CIPA Sees 824.7 Billion Yen Surge in Digital Camera Shipment

Every month, the Camera and Imaging Products Association (CIPA) releases reports about the sales of camera and lens shipments to give us a clear understanding of where we stand. In November 2024, we saw a rise in DSLR sales, which resulted in a 20.1% increase in shipments compared to the results of 2023. Similarly, the mirrorless market saw a drop of about 90,000 units, proving that DSLRs may still be a much more affordable option. And now, CIPA has announced the December 2024 reports, which give us a holistic view of the year. Here’s what you should know.

All images are taken from CIPA’s chart.

According to their new data, the CIPA has ruled that 2024 was the first time in nine years that the global shipment of digital cameras saw the highest numbers. This report is further explained by Nikkei, who helped to highlight what is causing the increase in shipment.

A quick look at the CIPA report showcases the following:

• A total of 663,941 cameras were shipped; of them, 160,205 units were cameras with built-in lenses, and 503,736 were interchangeable lens cameras (ILC).
• This means the overall value has been about 824.7 billion yen, with 1.8 billion yen generated from built-in lens cameras and 6.4 billion yen from ILC. The over 800 billion yen mark also showcases a 15% increase from 2013.

• In addition to this, the DSLR sold 409,219 units, while Mirrorless sold about 94,517 units.
• According to the report, the largest shipment was to China, with 12.88 million units shipped and a total value of 229.9 billion yen.
• The other countries to follow suit include 1.05 million in Europe, 11.83 million in other areas, with America standing at 108,298 units.
• In another CIPA report that tracks the shipment dating from 1999, you can see mirrorless camera shipment remaining relatively stable from 2018 to 2023, with a slight increase from 5,927 units in 2018 to 5,999 units in 2019, and then fluctuating around 5,999 units until 2023.
• The same report shows a significant decrease overall, from 2,242 units in 2018 to 1,166 units in 2021, which remained stable at 1,166 units from 2021 to 2023.

While we may not be close to the 2012 results, which is considered the peak of camera shipments, this report highlights how things may become better. For instance, China is a growing market, with many young enthusiasts wanting to create “Instagram-worthy” images for their social media. This is one of the reasons why camera makers have the perfect chance to hit rod while its hot: capture the restless market that is over smartphone era.

At the moment, things look in favor of the camera and lens manufacturers. This means that they will have to rely on this report from CIPA to change their strategy. While they are looking forward to getting influencers to buy their cameras, they must also remember that photographers, such as professionals, can also help in driving sales. For instance, working with wildlife or portrait photographers could actually help in getting more enthusiasts to buy their products.

At the same time, there is also a better need for a diverse range of products, and by that, I don’t mean more high-megapixel cameras. They make up one segment of the market, but there are many who want to pursue photography but can’t afford a kit. This is why the reintroduction of compact and bridge cameras is absolutely a smart decision. This is just the start, but we hope that companies don’t forget this segment after a few introductions.

There is also the need to chase after a different market despite it being a niche. For instance, a DSLR sounds like a bad launch idea, but considering how old-school tech is making a comeback, this just may work for manufacturers in a positive way. The idea is to put one’s eggs in a single basket. That can’t help you travel successfully to the future. In fact, one can use the same tactic to introduce premium devices, like how Leica does. The success of Q3 only proves that there is demand for every kind of camera. It’s just that manufacturers run after numbers, and that often backfires.