Digital Camera Data (May 2026) – Adjustment in mirrorless cameras

Research evidence excerpt

Digital Camera Data (May 2026) – Adjustment in mirrorless cameras

Japan | Precision Equipment EquityJulyResearch1, 2026

Digital Camera Data (May 2026) – Adjustment

in mirrorless cameras

The CIPA released May 2026 data for DSC (Digital Cameras) on July 1.

Mirrorless volume declined 21.7% YoY, the first YoY decline in nine months.

Shipment value was up 0.6%, rising thanks to higher pricing. We think

shipments adjusted due to relatively strong shipments vs actual demand

since the 2H of last year and uncertainty about upcoming macroeconomic

conditions. Interchangeable lens shipment value fell 0.9% in May, the first

decline in three months.

May overview: The Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) released May 2026 data

for digital cameras on July 1. Total digital camera shipments (volume) declined 17.6% YoY to

751,000 units. While shipments had been positive since March, after February’s slight decline

for the first time in six months, they fell in May. Digital camera shipment value eased 1.4%

YoY to ¥81.2bn, the first dip in three months. Results in 2025 were 9.43mn units (+11.2%) and

¥880.5bn (+6.8%) and in Jan-May 2026 were 3.64mn units (+4.1%) and ¥358.2bn (+8.2%).

In the May breakdown, ILC shipment volume was down 23.1% YoY to 531,000 units and value

dropped 1.2% to ¥67.5bn. Volume and value contracted (YoY) for the first time in three months.

Results in 2025 were 7.00mn units (+5.9%) and ¥729.1bn (+0.8%) and in Jan-May 2026 were

2.62mn units (-1.6%) and ¥296.5bn (+6.2%).

SLR cameras were down 34.8% YoY to 46,000 units in May. Value was ¥1.9bn (-38.1%). Volume

expanded YoY for the first time in 16 months in April, but declined again in May. The absolute

level has already dropped substantially and been around 50,000 units or fewer per month.