SG will soon be launching a new 24mm f/6.3 full frame pancake lens. The image above shows the edition number ‘00001’ and is the L-mount version. But Z-mount will be available too for a price of 299 Yuan (about $65).. It’s obviously a manual focus lens and I’m not expecting outstanding optical performance.

via Weibo

As you know BCN collected the real sale data of nearly half the Japanese Store. And they now shared the BCN Awards with detailed market share for each category of electronics. Here are the market share data with the 2023 market share in parentheses.

Digital Cameras (Mirrorless)

1. Sony 35.8% (34%)
2. Canon 26% (28.3%)
3. Nikon 14.5% (Unknown, took over the third spot from OM Digital which had 12.5% in 2023)

Digital Cameras (fixed lens)

1. Canon 23.4% (22.6%)
2. Kodak 21.2% (20.7%)
3. Fujifilm 15.8% (18.1%)

Digital Cameras (SLR)

1. Canon 69.4% (77.1%)
2. Nikon 20.9% (17.1%)
3. Ricoh 9.7% (5.8%)

Lenses

1. Tamron 17.5% (15.4%)
2. Sigma 16.8% (17%)
3. Sony 15% (15.2%)

Digital Video Cameras

1. DJI 48.1% (wasn’t ranked in top three last year and took the world by storm)
2. Panasonic 23.8% (36.4%)
3. Sony 23.4% (38.7%)

Action Cameras

1. GoPro 34.3% (53.7%)
2. DJI 32.1% (15.9%)
3. Insta360 26.9% (18.1%)

What we learn from this:

1. Sony managed to increase the lead over Canon from 5.7 to 9,8 percent
2. Nikon surpassed OM Digital and now is on third spot
3. Nikon has 20.9% in the “dying” DSLR market
4. DJI took the video world by storm. Thank the Osmo 3 for that!

The very large Japanese camera store Yodobashi has listed the 20 best-selling camera kits for the whole of 2024:

1. Sony α7C II Body
2. Sony α7C II Zoom Lens Kit
3. Canon EOS R50 Double Zoom Kit
4. Canon EOS R6 Mark II Body
5. Nikon Z8 Body
6. Sony A7 IV
7. Canon EOS R10 RF-S18-150 IS STM Lens Kit
8. Canon EOS R5 Body
9. Nikon Zfc 16-50 VR Lens Kit
10. Sony α7R V Body
11. Nikon Z50 Double Zoom Kit
12. Sony FX3 Body
13. Sony α7 IV Zoom Lens Kit
14. Nikon Zf 40mm f/2 (SE) Lens Kit
15. Sony α6700 High Magnification Zoom Lens Kit
16. Nikon Z30 Double Zoom Kit
17. Canon EOS R6 Mark II/RF24-105 L IS USM Lens Kit
18. Fujifilm X-T5 Body
19. Canon EOS R50/RF-S18-45 IS STM Lens Kit
20. Olympus PEN E-P7 EZ Double Zoom Kit

7Artisans announced this new 18mm f/5.6 manual focusing pancake lens you can preorder now at Pergear.

Her are the key specs:

Mapcamera shared the bestseller list for December:

Most sold new cameras:

1. Nikon Z50II
2. FUJIFILM X-M5
3. Canon EOS R5 Mark II
4. SONY α1II
5. SONY α7C II
6. Canon EOS R1
7. FUJIFILM X100VI
8. Nikon Z f
9. RICOH GR IIIx
10. SONY α7IV

Most sold used cameras:

1. Canon EOS R5
2. RICOH GR III
3. Sony α7 III
4. RICOH GR IIIx
5. Canon EOS RP
6. Canon EOS R6
7. Nikon Z50
8. Nikon Z f
9. Sony α7C II
10. Sony α7 II

Here are the results of the DPreview readers awards. The top 3 best products are:

1. Nikon Z6III
2. Canon R5II
3. Sony 28-70mm GM

This is Dpreview’s wishlist for 2025:

What We Expect from Nikon:

1. Z fc Update: The Z fc is likely to get an update in 2025. It could incorporate improvements from the Z50II, especially in autofocus, and potentially streamline its naming convention. This would enhance the camera’s appeal while maintaining its aesthetic charm.
2. Z5 Refresh: The Z5 feels outdated compared to competitors like Canon’s EOS R8. An update with the Z6 II’s sensor and the latest autofocus tech would help it better compete while maintaining a clear distinction from the higher-end Z6 III. However, it could overlap with the Zf model, so careful positioning would be needed.
3. Z9 Firmware Updates: Nikon might offer additional firmware updates for the Z9, potentially including features like C2PA Content Credentials, to continue its support and keep it competitive against newer rivals.

What We’d Like to See from Nikon:

1. Relaxed Z-Mount Licensing: One major desire is for Nikon to ease its licensing restrictions for third-party lens makers. Greater freedom for existing licensees and the addition of more third-party options would make the Z-mount system more attractive to consumers.
2. Advanced APS-C Model: There’s a desire for a more advanced APS-C model that could sit above the Z50II. This could include IBIS and Nikon’s latest autofocus tech, possibly offering a spiritual successor to the D500. However, given Nikon’s current focus on APS-C as an entry point to the Z-mount, this may be wishful thinking.
3. Z7 II Successor: There’s curiosity about the potential for a successor to the Z7 II. A high-res body like the Sony a7R V could compete in the market with excellent autofocus, but it might cannibalize sales from the Z6 III and Z8, making it hard to position within Nikon’s current lineup.

Nikon x Red: What We Expect:

1. Z-Mount Integration with Red: Given Nikon’s recent acquisition of Red, it’s possible that in 2025, we could see a Red body with a Z-mount, either branded with a Nikon logo or not. It would likely be a cinema-focused model, but not yet fully integrated into Nikon’s lineup.
2. N-Log2 Encoding: The integration of N-Log2 encoding, based on Red’s expertise, seems plausible. This would offer improved flexibility compared to the current N-Log implementation, potentially enhancing the quality of video captured by Nikon cameras.
3. Shutter Angle Feature: Shutter angle control, which was recently added to the Z9, could potentially be rolled out to other Nikon cameras, especially those geared toward video work like the Z8 and Z6 III.

Nikon x Red: What We’d Like to See:

1. Red’s Raw Clipping Warnings: Red’s Raw clipping warnings, which visually indicate when portions of each Raw channel are clipping, would be a valuable addition to Nikon’s cameras. This would assist photographers, particularly landscape shooters, in optimizing exposure.
2. 32-Bit Float Audio: With Red’s expertise in high-end production, Nikon could potentially adopt 32-bit float audio capabilities, which would significantly improve audio recording in video production.
3. N-Raw Codec Support: Nikon should work more closely with software makers to ensure broader support for the N-Raw codec. Expanding editing software options for in-camera Raw capture would increase the utility of this feature for users.

Summary:

Nikon’s camera lineup could see updates including a refreshed Z fc, an updated Z5, and potential firmware updates for the Z9. The company could also consider relaxing its Z-mount licensing to encourage third-party lens development and might explore an advanced APS-C model or a Z7 II successor. The collaboration with Red could bring exciting new features, including Z-mount integration, N-Log2 encoding, shutter angle control, and advanced exposure tools for photographers.