DSLR Photography Forum

My previous post on the Nikon 1 factory tour got me thinking - where are our cameras actually made? Are they made in Japan (normally associated with precision and quality) or outsourced to other asian countries where labour is cheaper?

Here's some results of a brief search around the web:

Nikon:
- Japan: all FX format bodies (full frame)
- Thailand: all DX format bodies (crop frame), most DX lenses, some Coolpix compacts, camera internals (e.g. optics, motors)
- China/Indonesia: some Coolpix cameras and some low-end lenses
(source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon)

Canon:
- Japan: Digital cameras, EF lenses, Parts for digital cameras and others
- China: Digital cameras
- Malaysia: Digital cameras, EF lenses
- Taiwan: Digital cameras, EF lenses
(source: http://www.canon.com/corp/list03.html, wikipedia)

I couldn't find a definitive list in one place, but spot checks of specific models in Wikipedia show that entry level DSLRs are made in Taiwan (e.g. 1000D), but the rest are made in Japan (e.g. 600D, 60D, 7D and up).

Olympus
- Japan: ???
- China: Film cameras, digital cameras, and camera parts (lenses/plastic parts)
(source: http://www.olympus-global.com/en/news/20...hinae.html and http://www.olympus-global.com/en/corc/gr...a-oceania/)

Sigma
- Japan: all products
(source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigma_Corporation and http://www.sigmaphoto.com/about-sigma - thanks EnglishBob)

Panasonic
- Japan: digital imaging and lenses
- China: batteries, possibly electronic components
(source: http://industrial.panasonic.com/index/ma...japan.html)

Leica
- Germany: all recent products designed and made in Germany
Interesting video here: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2011/07/v...s-factory/
Some in the past were manufactured in Canada (some M lenses), Portugal, Japan (e.g. Minilux)
Note that lenses used in other brands (e.g. Lumix, Zeiss) are produced by other manufacturers to Leitz standards.
(source: http://www.corporate.leica-camera.com/corporate_values/)

Sony
- Japan: High end DSLRs
- Thailand: Mid range DSLRs
- China: some Cybershot models
Not much info to be found, but spot checks on Wikipedia show most high end DSLRs being made in Japan, while some mid range models e.g. the A55 coming from Thailand.
(source: wikipedia, http://www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/1135147861.html

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Hope that's of interest to people...

It's surprisingly not straightforward coming up with this information - I'll continue my hunt later for the other manufacturers....

I wonder if the floods in Thailand will have any bearing on Nikon's share prices. It is very sad to see, and when it is said that 2/3rds of the country is underwater even more so.
I can think of quite few countries that I would rather see underwater, than Thailand.

Yes, I was reading about the floods in my research - basically the plant is flooded and currently shut:
http://www.popphoto.com/news/2011/10/nik...s-thailand

Very similar to the Tsunami / earthquake that hit Japan earlier this year.

While it's hardly the most significant aspect of the natural disaster in Thailand, I'm hearing that there won't be any significant stock from Sony or Nikon for six weeks. This means that the D7000, D5100, D3100 are likely to run out, and the A77, A65, and NEX7 may not make it to the shelf before Christmas.

While neither Canon or Panasonic cameras are assembled in Thailand, component manufacturers are located throughout Asia. As with the March earthquake, disruptions can have considerable and unexpected impacts.

My Favorite Lens manufacturer is Sigma, was surprised to find the following:-

All Sigma products, lenses, cameras and flash units are manufactured exclusively by Sigma in Sigma’s own factory in Aizu, Japan. No Sigma Corporation product - lens, camera or flash - is manufactured outside of Japan. This is very unusual these days, as most companies have at least some of their products produced outside of Japan because of cost considerations.

Thanks for the info Craig, I've added Sigma to the list, as well as Leica, Panny and Sony.

Some photos of the flooding in Thailand, if anyone is interested:
http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2011/...er/100178/

Canon Rumors has posted a Reuters video that touches on some of the effects of the floods.

Although no Canon cameras are assembled in Thailand, components for the 5DmkII and 60D are made there, so there's no reliable estimates for the availability of those cameras. I haven't heard about the rest of the Canon line.

To be honest, I would rather pray for the Thai people, than for a camera, whatever brand. :|

Absolutely.

And hopefully these companies will show loyalty and commitment to Thailand.

matthew Wrote:While it's hardly the most significant aspect of the natural disaster in Thailand, I'm hearing that there won't be any significant stock from Sony or Nikon for six weeks. This means that the D7000, D5100, D3100 are likely to run out, and the A77, A65, and NEX7 may not make it to the shelf before Christmas.

While neither Canon or Panasonic cameras are assembled in Thailand, component manufacturers are located throughout Asia. As with the March earthquake, disruptions can have considerable and unexpected impacts.

Perhaps of some interest to some of you with friends wishing to get into photography - Nikon D90 is now offered on sale (here in Canada at least) for roughly half the price it sold at its introduction. While D7000 may have a better sensor, somebody still learning photography could not hope for a better camera at anywhere near this price, I think. It is a great way to get a foot in the door of Nikon system.

More photos of the flooding in Thailand. Pretty sobering actually - more than 500 dead and millions affected.

#26 shows the Canon factory underwater...