Japan is home territory for Nikon and Canon. For both it is not simply a matter of market share but also of prestige and fame. Therefore, the battle is nothing but fierce. According to dpreview the two brands together command more than 80% of the DSLR market. Nikon is ahead with 43.3% and Canon follows with 39.9%. Overall in digital cameras, Canon commands 21.2% and retains the number one spot for the fourth consecutive year. Numbers are up to the end of November 2007 but December is not expected to change the year’s results. The Japanese DSLR market grew in 2007 significantly, 50% by items sold, 35% by value. Predictions for 2008 are also optimistic as in the rest of the world.Although things feel “business as usual” for the big two of reflex cameras, Olympus, Pentax, Panasonic, Sony & Fujifilm all want a larger share of the more profitable DSLR market. As they all have introduced new models or are very keen to do so in the upcoming PMA, it would be nice to see the share of Canon and Nikon reduced for more healthy competition. As I have written before, the DSLR market is set to change. Integrated HD video is the new big thing in cameras. Expect it to arrive in mass in compacts. The PMA this year is definitely worth keeping an eye on as camera manufacturers prefer it -together with Photokina- to show off all their new babies.
Link : Electronrun
