"One can click pictures on the mobile phone, but for photography, we still need professional cameras": Canon's C Sukumaran

From COVID-induced disruptions to the challenges forced by improved smartphone cameras; What is the road ahead for Canon cameras in India

Globally, camera marketers had a horrible 2020. Market leader Canon sold 55.1 per cent of the number of units it sold in 2019. And, the overall market was just 59.6 per cent of the previous year's (2019). The disruption caused by COVID continues in India and across the world.

With around 50 per cent of the market share in the DSLR camera category and 45 per cent in the overall DILC (digital interchangeable lens camera) market, Canon is the largest player in India. Due to COVID, weddings and the festive season became a low-key affair. Travel was banned for the most part of 2020 and at least half of the 2021. This has impacted the sales of cameras big time, but Canon is upbeat about the future. 

"We are cautious, yet encouraged," says C Sukumaran, director, consumer system products and imaging communication business, Canon India. On the occasion of World Photography Day (August 19), Canon launched 'Behind the Shot' campaign to salute the 'spirit of photography'.

It is not only COVID that the camera marketers across the world are fighting against. Innovations in mobile phones have made their (smartphone) cameras better than ever. But there is a difference between clicking a picture with the mobile phone and photography, says Sukumaran. The campaign highlights the efforts that go behind clicking a good picture. 

In an interview with afaqs!, Sukumaran decodes and dissects the camera market in India, talks about the COVID-induced disruptions and shares his projection for the year ahead.

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