Sony just 1% behind Canon for Japanese mirrorless market share

Sony just 1% behind Canon for Japanese mirrorless market share
(Image credit: BCN Retail)

Sony is tantalizingly close to stealing Canon's top slot for mirrorless cameras in Japan, as there is now just 1% difference between the two companies in terms of market share.

The market is currently ruled by four principal players:

Canon: 31%
Sony: 30%
Olympus: 21%
Panasonic: 10%

That's according to the latest BCN Ranking report for June 2019 (via Digital Camera Info), the Japanese point of sale database that aggregates sales in the territory. 

• Read more: Best mirrorless cameras

While the camera industry as a whole continues to decline, the mirrorless sector (at least in Japan) is holding firm, with overall sales at 98% year-on-year. Sony, however, actually managed double digit growth, reaching 117% compared to 2018. 

The report continues to paint an intriguing picture of Japan's mirrorless market, which is starting to supersede the traditional DSLR market in terms of importance. It's also a fascinating insight as to where consumer interest truly lies. 

The Canon EOS M50 remains a stratospheric seller in Japan

The Canon EOS M50 remains a stratospheric seller in Japan  (Image credit: Canon)

Tellingly, not only is Nikon virtually non-existent in the rankings, but so are products like the Canon EOS R and Canon EOS RP. In fact, the only full-frame mirrorless camera in the top ten is the Sony A7 III – Sony's most junior full-frame offering.

Instead, the top ten camera sales comprise mid-range and entry level products like the Canon EOS M50, Sony A6400 and the Olympus PEN E-PL9… along with its predecessor, from 2016!  

1) Canon EOS Kiss M (Canon EOS M50)
2)
Sony A6400
3)
Olympus PEN E-PL9
4) Canon EOS M100
5) Olympus PEN E-PL8
6) Panasonic Lumix GF9 (Panasonic Lumix GX800 / GX850)
7)
Sony A7 III
8)
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III
9) Sony A6000
10) Panasonic Lumix GF10

So for all the naysayers who wonder why Canon is keeping its EOS M series alive, or those who wonder why Olympus seems so much more apt to refresh its PEN line than concentrate on new OM-D models, this is why!

Read more: 

The best mirrorless camera in 2019: we pick the best compact system cameras
DSLR vs mirrorless cameras: How do they compare in 2019?
Canon EOS M50 review

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James Artaius
Editor

The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photo and lighting tutorials, as well as industry news, rumors and analysis for publications like Digital Camera MagazinePhotoPlus: The Canon MagazineN-Photo: The Nikon MagazineDigital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and talks at The Photography Show. He also serves as a judge for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.