New data from the Japanese Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) shows sales of fixed-lens cameras rose by +36% whereas sales of interchangeable-lens cameras rose only +9% year on year.


The overall camera market, shown in this graph grew by 15.6% with more that 30% of the growth attributable to compact, fixed-lens cameras. (Source: CIPA.)

Despite January traditionally being a relatively slow sales month in Japan since the Christmas/New Year holiday period is over, it’s still winter and most people are back at work, the January graphs indicate the camera market remains relatively healthy. Mirrorless cameras continue to dominate the market and, with global shipments of 418,488 units during the month, represent the overwhelming majority of cameras sold. DSLR volumes remain low at 35,055 for the month and appear to be still declining. Interestingly, consumer preferences have clearly favoured smaller camera sensors, with 302,607 APS-C and M4/3 cameras shipped during January, compared with 150, 936 cameras with full-frame or larger sensors.


This graph shows the 36.1% increase in shipments of fixed-lens cameras year-on-year. (Source: CIPA.)


This graph shows the 9.4% increase in shipments of interchangeable-lens cameras, which can be largely attributed to growth in the Mirrorless camera sector. (Source: CIPA.)

 Demand for lenses is also encouraging, despite an increasing number of lenses from Chinese manufacturers being released (which are not tracked in the CIPA figures).


This graph shows the 7.4% increase in shipments of interchangeable lenses year-on-year. (Source: CIPA.)

According to industry commentators, CIPA and camera makers are reporting attachment rates (the number of lenses sold per camera body) declining, at least in part because of increasing competition from Chinese optics that keep getting better performing and more capable. Nikon has initiated legal action in the Chinese courts against Viltrox in a patent royalty dispute, which has led to Mieke and Sirui withdrawing their Z-mount autofocus lenses in China. Interestingly, most of the lenses from these manufacturers are for APS-C (Nikon DX) cameras and many fill gaps in Nikon’s DX lens line-up. These – and most other Chinese lens manufacturer – continue to offer lenses with Canon RF, Fujifilm XF, L-mount and Sony E mounts.