Canon loses SLR share, as Nikon surges
Canon remained the top dog in the total camera market in 2007, according to IDC.
(Credit: CNET Networks, based on IDC data)When it comes to the strategically important and fast-growing market of SLR cameras, Canon remained No. 1 worldwide in 2007 but lost share to Nikon, new statistics show.
Canon sold 3.18 million single-lens reflex cameras in 2007 compared with Nikon's 2.98 million, according to a study released Tuesday by market researcher IDC. That represents a 42.7 percent and 40 percent share, respectively, of the 2007 SLR market. It's a much narrower margin for Canon than in 2006, when it had 46.7 percent of the market, compared with Nikon's 33 percent.
Nikon SLR shipments grew at a 71.1 percent rate, much faster than Canon's 29.3 percent rate, IDC said. To be sure, unit shipments don't reflect another important aspect of market share--revenue, which IDC didn't detail. But Nikon released competitive higher-end models, the D3 and D300, in the second half of 2007, so there's plenty of pressure on Canon there, too.
The SLR market is of major importance to camera makers: it's competitive, and the SLR market is far less saturated than the compact camera market, where camera makers are focusing on getting people to buy replacements or multiple models. SLRs offer much faster performance and higher image-quality than compact models, and lenses can be changed for different shooting styles. Thus, photographers have been flocking to SLRs as prices drop.
The overall SLR market surged 41 percent to 7.45 million units, much faster than the 22.7 percent growth to 123.3 million units for compacts, according to the IDC stats.
There, too, Canon faced pressure.
"The larger issue rests on repeat buyers looking for more camera at less of a price in years past," IDC analyst Christopher Chute said, and Canon has been trying to maintain higher average selling prices even as others cut prices.
In the total camera market, Canon's 18.8 percent share of units shipped gave it the top rank. Next in line are Sony with 16 percent, Kodak with 9.6 percent, Samsung with 9 percent, Nikon with 8.4 percent, and Olympus with 8.3 percent.
Stephen Shankland writes about a wide range of technology and products, but has a particular focus on browsers and digital photography. He joined CNET News in 1998 and since then also has covered Google, Yahoo, servers, supercomputing, Linux and open-source software, and science. E-mail Stephen, or follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/stshank.
considering moving up from my Olympus E-510 and have
seriously considered both the Canon 40D and Nikon D300. Even
though the Nikon is a few hundred bucks more than the Canon
the Nikon has more mega pixels (and lower noise), a superior
LCD and focus system, and a better viewfinder. I have owned
plenty of Canon compact point and shoot models, and have liked
them a lot, but I find myself leaning towards the D300 more and
more. Canon needs to update the 40D ASAP.
dpreview has great sample photos to examine.
catchup. The game boils down to what you like and how much
you can cough up.
I checked out a good number of Nikons and then started looking
at Canons. I then spoke with a professional who knew his gear.
He said between those two names it's nearly par. It boils down
to what you are adapted to using, and the layout you like for the
camera body. If you already own lenses that is a potential to
consider. Lenses and other accessories will be close to half of
your purchase in many cases.
for the larger user base. If one tips the balance a tad, it's
nothing to get decided about. Other SLR shooters I know switch
back and forth between the two every 10 years or, selling off
their old gear each time. I personally prefer Canon for the
quality glass.
A really stimulating story would be a great increase in non-
professional sales of SLRs. Digital SLR quality is getting better
and better as resource requirements become less and less. I'd be
curious to know which brand is seeing more people switching
from point-and-shoot to DSLR. When you can figure these stats
let me know.
When all the SLR providers feature FullFrame, +20MP, >20 points of focus, high ISO w/low noise, waterproof/dustproof cases and shutters, live viewing, integral wifi/gps, superior glass, PC socket/shoe/integral flash, fast interface, dual storage,...
You get the picture, right?
great cameras coming on the heels of a couple of cameras that
were a little disappointing. Any Nikon dSLR owner has really good
reason to upgrade. When we saw how improved the D3 was over
the D2 - the D2's days were numbered.
I don't think Canon users have felt that urge as much - yet.
I work with both systems regularly and love that they push each
other forward.
- Competition is good!
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by stratplaya
April 3, 2008 5:24 AM PDT
- I'm a Nikon shooter (D200) but having good competition makes for better products all around.
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