Fujifilm expects 100% growth in market share

Company successfully achieved 8% market share target last year

Dubai — Fujifilm Middle East & Africa expects almost 100 per cent growth in its market share for professional cameras in 2015 compared to 2014, a top regional official told Khaleej Times during an interview.

Fujifilm Middle East, a subsidiary company of Fujifilm Corporation is a leader in the distribution of technologies that provide the backbone for Imaging, Graphic Arts, Medical Imaging, Photofinishing, Recording Media, and Motion Picture products.

Yuta Kawamura, marketing manager, electronic imaging division, said Fujifilm MEA successfully achieved an eight per cent market share target last year. “This year we are targetting a 15 per cent market share for mirror less cameras in the Middle East specially in Gulf countries,” Kawamura explained.

Fujifilm is very strong in professional cameras and ranked third in the region after Samsung and Sony, according to Kawamura. “We are targeting to maintain a seven per cent market share in all categories including entry level compact cameras.”

He mentioned that last year was not bad in terms of sales result, and that it was better than the previous year. “This year’s target is 25,000 units’ sales in the region,” he informed.

“We will continue to concentrate on high-end models as they are more profitable compared to compact cameras,” he said. Citing further reason, he said that smartphones and tablets have taken over the place of entry level compact cameras and that business was no more profitable.

Talking about the Africa market, he said that it’s not a growing market for Fujifilm as a majority of Africans prefer to take photos with tablets and smartphones. He informed that the company’s home market Japan is ranked top in terms of sales followed by the US, China, Europe, and the Middle East and Africa. Without disclosing the name and details, Kawamura said that the company will soon launch another good quality professional camera in 2015.

Last year, Fujifilm introduced 10 different models of cameras and five lenses. The company launched XT-1 camera in the first quarter of 2014 and in terms of sales it has been the most popular product. Talking about its performance, he said: “It’s doing very well till now. Usually new camera sales go down after two months of a launch but this one is still in demand.” It’s mainly for professionals and photo enthusiasts, he added.

The Fujifilm X-T1 with its top quality design and Mirror less technology is setting up new benchmarks in the world of cameras. It has the world’s fastest Real Time Viewfinder and highest magnification ratio (0.77x). Fujifilm has incorporated these features in this camera so that the photographer not just uses the X-T1 but enjoys using the X-T1. With shutter lag time of just 0.005 seconds you’ll be clicking the next picture in a blink that will make the diehard DSLR users envy you.

The die cast magnesium body makes it light in weight at the same time being durable giving a well-balanced grip and an amazing feel when it sits in your hand and you will be compelled to show off this beast to everyone. The free Fujifilm Remote Camera App will allow the user to control the camera remotely from smartphone and transferring the pictures to a smartphone or a tablet for instant sharing with just a touch.

— abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com