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Nikkei interviews with executives from Nikon, Canon, Sony, and Fujifilm

✇Photo Rumors
Par : PR admin


The Japanese Nikkei Shimbun has published interviews with executives from Nikon, Canon, Sony, and Fujifilm. Here is the summary (the article is behind a paywall):

  • The camera industry’s competitive axis is shifting away from specifications and toward the overall shooting experience.
    • AI-generated content, increasingly sophisticated video capabilities, and renewed interest in the look and feel of film are creating new reasons to use dedicated cameras.
    • The manufacturers increasingly see the camera as a tool for expression and experience, rather than simply a device competing on megapixels, AF speed, or other specifications.
  • AI is becoming an important part of the camera industry’s future, but the companies are not simply treating AI as another specification.
    • AI can assist with shooting, autofocus, image processing and content creation.
    • At the same time, manufacturers are looking at ways to preserve the photographer’s own creative involvement.
  • Canon — Tsuyoshi Tokura, Executive Vice President
    • Canon believes customer requirements are becoming increasingly diverse and individualized.
    • Rather than trying to build one camera that does everything, Canon is developing products aimed at different types of users and shooting styles.
    • Canon sees video and hybrid shooting as an important growth area, particularly as more people create content for social media.
    • Canon wants to expand its V-series video-oriented lenses, while making sure those lenses remain useful for still photography.
    • This is significant because it suggests Canon is deliberately building a stronger video-centric/hybrid ecosystem, rather than treating video as merely an additional feature of still cameras.
  • Canon is also paying attention to younger users and compact cameras.
    • The company sees evidence that younger consumers are discovering that dedicated cameras can provide an experience that smartphones cannot.
    • Retro/film-like rendering, compact size and camera styling are becoming part of the appeal.
    • Canon has therefore been exploring stylish compact cameras, including cameras designed to produce a more film-like look.
  • Nikon’s direction is broader than simply improving conventional mirrorless specifications.
    • Nikon is increasingly positioned around the combination of photography, video and cinema.
    • The acquisition of RED gives Nikon a significant additional entry point into the professional video/cinema market.
    • The broader strategy is to leverage Nikon’s optical and imaging technologies across different forms of content creation rather than relying exclusively on traditional still photography.
  • Sony is looking at imaging as part of a much larger entertainment ecosystem.
    • The company can combine camera/imaging technology with its strengths in movies, music, games and other entertainment businesses.
    • That makes Sony’s approach somewhat different from simply competing with Canon and Nikon on conventional camera specifications.
    • Imaging technology can potentially become a component of broader entertainment and spatial-experience products. This direction is also reflected in Sony’s current interest in using imaging technology to reproduce and experience captured spaces.
  • Fujifilm continues to emphasize the combination of analog experience and digital technology.
    • Fujifilm sees its strength in combining its history with film/analog imaging with modern digital technology.
    • Film simulations and distinctive image rendering are therefore not merely cosmetic features—they are part of Fujifilm’s strategy to offer users different forms of photographic expression.
    • The company’s Instax business is another example of connecting digital imaging with a physical/analog experience.
  • The resurgence of compact cameras is particularly important.
    • The market has been recovering after years of contraction.
    • CIPA data cited in related coverage shows global digital-camera shipments increased 11.2% in 2025 to 9.43 million units.
    • The strongest growth was in lens-integrated/compact cameras, which increased about 29.6%.
    • The customer base is also getting younger: consumers aged 29 and under represented 18% of camera buyers in 2025, versus only 6% in 2020.
  • Smartphones are therefore no longer the only story.
    • The manufacturers increasingly believe there is a market for people who want something that a smartphone doesn’t provide:
      • distinctive rendering
      • better video
      • >physical controls
      • interchangeable lenses
      • >retro styling
      • a more enjoyable shooting experience
      • >differentiation from smartphone photography

The interviews point to a major strategic change in the camera industry: the next growth phase isn’t necessarily about making cameras technically superior – it is about giving people a reason to want a dedicated camera.

That explains several current trends simultaneously: Canon’s V-series push, Nikon’s RED/cinema strategy, Sony’s entertainment/imaging integration, Fujifilm’s film simulations and retro products, and the renewed interest in premium compact cameras. For Canon specifically, the article is particularly revealing: the company appears to be moving toward a more clearly differentiated photo-centric vs. video-centric product strategy, with V-series bodies and lenses playing a much larger role.

