Canon has published its Corporate Strategy Conference. The main insights are the focus on mirrorless camera systems for pros and advanced amateurs, and releasing a solid amount of glass every year (eight new lenses per year). However, there’s no word on DLSR.
Canon Imaging Group in the Corporate Strategy Conference
Canon has issued the Corporate Strategy Conference 2022. Here’s a look into the insights regarding the Imaging Group, which is comprised of three business spheres, namely cameras, network cameras, and a new business area that brings together advanced optical technologies. The presentation shows some intriguing indications toward Canon’s roadmaps. Check out what Canon Chief Executive Officer Fujio Mitarai has to say about the company’s camera business.
Canon will release 8 new lenses every year
When checking out slide no. 6, we see an interesting say regarding the lenses. Canon promises to expand the lens lineup at the same pace compared to 2020 and 2021, which means, 8 new lenses every year till 2025. We can assume that Canon indicates the roadmap of the RF lenses since there’s not even one mention of DSLR in the whole presentation. Canon aims to satisfy to needs of professional and advanced amateurs by investing R&D resources in mirrorless products. As stated by Mitarai: “As for cameras, although the overall market continues to shrink, this mainly reflects lower sales of entry-class models. In contrast, demand among professionals and advanced amateurs seeking high-quality image expression remain strong. Overall, the market seems to be bottoming out”.
There’s no word on DSLR
The definition “DSLR” was not being mentioned even once in the whole presentation. On the other hand, Canon has given a hint previously about the reduction of DLSR bodies in order to invest in mirrorless systems. “Over the past several years, we have worked to raise the appeal of the EOS R system by enhancing our lineup with highly competitive full-frame mirrorless cameras and RF lenses. As a result, we have established a solid position in mirrorless cameras, and are now in a situation where we can target the top market share position. Leveraging this, we will not only increase our market share, but also strive to improve our product mix, and combined with the effects of structural reforms we have been implementing, we feel we have created a system that can generate stable, high profits. Going forward, we will continue to expand our lineup in response to user feedback, secure the global No. 1 market share position in mirrorless cameras, maintain the level of sales, and further increase profitability by expanding automation and improving development efficiency” Mitarai says.
Summary
Canon has confirmed before that the EOS 1D X Mark III is its last DSLR flagship. However, Canon promised that it will continue to develop and support other DSLR models. In the future, Canon said that it will shift manufacturing to mirrorless only, but it will take some time. Hence, this Corporate Strategy Conference demonstrates that strategy very well. The main roadmap indicates boosting the development of RF lenses, plus R&D-ing mirrorless bodies. However, as for this presentation, Canon DSLR has no future.
