On 7/26/05 9:49 PM, "Pål Jensen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> After all, a higher end SLR typically sell 1/10 or less the quantity of entry > level models; Exactly. Here's what Canon are saying. It might show some of their mindset. [To tell the truth, we (Canon) still do not know the size and the prospect of the DSLR market. If we refer to the past, in the film camera era, SLR was approx 10% of the camera market. DSLR market is sharply expanding now but it is still 4% of then total. The annual digicam market is estimated to be 60 million units, so the market potential for the DSLR could be somewhere around 6 million which is fairly large to fulfill. The reason why DSLR has not reached 10% yet is because of the use of DSLR is not well developed yet. The reason the PS didigcam market rapidly expanded was because it spread from one per household, then to one per person, and ultimately to more than one per person, depending on how they are used. This tide pushed up the whole market. Same for the DSLRs. Its use has to be understood and it has to be used for various applications (I think he was talking about the importance to educate the consumers for its use and applications). Otherwise, Canon believe it would be difficult to achieve the 10% share in the digicam market. For example, EOS-1Ds has been pushed into the portrait studio use wherein the 35mm traditionally did not have the market. So, it is crucial that the use/application of DSLRs have to be first cultivated] I believe this is very true. Film SLR market has matured a long time ago and fairly upscale models could be had at a few hundred dollars. Today, PS digicam has almost saturated most household and some models are fairly capable. And consumers are fairly content with them. Fussy bunch like us here is not a representative market. OTOH, even the entry level DSLR cost so much, and the average consumers really have to convince themselves to stash out so much for things they do not really see any more use than the PS's they already have and have been enjoying. There is a threshold barriers and I believe that's why all makers are concentrating in this segment of the market. Canon were even saying, if you believe it, this is not the time for the win or lose competition. That comes much later. Until then, they rather want to see all makers work together to push up the bottom of the market. Well, maybe... You might ask then, if it would take time to educate and convince the consumers (mind you, they are reasonably content with their PSs), why in the meantime, they do not make ones for prosumers? A good question. But I just finished polishing up my cloudy crystal ball and now I can see @#!?*&%. Well, Pentax said that they will, announce upgrade models one after another next several months. Other makers started doing so already. So.... Cheers, Ken
