{"id":505178,"date":"2026-02-28T11:57:11","date_gmt":"2026-02-28T11:57:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/505178\/"},"modified":"2026-02-28T11:57:11","modified_gmt":"2026-02-28T11:57:11","slug":"the-compact-camera-trend-isnt-going-away-anytime-soon-but-japans-experts-warn-that-mirrorless-may-decline-this-is-what-cipa-is-predicting-for-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/505178\/","title":{"rendered":"The compact camera trend isn\u2019t going away anytime soon, but Japan&#8217;s experts warn that mirrorless may decline. This is what CIPA is predicting for 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p id=\"3b094633-57ff-410f-8b27-41c00698a23f\">2025 proved to be the best year for camera sales in more than five years, but experts are predicting a more modest year for 2026 \u2013 including a slowdown for the mirrorless market.<\/p>\n<p>The Camera and Imaging Products Association (<a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tag\/cipa\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tag\/cipa\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tag\/cipa\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">CIPA<\/a>), the same group that tracks data for camera sales from key Japanese brands, predicts that camera sales overall will see only a modest 1.6 percent increase in 2026. But, <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.cipa.jp\/documents\/e\/PRESSRELEASE20260226_e.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.cipa.jp\/documents\/e\/PRESSRELEASE20260226_e.pdf\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\">CIPA predicts<\/a> that mirrorless is in for a slight decline in 2026 as compact cameras continue to grow.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<p id=\"3b094633-57ff-410f-8b27-41c00698a23f-2\">Overall, CIPA predicts around 9.59 million cameras will ship in 2026, which is 101.6 percent of <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/cameras\/compact-cameras\/the-compact-camera-came-from-the-dead-but-last-years-sales-were-still-a-fraction-of-the-point-and-shoots-heyday\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/cameras\/compact-cameras\/the-compact-camera-came-from-the-dead-but-last-years-sales-were-still-a-fraction-of-the-point-and-shoots-heyday\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/cameras\/compact-cameras\/the-compact-camera-came-from-the-dead-but-last-years-sales-were-still-a-fraction-of-the-point-and-shoots-heyday\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">the 2025 numbers<\/a>. While that\u2019s an overall growth in numbers, it\u2019s a slower growth than the previous year, as 2025 saw an 11.2 percent uptick from 2024.<\/p>\n<p>            You may like<\/p>\n<p>The numbers look rather different when looking at the 2026 predictions by camera type. CIPA expects fewer <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/buying-guides\/the-best-mirrorless-camera\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/buying-guides\/the-best-mirrorless-camera\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/buying-guides\/the-best-mirrorless-camera\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">mirrorless cameras<\/a> to ship in 2026 at around 6.82 million bodies, which is a 2.6 percent drop from 2025\u2019s 7 million units. Lenses are expected to fare a bit better but still decline by .9 percent at 10.51 million shipments.<\/p>\n<p>The numbers swing a different way, however, for cameras with built-in lenses, a category that includes <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/buying-guides\/best-compact-camera\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/buying-guides\/best-compact-camera\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/buying-guides\/best-compact-camera\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">compact cameras<\/a> and <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/buying-guides\/the-best-bridge-cameras\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/buying-guides\/the-best-bridge-cameras\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/buying-guides\/the-best-bridge-cameras\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">bridge cameras<\/a>. CIPA predicts 2.77 million fixed lens cameras will ship in 2026, which is a 13.6 percent increase compared to 2025\u2019s 2.44 million cameras.<\/p>\n<p>While that\u2019s a noticeable increase, it\u2019s also a slower rate of growth, as 2025 saw a 29.6 percent uptick in shipments for the compact camera category.<\/p>\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:39.84%;\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/8w3VsWpT8wBETxQgzZ5xqE.png\" alt=\"Table showing CIPA predictions for camera and lens sales and exports for 2026\"   loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/8w3VsWpT8wBETxQgzZ5xqE.png\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/8w3VsWpT8wBETxQgzZ5xqE.png\" class=\"inline expandable\"\/><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/8w3VsWpT8wBETxQgzZ5xqE.png\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"expand-button icon-expand-image icon\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/8w3VsWpT8wBETxQgzZ5xqE.png\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\"><\/p>\n<p>CIPA&#8217;s predictions for camera and lens sales and exports for 2026 (Image credit: CIPA)<\/p>\n<p id=\"93b74e2f-71c9-476a-bc64-24cf57520915\">The predicted 2.6 percent decline in mirrorless is small and still far outperforms the compact camera category. But in 2025, the gap between compact camera sales and mirrorless sales narrowed, and CIPA expects more of the same for 2026.