Ouch: Nikon just became the #1 DSLR maker

I know English isn't your first language, but I love the idea of your covering your ears 'affectionately'

Roy Mathers wrote in post #5872530
I know English isn't your first language, but I love the idea of your covering your ears 'affectionately'

i was referring to the camera's, not my own

Oh, I see! Sorry!

I can definitely see both sides of the equation. On one hand it in no way effects the quality of the equipment I am using right now, and in no way am I going to change sides, but for me it's somewhat of a pride issue. I like knowing that the manufacturer I chose has the best reputation and best stats around. But in the long run it's only 0.1% in a market that's not even our own. And working as a salesman of DSLR's, I notice most of the Nikon's are purchased by those who have never owned an SLR before, and my return customers always chose canon.

But don't forget that being top of the table has nothing necessarily with reputation or quality. Amy Winehouse, for instance, may be top of the pop charts, whereas Beethoven never is - but has Winehouse a better reputation or is she of higher quality?

The 1.7MM bodies per year is likely a global brand figure, the 100,000 bodies quoted by Chris MacLeod (Brand Manager in Australia) is likely an Australasia figure.

Bottom line, market share to corporations is an ultimate measurement of brand health. Canon has lost share from the growth and strengthening Nikon brand. Kudos to Nikon! I'd expect Canon to look at it's offerings in DSLR bodies and step up to be a stronger competitor to Nikon. If they don't, they will undoubtably continue to lose market share. DSLRs are a very small component of Canon's product line-up, how much attention they pay to it will be interesting to see.

Wilt wrote in post #5852889
Consider this...

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Canon Celebrates Production of 40 millionth EF lens.

...The production date of the 40,000,000th EF lens is just over two years since the 30,000,000th EF Lens was manufactured and just over 1 year since the 30,000,000th EOS camera body was produced.

EOS line was launched in 1989 with the EOS 1. So 1989-2007 resulted in 30 million EOS bodies, or an average of 1.7 Million bodies per year.

mladams wrote in post #5873711
And working as a salesman of DSLR's, I notice most of the Nikon's are purchased by those who have never owned an SLR before, and my return customers always chose canon.

It could be due to Nikon's way of marketing and their product design. They tend to market for eg.. D700 a cam that shoots at 8fps (but in small prints mention only with batt grip attached) or their 14 bits processing, it really slows down the D300 and the D700. This is a real turn off, especially if I'm the first time buyer without experience.

Roy Mathers wrote in post #5871255
Isn't that a good thing?

Yes. The price of Canon lenses on the used market is ridiculous, often matching the new price from discounters.

Nikon has been a premium manufacturer for decades, making outstanding stuff. Canon has been more broad-banded, making cameras at a wider range of price points, though their high-end stuff was similarly excellent. It was Canon that brought out the Rebel and moved the SLR into plain consumer territory, and Canon has always shown the better corporate strategy, it seems to me. I think of Canon as a savvy multinational corporation that happens to make excellent cameras, and Nikon as a dedicated camera manufacturer. As companies, Canon's vastness completely dwarfs Nikon. But Nikon has been more focused and has always managed to capture the high-end SLR market, especially among pro photojournalists, until the last few years. I don't think it was the DSLR's that gave Canon the edge, but rather it was the L-series fast telephotos using special glasses and, later, IS. Canon has been a real leader in image stabilization and autofocus from their pro video cameras. Others are now catching up as the rate of advancement tapers off.

Canon users have always had an inferiority complex about Nikon, it seems to me. Let's get over it. Nikon stuff is excellent. Canon stuff is excellent. I prefer the Canon user interface, and I always have, but that is a preference. I hate it when my wife hands me her Nikon and asks me to make something work that she can't figure out--it never seems to make as much sense to me as my Canons.

By the way, I have owned Canon professional cameras since 1972--I have an original F-1, a TX, and a T-90 in the FD mount. And, yes, in those days, we F-1 owners were always on the defensive with our mates who were using their (much more expensive) Nikon F's, FTn's, and F-2 Photomics. And the arguments had no more basis then than now.

