>> Canon and Nikon's camera businesses are in real trouble.
So are everyone else's including Sony's.
Their biggest threat is Apple. Who needs a fast, large aperture lens when you've got Portrait mode? The dual lens on the iPhone obviates the need for many people to step up to a camera with a zoom. If Apple can find a way to fake it through low light photography with software tricks, everyone's in deep trouble.
Let's not forget that the best camera is the one you have with you, not the one with the best technology or optics.
Sony have a sensor business; their own branded cameras are a useful spin-off. They're essentially agnostic as to the future of photography, because they hold such a dominant position in the sensor market.
iPhones use Sony sensors, as do the majority of high-end Android handsets. Nikon use Sony sensors across most of their camera range, as do Pentax and Fujifilm. GoPro have used Sony sensors from the outset, as do most of their competitors. Sony sensors dominate the scientific, industrial and security markets.
If you need a CMOS imaging sensor, you have two choices - Sony Exmor, or something worse.
We were talking about cameras, not sensors. Those are two separate but related businesses. Talking about Sony's sensor business dominance is not a counterpoint to the decline of the still camera industry in general.
Everyone uses Sony sensors for their still cameras to some degree, including Canon (sensors smaller than APS). If all still camera companies decline it hurts Sony big time. Sensors one of their few genuinely successful and profitable businesses that pump up their quarterly corprate numbers.
I'm pretty sure that Sony doesn't want to be left making only smartphone camera sensors in large volumes.
So are everyone else's including Sony's.
Their biggest threat is Apple. Who needs a fast, large aperture lens when you've got Portrait mode? The dual lens on the iPhone obviates the need for many people to step up to a camera with a zoom. If Apple can find a way to fake it through low light photography with software tricks, everyone's in deep trouble.
Let's not forget that the best camera is the one you have with you, not the one with the best technology or optics.