Tamron says they will launch three new lenses for mirrorless in 2020

Within their new financial report Tamron discloses the launch of additional three lenses for mirrorless camera in 2020. I have near ZERO doubt those lenses are for the Sony FE system. Tamron also disclosed some other interesting marketing info:

Market Situation:

  • Digital SLR cameras decreased by 20% from the previous year. Digital SLR down by 41% whereas, Mirrorless up by 4%from the previous year.
  • Interchangeable lenses decreased by 12% from the previous year:APS-C down by 23% from the previous year; Full-Size down by 6%from the previous year.
  • DSC decreased by 18% from the previous year.

Tamron Situation:

  • With the strong sales of mirrorless models, the total sales of own-brand models kept the same level, with only 3% decrease, compare to the previous year; whereas, the market shrank more.
  • The operating income sharply increased from the previous year due to the higher gross profit margin from the newly launched own-brand models, together with the lower SGA expenses.

Goal:

  • Without the assumption of market growth,profitability improvement is the highest priority.（Higher gross profit margin of own-brand with lower business operation costs.）
  • The sales and profits are expected to decline due to the continued decline of the markets, Operating profits margin is expected to keep high level.
  • With newly launched mirrorless models, the sales of own-brand models is expected to increase the sales compare to the previous year.

Now this is going bad folks: Sony said coronavirus outbreak could affect image sensor and electronics business enormously

Yesterday we heard from CIPA that 2019 was the worst year of the decade for the camera industry. Well now I am 99,9999% sure 2020 will be even worse. Today Sony told investors that the coronavirus outbreak will affect their business:

“we cannot deny that our production and sales supply chain for the image sensor and electronics business could be affected enormously.”

Now, all depends on how long this outbreak will last….but the outlook is grim for the industry.

On a personal note: I wish all the best to anyone affected by this!

–

via Nikkei

 

Oh no! Sigma officially said Full Frame Foveon is not coming this year :(

Damn it! This was probably the most exciting camera of the year but Sigma just announced they have to totally scrap what they have done so far and restart completely the development. This is very sad news and I guess we will not see any Foveon camera for the next 2-3 years :(

Here is the Press text:

Development status of the full-frame Foveon sensor camera

Dear Customers,

Thank you for being a valued customer.

At Photokina in September 2018, SIGMA announced the development of an L-mount mirrorless camera equipped with a full-frame Foveon sensor. Then, at CP+2019, we shared our plan to release the camera in 2020 and have worked diligently on the development to meet our commitment.

As a result of careful and rigorous testing based on the latest development information, however, it has become clear that the launch of such a camera would be infeasible within this year. Still at this point, we cannot say for certain when the full-frame Foveon X3 sensor will be put into mass production.

In light of current development progress, we are not in a position to offer any specific release plan at present. We have therefore decided that we should start over the project with a clean slate, putting the production plan for this new camera back to the drawing board and going back to the development of sensor technologies.

Since the earlier announcements, your excitement with the launch of a “full-frame Foveon” has been a tremendous source of inspiration and encouragement for us. Everyone involved in the project has pulled out all the stops to make it a reality. I would like to express my deepest apologies for failing to meet your expectations and having to share this disappointing news.

I would like to emphasize that Foveon sensors are in a class of their own and that they are part of the identity of SIGMA cameras that embodies our ideals and philosophies. We are determined to continue dedicating ourselves to technology development to bring better image sensors to life.

I would like to once again express my sincerest gratitude to our valued customers for the strong support you have offered to us. On behalf of all SIGMA employees, I commit myself to you that we continue striving to live up to your expectation and prove that we are worthy of your trust.

I truly appreciate your patience and understanding.

Warmest regards,

Kazuto Yamaki
Chief Executive Officer
SIGMA Corporation

via Dpreview

Fuji X100V officially announced…plus official X-T4 teaser launch!

Fuji just announced the new X100V and you can preorder it now at BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon and FocusCamera.

As usual full MASSIVE coverage can be found on Fujirumors. All I will say now is that I am happy to see Fuji continuing the legacy of the X100 line up. Many other manufacturers may would have given up on it but Fuji cares about it :)

One more thing: Fuji is now officially teasing the launch of the new X-T4 on February 26!

CIPA confirms: 2019 was the worst year of the decade in terms of camera sales

CIPA published the December 2019 shipment data and indeed 2019 will go down as the worst year of the past decade. Here are some 2019 key data:

  • Japanese companies shipped 24% less camera units compared to 2018 (The drop in camera value was 12,4%).
  • DSLR unit sales dropped by 33,6% (value drop 27,5%)
  • Mirrorless unit sales dropped by 10,2% but the shipment value of those camera raised by 5,6%
  • Fixed lens camera unit sales dropped by 22,9% and shipment value dropped by 13%

In summary the only positive sign is that mid-high end mirrorless camera sold well and therefore companies made 5% more revenue in this segment compared to 2018.

There is little hope 2020 will stop this trend. I expect camera shipments to go down 20% this year too :(