Yeah, but limited in fps - Sony doesn't allow higher than 15fps for third-party lenses on their bodies...But I assume that Sigma will offer these lenses (200mm f2 and 300-600 f4) will be made available for Sony too?
I don't think there are evaluating the market share of the hole market as important. Panasonic isn't competing in every camera category. There are people only evaluating more specific market shares, like market share in full frame cameras between 1000-3000 $, because the S5II, S5IIX and S9 compete in this category. And they have probably also a category for the G9II and GH7 in which they compete and evaluate the market share in that category.I wonder what the Panasonic executives consider to be a good market share number. Or, perhaps more importantly, a bad market share number.
But I think in mass-market consumer electronics, market share and profit are probably closely correlated.I think Panasonic cares more about profitability than market share. If a particular product isn't profitable, it disappears from their lineup. Think GX series and the GM1/5 in m4/3. If it's profitable, it stays. Think G, (even the much maligned G100) and GH cameras.
Even outside of cameras. Take a look at the Tough book laptop line. Market share must be miniscule, but they keep on manufacturing them. Market share is great, as long as it's also profitable.
They've also got a long history in video, it looks like stills is almost secondary to that, so there's that too
These all seem like reasonable points. I'm sure any boardroom presentation on quarterly or yearly results will be more nuanced than a simple number, although I suspect they do show that number as well.I don't think there are evaluating the market share of the hole market as important. Panasonic isn't competing in every camera category. There are people only evaluating more specific market shares, like market share in full frame cameras between 1000-3000 $, because the S5II, S5IIX and S9 compete in this category. And they have probably also a category for the G9II and GH7 in which they compete and evaluate the market share in that category.
Canon for example has by far the biggest market share, but most of it comes from the APS-C camera's like beyond 1k USD (R100, R10, R50, etc) and because there are still selling DSLRs and compact cameras. At most time of 2024, Panasonic had only one model beyond 1k and no DSLR and every Compact camera where discontinued. In 2024 DSLRs still made about 12 % of the market and fixed lens cameras made about 22 % of the market (all according Cipa numbers). Also they didn't complete in high end cameras for above 3k, but I don't know how big that segment is. But all in all Panasonic didn't actually complete in over 1/3 of the market in 2024. So it doesn't make sense for them to evaluate there share for the hole market. Actually the only manufacturer who was competing in every category is Canon and that's also the reason they are no. 1, by far. Sony and Fuji didn't make DSLRs, Nikon didn't make compact cameras, Panasonic and OM didn't make DSLRs and compact cameras (Panasonic for most of 2024) and Ricoh didn't make mirrorless cameras.
However Panasonic started making compact cameras again in 2024 and released the TZ99 (available only since early 2025). Panasonic's market share (only data for Japan) jumpy from zero to almost 15 % because of the TZ99. So don't be surprised Panasonic's market share will rise for 2025. But it's not only due to the S1II series, also the TZ99 will have an impact.
They are, but not an absolute necessityBut I think in mass-market consumer electronics, market share and profit are probably closely correlated.
And in fact they can be negatively correlated - see the old saw about selling below cost, but making it up in volume.They are, but not an absolute necessity
Yes. Especially in this day and age. Maybe 10 years or so ago when Sony went all in, not so much now. The numbers just aren't there.And in fact they can be negatively correlated - see the old saw about selling below cost, but making it up in volume.
Or to put it another way - chasing market share at the cost of profitability is a losing strategy, unless you have a way to turn the market share into profitability after you’ve got it. Which I think is risky; if you get market share with people going for the low price, you’re going to have trouble keeping them if you raise prices later to turn a profit.
Sales numbers and profit are directly correlated. And sales numbers and market share are directly correlated. So there is a correlation. But there are a few buts.But I think in mass-market consumer electronics, market share and profit are probably closely correlated.
All that makes sense. Moreover, I suspect that the folks at Panasonic's imaging business are really VERY interested in market share, especially given their late entry into the full-frame market. Consumer electronics has a very expensive R&D component to it since it's essential that the units can be produced at low cost, at volume, and with no costly after-sales service needs. So, they need volume sales to recover the R&D costs and to justify their presence in the market. Panasonic are not Leica, or even OM Systems. They are a huge multi-national corporation who focus on the mass market.Sales numbers and profit are directly correlated. And sales numbers and market share are directly correlated. So there is a correlation. But there are a few buts.
But the market share is also influenced by the sales numbers of the competition.
But without knowing the margins, you don't know the correlation.
A company can have increased profits despite loosing market share and every despite having lower sales numbers. Actually every current manufacturer has probably much lower sales numbers but higher margins than ten years ago. Some also have higher total profit than 10 years ago, despite having lost sales and market share.
10 years ago, Panasonic only sold m43 cameras and compact cameras. No full frame at all. Most of them for a under 1k. There average camera was probably much under 1 k.
Now they selling much more full frame cameras than m43. Most cameras they are selling are know around 2k. It's not hard to assume that Panasonic maybe even quadrupled there average camera sales price.
You mean the battery factory that’s about 20 minutes up the road from me? ^^;;I'd personally be more concerned about that battery mega factory they've just built taking them down, than not selling large volumes of mirrorless cameras. But that's just me, and what would I know.
And they've said on a number off occasions, that they're very happy with how things are progressing. Exceeding expectations if my memory serves me correctly.Moreover, I suspect that the folks at Panasonic's imaging business are really VERY interested in market share, especially given their late entry into the full-frame market.