Panasonic Admits Use of Stock Photos on S9 Website: A Marketing Mindset From Over 20 Years Ago
Earlier this week, Panasonic Japan came under fire for using stock photos, including one taken by a Nikon Ambassador, to showcase the new Lumix S9 on their website. In response to the criticism, Panasonic admitted that the use of these images was due to a dated marketing mindset.
Photographers in Japan were quick to notice that the product page for the Japanese Lumix S9 featured photos that were not actually taken with the new camera. Some of these photos, such as a shot of a dog running in a field of grass, could easily be found on stock image websites like Shutterstock. While Panasonic has since updated their website to clearly label which photos were not captured with the S9, they have issued a public apology for the oversight.
Panasonic explained to The Sankei Shimun, a national newspaper in Japan, that the use of stock photos was a result of an outdated technique that dates back over 20 years. The company representative stated that in the past, it was common practice to insert images that were not actually taken with the product in advertisements. Moving forward, Panasonic plans to update the images on their website and adjust their marketing rules to prevent a similar situation from occurring.
Following the revelation, other camera manufacturers, such as Nikon, Canon, and Sony, checked their own websites to ensure they were not using stock photos to showcase their products. While some companies admitted to using stock images for example situations, they emphasized that photos used to promote performance and sample images were taken with the actual product.
While the use of stock photos in camera marketing is not uncommon, companies like Lumix are expected to uphold a higher standard by consumers. Panasonic’s response to the controversy highlights the importance of transparency and authenticity in marketing materials.