Recalling the inventory of major events in the digital imaging industry in 2012

2012 is doomed to be an extraordinary year. Some people really treat this year as the last year of their lives, while others continue to lead a normal life day after day. Regardless of Maya’s predicted 2012 end of the world is true or false, and regardless of how many natural and man-made disasters occurred during the year, it is surprisingly consistent with the Mayan prophecy. In this year, our hearts were indeed brought by the Mayan prophecy. The "rumour of the last days" cast a thick shadow.

Perhaps the Mayan prophecy's huge impact on us is only a psychological hint that humans have been infinitely enlarged because of human fear of death. I believe most people are still waiting in their hearts for the sun to rise on December 22, 2012 as usual. The relevant scientists have also confirmed that the Mayan prophecy's statement that December 21, 2012 is the end of the world is a misunderstanding. That day is actually the “zero day” re-clocked in the Mayan calendar, which means that one round of return ends and the beginning of a new era.

This year 2012 is indeed extraordinary for the digital imaging industry. Kodak, a century-old company that bears the history of the development of the digital imaging industry, is still on the brink of bankruptcy. It is unresolved whether it is a matter of life or death. Several established digital camera manufacturers have experienced ups and downs in this year. The rapid development of smart phones in the past year, more and more consumers are getting used to using mobile phones instead of cameras to record everything in daily life, resulting in a decline in the sales of the camera. The great turmoil in the industry also broke the long-standing pattern among several vendors. It seems that all this is suggesting to us that this year will be a year of reshuffling.

The current status of the digital imaging industry can be described as “fear of the end of the world and eagerness to rejuvenate”. However, it is to be pleased that in the face of the present status quo of the industry, manufacturers have not given up all the choices waiting for this fate, but Various plans have been formulated to change the current situation. Today, before the advent of the legendary end of the world, we took everyone to review all the major events in this year's digital imaging industry. I believe after reading this summary of major events in the industry, you will have a kind of “doom” in the digital imaging industry. With a new understanding, there will be more expectations for the future.

Android smart digital camera turned out

Perhaps the most exciting news of 2012 is that Android is finally integrated with a digital camera. Perhaps a few years ago, people only thought that Android was just an operating system for mobile phones or tablet computers, but this year Nikon and Samsung’s two digital camera manufacturers successfully launched digital cameras equipped with an Android system. Since then, digital cameras have also joined Android. The system's huge camp.

On January 10, 2012, Polaroid Corporation opened the world's first smart camera SC1630 equipped with an Android system at the CES2012 exhibition. The camera's appearance resembles a smart phone, using a 16-megapixel CCD sensor, 3x optical zoom Lens and 3.2-inch touch screen. With face and smile recognition, calendar, photo album, music, browser, E-mail, calculator, alarm clock and other applications are supported. Polaroid SC1630 pre-installed Android 2.3.4 gingerbread system, support for Wi-Fi wireless networks and 3G networks. In addition to sending pictures and videos, browsing web pages, and logging in to Weibo via the Internet, users can also download various applications, games, and plug-ins through the Android Market.

On August 22, 2012, Nikon officially released the Nikon COOLPIX S800c, the first Nikon camera equipped with an Android camera. The camera has a 1/2.3-inch, 16-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor and a lens with 10x optical zoom and equivalent focal length of 25-250mm. Behind the fuselage equipped with a 3.5-inch touch LCD screen. Of course, the most important is that this camera is equipped with Android 2.3 gingerbread system, and has Wi-Fi wireless transmission and GPS positioning.

The Samsung Galaxy Camera, Samsung’s first smart camera equipped with an Android system, attracted the attention of countless media after its debut at the Photokina exhibition in Cologne, Germany this year. This smart camera, inheriting the Samsung Galaxy series of blood can be described as a pet. In terms of configuration, the Samsung Galaxy Camera is the most amazing is that this camera is equipped with Andrew 4.1 jelly bean system, and with a frequency of 1.4GHz Quad-core processor. The smart camera uses a 1/2.3 inch, 16.3 million effective pixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor. The camera lens supports a 21x optical zoom with an equivalent focal length of 23-481mm and a maximum aperture of F2.8. Behind the fuselage equipped with a large 4.8-inch LCD touch screen, this LCD screen has reached an ultra-high resolution of 1280 x 720 308ppi. Also worth mentioning is that Samsung GALAXY Camera this smart camera not only built-in Wi-Fi wireless transmission capabilities, but also supports 3G, 4G mobile network, so in addition to the phone, the Samsung GALAXY Camera is the first to count A digital camera that can be accessed at any time. So ultra-fast processing speed coupled with powerful camera and sharing capabilities make this definitely the smartest camera available today.

