larryepage wrote:
Here's the deal. Nikon is rapidly moving into other markets. They announced a couple of years ago that they would be getting out of the business of making entry-level cameras. I personally believe that was a good choice for them, because there have been huge shortcomings with those models for quite a while, and they do not naturally encourage or lead those who purchase them to move to the much better upper-tier models.
As I have written in other posts, Nikon is rapidly moving into other markets where they can build on their photographic and optics expertise. None of these markets are likely to be of interest to much of anyone here. They involve remote/robotic photography, industrial and entertainment video production, and other very high-end markets, at least the ones that I have received direct communication from Nikon about. These will, once accepted in their respective industries, generate much higher revenue and be much more profitable on that revenue. And they will do it without all of the foibles involved with being in the consumer electronics business and having to deal with a bunch of people like us.
So no...Nikon is not going away. They are just going down a new path that doesn't involve us nearly as much. As has been stated, they will do just fine. They just won't have to deal with our fickle "loyalty" any more for their success.
It will be interesting to see what long-term choices they make around their higher end photographic equipment, like the D850 and its successors and the D500 and its successors and the D6 and its successors. I suspect these may be the survivors of the DSLR technology. As far as mirrorless cameras, I would expect the Z7 II, something like a Z9 (or maybe a completely different naming family), and a Z5 of some sort to survive. Even though it's not really an entry-level camera, the Z50 does not fit with Nikon's statement that they will not produce entry-level cameras. I would expect all (or at least most) of the point & shoots and bridge cameras to be discontinued as well.
The bigger question for everyone here to be worried about, and I think this is a truly legitimate worry, is what is eventually going to happen to NikonUSA and their two repair facilities. Since NikonUSA has already killed their network of independent repair stations, these guys are going to hold the key to our future at successfully being able to keep our equipment working and in good order. Are they going to be sustainable without all the repairs of equipment owned by new and inexperienced folks who haven't yet learned how to properly care for it? If not, who exists that can handle the volume of ongoing repairs, and do it correctly, reliably, and in a timely fashion?
A big part of the Japanese business culture is the willingness to make difficult decisions without emotional bias. If you stop and think, you have seen it over and over again. The Japanese tableware companies are among the worst, discontinuing popular china and pottery patterns without warning and without emotion. Same with two-way radio companies. Same with countless other market categories that you can think of.
So my suggestion is to worry less about Nikon as a company and more about what you might be able to do to support them and keep them around to support you. Quit bashing. It's not a good look for you, and it is certainly not helping you or anyone else in any real way.
Here's the deal. Nikon is rapidly moving into oth... (
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I can tell you haven't shot with a Z50. It ain't no "entry level" camera...not by a longshot.