Nikon cuts chip stepper outlook, ups cameras

TOKYO, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Japan's Nikon Corp (7731.T) said on Thursday it now expects to ship 33 chip steppers in the year to March, down from its August forecast for shipments of 36 units.

Nikon competes with Netherlands-based ASML (ASML.AS) and Japanese rival Canon Inc (7751.T) in semiconductor lithography machines, which map out electronic circuits on silicon wafers for chipmakers.

The company also revised up its sales target for its digital single-lens reflex cameras to 3.55 million units from a previous outlook to sell 3.45 million units in the year to March.

It now expects to sell 11.5 million compact digital cameras this year, up from a previous forecast of 1.05 million units. (Reporting by Mayumi Negishi)