I'm Curious about Canon Sales Figures...

[cdesperado]

I need to reclaim my sanity about the something and I need your help to do it.

Over the last 6 or 7 months, I have repeatedly noticed posters on several forums (POTN, DPReview, FM, LL, etc) who make statements about Canon 5D sales figures as if this information were part of the public record. Their claims are straight-forward and direct, as if this information were readily available over the Internet or through some other documented source. However, despite numerous attempts, I cannot identify a verifiable source for this type of information.

For example, I have repeatedly seen people claiming that the "5D sales figures were not as high as Canon hoped," which implies access to specific information about projected sales (i.e., sales forecasts) as well as actual sales. Although it is certainly logical to assume Canon's marketing department was a little "over-zealous" in their 2006 sales projections - it seems to me that this would be closely guarded information. I definitely don't see Canon releasing reports about their sales goals and the results of their overall sales efforts.

For my own sanity, I need to pose a question to all of you:
Can anyone provide a link to legitimate information about Canon sales figures?

I am not interested in Canon's fiscal reports; I am interested in specific, detailed sales data, particularly info about sales projections or recorded actual sales.

[TomHuckWa]

Canon sold me a 5D about a week ago. Thats 1

[cdesperado]

LOL

Thanks Tom....

[Headcase650]

Every corp. in the world put out anual statments with finance and sales records. I work in commercial printing so I know where to find most of the competitions financial statments. For example the kansas city business jurnal publishes an anual report with financeial earning for all their members as does the PIA. I dont know where to find canons but Im sure someone on here will know.

[cdesperado]

Yes, Canon publishes their quarterly and annual fiscal reports, but that isnt what I am interested in. Im looking for specific sales data... forecasts or detailed sales figures. (e.g., how many 5D bodies were sold by each division).

[Tom W]

I don't believe that forecasts are generally published. Oh, a hint or two might show up, but most companies are not going to broadcast their expectations. Actual sales figures are available somewhere (I have no idea where, though), but whether or not those figures are within the expected or anticipated range of the respective manufacturer is generally not known.

[cdesperado]

I understand that Canon (and most other companies) would not intentionally release this type of information (sales data). Although unintentional leaks do happen from time to time, but despite an exhaustive search, I can't even find that.

The point of my post/question is that I am repeatedly seeing people referencing lagging 5D sales on several different forums. My objective is to determine if there is/was a verifiable source of this information.

Clearly, the 5D rebate offers would indicate a desire to sell current inventories, which might indicate slower sales... but I am not interested in conjecture. I'm simply curious as to whether anyone on this forum has come across something resembling a verifiable source.

[Headcase650]

Various consumer agencys also publish sales figures. 5D sold this many units in 2006 in the U.S.etc. Canon holds xx% or the market share in xx catagory. Again yould have to do some searching but the info is out their.

[cdesperado]

Do you know of a specific source? Even one?

I have searched, and searched, and searched... then searched some more. I've found nothing.

[Tom W]

The point of my post/question is that I am repeatedly seeing people referencing lagging 5D sales on several different forums. My objective is to determine if there is/was a verifiable source of this information.

And that's a problem, since I doubt that people in general know what Canon's 5D sales goals are. If they don't know the goals, how can they say that sales are lagging? I think that perhaps a fair number of internet users have in mind that the 5D, at $2700 (or whatever it is now) is going to outsell the 30D at $1300. It won't, and I wouldn't think that it would be expected to sell that well. How many people really have well over $2000 to spend on a DSLR?

Clearly, the 5D rebate offers would indicate a desire to sell current inventories, which might indicate slower sales... but I am not interested in conjecture. I'm simply curious as to whether anyone on this forum has come across something resembling a verifiable source.

The rebate offer is an indication that Canon wants to increase sales. The reason is debatable, of course - it could be that sales are "lagging", or it could be that they're clearing inventory for a replacement, or it could be that Canon knows that once you get into a full-frame body, you'll want more lenses. Like you said, it's conjecture. And I think that a lot of the forum-based analysis is conjecture. Including the idea that 5D sales are lagging.