Nikon was asked a number of times at their press conference last week about the low projected unit volume growth in the coming year. Their answer was--if I'm reading it correctly--that they intended to concentrate more on upper end cameras in the coming year, thus didn't expect to increase unit volume. This seems to give credence to the D3x and FX sensor prosumer body rumors, but I have to wonder now whether or not Nikon will really go with just two consumer DSLRs (the D60 and the D80 replacement). Could their DSLR lineup at the end of the year really be D60, D90, D300, D10, D3, D3x?
Nikon's DSLR share for their just closed fiscal year works out to be 40.1%, their overall digital camera market share including compacts is 8.7%. Both numbers will fall if both Nikon's and CIPAs forecasts for the coming year are correct.
One reader pointed out to me that Nikon's numbers indicate that they sold 1.44 lenses per body during the period, a lower number than CIPA says others are managing. Given that half the Nikkor lenses over US$1000 are currently out of stock at B&H as I write this, one has to wonder if Nikon could have done better.
Meanwhile, Nikon's credit rating was upped from BBB- to BBB. It was also noted that Nikon now has more than enough cash to pay off their remaining debt. Debt overall has dropped to one-third the level it was in 2005. Put another way, Nikon's financial house is in pretty good order and getting better every quarter.