Compact camera sales are still destroying DSLRs – but will they keep selling so well for the rest of the year?

In the fluctuating world of camera sales, industry insights from CIPA, a Japan-based association, reveal a rollercoaster of fortunes for various camera types this year. Fixed lens compact camera shipments have surged by 30% compared to the previous year, while DSLRs and mirrorless cameras have experienced a similar decline. The trend was echoed in June 2026, with year-on-year shipments for all camera categories falling to 85.4% of the June 2025 levels, down to 713,059 units from 834,497.

This downward trajectory was also observed in May 2026, with a decrease in camera shipments compared to the previous month. Despite this overall trend, fixed lens compact camera sales have managed to hold their ground, recording 203,056 units in June, which is 94.2% of the same period last year. However, the shipment figures for mirrorless and DSLR cameras show a significant drop, falling to 82.4% of what they were a year ago and 510,003 units in June, compared to 531,346 the previous month.

The trend is particularly pronounced for full-frame/larger sensor models, which continue to decline in sales, as do mirrorless cameras. The slowdown seems to be influenced by supply chain issues and pricing, although there is evidence to suggest that smaller sensor cameras are bucking the trend, with shipments up by a slight margin in the first half of 2026.

It should be noted that CIPA's data only covers major camera manufacturers and doesn't include budget brands like Kodak's licensees. While the current year isn't looking as strong as expected, CIPA predicts that overall shipments will be similar to those of the previous year.