{
  "id": 296698,
  "title": "Pancake lenses are officially back in fashion (and it's all thanks to trendy compact cameras)",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/pancake-lenses-are-officially-back-in-fashion-and-its-all-thanks-to",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-08T06:15:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Digital Camera World",
    "slug": "digital-camera-world",
    "url": "https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/cameras/lenses/pancake-lenses-are-officially-back-in-fashion-and-its-all-thanks-to-trendy-compact-cameras"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pancake lenses have resurfaced in popularity, thanks to the surge in compact cameras. Noteworthy models such as the Kase AF 24mm f/3.8, Viltrox AF 26mm f/2.8 Evo, and the \"most requested lens of all time\" Lensbaby Twist 28 have joined the market. This resurgence appears to be fueled by the rise of compact and point-and-shoot cameras. Digital Camera World pointed out that these smaller mirrorless cameras can pair with pancake lenses to create compact setups, like combining the Olympus PEN E-P7 with a 7Artisans 18mm f/6.3 II or the Samyang Remaster Slim on a Sony A6700. In fact, the Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5 on the Lumix S9 offers a full-frame powerhouse in the same size as the Lumix L10 compact camera. Fujifilm's Jun Watanabe, head of product planning for the X series, stated that the combination of a pancake lens and camera body creates an elegant package, indicating potential future pancake lens releases. This trend suggests that pancake lenses are here to stay, and Nikon should take note.",
  "summary": "“The most requested lens of all time” – The compact camera craze has created a BIG trend for these super small lenses",
  "key_points": [
    "Pancake lenses resurface due to compact camera surge.",
    "Notable models: Kase AF 24mm, Viltrox AF 26mm, Lensbaby Twist 28.",
    "Compact mirrorless cameras pair well with pancake lenses."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The renewed popularity of pancake lenses signals a shift towards compact photography setups, allowing manufacturers to offer powerful yet portable combinations that may pressure competitors like Nikon to adapt.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}