Rumours are just rumours and I don't care how credible m43 rumours' is. Let's talk real data this is not by a research company but by CIPA ( Japanese Cameras & Imaging Association ). CIPA forecasts 2024 will see camera output drop to 96% of 2023. Total output of cameras will be 7.41 million units of which 6.55 million units or 96.2% will be outside Japan. This shows Japan only consumes 3.8% of it's total output which brings to questions of YouTube influencers claim that it reflects worldwide data so in a sense @Richoflex assertion that Japanese sales figures do not represent camera worldwide market reality. Kudos to him.
There are some positive data in that lens output remain almost that of 2023 at 99.3%.
2024 is an exciting year as many new cameras will be introduced and especially compact cameras!
So I think camera manufacturers understand that there is consumer demand from smartphone users wanting better photo quality as a crossover camera. That said, looking at the current trend of fullframe camera manufacturer economy of scale and photographic image quality considerations some camera companies will maintain their dominance of smaller sensor formats like Panasonic GH series and Fujifilm's APSC to M43 Panasonic and OMDS niches. In general camera companies like Sony, canon and Nikon will maintain a superficial APSC product range as a consumer feeder or enticement to their fullframe product line.
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CIPA expects a drop in global digital camera sales for 2024 but insists it is a growing market
www.digitalcameraworld.com