Canon powers ahead in 2007

Canon continues to power ahead in 2006. In their latest financial results for the 4th quarter 2006, total sales from cameras were over 1 trillion Yen with an operating profit from 25.8%. Although DSLR made up 12% of all cameras sold, it made up 35% of the value.

These are very impressive numbers by any standards, but particularly so for a multinational manufacturing company. Particularly impressive is the huge decrease in debt over the last 4 years while increasing cash flow. An extremely well-run company. With access to all this cash, they will have no problem channeling funds back into Research and Development.

Here what they write for their digital camera section in 2006:

"Within the camera segment, strong demand for digital SLR cameras has fueled continued growth with particularly strong sales for the advanced-amateur-model EOS 30D, launched in the first half of 2006, and the EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTi, launched in the second half. This, in turn, led to expanded sales of interchangeable lenses for SLR cameras. Sales of compact digital cameras also continued to expand steadily with the introduction of 16 new models in 2006, including six stylish ELPH-series models and 10 Power Shot-series models that cater to a diverse range of shooting styles. As a result, unit sales of digital cameras for the year increased by more than 20% from the year-ago period"

In 2007 they plan to maintain their top brand position with a 7% projected increase in digital camera sales.





Full financial results for the 4th Quarter 2006 (pdf).

Nikon gets No.1 position in Japans DSLR Market

According to the latest report by BCN which is market research firm constantly monitoring POS data from 2,680 stores operated by 23 contracted major retailing companies. Nikon has the number 1 market share in Japan.

Nikon has claimed 47% of the DSLR market in Japan during December 2006. The increased market share was attributed to strong sales of the popular Nikon D80 and the price competitive Nikon D40.

Canon came in with a market share of 35 percent. Pentax and Sony followed with a market share of 10 percent and 6 percent, respectively.

Canon has always been the constant leader in the Japanese DSLR market, for example with a market share of 45 percent in July and 48 percent in September last year, followed by Nikon (37 percent in July and 33 percent in September) and Pentax (10 percent in July and 8 percent in September).

In terms of by-model share, however, Canon's Digital Kiss X (digital Rebel XTi) kept the top spot for 13 weeks consecutively with a 27.3 percent market share in December, followed by Nikon's D80 (16.3 percent), D40 (15.5 percent) and D200 (9.1 percent), reports JPEA International PEN News Weekly.

Many industry watchers were skeptical when Nikon announced the D40, saying it would be difficult for Nikon to sell as it hoped in the market where DSLRs featuring 10-megapixel or more pixel counts are the mainstream. Contrary to the popular belief, however, the Nikon D40 apparently made a good start in the Japanese market, reports PEN News Weekly.

In addition, the release of the Canon 30D which in reality was just a facelift by keeping the same 8 mega pixel sensor did not really push Canon higher.



Source

New Olympus Cameras with high ISO

Olympus has been busy this year with the announcement of seven different cameras.
They are as follows:

FE 210 – A 7.1 mega pixel, 3x optical zoom, 2.5 inch LCD screen and an ISO of up to 640

FE230 – A 7.1 mega pixel, 3x optical zoom, 2.5 inch LCD screen and an ISO of up to 1250

FE240 – A 7.1 mega pixel, 5x optical zoom, 2.5 inch LCD screen and an ISO of up to 1000

FE250 – A 8 mega pixel, 3x optical zoom, 2.5 inch LCD screen and an ISO of up to 3200 or 6400 and 10,000 in 3 mega pixel

u770SW - A 7.1 mega pixel 8 mega pixel, 3x optical zoom, 2.5 inch LCD screen and an ISO of up to 1600

SP-550UZ - A 7.1 mega pixel, 18x optical zoom, 2.5 inch LCD screen and an ISO of up to 5000

U760 – A 7.1megapixel, 3x optical zoom, 2.5 inch LCD screen and an ISO of up to 1600

Only two of these cameras sound interesting and they are the FE250 with a massive high ISO of 6400 and 10,000 in 3 mega pixel mode and the SP-550UZ with an 18x optical zoom and a high ISO of 5000.

It seems marketers are now using high ISO as another way of standing out in the crowd and compromising picture quality for higher and nosier sensitivity. It will be interesting to see if any of these high ISO settings are even usable or just predictability noisy. Even the top DSLR from Canon or Nikon do not claim to go that high.

What I would like to see is bigger sensors in cameras rather using pixel binning to increase the sensitivity as in the FE-250. Pixel binning does not increase the size of the actual photosites; it just combines the results of several photosites into a single pixel.



Digital Camera Source

New method to clean your DSLR Sensor

Now here is an interesting alternative method to cleaning your DSLR sensor. It is an adhesive-based DSLR sensor clearer called DUST-AID™ that will offer a unique solution for DSLR camera photographers seeking a safe and easy way of cleaning their dusty sensors.

It was developed and tested for contamination using extremely sensitive Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), the same technology used in scientific instrument such as the Foss Milkoscan FT-120 which is used to measure low levels of different components in milk. The DUST-AID was invented by a landscape photographer who primarily works with film but needed digital capabilities for advertising / contract shoots. It seems more like an advance version of the 3M Post it Notes and I'm surprised 3M aren't involved.

