Camera sales have entered a serious summer slump, according to the latest numbers from Japan – and even the trendy compact camera is affected

Camera sales in Japan are experiencing a significant slowdown, with the latest numbers showing a serious slump in summer shipments, according to the Camera and Imaging Products Association (CIPA). The organization predicts that camera sales could decline for the first time in two years in 2026. July 2026 camera shipments were 93.3% of the previous month and 76.7% compared to the same time a year ago, marking the fourth month of slight declines compared to 2025 numbers.

While overall camera shipments declined, compact cameras saw a 110.1% increase in July compared to June. However, even the trendy compact camera category is facing a decline when compared to the same month in 2025, with a 96.9% change. Overall, Japan's camera makers shipped 86.6% of the previous month's numbers, with the drop being more severe compared to July 2025 at 69.4%.

The DSLR is the worst offender, shipping just 33.5% of the number from the previous month and 24.2% compared to the same time last year. The mirrorless category, while showing a drop in July, still fared better, shipping 91.9% of the previous month's numbers and 74.4% compared to the same time last year. Crop sensor cameras remain the most popular interchangeable lens category, shipping around 295,500 bodies, which is 85.8% of June's numbers.

Full-frame and larger camera shipments were over 146,000 bodies, 88.2% of the previous month's numbers. The decline in camera sales wasn't unexpected and falls within CIPA's predictions for the year, although the compact camera category is still expected to grow. Compact camera production, not just shipments, continues to grow, with production for fixed lens cameras at 107.4% of the previous month and 123.1% for the first seven months of the year.