BCN has reported a notable increase in camera sales for 2024

BCNranking collected the sales data from a majority of the Japanese stores. And there is really good news! BCN reports:

After losing a lot of sales during the COVID-19 pandemic, the camera market is recovering in the post-COVID era. December sales volume was 123.7% higher than the previous year, showing a booming performance. Unlike PCs and TVs, cameras generally increased year-on-year until around last summer. There were times in the early fall when sales fell significantly below the previous year’s level, but they regained momentum in November and December and significantly exceeded last year’s level. Compact cameras with built-in lenses showed particular growth. December sales volume was 132.7% higher than the previous year. Meanwhile, sales volume of interchangeable lens cameras, whose momentum has slowed due to rising unit prices, continued to fall below the previous year’s level since August, but in December it rose to 101.0%, slightly higher than the previous year.

Canon led the camera market overall in December with a 25.5% unit sales share. Sales volume increased significantly to 151.4% compared to the previous year. Fujifilm, in second place with a market share of 18.6%, maintained its good performance with a 107.3% increase compared to the previous year. Kenko Tokina, which rose to third place for the first time with a market share of 11.8%, also put up a strong performance with a 256.8% increase compared to the previous year. However, Kodak, with a market share of 10.4%, was affected and ended up below double digits at 89.7%. Sony, which remained in fifth place with a market share of 9.7%, also fell below the previous year to 92.4%.

As is often the case, we don’t receive detailed reports from markets like the US, China, or Europe, which is unfortunate. The key takeaway here is that Sony holds just a 9.7% market share. This is largely due to their absence from the growing affordable compact camera market, which is experiencing a boom right now. In contrast, companies like Kenko Tokina and Kodak had strong years, as both offer popular compact models

 

Fujifilm cameras coming in 2025: Fixed lens GFX, X-E5, half frame model, Eterna cine camera and NO X-PRO5!

According to Fujirumors Fujifilm is set to announce at least four new cameras and announce NOT one camera in 2025 :)

  1. Fujifilm X-PRO5 (2026!)
    The NOT camera is the Fujifilm X-PRO5 wish is scheduled for a release in 2026 only! But it should be an exciting model sitting on a new generation platform (which mans new sensor, new Ai chip and so forth)
  2. GFX100RF (March 2025)
    The first camera of the year 2025 will te the medium format fixed lens camera: 100MP medium format fixed lens camera, 35mm f/4.0 pancake lens, zoom lever, aspect ratio dial, no IBIS.
  3. Fujifilm X-E5 (Summer 2025)
    There are no rumored specs yet
  4. FujiFilm Half frame camera
    No info yet about exact release date but it’s coming this year for sure. It will feature the famous Sony 20MP 1 inch sensor
  5. Fujifilm GFX Eterna
    Coming in 2025. it will be the first professional cine camera based on the 102 Megapixel Sony medium format sensor.

I don’t know if there will be another camera surprise in 2025, Fuji also announced four cameras in 2024 as they plan to do in 2025. The camera I personally find most exciting is the X-PRO5, coming in 2026! And what is your favorite?

DJI announces a “mysterious” new product launch! Is it the new full-frame mirrorless camera?

I am not sure if DJI is just playing with my emotions here: On the official DJI support channel has posted this cryptic message when a follower named Bald asked:

Do you think the mirrorless dji is coming in 2025?
DJI Support answered:
Hi there, thank you so much for your attention. Please stay tuned with us as our mysterious new product will be launched soon. For more details, you will find out on the launch date.
This is such strange news because it’s unusual for the DJI support channel to do a teaser! So either they are fooling us with a teaser or this is the first time DJI confirms that a mirrorless camera is coming soon? As a skeptic, I’m still leaning towards this being some sort of mistake or hoax. But as a rumor administrator, I have to report that DJI has made this news official, and you can make up your own mind about the significance of this news.
But if DJI really launches a more “classic” mirrorless camera, I expect this to completely change the market. My best bet would be a camera with a Sony full-frame sensor, L-mount (Dji is part of the alliance) and a new, intuitive menu design. I’m not sure what the DJI camera design would look like, but I’d like it to be minimalist and elegant like this Leica inspired model:
What do you think about my wishes?

