Samsung kills its camera and camcorder business in the UK
The company blames a "sustained decline in demand."
First it was laptops and Chromebooks, now it's cameras and camcorders. In a statement to TechRadar, Samsung has confirmed that it's quietly abandoning both product categories in the UK. Why? "Sustained decline in demand," according to the company. That means you'll no longer see its DSLR-inspired NX1 or its sleek, mirrorless NX500 on store shelves.
"We quickly adapt to market needs and demands. In the UK, we have seen a gradual and sustained decline in demand for standalone digital cameras and camcorders and related accessories. For this reason, we have taken the decision to phase out the sales and marketing of these products. This is a local decision, based on local market conditions."
Samsung's withdrawal isn't a complete surprise, given the current state of the camera market. Smartphones just keep getting better -- look at the shots produced by the iPhone 6s Plus, Sony's Xperia Z5 and the Nexus 6P, for instance. They're great and many are now relying on them for all of their photography needs. In response, the camera industry is leaning towards prosumer and professional customers, where top-end mirrorless cameras and DSLRs reign supreme. Canon, Nikon and the like are well-positioned, but it seems some companies -- like Samsung, which is known for its cheaper alternatives -- are struggling to make the transition.
Of course, this is just one region and one camera manufacturer. Still, it's a stark reminder of how photography is changing and the types of cameras people are now buying. For Samsung, it could also be a smart business move as it tries to get back to its monstrous quarterly profits from 2013.
[Image Credit: SeongJoon Cho/Bloomberg via Getty Images]
