Anybody got a crystal ball?

nilhg · 14-11-2008 1:04pm #1

I've been reading Thom Hogans 2009 predictions, and while I don't agree with everything he says (and don't claim to have any great knowledge of the financal workings of the camera industry), it makes very interesting reading for a gadget freak like me.

I would seem that the next year or so is going to be a make or break period for some of the companies involved in the industry with many of the factors out of their control and their competitors trying to steal the most lucrative parts of their business away.

I know many folks will throw their eye up to heaven at another gear speculation thread but the last five years or so has been a boom time for amateur photographers as the explosion in the DSLR market and the land grab for market share has led to prices that none of us could have believed possible for the quality and specification of gear on offer.

Any thoughts?

Borderfox · 14-11-2008 1:06pm

Whatever way it goes, it should be good for consumers. Except for the fact that we will have no money!!

nilhg · 14-11-2008 1:12pm

Borderfox wrote: »

Whatever way it goes, it should be good for consumers. Except for the fact that we will have no money!!

That's the problem, will it?

If a few of the smaller players disappear, will all the pressure to innovate and be competitive disappear with them?

Borderfox · 14-11-2008 1:14pm

I think most of the power lies in the big two and at the moment they seem to be bouncing off each other.

DaireQuinlan · 14-11-2008 1:19pm

Thom Hogan wrote:

# A limited edition Nikon: likely a D3 sensor in an SP-like camera, but a possibility of a D3 sensor in a Nikon F 50th anniversary body. Potentially both.

* Likely a 10,000 copy run, mostly sold in Japan
* Very high price, probably the highest-priced Nikon ever

oh man oh man oh man. This is why I hate prediction threads. There's something I'd pay money for

Unfortunately nowhere near as much money as they're going to be looking for it

nilhg · 14-11-2008 1:19pm

Borderfox wrote: »

I think most of the power lies in the big two and at the moment they seem to be bouncing off each other.

In the high end space maybe, and Sony will keep them on their toes there, but at the prosumer level most of the innovations have come from Oly, Pentax and the others.

RichyX · 14-11-2008 1:33pm

He yet again predicts the demise of Pentax.
Would be an absolute tragedy if a company with such great gear went down the pan.
If against all odds Mr. "Provocative" is correct at least Samsung would carry on with the same lens mount.

Anybody got a crystal ball?

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