behind those figures is that Canon has kept a number of customers, customers who otherwise would have become 'new to Sony' - so Canon may have cut 'new to Sony' numbers.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

When yo are number one you work to keep your base. Canon has produced a camera that says "We hear you, we are working on a solid line of mirrorless that stays true to your needs and your history with us." That history being quality glass that will work now and in the future. A lot of users on UHH keep saying invest in glass. Canon agrees. And they make the best glass out there for all us earth bound users.