When it comes to shipment of cameras, there are some models that do much better than others. DSLRs, mirrorless, and compact cameras are some formats that are often the best options for many young photographers. It now appears that DSLRs are now dipping more, as per the Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) repost. Here is a look.
Per a new report by CIPA, March 2026 shows that the total shipment of cameras is 767,717 units, which is up by 124.7% compared to the previous month. The worth of the cameras that have been shipped is worth approximately 132.4 billion yen in the January–March quarter.
The report also suggests that the mirrorless market has seen growth. As of March, the shipments had reached 460,037 units, a 118.4% increase month-on-month, and 106.4% year-on-year. In terms of value, mirrorless cameras were shipped for approximately 133.4 billion yen between January and March, which confirms the average price remains strong.
If you break down between full frame cameras, then the shipment of 329,052 units in March, up 127.3% month-on-month, as for cameras smaller than 35mm sensors, they saw 130,985 units shipped in the same period, which is up by 100.6% month-on-month but down slightly at 84.7% year-on-year.
As for DSLR cameras, the shipment saw 52,991 units globally, which was up 198.7% from February. But it is down sharply at 76.1% year-on-year. Between January and March, the shipment total was 114,686 units, up only 59.4% from the same period last year. In value terms, the quarter produced approximately 4.5 billion yen, just 50.9% of the prior year’s equivalent quarter. However, the January to March value figure falling below 51% of last year is a particularly stark indicator of how rapidly the segment is shrinking.
Compact cameras have also showcased promise. As of March, they have 165,103 units, up 114.4% month-on-month. At the same time, the January to March quarter total came in at 480,711 units, up 103.9% year-on-year. In terms of value, the format raised 80 billion yen in Q1 2026, and it has also been up 94.8% year-on-year.
Like cameras, lenses have also seen an increase of 116.8% month-on-month, and 109.0% year-on-year. Between January and March, the total shipments increased 2,238,566 units, and it also approximately 109.4 billion yen worth of lenses. Full frame and medium format lenses have been seen 478,063 units in March, up by 127.4% month-on-month and 114.0% year-on-year. As for smaller lenses, lenses have also reached 339,396 units, which makes it up 104.5% month-on-month. The value has also seen 81.3 billion yen, essentially flat at 97.9% year-on-year. This suggests that smaller lenses are holding volume but facing some price pressure.
The CIPA report has also seen that China is the largest export destination for cameras, with March shipments up 138.7% month-on-month. The comes in the Americas at a 156.3% month-on-month increase, and Europe in third with a 103.7% month-on-month rise. Similarly, China also saw a rise in lenses at 138.6% month-on-month.
This proves that DSLRs are now officially coming to an end, with many iconic DSLRs now discontinued by the companies who made them. As for mirrorless, they will continue to grow, and compact cameras showcase an upward trend in every way. It remains to be seen if DSLRs will sell in the near future, but for now, they seem to be losing their value.