Zero polycabonate
Leading Member
The way I see it, we have about 7 major players, with 8 established systems. Fuji with X, Nikon and Canon (im not including Nikon 1), Pentax K mount (not including Q), Sony with 3 systems, and Olympus and Panasonic with MFT. If somebody is brand new to the camera industry, this could be a very confusing decision.
Conventional wisdom says that the best selling items are the safest to return, but this isn't always a black and white deal. Some companies have a lower profit threshold before they decide to call it quits, some are even willing to lose money just to play the game (more likely if the loss isn't huge, or if they have deep pockets). My first thought is Canon, the biggest, probably the most popular, followed closely by Nikon.
These two seem very close on the surface, although Canon seem to be more financially stable from what I read (sensor IQ aside, making your own sensors is a benefit to stability). Canon is just bigger in the wallet, although I still think they are both safe from disaster due to the immense popularity, and both have amazing lens selections.
Next, in no particular order, we have Fuji. I have also heard Fuji, while not as popular in the camera market, have big financial backing. How they would put up with losses I have no idea, and I haven't seen any data. Similar to Pentax, the Fuji following seem to be very loyal, and they are very unique in their design (if a little behind the curve in tech, still using 16mp). If I were going to bet on a last-man-standing of the mirrorless bunch, Fuji would be one of the two I would bet on (the other being Panasonic).
Pentax seems another safe bet similar to Canon and Nikon. Not because it's anywhere near as popular, but it has a very loyal consumer base and a whole lot of money to back it up now that Ricoh is paying the bills. FF on the way is a good sign, the system is growing rather than the other way around, and they hold an important segment of the industry, the "outdoorsman" system. Everywhere I look, Ricoh/Pentax appeal to the "rugged" consumer. Yes there are other tough cameras like the D4 but one can buy a fully sealed Pentax K50 w/sealed kit lens for under $400.
Sony is a bit of an unknown to me. I hear a lot about financial data where they are losing money hand over fist, yet they keep pushing forward with FE mount. A-mount has grown rather stale, seemingly getting put on the back burner (I have heard rumors of new cameras, but only rumors) with some downsizing going on in the past removing the A3x line and A6x line. In Sony ML, there is a thread in Sony apsc E mount about Sony focusing on FE instead (there is lots of talk from users about swapping MFG due to this). FE is full steam ahead but many don't see it as a complete system even today.
MFT rounds out the list. I have also read Olympus is in trouble, with dwindling sales as well as not being a financial giant. Panasonic on the other hand is supposed to be similar to Canon or Pentax, lots of money to throw around for future investment. MFT seems to be a growing system, if only held back by the lack of prestige due to the smaller sensor. Then we seemingly have a wedge being driven by Panasonic, with it's DFD only working with Panasonic lenses, and now the GX8 debuting a hybrid IS system which of course, is only fully functional with Panasonic OIS glass.
Without starting a troll war, I would personally be weary of both Olympus and Sony. Olympus is a smaller player, both financially and status wise. Their partner in crime seems to be separating themselves, almost developing their own system so to speak. Sony on the other hand can't make up their mind where to go. Abandoning one group of people after another isn't the way to develop a loyal user base, but they seem to have their agenda, consumer be damned.
So what do you guys think? Are there clear lines as to a safe bet (as safe as can reasonably be expected) for a lifetime of ownership? Are there any brands that are on shaky ground? Feel free to just speculate or add financial and sales data.
Conventional wisdom says that the best selling items are the safest to return, but this isn't always a black and white deal. Some companies have a lower profit threshold before they decide to call it quits, some are even willing to lose money just to play the game (more likely if the loss isn't huge, or if they have deep pockets). My first thought is Canon, the biggest, probably the most popular, followed closely by Nikon.
These two seem very close on the surface, although Canon seem to be more financially stable from what I read (sensor IQ aside, making your own sensors is a benefit to stability). Canon is just bigger in the wallet, although I still think they are both safe from disaster due to the immense popularity, and both have amazing lens selections.
Next, in no particular order, we have Fuji. I have also heard Fuji, while not as popular in the camera market, have big financial backing. How they would put up with losses I have no idea, and I haven't seen any data. Similar to Pentax, the Fuji following seem to be very loyal, and they are very unique in their design (if a little behind the curve in tech, still using 16mp). If I were going to bet on a last-man-standing of the mirrorless bunch, Fuji would be one of the two I would bet on (the other being Panasonic).
Pentax seems another safe bet similar to Canon and Nikon. Not because it's anywhere near as popular, but it has a very loyal consumer base and a whole lot of money to back it up now that Ricoh is paying the bills. FF on the way is a good sign, the system is growing rather than the other way around, and they hold an important segment of the industry, the "outdoorsman" system. Everywhere I look, Ricoh/Pentax appeal to the "rugged" consumer. Yes there are other tough cameras like the D4 but one can buy a fully sealed Pentax K50 w/sealed kit lens for under $400.
Sony is a bit of an unknown to me. I hear a lot about financial data where they are losing money hand over fist, yet they keep pushing forward with FE mount. A-mount has grown rather stale, seemingly getting put on the back burner (I have heard rumors of new cameras, but only rumors) with some downsizing going on in the past removing the A3x line and A6x line. In Sony ML, there is a thread in Sony apsc E mount about Sony focusing on FE instead (there is lots of talk from users about swapping MFG due to this). FE is full steam ahead but many don't see it as a complete system even today.
MFT rounds out the list. I have also read Olympus is in trouble, with dwindling sales as well as not being a financial giant. Panasonic on the other hand is supposed to be similar to Canon or Pentax, lots of money to throw around for future investment. MFT seems to be a growing system, if only held back by the lack of prestige due to the smaller sensor. Then we seemingly have a wedge being driven by Panasonic, with it's DFD only working with Panasonic lenses, and now the GX8 debuting a hybrid IS system which of course, is only fully functional with Panasonic OIS glass.
Without starting a troll war, I would personally be weary of both Olympus and Sony. Olympus is a smaller player, both financially and status wise. Their partner in crime seems to be separating themselves, almost developing their own system so to speak. Sony on the other hand can't make up their mind where to go. Abandoning one group of people after another isn't the way to develop a loyal user base, but they seem to have their agenda, consumer be damned.
So what do you guys think? Are there clear lines as to a safe bet (as safe as can reasonably be expected) for a lifetime of ownership? Are there any brands that are on shaky ground? Feel free to just speculate or add financial and sales data.
, but Canon also designs and manufactures their own DSLR sensors.