“I wanted a fast way to remove dust that didn't use flammable liquid or canned air,” says Ross Wordhouse, DUST-AID inventor. “I travel extensively on airlines for my photo business so many of the methods just didn't work for me. I knew there had to be a better answer that works quickly, easy and can pass airport security.”

Born out of frustration and a desire for a high-performance solution, DUST-AID employs a unique combination of three main elements – an ultra low-adhesive foam tape, pad and a re-usable wand. The patent-pending DUST-AID cleaning device is a blend of three different tape and foam layers, tested and designed to protect the sensor filter during dust removal. The final layer, which actually touches the sensor filter, includes an adhesive specifically designed for glass applications with one of the lightest tack levels available. This glass cleaning adhesive has been FTIR tested, which showed no residue contamination after 100 applications. Dust-Aid will have a suggested retail price of $39.95.

Nikon and Canon's supply chain unable to meet demand!

According to Chris Chessman from Amateur Photographer, the massive demand for the Nikon D80 / D40 and Canon's popular 400D / Rebel XTi digital SLRs has meant their supply chain could not cope with the huge orders. The upsurge occurred during the 2006 Christmas break.

All three cameras are price competitive entry to amateur DSLR cameras that were released last year and had extremely positive reviews.

A Canon spokesman told Amateur Photographer that all models in Canon's range of Digital SLR cameras are in good supply with the exception of the new Canon EOS 400D. This is a result of extremely high demand, not only in the UK and European market but worldwide. He added that they are in constant communication with the Canon EOS 400D production facility to push capacity so that all their customers' orders are fulfilled as quickly as possible.

Nikon UK's group marketing manager Jeremy Gilbert said the demand for digital SLRs 'outstripped industry forecasts' - affecting 'popular models' including the Nikon D80 and the Nikon D40.

In an interview with Amateur Photographer, he said this reflected a "huge resurgence" in DSLR photography and the positive state of the market.
Pointing out that Nikon UK supplied more DSLRs to the market than the year before Gilbert added: 'Capacity hasn't enabled us to deliver to the volume that is really required… There are more customers than there is product.'

Speaking in general terms Gilbert told us: "The DSLR market growth is currently tracking at 80% over the same period last year, exceeding industry forecasts. As a consequence, there has been some product shortage."

A shortage of top-selling models was believed to be a key factor behind lower than expected sales figures at high street chain Jessops over Christmas, where like-for-like sales fell 6.9% for the six weeks to 5 January 2007, compared to the same period the year before.

In a statement announcing its Christmas trading results Jessops said: 'While demand for digital SLR cameras remained strong over Christmas, disappointingly we were unable to satisfy all of this demand due to major worldwide supply shortages on the most popular digital SLR models from the two leading camera manufacturers.'

Jessops claimed: 'This compounded the like-for-like sales decline in the period and has impacted profits.'

A Jessops spokesman declined to discuss the extent of the digital SLR shortfall or tell us exactly which models affected its profits.
Canon launched the 400D last September, telling us that - in the following month - it was reported to be the second-best selling digital camera according to figures it received from market analyst GfK.

Jessops said its Christmas trading results were also affected by the market for digital compact cameras which, it reports, 'continues to be soft'.




Source: Infodigital camera

Fujifilm FinePix F40fd

Fujifilm has announced another addition to their popular F series digital compact camera with the 8 mega pixel Fujifilm Finepix F40fd. The main difference between the Fujifilm F40fd and the F31d is the higher resolution of 8 mega pixel versus 6 mega pixel in the F31, lower ISO of 2000 against a top of 3200, larger viewing angle on the LCD screen of up to 25' and the use of the popular SD memory cards in addition to the current xD. Refer to the comparison chart between the F41fd, F31fd, F30 and the F20 for more detail.

Although the increase in mega pixel is expected, I believe it is the incorporation of a dual use SD/xD memory slot that will add value to this camera. The SD memory card is very popular and Fujifilm finally has a way to grab more customers.

Here are the specifications:

Specifications
• Effective pixels - 8.3 million
• CCD - 1/1.6" Super CCD HR
• Number of recorded pixels - 3,296 x 2,472
• 3,054 x 2,336 (3:2)
• 2,304 x 1,728
• 1,600 x 1,200
• 640 x 480
• File format - JPEG (Exif)
• Storage media - Internal memory (approx. 25MB)
• xD-Picture Card™ (16MB - 2GB) /
• SD memory card (512MB, 1GB, 2GB)
• Lens - 36 -108 mm
• Sensitivity - AUTO/Equivalent to ISO 100/200/400/800/1600
• (standard output sensitivity)/
• (up to ISO2000 on Picture stabilization/
• Natural Light mode)
• LCD - 2.5" TFT 230,000 pixels
• Movie Recording - 640x480 / 320x240 pixels
• 30 frames / sec.
• with monaural sound
• Voice memo - Yes
• Video output - NTSC & PAL
• Digital interface - USB 2.0(High-speed)
• Power source - NP-70 Lithium-ion battery
• AC Power Adapter
• Dimensions (W x H x D) - 95.7 x 59.0 x 23.3 mm
• Weight - (approximately excluding battery and memory card) 155 g



Below is a comparison between the F40fd, F31fd, F30 and the F20