Officials are still working hard to get ahead of the coronavirus outbreak, and while the situation is having a serious impact on global health, Sony is reporting that an unexpected effect may be a serious disruption of the camera industry, as the quarantine in China will affect the company's production and sales supply chains.
Sony reported the news in a recent conference with investors, in which they detailed that the effect may be substantial enough to "negate [their] revised earnings outlook" and saying: "depending on the future progress of the virus, we cannot deny that our production and sales supply chain for the image sensor and electronics business could be affected enormously."
While the company is not yet sure of the full impact, they project the largest effect will be on smartphone image sensors and parts, as well as parts for their popular Playstation 4 line. The company did not specifically address their professional-level cameras, though considering Sony lenses are produced in China, it is reasonable to expect some sort of impact to the higher-level lines. Given how many devices Sony sensors appear in, it would not be surprising to see the effect ripple to other brands in the industry. Sony will likely provide an update once they can make more specific projections.
"Sony Warns Coronavirus Could Severely Impact Camera Industry"
Translation: "We've been looking a for a good excuse to raise prices..."
All factories are at full stop right now.
People are locked down to their home by the police.
I will not be so sure all this is a PR stunt with Sony taking advantage of it.
PR stunt? No. Taking advantage of it? Easy.
As a photographer that prob would be the least of my worries. So far i have found out 90% of my suppliers either import parts or do manufacture most of the items i use in my business from China and half of them already emailed me letting me know they won't be able to fulfil their orders on time and asking if i wanted a full refund or wait until the ban lifts. Some very upset brides are on my forecast :(
What kind of supplies?
With China at a full stop, that will not be only the Camera industry that will be facing delay and cancellation!
this is going to be nasty for those affected. Please avoid crowds and wash your hands frequently.
Yup, Reflex has announced that their 35mm film cameras have stopped production because of the virus.
At least my film hasn't been affected as it is all made from either here in the UK, Europe or America!
I can keep on shooting :)