MIRRORLESS MARKET IN JAPAN: Fujifilm still a small (but cool ;) ) niche. However, X-series market share increased in 2014!

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So what do you want first, the bad news or the good news? Let’s start with the bad news.

But before we start, just a quick note about the graph. For the first time, BCNRanking decided to base their statistics not only on the Top 20 Products, but they consider the “Brand Shares”. Therefore, in the graph above made by DicaHub, you can see it divided in two parts, the Top 20 Products (until 2013) and the Brand Shares (in 2014)

The Bad

According to the latest BCNRanking, the Fujifilm mirrorless market share is of just 5% (in Japan). Ricoh, Nikon, Canon, Sony, Panasonic and Olympus sell more mirrorless cameras than Fujfilm.

The Good

But let’s put the figures into the proper context. While it’s true that Fujifilm is still the smallest (but coolest ;) ) CSC system in this ranking, there are signs of hope in 2014. Let’s take a look at the 2 different rankings…  and keep always in mind that these numbers are for the Japanese CSC camera market only (which is the biggest mirrorless market, though)!

Also, keep in mind that more market shares doesn’t necessary mean more profits.

THE 2010 to 2014 YEAR RANKING
(see graph above)

Fujifilm didn’t appear at all in the BCNRanking until 2013 included. But now, in 2014, the X-series gained 5% market share. Looking at the evolution starting from 2010, we can see how only Sony, Canon and Fuji are increasing, while Olympus, Panasonic and Nikon are decreasing.

THE 2014 MONTHLY RANKING
(see graph at the bottom)

If we take a closer look month to month ranking in 2014, we will see different results. In this ranking Olympus, Panasonic, Canon and Fujifilm are increasing, while Sony and Nikon decreasing.

Interesting also to note that Canon said that their goal is to get the biggest mirrorless shares until 2017… so they will soon attack aggressively the CSC market. A Full Frame CSC-Canon is rumored to come… and more. Just check out the CanonWatch rumor section to read more about it.

So these are the statistics… now it’s up to you to make your considerations in the comments.

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the 2014 Month to Month ranking

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The Fujinon XF 16-55mmF2.8 is SHIPPING in EUROPE!

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[UDPATE: I’ve been told that more EU stores are already shipping this lens]

There is probably no Fujifilm X gear that started shipping faster than the Fujinon XF 16-55mmF2.8 WR!

In fact, Dutch store fotohanskeuzekamp has already received the first bunch of lenses and is now fulfilling pre-orders (just 24 days after its announcement)!

In USA, AmazonUS expects to have it in stock on the 12th of February, Adorama on the 25th of February and BHphoto simply says “Coming Soon”.

PRE-ORDER XF 16-55mmF2.8 WR
USA:
BHphoto / AmazonUS / Adorama / EUROPE: wexUK / PCHstore /

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Test all Fujinon lenses online and see how different lenses and aperture values affect the image (fujifilmxmount)

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Fujifilm recently launched a handy online tool for people ready to shop for Fujinon lenses. The site is called fujifilmxmount. You can test the whole range of lenses and see how different lenses and aperture values affect the image. Here is how it works:

1. Choose a lens
2. Choose aperture value (and zoom if available)
3. Click the “Take Photo” button

thanks to the anonymous FR-reader for the link

HELLO KITTY Instax Mini + High-end X-series keep imaging division profitable (Fujifilm earnings report)

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A Strong Seller: The Fujifilm instax mini HELLO KITTY edition

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According to the latest Earning Report, Fujifilm’s Imaging Solutions segment went down 0.5% from the previous fiscal year, but it is still profitablereflecting strong sales in the instant photo systems and drastic profit improvement in digital cameras, though overall revenue decreased due to the decrease in sales of digital cameras and others.”

A special mention in the report goes to the instax mini HELLO KITTY edition (launched in November 2014) and to the instax SHARE Smartphone Printer SP-1. But also the Fujifilm X100T and XF 50-140 sales were strong. Here an excerpt or the latest Fujifilm earnings report:

“In the photo imaging business, sales of instant photo system increased around the world, because the pleasure of printing photos on the spot was re-realized, Sales of instax mini HELLO KITTY, which was launched in November 2014, and sales of , with which the pictures in smartphones can be printed on instant films easily, increased as well as those of other various designs of instax films increased.

[…]

Sales in the optical device and electronic imaging business decreased due to reduction of compact digital camera’s lineup, while the sales of premium digital cameras X Series were strong. In the electronic imaging field, sales of premium compact digital camera, FUJIFILM X100T, and sales of large-diameter telephoto zoom lenses, including the FUJINON XF50-140mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR, both of which were launched in November 2014, and others were strong. Looking ahead, Fujifilm is expanding the product lineup.”

So, it’s the high-end X-series that saves the digital camera business… now I wonder if the Selfie-Fujifilm X-A2 will be able to make also the entry-level segment profitable or not… i doubt, but the next reports will tell us if was well invested R&D or just another entry-level flop.

Check out the latest Fujfilm reports here.

And c’mon Fuji… give us that X-T1 Hello Kitty edition ;-)

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Fujfilm report

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Runner-up: Fuji second best lens and high end MILC at dpreview readers poll + X-A2 and portrait modes at fujiXsecrets

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DPR published the results of their Readers Poll. Fujifilm gains the second place in the High-End MILC ranking with the Fujfilm X-T1 (first is the Sony A7II). Second position also for the best lens rankning, with the 56mm f/1.2 (first place Sigma ART 50mmF1.4).

So, Fuji’s cameras AND lenses make it into the top positions… and this speaks for the system as a whole.

Check out the results at DPreview

NOTE: Rico takes a look at the different Fujilm X-A2 portrait modes on his German Workshop page fujixsecrets (google translated).

X-T1 body: BHphoto (save $100 + $70 of freebies + 4% reward) / AmazonUS (save $100) / Adorama (save $100 + $123 of freebies + 4% reward)
X-T1 + XF18-55: BHphoto (save $100 + + $70 of freebies + 4% reward) / AmazonUS (save $100) / Adorama (save $100 + $123 of freebies + 4% reward)

XF 56mm f/1.2: BHphoto (save $150) / AmazonUS (save $150) / Adorama (save $150 + 4% reward)