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Big panic in small Japan
  • During one of recent Panasonic management meeting they had slide with camera market prediction for 2020.

    Total market fall can reach 35% in case of "normal market development" and reach 50% in case of "conflict or economic issues" (later case is being shown as around 30% probability).

    Panasonic m43 bodies are planned to fall around 20% and will have two round discounts. Nothing about GH6 release had been on slide.

    Panasonic m43 lenses are expected to fall 30-35%, some of models will no longer be produced. Panasonic will gradually cut m43 lenses manufacturing, slowly.

    Panasonic L mount bodies sales had two numbers - one that will be present by PR and in PDFs for public - around 10% fall, and another number is more realistic 40% fall in case of no further price cuts or up to 25% in case of another 30% price cut for both models.

    Panasonic L mount lenses sales are very bad already, 0% number will be public and real number is expected to be 20% (due to very small base!). Price cuts for L mount lenses are discussed, but same as with L mount bodies in 2019 it faces strong opposition from older managers.

    2020 can be also first year where we'll see big layoffs and relocations in Panasonic departments related to cameras, lenses and camcorders (including pro cameras department!). Panasonic will try to mask this making most of this during Olympics.