Rick "who'd rather spend the $3000 difference in price between a D3 and a 5D on lenses" Denney

This will keep Canon on its toes

I'm starting to think Canon made the right call.
Nikon put up a show (D3 and D300) and a rather desperate bluff (D700 - they basically sacrificed the D3 - a big risk/sacrifice business-wise). In their attempt to build image they completely neglected the entry level market (the D80 is outdated, the D60 is less of an upgrade to the D40X then the 30D was to the 20D).
Now, Canon had 2 main choices :
1) either pick up the gauntlet and enter the pissing contest on the pro market (which is rather plastic in nature - people with big investments in one system don't switch overnight) or
2) take their time on the high-end segment while ceasing the opportunity to strike Nikon at it's weakest link (the weak, outdated entry-level segment).

Apparently they choose the latter. And they did it in style : 1000D, 450D, 40D, 5D (after the price cuts) - cheap, great and miles ahead of Nikon's D40/D60/D80 offering. After all it was the D40 which brought Nikon back in the game in terms of market shares, not the D300-D3. And I doubt Nikon has the muscle power to counteract that in timely fashion after the huge D3/D700/D300 effort.

Canon just announced their intention of opening another production plant in Japan, with a 4million units/year capacity which should be fully functional by the end of 2009. I have a feeling they have some rather big plans for it

Right now they are taking back the entry-level segment from Nikon. Smart move on the long run if you ask me. That segment is the major cash cow and building on it was a shrewd move, especially given the heavy fire they've been under from both Nikon and the "lil ones" (Oly, Pentax, Sony, Samsung, Panasonic)
I'm confident they have more then enough muscle power to answer the D3/D700/D300 soon.

In the meanwhile we have some very affordable, wonderful cameras to play with while Canon cooks up revenge

mladams wrote in post #5873711
IAnd working as a salesman of DSLR's, I notice most of the Nikon's are purchased by those who have never owned an SLR before, and my return customers always chose canon.

Interesting that Nikon users have very extensive inventories of Nikon lenses and they continue to hold onto these because of the considerable investments amassed over many, many years, and their patience in waiting for a worthy candidate (D300, D3) to rival Canon's offerings has come along. That is loyalty!

rdenney wrote in post #5874210
Canon users have always had an inferiority complex about Nikon, it seems to me. Let's get over it. Nikon stuff is excellent. Canon stuff is excellent. I prefer the Canon user interface, and I always have, but that is a preference. I hate it when my wife hands me her Nikon and asks me to make something work that she can't figure out--it never seems to make as much sense to me as my Canons.

By the way, I have owned Canon professional cameras since 1972--I have an original F-1, a TX, and a T-90 in the FD mount. And, yes, in those days, we F-1 owners were always on the defensive with our mates who were using their (much more expensive) Nikon F's, FTn's, and F-2 Photomics. And the arguments had no more basis then than now.

I absolutely agree about the quality of both brands, and the traditional inferiority complex among Canon owners. These last several years of DSLR dominance have presumably given long-time Canon users confidence and bragging rights, while first-time SLR/DSLR users have never had their psyche damaged by being exposed to that myth. Canon has come a long way.

As for preferences, I too like the Canon ergonomics in general, with the exception of the Nikon shutter release, which I prefer for its better sensitivity.

I feel that Canon's strengths and advantages have been based upon their diverse expertise on the electrical side of the electro-optical coin. Novel features such as image stabilization, eye-focus, 45 autofocus zones, automated depth-of-field function, and a proprietary full-frame image sensor with superior noise suppression, to name several.

I'm frankly pleased that Nikon (or anyone for that matter) is giving Canon a run for the money. It eliminates complacency, encourages innovation, allows for greater choices (notwithstanding my 30 year allegiance to Canon), and places downward pressure on prices.

Guess this proves that a majority of people in this world are dumb...

Don't think it was mentioned but the article is for DSLRs only and covers from January-June 2008. We'll see what the second half of the year brings.

I don't necessarily keep up with the market but don't these two companies go back and forth from 1st to 2nd?
Personally, I like Nikon cameras....but I love Canon cameras! Not that shooting with the other would make my photos better; but just a ****ty shooter either way.