In general, the birth of the Android camera marks another breakthrough in the development of the camera. The camera has evolved from a purely manual operation to a digital camera with a camera operating system to today’s Android operating system, step by step proof that the development of technology has had a huge impact on digital cameras. Of course, the combination of the Android system and the camera also fully proves that the current smart phone brings a huge impact on the camera, so manufacturers have to think of ways to introduce a digital camera that is more in line with current consumer habits. However, at present, the launch of the Android smart camera also provides a new direction for the development of DC small card cameras, which are not currently selling well, and the Android system seems to be more suitable for use with portable cameras. After all, friends who truly love photography don’t care whether they can share it in time.

Full-frame image product diversification

When it comes to full-frame, I believe most people's first reaction is SLR cameras. However, from now on when we talk about full-frame, we will not necessarily refer to SLR cameras. Sony not only introduced a full-frame single-camera Sony A99 this year, but it is also the first time to introduce a full-frame portable digital camera - Sony RX1 and a full-frame handheld HD digital camera - Sony NEX VG900E. As for traditional full-frame SLR cameras, the two main camps of Canon Nikon have launched full-frame SLR cameras with the concept of “entry level”.

Sony has become one of the world's leading sensor manufacturers with its strong research and development in image sensors. Currently, a large number of cameras and mobile phones on the market are equipped with image sensors developed by Sony. Therefore, the full-frame sensor is no longer difficult for Sony Corporation. So we can see three full-frame products launched by Sony this year. Since Sony introduced a single camera, everyone can clearly feel that full-frame single-power is coming sooner or later. So this year we finally saw the Sony A99, the most powerful single-end model of 24.3 million effective pixels. The introduction of the Sony A99 full-frame single camera is bound to have a strong impact on the current full-frame digital SLR camera.

If full-frame single-cameras are expected, then Sony's full-frame portable digital cameras launched in September will surprise everyone. The Sony RX1 has the same 24.3 million effective pixels as the Sony A99, and comes with a classic 35mm f/2.0 prime lens. Full frame plus classic focal length lens, this camera can bring us absolutely the most original photography fun, of course, this camera configuration is also enough to spike all current portable digital cameras and non-reversible mirror camera.

Sony gave us enough surprises in the full-frame area, but traditional digital SLR cameras continue to introduce new products to attract consumers. Therefore, this year we will see that both Canon and Nikon have introduced the "entry-grade full-frame" digital SLR camera. Coincidentally, the Canon EOS 6D and the Nikon D600, both full-frame models, were priced very close when launched, and their performance was varied, so it was enough to prove that the camera manufacturers also competed in the entry-level full-frame area.

Of course, almost all types of cameras are now available in full-frame versions. The only camera that does not have a full-frame size is a non-reversible mirror camera. Although both Sony and Fujitsu have launched flagship non-reversible mirror cameras, they are not equipped with full-frame size CMOS, but currently there are more and more rumors about Sony's full-format version of the micro-Nex-7, and we also have Reasons believe that Sony will definitely be the first manufacturer to launch a full-frame micro-camera. At present, it seems that the road to diversification of full-frame image products continues. In the future, we will only wait to see when full-frame products will be developed.

Sony Registers the "Black CardTM" Trademark

On June 6, 2012, Sony Corporation released a new high-end portable digital camera Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX100, as Sony's Cyber-shot's flagship product, Sony DSC-RX100 compact, black textured metal body and mellow The frame design gives the user a comfortable grip. Sony also deliberately registered the “Black CardTM” trademark in China to name this camera. Sony’s “Black CardTM” digital camera, the DSC-RX100, is also the first Sony concept of high-definition on portable digital cameras. Sony DSC-RX100 named "black card" camera, the purpose is to make this camera can be a dark horse to open up a new market.

Sony DSC-RX100 uses a new design of 1 inch (13.2mmx8.8mm) Exmor CMOS sensor, with the highest in the digital camera 20.2 million effective pixels. Its dual noise reduction and column ADC can also take clear and vivid pictures in the case of insufficient brightness, achieving high sensitivity and sharp resolution even when professionally zoomed into large-size photos. At that time, the quality is still excellent. The perfect match between the large-size Exmor CMOS and the BIONZ high-speed image processor also ensures that the captured images have high image quality and low noise, and can reproduce the details of the image perfectly. At the same time this camera is also the first portable digital camera to reach more than 20 million pixels camera.