Via NikonRumors

The post Nikkei interviews with executives from Nikon, Canon, Sony, and Fujifilm appeared first on Photo Rumors.

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The Imaging World show will move to Cologne in 2027, and it will be “inspired by Photokina”

✇Photo Rumors
Par : PR admin


The Imaging World show will move to Cologne in 2027, and it will be “inspired by Photokina”:

Imaging World moves to Cologne: Koelnmesse and RINGFOTO to jointly manage the photography, video and content creation festival starting in 2027

  • Koelnmesse expands its event portfolio with the acquisition of Imaging World
  • RINGFOTO and Koelnmesse to jointly host and organise the established trade fair for photography and video
  • First edition at the new location to be held from 24 to 26 September 2027 under the new name “Imaging World inspired by photokina”

Imaging World is moving to Cologne. Starting 2027, the festival for photography, video and content creation will take place at Koelnmesse under the name “Imaging World inspired by photokina”. RINGFOTO and Koelnmesse announced the change of venue today during the TIPA World Awards Ceremony at Imaging World 2026 in Nuremberg. The event brings together technology for hands-on testing, creative practice and personal exchange within the imaging industry.

Following this year’s edition in Nuremberg, the new event will make its debut at Koelnmesse from 24 to 26 September 2027. Having assumed responsibility for organising the event from 2027 onwards, Koelnmesse will leverage its international trade fair expertise and network to further develop “Imaging World inspired by photokina” as a key platform for photography, video and content creation. RINGFOTO will remain closely involved as a key partner, contributing its market knowledge, its network across the industry and specialist retail, as well as established elements of the event’s existing concept. Together, the partners aim to further develop the format in close alignment with the market and progressively increase its visibility.

“With Imaging World inspired by photokina, we are bringing a well-established event format with a clear profile and a highly engaged community to Cologne,” says Oliver Frese, Chief Operating Officer of Koelnmesse. “Together with RINGFOTO, we aim to preserve these strengths while developing them further in a targeted way. We will also draw on Koelnmesse’s extensive expertise in imaging and the international industry contacts it has built up over decades through photokina. Cologne offers excellent conditions for this, with its trade fair infrastructure, international accessibility and strong media and creative environment.”

“Over the past two years, Imaging World has shown just how great the interest is in a place where products are not only presented, but can be experienced and tried out directly,” adds Thilo Röhrig, Managing Director of RINGFOTO. “After two successful editions in Nuremberg, Imaging World is ready for the next step. We want to continue this combination of technology, practical experience, inspiration and personal exchange in Cologne. In particular, we intend to further develop our concept, which combines a traditional trade fair exhibition with modern, interactive play areas and an extensive programme of workshops and seminars. RINGFOTO will remain an active partner for industry, specialist retail and the community.”

A proven format with a new perspective

Imaging World inspired by photokina brings together product experience, creative practice, community and business. Visitors can discover new products, try out equipment directly, take part in workshops and live formats, and exchange ideas with manufacturers, retailers, professional users and creatives. Enthusiast photographers will also have the opportunity to test new technology in real-world conditions and develop their creative and technical skills.

Photography remains a core component of the event. At the same time, video, audio, lighting, software, printing, smartphone applications and technologies for content production already form part of its established range of topics. This broad offering will be further expanded in Cologne.

For manufacturers, distributors and brands, Imaging World inspired by photokina combines dialogue with the specialist retail trade and direct contact with professional users, ambitious consumers and content creators.

Imaging expertise with a global reach

With the addition “inspired by photokina”, Imaging World draws on the longstanding imaging expertise and international industry contacts associated with Cologne as a trade fair location. For decades, photokina helped establish Cologne as an important meeting place for the international photography and imaging industry. Imaging World is not a revival of photokina; it remains an independent format that builds on the location’s imaging tradition while bringing new, contemporary content.

This experience and network will feed into the further development of Imaging World inspired by photokina, which will continue its proven mix of trade fair, product experience, community and business together with RINGFOTO.

The post The Imaging World show will move to Cologne in 2027, and it will be “inspired by Photokina” appeared first on Photo Rumors.

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