The Photography Industry in 2017 – What happened, what changed?

Our friends at LensVid posted their monitoring and analysis report about the state of the photography industry in 2017. They mined a lot of data to produce their figures.

LensVid’s conclusion:

Last year we predicted that it is likely that in 2017 we will see the global camera market go below 20 million units. We were wrong. Instead, the market jumped to 25 million units which means that we still have something to learn about the fundamental changes that the market is going through.

Beyond that, it is also unclear why the compact camera market saw an increase in 2017 or what cameras were mainly responsible for this surprising boost.

What we would be willing to risk speculating about is the DSLR vs. mirrorless part of the market. So far the DSLR segment of the market has been in a steady decline for at least six years. The mirrorless segment, on the other hand, was more or less stagnant but had a big increase of over 32% in 2017.  Even if we won’t see another huge increase in 2018 (and this actually might happen with the possible release of pro mirrorless models by both Canon and Nikon this year), the ratio of mirrorless to DSLR cameras out of the total interchangeable lens cameras, is going to increase and might be getting very close to a tie by the end of this decade. Read the report at LensVid.

The folks at LensVid found a slightly bizarre aspect in their data analysis. There are now more compact cameras manufactured compared to 2016. They didn’t found any apparent reason to explain this. This could either be attributed to Sony (maybe the RX100?) or to some huge success of one of Canon’s new compact cameras that we missed to get aware of. What do you think? Sound off in the comment section.

The 5min video below sums up everything.

If you want, you can check LensVid’s analysis of the photography industry in the previous 4 years.

[via LensVid]

Breathing Color Welcomed into Canon Alliance Partner Program

canon rumorsCanon press release:

Breathing Color Welcomed into Canon Alliance Partner Program

Five new media types certified for use with imagePROGRAF PRO Series Devices

MELVILLE, N.Y., February 12, 2018 – As part of its continued drive to expand collaboration with key players in the large-format industry, Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is proud to welcome Breathing Color, a designer and supplier of award-winning digital inkjet canvas, papers, and canvas coatings, as a new member of the Canon Alliance Partner Program (CAPP) for imagePROGRAF Large-Format Solutions.

Through CAPP, third-party media and software companies are able to work with Canon to help develop and promote new printing solutions for imagePROGRAF devices. As a result of this association, five fine-art media types offered by Breathing Color have now been certified for use with the imagePROGRAF PRO-6000, PRO-4000, PRO-2000, and PRO-1000 devices.

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Off Brand News: Fujifilm reports impressive 76,1% increase in operating income from imaging segment

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Fuji released the 2017 Q3 financial report. The results are stunning: +15.6% revenue increase and +76,1% operating income increase. Not bad at all.

Fuji’s statement:

In the photo imaging business, overall sales increased due to favorable sales, especially in instant photo systems which enable users to enjoy on-the-spot printing of photos, such as the instax series and instax films in the Year-End shopping season. instax SHARE SP-3, smartphone printer, launched in November 2017, adopted the square format, popular for use in SNS. It advocates a new way of photo printing to boost printing demand among smartphone users. In the high-value-added printing businesses, sales expanded thanks to continued business growth from various services, including Wall Decor services that enhance the fun of decorating and displaying photographs by adding panels to the photographs and framing, the new COYOMI service for creating desktop calendars with favorite photographs, and the Year Album service that uses AI-based proprietary technology to automatically arrange the layout of a photo album.
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In the electronic imaging field of the optical device and electronic imaging business, overall sales increased due to strong sales of FUJIFILM X-E3, which is achieving the most compact and lightweight body*, offering outstanding operational comfort and launched in September 2017, X Series such as FUJIFILM X-T20, FUJIFILM X100F which were launched in February 2017, FUJIFILM GFX 50S, a medium format mirrorless digital camera, adopting a big sensor (43.8mm by 32.9mm), and interchangeable lenses. In the optical device field, overall sales increased, reflecting the strong sales of various industrial use lenses such as lenses for and vehicle camera and projector, and MK lenses series were also launched as a new series of cinema camera lenses designed for recording video such as online video, whose market is expanding. Fujifilm announced 24x zoom lense UA24 x7.8BE in September 2017, achieving both small, lightweight body and 4K high-definition. With this introduction, Fujifilm has 8 4K broadcast camera lense products and is seeking to lead the field. * As of January 2017 in the X Series of mirrorless cameras equipped with a viewfinder

While most of the profit come from the successful Instax lineup, I guess it is at least to some degree also due to the fact that Fuji always gives the impression they really love their customers, for instance delivering firmware updates that add plenty of features. This is something we never see from Canon.

I always wished/hoped Canon would deliver a mirrorless lens ecosystem like Fuji did. But nope (so far).

[via Mirrorless Rumors and Fuji Rumors]

Sigma announce new 14-24mm f/2.8 Art lens

Sigma 14-24mm F/2.8
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Now it’s official, Sigma announced the new Sigma 14-24mm F/2.8 Art. Pricing and availability for the Sigma 14-24mm F/2.8 Art lens will be announced later.

Sigma press release:

Sigma Announces Brand New 14-24mm F/2.8 Art Lens

February 9, 2018 – Sigma Corporation today announced the brand new 14-24mm F/2.8 DG HSM Art wide aperture zoom lens. In addition to the new Global Vision full-frame lens model, Sigma also announced a new front conversion service for the 14-24mm F/2.8.