In the Sony DSC-RX100 did not launch long, Sony immediately demonstrated to the market in September this year, another "black card TM" camera - Sony RX1. This "Black CardTM" camera is more prominent than the Sony RX100 in its high-definition, ultra-portable concept. The Sony RX1 is only 113.3 x 65.4 x 69.6mm in size and weighs about 453g (only the body). The camera uses a full-frame-size Exmor CMOS sensor with 24.3 million effective pixels, which is the same pixel level as Sony's flagship single-camera Sony A99. Not only that this non-interchangeable digital camera with a high optical quality Carl Zeiss 35mm f/2.0 lens. How can you not love this "Black CardTM" camera?

Following the "single power TM" and "micro single TM" trademark, Sony once again registered a brand new "Black Card TM" trademark for its digital cameras in China. In addition to copyright issues, Sony's registration of a Chinese trademark for a class of cameras is indeed more successful. It is convenient for consumers to memorize, and at the same time, it can quickly cause the camera to create a huge brand effect in the market. After Sony registered the trademark “Micro SingleTM”, other brands of non-reversible mirror cameras are not in China. Allowing micro-singles to be used for definition, “Micro-singleTM” cameras used to refer specifically to a type of camera in the eyes of a wide range of consumers, and now Sony has made such cameras more specific, which is enough to see Sony's brand promotion. The means are so brilliant.Although portable digital cameras have shown a certain decline in the current market environment, Sony Corporation has registered the “Black CardTM” trademark and incorporated the high-definition concept into DC cameras. It also shows the current state of Sony's attempt to change the general poor sales of portable digital cameras.

In short, maybe you don't know what a "black card TM" is, but when you hear such a name, will you have an urge to go to Baidu? If so, the purpose of Sony's registration of "Black CardTM" has already been achieved.

Lucky declares to stop production of color film

Time flies, and with the new imaging methods that technology has brought to digital cameras, film has gradually withdrawn from the stage of history. Not only was Kodak, the once leading company, faced with the crisis of closure, but also the film of Leica, which represents the history of film development in China, will gradually leave our sight.

On September 4, 2012, Lucky Films (600135) announced on the Shanghai Stock Exchange that the company will stop the production of color film and authorized the general manager of the company to clean up the sales of special assets related to color film and color film in stock. For this shutdown, Lekai explained: “Because of the impact of digital imaging on silver salt imaging products, the market demand for color film has dropped sharply in recent years, and this product has been unable to achieve mass production.” 2011 Lucky Films realized Operating income of 827 million yuan, a loss of 55.93 million yuan, the annual report shows that the company's operating profit margin of color photosensitive materials and new materials is only 6.66%.

And Lekai started as early as 2009 and laid the foundation for today's production shutdown. At that time, the company revealed that it was reducing the color film business by taking measures such as reducing product variety, increasing production efficiency, improving quality and reducing consumption, and developing new personalized products. A year ago, Lucky was finally on the road to restructuring. Lekai Film Group has been integrated into China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation as a wholly-owned subsidiary. The main business segment has also been transformed into printed materials, film materials and coating materials, and image information materials.

The silver salt era is undoubtedly the world of Kodak and Fuji, but for the people of the country, the domestic Lucky film has made us have a deeper feelings. Can you imagine that if there was no film in the country that year, would Kodak and Fujitsu enter the Chinese market at the same time? It is because of the rise of home-made films led by Lekai that the foreign brands did not dare to set prices in the country, so if there were no Lucky Films, how many people would not have to buy expensive foreign films and photographs in the year? Pass by. Lucky film is undoubtedly an irreplaceable role in the development of domestic imagery.

Looking at the three major film makers of the year, Kodak repeatedly went bankrupt on the brink of bankruptcy. Fuji also announced in 2011 that a number of film products had been formally suspended. Today, Lucky also officially stopped producing color film. For these three companies, the transformation is the only way to compete in the market, but the three companies do not seem to be on the road to transformation. The old companies in foreign countries are still there, and the younger ones are still there. It's a long way to go.

However, what is expected is that in the first half of the year, Lucky has clearly launched full-scale attacks in the fields of medical care, printing presses, etc., not only cooperating with JF, a well-known European digital press manufacturer, in launching a digital inkjet label printer, but also adapting to medicine. Image digital output developed non-silver salt thermal film. Therefore, we should be more optimistic about the future of Lucky, I believe that under the promotion of the general direction of the market, Lucky will eventually transform and succeed the legend in the domestic video industry.

