Dubai: Nikon will stick to Digital Single-Lens-Reflex (DSLR) in the Middle East rather than going for the latest technology that makes cameras light and compact, Takashi Yoshida, managing director of Nikon Middle East and Africa, told Gulf News.

DSLR cameras use mirrors to reflect the image passing through the lens, which can be seen through the viewfinder. By eliminating the mirrors, the cameras become light and compact.

The camera industry is struggling and sales are down due to the growth in smartphones. Sales of point-and-shoot cameras fell by more than 40 per cent worldwide in 2013 and is expected to drop further this year while sales of DSLRs are growing more than 30 per cent.

DSLR sales have grown 20 per cent in the Middle East last year. Yoshida said the mirrorless segment contributes less than five per cent of total sales in the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

“Smartphones are having an impact on compact cameras but not on mirrorless. We expect the size of the camera to be the main factor for fall in sales. In the Middle East, people never appreciate the small size. They like to have a bigger size. They think bigger is better and better image quality,” Yoshida said after launching its first entry-level built-in WiFi and GPS camera — D5300 on Monday.

The 24.2MP D5300 is the replacement for D5200 and it is priced at Dh3,999.

High-end D4S

Nikon will be launching its high-end D4S, an update of D4, in February.

Shaji Shanmughan, brand manger (technology division) at Grand Stores, said Nikon had a market share of 35 per cent in the UAE last year, just behind Cannon at 38 per cent.

Yoshida said the point-and-shoot camera market is diminishing but there is still a market for this segment. Nikon will still introduce point-and-shoot cameras in the market.

“Social media photography will gain further traction this year due to the growth in WiFi cameras and offers huge growth potential,” he said.

“We have grown more than 10 per cent in the Middle East and expect to achieve same growth this year, despite fall in point-and-shoot cameras.”

Growth area

Retailers are concentrating on DSLR segment as an area of growth. In addition to cameras, retailers also view lenses and other accessories as fast-growing sections with rising demand.

Nikon is capitalising on the growth in DSLR segment by launching Nikon School programme.

“Customers are eager to learn photography and that is why we started the Nikon School and we have 1,200 registrations. School provides free classes and workshops for those who purchased our cameras,” he said.