IBC: Sony Readies DLSR Cameras to Ward Off "Canon Attack"

AMSTERDAM — Sony is designing a new series of cameras to ward off strong competition from Canon and GoPro.

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“Canon is attacking us in the DLSR cameras segment and we need to respond with a product line up,” said Shoji Nemoto, executive vp corporate executive officer and president of Sony’s Professional Services Group, during the International Broadcasting Convention. “The fundamental thing is to have a workflow in place, not just the camera itself. So we are looking to integrate research and development on the consumer side of our business with the professional imaging side.”

Sony unveiled a first look at the cameras at NAB in April as concept only and described as “the embodiment of Sony’s future development.”

“Development is ongoing and will merge technology and design from the Alpha range [of consumer digital still cameras] with professional technologies like XDCAM,” elaborated Nemoto, who leads Sony’s Professional Digital Imaging business.

“The DLSR market is growing into a big space and there are opportunities for us there,” he added. “The big challenge is how to change the culture of the way we market and sell the product. It needs to be a user-centric approach, not a product based one.

“If you look at GoPro they have entered this market with a culture and a business model based on the consumer side. We now need to develop our network and our services into a total business model with a strong consumer focus.”

IBC: Sony Readies DLSR Cameras to Ward Off "Canon Attack"