I think you answered Tom's
https://bcgforums.com/goto/post?id=409351 expressed opinion very well.
While Tom offers his opinion on the subject candidly, he also does make some points but not all if you look at the larger picture.
Again i agree with both reply's in ways.
To me the picture is larger.
The global market has shrunk over 50% in the past decade, many players have had to reinvent them selves and or adapt in order to grow revenue or even survive.
Sony has been the innovation driver securing a lot of market share, Canon made some good moves, Nikon let mostly everyone do the hard work then copied or followed and caught up very slowly at great personal tolerance of its loyal followers.
Today as far as cameras go Sony and Canons focus tracking is exceptional and Nikon has caught up very closely but still I feel holds position 3 on the podium.
Nikon has done a great job rolling out some great glass given the performance versus size and weight, remember margin is king as volume is down to the previous generation of products. Margin is derived at cutting costs, increasing prices, innovation of unique or niche products that stand out and perform.
The under estimated brand is Fuji who is innovative different above all interestingly engaging, something the big three are watching or following carefully.
Consumers want small affordable intuitive quality and performance.
I hear from members in the club Fuji and even OM 1 brands have been doing some things for a long time that some of the big three are only recently starting to fold out slowly.
Yes Nikon has an impressive range of glass and finally some very acceptable cameras with more needed.
Nikon's new View finder in the Z6 III is mind blowing based on reports making future model roll outs exciting, that said I personally still prefer the quality and accuracy of the optical viewfinder. Hey that's me.
I also prefer to use hands down the Z9 every time even over the Z8, yet i respect the difference between want and need and now only use the Z8 that is more fit for the purpose of what i do.
There are many different users and budget needs out there. If you have used a Z9 you won’t want use any other Z camera, well for some until the Z8 came along.
The ZF and now Z6III is a step in the right direction, the Z7 III is highly anticipated,
hopefully it will be a 61 mp Sony A7RV sensor, this will work well with the Z8 Z9II speed demons.
I do feel there is a little bit of a gap or lag for mid-range priced products, but you say that Nikon is working on catching up on that.
I think the Z6III Z7III at 61mp will be a great combo.
The end users are a little different today I feel.
Lots of the traditional or experienced wild life birding shooters are interested in taking photos partly but equally enjoy immensely the physical journey of getting out an about in nature, and having the social experience, a hobby an interaction, i guess it therefore doesn’t matter so much about the gear.
In our club 80% still use very happily a D500 D850 and 150-600 Sigma, or 200-500 Nikon with a mono pod, others have the 100-400 and Canon 5D.......some use happily Fuji, there just out to enjoy them sleeves.
If it’s not fun then it’s not good.
The pros are into their higher end gear they trust to deliver a living and that’s getting to be a tough gig now.
I rent my exotic gear as needed as i don't have the frequency of demand use to warrant purchase.
I do feel we are entering an era of significant change as to how things used to be, there is also a definite generational gap in users, I think that’s the market needing targeting and serious fast engagement.
Only an opinion
