The recovery of the digital camera market has become clear. The total shipment value bottomed out in 2020 and has been trending upwards in 2022. Shortages of parts such as semiconductors are on the verge of disappearing, and product supply is stabilizing. The gradual waning of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic has also boosted demand for cameras, as consumers have more opportunities to go out and take pictures.
According to CIPA, the total shipment value of digital cameras in 2010 was 681.2 billion yen, up 39.3% from the previous year. It exceeded the shipment value in 2019 before the corona disaster. A person in charge of CIPA points out that consumers who are interested in taking photos with smartphones say, "As long as I take pictures, I want to do it properly." We speculate that this is one of the reasons for the strong demand for interchangeable-lens cameras.
Sales of not only camera bodies but also interchangeable lenses are brisk. According to CIPA, the total shipment value of lenses for interchangeable-lens cameras in 2010 was 437.7 billion yen, up 28.6% from the previous year. Different lenses are suitable for different subjects, and when professional photographers and advanced amateurs want to take a wide variety of photos, "a single lens is not enough," says a CIPA representative. For this reason, a certain level of lens demand can be expected.
Looking back on the past, the demand for interchangeable lenses has been solid. While the total shipment value of digital cameras in 2022 decreased by 53.6% compared to 2012, the decrease in lenses will be limited to 8.6%. According to CIPA's analysis, "The pursuit of enjoyment (using multiple lenses to shoot in a variety of scenes) may be behind it."