TriX wrote:
ππ Excellent advice.
Thanks. It's important to realize that cameras have gone through boom and bust cycles over the past 180 years or so. Each new wave has been driven by a shift in technology.
Camera markets are MUCH smaller than they were around the turn of the century, due to the rise of smartphones. The camera companies are right-sizing to respond to the changes.
Sony is just the old Konica-Minolta, which was just the old Konica AND Minolta. But Sony is a HUGE conglomerate with some patience. They are on the rise, due to their sensor technology and innovation in mirrorless.
Pentax is owned by Ricoh, whose camera division died long ago. Sales are slow, but there remains a loyal market.
Hasselblad is still hanging on, despite stratospheric prices. There is still a niche for them in commercial studio and landscape photography.
Alpa died long ago, thank goodness! They were notoriously unreliable.
Leica has partnered with Panasonic's Lumix division, and both have prospered as a result. Their lenses are phenomenal, and their bodies are elegantly made. Panasonic is a division of Matsushita, like Sony, a HUGE conglomerate. They and Sony have deep roots in broadcasting and video, so their technology tends to be video-capable... even video-centric in a couple of cases.
Olympus is struggling a bit, but has great cameras and lenses.
Fujifilm has made some of the most important cameras of the last five years.
Canon and Nikon got bit by not taking mirrorless much more seriously a decade ago. But both will figure it out before it's too late. They have HUGE installed user bases, and made their dSLR lenses work with their mirrorless bodies.