On 7/20/05 8:12 PM, "Herb Chong" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> all useful, but i was quoting worldwide figures published by the > manufacturers themselves. The only figures I trust are the data published every month by CIPA of Japan. It breaks down by PS, DSLR, pixel numbers, manufactured vs. delivered, domestic vs. export etc etc right down to the last unit both by the number of units and the value. It tells a lot of things. You said your figures are "forecast", but those figures apparently overly inflated (N/C particularly), and do not match with the 'actual" figure. There is so much data available but the only thing I trust is the "actual" tally up by the manufacturers' ass'n and retailers' ass'n. But all that matters is that Pentax apparently have been doing rather well, and their problem is not unique to them. If you look at the chart showing a sudden collapse of the digital camera market particularly in the last year end, it must have been devastating to all manufacturers, because it was so steep decline (just a month or two prior to that was the peak after a steady and rapid expansion of the market over a year). It was indeed a bubble burst. I can switch to any other brand if and when I want to, but not because Pentax is doing badly etc. Everything has to be put in proper perspective with facts. Upgrade path argument is legitimate but Pentax are now beginning to show their roadmap etc, and they can only go upward while feeding and cultivate the foundation of the market for a long term stay. No doubt that they have been slow but they also have been producing what the market wanted. Market for the typical PDMLers is small, but Pentax did not desert them. It was prove in their better finder for the entry level DSLR when everybody else was cutting cost in this particular area. They obviously cared for people who invested in MF lenses, who are not generally novice. So, let's see how this DSLR game develops :-). We are now talking about only months, not years any more. I want an upgrade too, but in no hurry. Things will change very fast in the next 6 to 12 months. One or two big companies may not be able to dominate the market as in the past, and consumers will have a lot more choices available. Pentax are not safe of course in this competitive market, but so is everybody else, even N/C. Cheers, Ken
