Sony also released a detailed overview of the semiconductor business (PDF file here). Over 80% of the sensors is produced for the mobile and automotive business. “Classic” Imaging business plays a small role here. But the good news for us is that the mobile/autotomitive business is a BI driver of innovation that could be implemented on Sony Alpha Cameras too.

One major goal for Sony is to integrate AI processing directly intom the sensor hardware. It’s not clear yet what benefits it will bring to us Alpha users. My guess is that object recognition and autofocus trackin can improve with that approach. Maybe the Sony A9II will be the first camera using those kind of new “AI sensors”???

This is what Sony had to say about their semiconductor business:

Semiconductors

• We expect to leverage the superior technology Sony has developed in this business to maintain our industry-leading position going forward.
  • Approximately 80% of CMOS sensor sales are to smartphones. Although this market has matured, demand for sensors continues to grow due to adoption of multiple sensors and larger sized sensors in smartphones. Demand for Time-of-Flight sensors in smartphones is also expected to increase.
  • Although investment in greater production capacity over the next few years is necessary, CMOS sensor production capacity does not become obsolete, resulting in high return on investment in the long term.
• Initiatives in long-term growth prospects such as automotive sensors and Edge AI.
  • Expand business through fields such as distance measurement and automotive. Sony’s automotive sensors are receiving positive external feedback.
  • Stacked CMOS image sensors to be made more intelligent by embedding AI functionality to the logic layer.
  • Sony will also actively pursue alliances with partner companies. Recently announced an MOU with Microsoft to collaborate in the area of AI.

It’s rare to see real revolution in tripo design. Well today we got one: Peak design has just launched a compltely new kind of Tripod on Kickstarter (Click here – preorders open). Here is just a small part of what this tripod can do:

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Traditional travel tripods have a critical flaw: tons of wasted space. The result is a tool that is inherently difficult to carry with you into the field. We fixed that, and more.

We spent 4 years redesigning the tripod from the ground up to eliminate dead space and minimize packed-down size.

But we didn’t stop at space savings.

We made a tool that deploys and packs down rapidly—nearly twice as fast as a traditional tripod. We made it intuitive and delightful to use. We engineered professional-quality stability and performance. And we added thoughtful features to help you get the shot— with any gear, in any environment, from any point of view.

Some more reviews:

But there is really MUCH MORE to ssee if you jump over on their Kickstarter page (Click here).

Today Sony had a 5-hour meeting with analysts and investors:
Sony IR Day 2019 (IR = Investor Relations). Sony.net…
The portion of the presentation dedicated inter alia to cameras and lenses: Sony.net…
The same document from last year’s meeting (22 May 2018): Sony.net…

In both cases the most interesting slide is the last one, dedicated to market shares and market ranks:

Between FY2017 (April 2017 – March 2018) and FY2018 (April 2018 – March 2019):

• The still camera market went down from ¥1,400bn to ¥1,300bn i.e. a decrease of 7.1%. This is coherent with CIPA shipment figures (cameras + lenses), which lead to a 8.3% decrease.
• Sony’s share in the still camera market went up, from 20% to 24%.
• Sony’s share in the ILC + interchangeable lens market went up, from 19% to 23%.
• Sony is now #2 on this market (#3 in FY2017), behind Canon but ahead of Nikon.
• Sony’s share in the compact camera market went up, from 26% to 29%.
• Sony is now #1 on this market (#2 in FY2017).
• (it could be a typo, the data is surprising) the video camera market went down from ¥390bn to ¥300bn i.e. a decrease of 23%.
• Sony’s share in this market remained stable: 29%.

Time to sound the bugle!

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Thanks Mistral for finding the links.

BCNretail published the April Japanese Full Frame market share data. There is little change from the previous March report. Sony did loose around 8% share to Nikon. While the Canon share remained steady.

The top 3 camera sales are:

1) Sony A7III 38,9%
2) EOS-RP 16,5%
3) EOS-R 12,3%

Overall the FF mirrorless sales increased by 62,7% compared to last year!

It is expected that Sony shares drop slightly. Afterall Sony had last FF camera announcement happened 15 months ago (Sony A7III). It’s about time Sony you release your new A9II and A7sIII. And I wouldn’t mind to get a new A7rIV (or A9r) too :)