hpkott

I just heard that Canon fell by the wayside because of cell phone cameras and that sales of all DSL... equipment has fallen to 50% of what they used to be. My question is if someone was to invest in upscale camera equipment what would be the way to go and what does the future hold for the cameral market?

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

Nobody has fallen by the wayside yet. Yes, the sale of bridge cameras has fallen as smartphones become more capable and sales of high end equipment has leveled off and maybe starting to dip as the vast majority of images are taken by cell phones. The market is changing and it is time for the industry to catch up. As far as new high end gear goes, buy mirrorless. I am invested in Nikon glass, but if I was starting over, ID probably go with the Sony A7R3. IMHO they are the leader in mirrorless technology. Serious photographers are experimenting with smartphones, which can produce some really great images for certain types of photography especially if it is for social media, but they still do the majority of their work with high end equipment especially if it’s going to be printed in a larger format.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

All DSLR sales will slow down until market saturation is reached.

The people quite content with their cells, will not buy;
The people who just bought a DSLR in the past few years (10 for me) will not buy;
Some current owners with G.A.S. will buy;
Some who have to have the latest & greatest will buy "new product";
Occasionally a cellphone user will buy;
People new to photography with enough disposable income may buy, but will probably use their cell.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Follow your own hunch based mistaken information and keep your cell phone.

BebuLamar

While I don't own Canon but it's the same for Nikon. For example if I own a (or several) D1x Mark II, A whole bunch of Canon L lenses. They would continue to serve me well if Canon stops making them tomorrow or even going out of business until they break which would be a long time. Why would I be worried?

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Don’t care. My Canon 5D4 and collection of lenses serve me well regardless of market trends and will go to my photographer son when I pass on.

miked46 Loc: Winter Springs, Florida

I refuse to use a cellphone for photo's. I just invested in the Canon M50, to go with my 80D

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I don't know where your getting your information but DSLR sales in general are going very well. Manufactures are bringing out new models all the time.
Mirrorless is also doing well. However, just recently their is a fraction of the mirrorless market that are coming back to DSLR's. So much for consumer confidence.

dbjazz Loc: Long Island, NY

Why does this even matter? Get the camera gear you like and that serves your needs, and then use it until it no longer works for you. Forget about trends and just enjoy your photography.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

Canon has not "fallen by the wayside." They and Nikon WERE the laggards in the shift to mirrorless technology, but they will survive. There are quite a few other camera companies, and I suspect that most of them will be around for quite a while, if history is a guide.

The camera market (not cell/smartphone market) is shrinking. But the shrink isn't a free-fall. Sony, Fujifilm, Olympus, and Panasonic are all still viable, although margins are slimmer. Remember that ANY technology will go through boom cycles — sales build and peak when something newer and better is introduced, or when there's a paradigm shift in the market. The market is saturated with dSLRs, so margins are lower on those that remain. Mirrorless models command high prices and make better margins at the moment.

Don't worry about the noise!

Define what you need.

Research what is available to meet that need.

Rent what you decide on and try before you buy.

Then GET what you need. Know that there will be plenty of used gear to add to your collection or replace items that quit on you.

Know also that cameras are NOT investments unless they are rare collectables. They are expense items or capital expenses, depending on initial cost and use case.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

👍👍 Excellent advice.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

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.

BebuLamar

Take the example of the Alpa. I didn't like it but if I did and bought one I would actually be glad today rather than sorry.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

If you had one in working condition with few cosmetic issues, it would have some collector value.

TonyBot

Canon, for having "fallen by the wayside", sells more than 50% of cameras *worldwide*! They have, like all traditional cameras, have taken a hit with the increased ability, quality, and usage of cell phones. Canon has had the M series cameras for several years, but they did not get into what some like to call "serious" mirrorless cameras until just recently. The M series is well regarded, and has been a good seller. Cell phones have done well with the "instant gratification" crowd, and are truly a good backup to have on hand.

So, basically what you heard is hogwash. While Canon (and Nikon) have taken way too much time to get into the action with DSLR quality equipment, I wouldn't rule them out of the game yet - and not for quite a while.