Because the craze for compacts continues, and amid rumors {that a} new era of PowerShot is being launched this 12 months, Canon has formally confirmed that it “will enhance manufacturing and gross sales” of compact cameras. And there’s a chance that this will probably be achieved by outsourcing manufacturing to a third-party.
Citing maybe its hottest compact, the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III – which is perpetually on back-order, and is promoting for as a lot as $500 above retail value on the American used market – the corporate pledged to extend manufacturing to satisfy the demand that has been fed by social media frenzy.
“With the unfold of social media, compact cameras, which might simply seize pictures completely different from these captured by smartphones, have gotten more and more in style, particularly amongst younger folks, and again orders are piling up, particularly for high-priced fashions such because the PowerShot G7 X Mark III,” said Canon in its newest monetary report.
“We goal to extend gross sales by rising provide by establishing a manufacturing enlargement system”.
Intriguingly, this “manufacturing enlargement system” may contain Canon outsourcing manufacturing to a 3rd celebration (having shut down its Chinese language facility in Zhuhai, Guanadong Province, which used to provide compact cameras).
“We need to make… low-end digital digital camera fashions which can be produced in Asia fabless (by outsourcing the manufacturing),” Canon CEO Fujio Mitarai stated final month.
“It’s anticipated that the meeting course of will probably be primarily outsourced,” wrote Nikkei Shimbun, which performed the interview with Mitarai. “The design, improvement and manufacturing of most important merchandise and key elements will proceed to be achieved constantly in Japan to forestall know-how leaks.”
Not solely does this save Canon from having to reopen its personal factories, it additionally protects it (and its prospects) from international politics affecting the provision chain.
“Fairly than having Its personal factories, it may possibly lighten its belongings by outsourcing a variety of merchandise commensurate with manufacturing quantity,” continues Nikkei. “It additionally goals to keep away from geopolitical dangers similar to provide chain disruptions.”
Whereas Canon’s monetary assertion talked about the PowerShot G7 X in particular, it’s solely attainable that the intention to bolster manufacturing of compact cameras is in assist of a rumored new product.
Digital camera rumors have been spreading concerning the Canon PowerShot V1 – a brand new compact that may use a Micro 4 Thirds-sized sensor, reportedly set to hit the market this 12 months and change the likes of the G7 X line.
Whether or not or not the brand new product materializes, I am glad to see that Canon is heeding the decision from shoppers and getting again into the compact digital camera recreation. It is about time!
If you do not know what all of the fuss is about, take a look at our Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III evaluate. And for those who nonetheless do not get it, check out the finest Canon cameras in different product classes.