A Clearer View: Japanese Lens Shipments Reach New Heights
Global Market Surge: Japanese Lens Manufacturers Record Impressive Shipment Figures
In 2025, Japanese lens manufacturers demonstrated a robust performance, producing nearly 10 million interchangeable lenses and distributing 10.6 million units across the globe. This represents a notable increase compared to the previous year's figures of 9.6 million produced and 10.3 million shipped. It's crucial to acknowledge that this comprehensive data primarily reflects the contributions of major Japanese players, with certain brands like Leica and Hasselblad, as well as emerging Chinese and South Korean manufacturers, not included in CIPA's statistics.
Industry Resilience: Sustained Growth Amidst Evolving Photographic Trends
The sustained increase in interchangeable lens shipments for the second consecutive year is a significant milestone, especially given the industry's general contraction over the last 15 years. This positive trajectory is particularly remarkable considering that a substantial portion of the growth in the broader camera market last year stemmed from devices featuring integrated lenses, which do not necessitate separate interchangeable optics.
Shifting Tides: The Dynamic Landscape of Full-Frame and Crop-Sensor Lens Demand
Despite the overall expansion, 2025 saw a slight decrease in full-frame lens shipments on a year-over-year basis, registering a dip of approximately 2.5 percentage points. This decline was largely attributable to a considerable downturn in the full-frame market within China, a region increasingly influential in global photographic trends. Conversely, shipments of lenses for crop-sensor cameras, including APS-C and Micro Four Thirds formats, experienced a substantial uptick of 7.6 percentage points, effectively offsetting the reduction in full-frame demand. Interestingly, full-frame lens shipments grew in all other regions, underscoring China's distinct market behavior.
Reclaiming Ground: APS-C Lenses Witness a Resurgence
The consistent decline in full-frame lenses' market share over the past few years, continuing into 2025, is a compelling trend. For over a decade, full-frame camera systems had dominated, peaking in 2022 when nearly half of all shipped lenses were designed for full-frame sensors. This dominance was partly due to smartphones impacting the entry-level market, where APS-C systems were historically prevalent. The recent resurgence of APS-C, reclaiming some of its lost market share, is noteworthy, particularly as leading manufacturers like Canon, Nikon, and Sony have seemingly redirected some resources away from developing their APS-C camera and lens offerings to prioritize full-frame products.
Fujifilm's Influence: A Key Contributor to APS-C's Expanding Market Footprint
Fujifilm stands out as a significant force in the APS-C segment, with its popular X System exclusively utilizing APS-C cameras and lenses. The brand's increasing popularity year after year likely plays a crucial role in driving the growing share of APS-C lenses in global shipments. Regardless of the sensor size, the consistent annual increase in lens shipments signifies a thriving and healthy digital photography industry overal