According to the Japan Yahoo news, Sony digital imaging business executive Nakagawa mentioned that Sony developed DSLR will be launched in summer this year. Sony targets to have 20-25% of the DSLR market. The target is for the consumer DSLR market, not the professional market from Nikon & Canon. Not expecting the first year will contribute to the company profit.

Also some interesting statistics from MacWorld on the subject, “Digital SLRs represent a small but growing part of the digital camera market. In 2004 shipments of digital SLRs totaled 2.5 million units, to make up about 3.4 percent of all camera shipments, according to market research company IDC. This is expected to rise to 7.9 million units in 2009, which is 9.6 percent of anticipated shipments, IDC said in a report issued in 2005.

At present, profit margins are estimated to be about 10 percent to 15 percent but these are likely to drop as more competitors enter the market, said Nakagawa. In addition to Sony, several other digital camera makers have announced plans to produce their own digital SLRs to compete with current market heavyweights Nikon Corp. and Canon Inc.

Global demand for digital still cameras was strong in the year-end period, said Nakagawa. He expects Sony’s digital camera shipments in fiscal year 2005, which runs from April 2005 to March 2006, will be 13.5 million units.”

Website : Japan Yahoo news (in Japanese)

Website : Free Bablefish Japanese translator

Website : MacWorld News - Sony plans digital SLR launch in mid-year