<\/p>\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The best camera deals, reviews, product advice, and unmissable photography news, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<p>The predictions come from surveys completed by CIPA and presented <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/photography\/trade-shows\/cp-2026\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/photography\/trade-shows\/cp-2026\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/photography\/trade-shows\/cp-2026\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">during CP+ in Japan<\/a>. Like the weather forecast, the camera forecast is not a sure thing. But it\u2019s interesting to see what the organization known for tallying all the camera sales data predicts for 2026. CIPA doesn\u2019t seem to think 2026 will be another year for double-digit growth, but expects the market to continue to stabilize.<\/p>\n<p id=\"0b831adc-1691-4f0d-8898-93affc228c6c\"><a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/buying-guides\/best-compact-camera\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/buying-guides\/best-compact-camera\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/buying-guides\/best-compact-camera\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Compact cameras have been trending<\/a> up for the past few years, making a resurgence after being nearly obliterated by the smartphone. The trend can be traced to a number of different potential causes, including viral compact cameras on social media, a resurgence in retro tech in general, and perhaps even digital minimalism shifting away from smartphone photography.<\/p>\n<p>CIPA only tracks data from its member companies in Japan, but that\u2019s an extensive list that includes camera giants like <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tag\/canon\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tag\/canon\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tag\/canon\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Canon<\/a>, Sony, <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tag\/nikon\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tag\/nikon\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tag\/nikon\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Nikon<\/a>, <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tag\/fujifilm\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tag\/fujifilm\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tag\/fujifilm\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Fujifilm<\/a>, <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tag\/om-system\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tag\/om-system\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tag\/om-system\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">OM System<\/a>, <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tag\/panasonic\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tag\/panasonic\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tag\/panasonic\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Panasonic<\/a>, <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tag\/sigma\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tag\/sigma\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tag\/sigma\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Sigma<\/a>, and <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tag\/tamron\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tag\/tamron\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tag\/tamron\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Tamron<\/a>. Camera brands outside of Japan \u2013 such as <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tag\/leica\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tag\/leica\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tag\/leica\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Leica<\/a> and <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tag\/kodak\" data-auto-tag-linker=\"true\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tag\/kodak\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/tag\/kodak\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kodak<\/a> \u2013 aren\u2019t among the numbers tracked.<\/p>\n<p><a id=\"elk-you-may-also-like\"\/>You may also like<\/p>\n<p id=\"2e7baf38-b7d4-438d-98d9-d04a77092634\">Browse more <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/photography\/trade-shows\/cp-2026\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/photography\/trade-shows\/cp-2026\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/photography\/trade-shows\/cp-2026\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">news from CP+ in Japan<\/a>. Or, take a look at the <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/buying-guides\/best-compact-camera\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/buying-guides\/best-compact-camera\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/buying-guides\/best-compact-camera\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">best compact cameras<\/a> or the <a data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/buying-guides\/the-best-mirrorless-camera\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/buying-guides\/the-best-mirrorless-camera\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\" data-before-rewrite-localise=\"https:\/\/www.digitalcameraworld.com\/buying-guides\/the-best-mirrorless-camera\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">best mirrorless cameras<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"2025 proved to be the best year for camera sales in more than five years, but experts are&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":505179,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[49,48,61],"class_list":["post-505178","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-technology","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/505178","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=505178"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/505178\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/505179"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=505178"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=505178"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=505178"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}