This camera category may actually be trendier than compact cameras, shipping half a million more cameras than all of Japan’s popular point-and-shoots
A new report suggests that gimbal cameras have exploded in popularity, selling 2.8 million in just three months, as DJI reaches a record high
The compact camera remains a popular trend in the photography industry, but a new report reveals that a different type of camera may be outpacing it: the gimbal camera. According to IDC's market research, nearly 2.8 million gimbal cameras were sold in the second quarter of 2026, marking an impressive 87 percent increase from the same period last year.
In contrast, compact cameras from Japanese brands sold a total of 2.3 million units in all of 2025. This indicates that, worldwide, gimbal cameras sold more in just three months than compact cameras from Japanese brands did in an entire year. While CIPA data, which includes top Japanese camera makers, may not fully represent the global picture, it does show the significant growth and popularity of gimbal cameras.
Popular models like the DJI Pocket 3 and Osmo Pocket 3 have contributed to this surge in popularity, with people drawn to their easy-to-use stabilized video capabilities and ability to track moving subjects. As competition increases, with brands like Insta360 and Hohem entering the market, the gimbal camera category is expected to grow significantly by 2030, potentially reaching 41 million annual sales.
Written by urgent.news from Digital Camera World's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
