CIPA statistics for SLR and mirrorless

Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) is the organization of Japanese camera makers and companies making related devices. Their newest statistics for third and fourth quarter of 2011 makes for the first time division between single lens reflex cameras and non-reflex cameras in their category interchangeable lens cameras.

I collected their data into a colorful graph below.

This image has Q3 2011 on the left side and Q4 2011 on the right side. From top we have SLR shipments to Japan (red) , Europe (green) , Americas (blue) , Asia (yellow) and Others (grey). Below white demarcation line we have the shipments of mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras to same destinations. The graph shows percentual shares of shipments during both times. Actual total shipments for Q4 was less than Q3.

The share of mirrorless rose from 19% in Q3 to 27% in Q4. It is now a little more than the share of SLR shipments to Europe which is again the biggest marketing area for ILCs. In Japan mirroless surpassed SLR during Q4.

Otherwise the graph rises only questions. Like, why did shipments to Asia drop so dramatically, below 50% in quantity? How much are the effects of Asian nature catastrophes seen here? For how long will Canon stand looking at their ever diminishing market share in their home market? 

I would guess mirrorless will be bigger than SLR by early 2013.

This graph is about camera bodies. During 2011 lens sales world wide rose by 12% for 35mm lenses and by double of that for smaller formats. 35mm lenses have now a 22% marketshare of all lenses. In Japan 35mm lens sales declined by the same 12%. 

-p-