In 2025, global digital camera shipments increased for two years in a row for the first time in nearly two decades. With CIPA’s August data available, marking the two-thirds point for the year, it does not look like 2026 will continue the upward trend.

So far in 2026, total digital camera shipments are at 5,704,012 units through the end of August. This includes all Japanese camera makers but omits companies like Leica and Hasselblad. It’s the best available data, by a significant margin.

At the same point last year, total digital camera shipments were 5,889,031. In 2024, the number was 5,269,672. So while 2026 isn’t currently on track to beat last year, it is at least ahead of 2024. That said, 2024 had a fairly strong finish and general upward trend throughout the year, while 2026 thus far peaked in April and has been dropping since. It’s hard to predict what the next few months will offer.

Looking more closely at the types of digital cameras shipped so far in 2026, the data is interesting.…