Canon decides against attending PMA

Canon today confirmed recent rumors and said it had chosen not to have a presence at the 2010 PMA (Photo Marketing Association) trade show in February. A spokeswoman for the camera maker argued to PDN that the company's product line is showing too much "convergence" for it to go to the expense of attending a speciality show. Future shows will only involve those that have the "broadest reach," the representative said.

An exit by Canon carries the potential for a ripple effect. As one of the largest companies to show at PMA, its absence may reduce the incentive for competitors, as well as smaller firms that may depend on Canon, to show at the event. It echoes a similar approach by Apple to trade shows where it has left Macworld and other industry-specific trade shows in favor of using its retail stores as marketing as well as special events that it can directly control.

Much of the convergence is likely to have its roots in Canon's higher-end compacts as well as its DSLRs, many of which now record 720p or larger video. The EOS 7D costs a few hundred dollars more than a typical high-end camcorder but can capture 1080p movies, sometimes with better image quality than these devices.

Nikon, Pentax and other major members of the PMA haven't yet responded to the move.

By Electronista Staff