Outstanding Art Lens Performance
Designed for 50-megapixel plus cameras, the 14-24mm F/2.8 DG HSM Art achieves the legendary Art lens sharpeness with three FLD glass elements, three SLD glass elements, and three aspherical lens elements, including one 80mm high precision molded glass aspherical element. With near zero distortion (less than 1%) and minimal transverse chromatic aberration, flare and ghosting, the new Sigma 14-24mm offers constant F2.8 brightness throughout the zoom range and delivers optimal image quality at every focal length and shooting distance. The high-speed, high-accuracy autofocus allows photographers to capture incredible, in-the-moment images.

Rugged Design
In addition to outstanding optical performance, the 14-24mm F/2.8 DG HSM Art features the Sports line level dust- and splash-proof design with special sealing at the mount connection, manual focus ring, zoom ring and cover connection, allowing for the lens to be used during varying weather conditions.

Versatile Camera System Mount Support
The new Sigma 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM Art lens supports Canon, Nikon and Sigma mounts and works with Sigma’s MC-11 Sony E-mount converter. The Nikon mount features brand new electromagnetic diaphragm, whereas the Canon mount is compatible with the Canon Lens Aberration Correction function.

NBC Olympics Selects Canon to Provide Field and Studio Equipment for 2018 Olympic Winter Games

Olympic Winter Games
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Canon press release:

NBC Olympics Selects Canon U.S.A. to Provide Field and Studio Equipment for its Production of 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang

Canon to Assist NBC Olympics in Providing Viewers with Outstanding HDTV Picture Quality and Long-Zoom Image Detail

MELVILLE, N.Y., February 8, 2018 – NBC Olympics, a division of the NBC Sports Group, has selected Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, to provide a wide variety of HDTV Field, Portable and Studio lenses for its broadcast of the XXIII Olympic Winter Games, which take place in PyeongChang, South Korea, from February 8 – February 25. The announcement was made today by Chip Adams, VP of Venue Engineering, NBC Olympics, and Yuichi Ishizuka, President and COO of Canon U.S.A., Inc.

Over 70 Canon broadcast lenses will be used, including the DIGISUPER 95 TELE long-zoom field lens featuring a focal length of 1178mm (2356mm with 2x Extender); the DIGISUPER 27 studio lens providing crisp HD imagery in a studio environment; the HJ14ex4.3B wide-angle HD lens capturing a panoramic 96.3 degrees angle-of-view; and the HJ24ex7.5B HDTV field telephoto zoom lens, providing a remarkable 7.5-180mm zoom range in a compact, portable body.

“A Winter Olympics production can be tough on equipment and especially lenses,” said Adams. “Canon lenses have always proven themselves in difficult conditions. The images, equipment and the support we get from Canon are always exceptional.”

“We are honored to once again be chosen as the broadcast lens provider for NBC” said Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO, Canon U.S.A., Inc.

About NBC Olympics

A division of the NBC Sports Group, NBC Olympics is responsible for producing, programming and promoting NBC Universal’s Olympic coverage. It is renowned for its unsurpassed Olympic heritage, award-winning production, and ability to aggregate the largest audiences in U.S. television history.

For more information on NBC Olympics’ coverage of the PyeongChang Olympics, please visit: http://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/

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Canon expands Explorer of Light Program with wedding and theatre photographer Susan Stripling

Explorer of Light
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Canon U.S.A. Expands Explorer of Light Program With Wedding Portrait and Theatre Photographer Susan Stripling

New Addition Brings 18 Years of Professional Photography Experience to the Prestigious Program

MELVILLE, N.Y., February 8, 2018 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, is proud to announce the addition of photographer Susan Stripling to its renowned Explorers of Light program. Susan adds to the already impressive ranks of Canon’s program, expanding its wide range of talented professionals that impact imaging culture and influence the way their audiences see the world. She will be at the Canon Booth (#121) at WPPI Expo 2018, February 26-28 at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV and will be presenting on the Canon stage on Monday, February 26 at 2:15pm and Tuesday, February 27 at 12:15pm*. For more information about events in the Canon booth at WPPI Expo 2018, please visit usa.canon.com/wppi2018.

Susan Stripling is a Triple Master Status professional wedding, theater and portrait photographer based out of Brooklyn, NY. Susan believes in giving back to the photo industry that she loves and cares for deeply. In 2016 Susan started The Wedding School, an online educational resource for wedding photographers featuring books and videos to help guide them with their photographic skills and growing their businesses. Susan has won multiple WPPI 16×20 inch Print Competition Awards, including the Grand Award in Wedding Photojournalism in 2010 and the Grand Award in Weddings in 2016. In addition, Susan has previously been an educator at PhotoPlus Expo, WPPI Expo, and PPA Imaging USA Expo.

“It is an honor to join so many of my talented peers already in the Canon Explorer of Light program,” said Susan Stripling “Canon’s equipment provides me with the tools that help my visions come to life, and I am looking forward to the opportunity to educate and inspire photographers to reach their creative potential.”

“We are excited to welcome Susan Stripling to the ranks of this select family. Her expertise, combined with her passion for educating aspiring photographers, makes her a great asset to our program,” said Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “It’s a privilege to see how passionate our Explorers of Lights are about inspiring eager audiences of photo professionals, hobbyists, and enthusiasts to further inspire them to reach their creative potential.”

Since the creation of the program in 1995, Canon’s Explorers of Light have been leaders in their respective fields, and have garnered awards and accolades for their work. These individuals work with Canon extensively as representatives, ambassadors, educators, and role models for aspiring creative artists. They participate in workshops, seminars, gallery showings and personal appearances throughout the United States.

For more information about the Explorers of Light program, visit: usa.canon.com/canonexplorersoflight.

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