Multiple Camera Manufacturers Collectively Lower 2012 Sales Plan

With the increasingly strong camera functions of smart phones and the global economic downturn, the sales volume of this year's coefficient camera has declined in a straight line this year. Canon also showed that its third-quarter sales fell by 12.8% year-on-year in the third quarter of this year. As consumer electronics and TV services of Sony and Panasonic continued to weaken, rating agency Fitch Ratings downgraded the debt ratings of the two companies to “junk” status, and Sony even shut down a Japanese camera lens factory to save money. Matsushita is also being reported to sell its digital camera business Sanyo. Olympus directly accepted Sony's capital injection to change the current long-term loss situation.

According to the current market, six Japanese digital camera companies including Canon, Sony and Nikon have reduced their 2012 sales plans. The total reduction rate is 10.5 million units, which is about 10% lower than the original plan. Compared to the 4.5% decrease in 2011, sales are expected to decline for the second consecutive year. The total sales volume of the six largest digital camera manufacturers in Japan in 2011 was 98.64 million units. Before August of this year, the six major manufacturers had planned to sell 100.47 million units in 2012, but now it has been reduced to 94.2 million units. Although the situation of each manufacturer is different, all manufacturers have lowered their target prices by 900,000 to 3 million units.

Although the current situation in the digital camera market is not optimistic, Japanese digital camera manufacturers still maintain an overwhelming advantage in the world. The advantage of Japanese manufacturers lies in the high optical quality of the lens and the development capability of sensors and other photosensitive elements. Therefore, major Japanese companies also plan to use their own advantages to complete the transfer of strategic focus. Canon will shift its strategic focus to high-end cameras and digital SLRs to deal with the weakness of the low-end portable digital camera market, and Sony will further strengthen its leadership in the micro-single field. However, with the exception of a few major manufacturers, the situation of manufacturers mainly based on card machines and M4/3 cameras is still very serious and the future is worrying.

So this year can be regarded as the "winter" of the entire digital camera industry. If you can successfully survive this winter, the hope of the future market still exists. It is only possible that after this "winter", the entire digital camera manufacturers will change dramatically.

Sony acquires Olympus shares and becomes its largest shareholder

The acquisition of Olympus’s tumultuous event finally took effect this year. On September 28, 2012, Olympus officially accepted Sony’s 49 billion yen (about 630 million U.S. dollars) investment, and Sony will hold the Olympic Games. Linbas’s 11.5% stake became Olympus’ largest shareholder. The two companies will also register and establish a joint venture at the end of December 2012. The new company will mainly develop medical equipment and research portable digital camera products.

The Olympus economic scandal that broke out from last year made Olympus quickly pushed to the cusp of public opinion. In 20 years, Olympus has concealed investment losses of up to 1.3 billion U.S. dollars. This has become the history of Japan. The largest corporate financial scandal. Since the economic scandal broke, Olympus’ share price has been declining, even creating the lowest stock price since January 1978. Not only that, several executives and board members were sued by Olympus. Although they were not forced to withdraw from the market, the Tokyo Stock Exchange imposed a fine of 10 million yen (approximately US$129,800) on Olympus. All this seems to be that this old camera manufacturer with nearly 100 years of history is going down.

The economic scandal was undoubtedly a heavy blow to Olympus, so the news about capital injections and acquisitions gradually appeared in people's eyes. In April of this year, Olympus publicly stated that they had received letters of intent from the capital alliance between Sony, Fuji and Terumo. In an interview in Tokyo on April 3rd, Koichi Hiroshi, Olympus’s candidate president, also stated that Olympus has already received letters of intent from “more than three” potential partners. According to the media at the time, Panasonic and Samsung also showed interest in Olympus.

However, after a series of rounds of negotiation and screening, Olympus finally received Sony's $630 million capital injection, which made Sony the largest shareholder of Olympus. In fact, this acquisition, whether for Sony or Olympus will eventually reach a win-win result. Olympus is not only a digital camera manufacturer, but also the world's largest manufacturer of medical endoscopes. The medical endoscopes produced by Olympus also firmly occupy 70% of the market's market share, so Sony Corporation passed this time. The acquisition not only enhances Sony's lens deficiency, but also easily obtains one of the world's largest manufacturers of medical endoscopes.

For Olympus, although in the past few years with the M4 / 3 system camera for a few years, but now more and more manufacturers have joined the ranks of non-reversible mirror cameras, and many cameras CMOS size Both are larger than the M4/3 system. So even though Olympus has a long history in the field of optics, there is still a lack of research and development capabilities in camera technology. The new Olympus President Yu Hongxing stated on November 12th that “Olympus needs further development. Strengthen the cooperation with Sony to reverse the current situation where Olympus portable digital cameras cannot be profitable.” So Olympus can fully rely on Sony’s strong R&D capabilities to further consolidate its position in the camera market. Therefore, each and every requirement will be a win-win situation for both companies.