A Nikkei interview shows Nikon is planning a modular camera platform, while iindustry opposition to generative AI in cameras remains firm.
Japan's Nikkei Shimbun has published a revealing interview (paywalled) with executives from Nikon, Canon, Sony, and Fujifilm. A definite tip of the hat to Nikon Rumors, which has produced a summary of the article, because it tends to the interesting rather than dwelling on bland corporate-speak.
Much of it examines attitudes to AI, and it provides a convincing early bookend to the year and how the Big Four feel about the technology as first evidenced at CP+ 2026. Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Sony, and others displayed unity back then in saying generative AI does not belong in cameras. Executives warned that it could create fake images, undermining authenticity and trust in photography, and said the focus should stay on the human element and the joy of the process.
Judging by the responses below, that attitude remains firm. Given the out-and-out assault that AI is making on, well, everything, however, it will be interesting to see if that resolve weakens as we head into 2027. It’s not hard to see the likes of OpenAI and Anthropic pursuing MCP tools as a bridgehead into accompanying camera apps, if not the cameras themselves. And as smartphones increasingly embrace the technology, will we start to see phones develop tools that mirrorless users would actually want access to?
Nikon says it is investing in next-generation image processing engines, image sensors, and video cameras, laying the groundwork for its next products. Its future strategy is an interesting one that may mean developing a modular framework that can be used across a range of products.
The idea is that different image processors, image sensors, AI chips, memory card slots, and wireless hardware can all slot into it in different combinations so that different cameras can be built quickly and easily.
As to AI, the company says that state-of-the-art technology has to be embedded in its products because customers expect it. It is exploring AI uses beyond autofocus, such as image selection, and has already implemented AI for auto white balance, auto exposure, and subject recognition.
Vice President Tsuyoshi Tokura pointed to a shift among younger users. Growth in compact cameras is being driven by a younger demographic who prioritize the experience of shooting ahead of outright performance or even image quality. Canon's previous lineup focused on performance and price, and it now sees a need to add style and experience to suit individual tastes (cue the whole world hoping it actually puts its waist-level concept from CP+ 2026 into production).
For video, Canon plans to expand its V Series lenses, with an emphasis on lenses that can handle both high-quality video and stills.
Sony has a dual approach. On the one hand, it says it uses AI for functions such as pose estimation and subject recognition to assist photographers, while on the other it looks at mitigating the risks. It is focusing on in-camera authenticity technology that acts as a "digital birth certificate" for images, protecting creators and their rights.
Yuji Igarashi, General Manager of Fujifilm's Professional Imaging Group, said AI should help when taking photos, through functions like autofocus and subject detection, and should not create images. Fujifilm wants to ensure a clear distinction is maintained between images that are generated and images captured by a camera.