Tom´s question is not off topic I think.
Nikon and also Canon + all the other Camera Makers are facing the same kind of threat from the smartphone industry.
Highly integrated multifunctional devices take over a full market segment which is the backbone of turnaound in volume for these companies.
The sales numbers for compact cameras are dropping now since several years around 30-40 % (on the very low end even 60%) in a row.
Smartphones sales have reached e.g. 27 Mil Pieces a year compared to 3mil. (Germany alone !).
If you count in the absolute numbers, the low margins in these lowend markets and the necessary structure to support these sales channels you know that their existence is also threatened.
The new winners are companies like Samsung or other Makers of Cameras AND Smartphones who are now doing hybrid solutions like the Galaxy Cam.
The scheme is similar. The base is eroding, the volume is shrinking and the actual business modell looses the main selling proposition.
The consumer camera industry had analyzed this some time ago and came out with initiatives like MFT, proposing standardized mounts and universally usable lenses, the core idea is right , the actual result was more or less poor. But we can see on other markets (like the Blueray disc) that as soon as a standardized base is established the market can thrive and money can be earned and thus stability is reached.
If the medium format industry will not understand that now it is the time to do a proposition for a universal platform with interchangeable , modular lenses, backs and camera bodies - even with an extension and adapters for existing mechanic solutions, I fear the chance will be missed to survive as an independent industry. Hasselblad has somehow commited already that they do NOT see their future in the MF business, the whitepaper they presented at the launch of the Lunar system shows they want to become an image exploiting maker of luxury sony bodies. No matter how much you like this or not, at least it shows they have analyzed their situation and try to survive in a medium and long range.
Phase/leaf is absolutely quiet about a future concept and only says they sell better than ever before. Congrats if this is the case. But even then- how long will this be stable ?
I think a Vision is what drives ALL successful companies.
Customers want to hear those.
Please make us keen buying new stuff !
Greetings from Germany
Stefan