Brigthin Lens is teasing the launch of a new lens on January 6th…another boring addition?

I think it’s great that many Chinese manufacturers want to make new autofocus lenses for various mirrorless systems. But their recent releases have been pretty boring, and I fear this could be the next disappointing launch. If they offer cheap, slow primes, it’s not going to get our attention. I think they should try harder to develop lenses that really add value!

Mapcamera shared the 2024 sales ranking: Fujifilm takes it all

The big Japanese camera store Mapcamera shared the top 10 best-selling cameras and lenses of 2024.

Most sold cameras in 2024:

  1. Fujifilm X-100VI (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  2. Fujifilm X-T50 (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  3. Sony A7cII (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  4. Nikon Zf (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  5. Fujifilm X-T5 (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  6. Nikon Z6III (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  7. Sony A7IV (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  8. Canon EOS-R6II (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  9. Canon EOS-R5II (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  10. Nikon Z8 (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)

Most sold lenses in 2024:

  1. Nikon 24-120mm (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  2. Tamron 28-200mm III (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  3. Sony 24-70mm GM II (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  4. Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 G2 (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  5. Fujifilm 16-50mm (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  6. Nikon Z 28-400mm (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  7. Canon 100-400mm IS USM (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  8. Nikon Z 180-600mm (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  9. Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)
  10. Sony 70-200mm GM II (Amazon, B&H Photo, Adorama)

What we learn from this:

  • Fujifilm had a superb year in 2024. Three cameras made it into the top 5!
  • Sony is loosing terrain with only two cameras in the ranking.
  • Tamron is surely going great and Nikon has made some excellent selling zooms.

Curiosity: According to a Shotkit survey, Nikon is the most popular brand among professionals and Canon the most popular among amateur photographers

Shotkit asked 1,000 Photographers What Camera They Use in 2024, And here are the findings:

  1. Nikon is the most popular camera brand used by professional photographers. 31% of professionals use Nikon, closely followed by Canon (28%) and Sony (20%).
  2. Canon is the most popular camera brand used by amateur photographers. 27% of amateurs use Canon, closely followed by Nikon (25%) and Sony (16%).
  3. The Sony a7III is the most popular camera used by professional photographers. 7% of pros use the Sony a7III mirrorless camera, with the Canon R6 mirrorless camera and Nikon D750 DSLR camera coming in joint 2nd and 3rd.
  4. The Alpha a7III and the Nikon D850 are the most popular cameras used by amateur photographers. One is a mirrorless camera and the other is a DSLR.
  5. Professional photographers like to use the Sony a7III for their personal photography pursuits too. The Fujifilm X-T3 and Nikon D850 are also popular choices.

Full data can be found on Shotkit.

Christmas Best sellers at Yodobashi store: Canon R5 and Sony 28-70mm are on top

Capa Camera has published the best-selling devices of the first half of December in its Yodobashi store. It’s a good indicator about how the Christmas sales are going:

Best selling cameras:

  1. Canon EOS R5
  2. Sony Alpha 7 IV
  3. Canon EOS R6
  4. Sony Alpha 7C
  5. Nikon Z9
  6. Sony Alpha 1
  7. Canon EOS R7
  8. Sony Alpha ZV-E10
  9. Nikon Z6 II
  10. Fujifilm X-T4

Best selling lenses:

  1. Sony FE 28-70mm F2 GM
  2. Tamron 28-200mm F/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD (E-mount)
  3. Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II
  4. Canon RF100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM
  5. Canon RF70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM
  6. Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II
  7. Leica Apo-Summicron-M f2/35mm ASPH
  8. Canon RF24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM
  9. Canon RF50mm f1.8 STM
  10. Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM

Interesting tidbits:

  • 4 Sony cameras, 3 Canon cameras, 2 Nikon and 1 Fuji camera made it into the top
  • The 28-70mm GM is selling hot!
  • 5 E-mount lenses in the top 10