Kodak claims the lead in compact camera sales, Canon maintains its dominance in DSLR sales, and Sony secures the top spot in mirrorless camera market share during the first half of 2025 in Japan.
In the ever-evolving world of photography, the first half of 2025 has seen significant shifts in brand leadership in Japan's camera market. According to BCN's latest market share report, Kodak has overtaken Canon to become the best-selling brand in the compact camera market, while DJI has secured the top spot in the action camera market, surpassing GoPro.
In the compact camera segment, Kodak leads with a 21.7% market share, a notable increase from its position in the previous year. On the other hand, Canon dominates significantly in DSLR sales, albeit with a decrease in market share from a dominant 69.4% in 2024 to 46.8% in the first half of 2025.
Sony continues to lead in the mirrorless camera market, holding a 30.4% share, just 1.3% ahead of Nikon, which saw its market share increase to 33.4% in May 2025. The release of Nikon's new full-frame entry model, the Z5 II, in April 2025, may have contributed to this growth.
Meanwhile, DJI has become Japan's top-selling action camera brand, securing 35.3% of the market share. This rise comes as no surprise, given the Insta360's partnership with Darkfest 2025, delivering immersive 360° views, POV onboard footage, and drone-like footage with its Insta360 X4 and Ace Pro 2.
Tamron continues to dominate the interchangeable lens market, holding a 21.8% market share, an increase of 4.3% compared to 2024. The Kodak Pixpro C1 entered the market in April, and Sony's RX1R III, a full-frame compact camera, is now available. Sony's ZV-E10 and ZV-E10 II were the best-selling vlogging devices in BCN's June 2025 best-seller charts.
It appears that Canon's focus has clearly shifted to mirrorless development, and it looks unlikely that we'll see another flagship DSLR like the EOS-1D X Mark III. This shift mirrors the broader trend in the industry, with mirrorless cameras increasingly becoming the preferred choice for photographers.
As we move forward, it will be interesting to see how these trends continue to evolve and which brands will maintain their positions in the competitive camera market.
In the first half of 2025, Kodak leads the compact camera market with a 21.7% share, overtaking Canon from the previous year. Canon, however, remains significant in DSLR sales, despite a decrease to 46.8% market share.
Sony reigns in the mirrorless camera market, holding a 30.4% share, narrowly ahead of Nikon, which experienced a market share increase to 33.4%. The introduction of Nikon's new full-frame entry model, the Z5 II, in April 2025, might have contributed to this growth.
DJI takes the top spot in Japan's action camera market, accounting for 35.3% of the market share. The Insta360's collaboration with Darkfest 2025 could be a factor in this rise, offering immersive 360° views, POV onboard footage, and drone-like footage with the Insta360 X4 and Ace Pro 2.
Tamron leads the interchangeable lens market with a 21.8% share, seeing a 4.3% increase compared to 2024. The entry of Kodak's Pixpro C1 and Sony's RX1R III in the market are recent developments. Sony's vlogging devices, ZV-E10 and ZV-E10 II, were the best-sellers in BCN's June 2025 best-seller charts.
Canon's focus seems to have shifted towards mirrorless development, with a diminished likelihood of a new flagship DSLR like the EOS-1D X Mark III. This move reflects the broader trend in the industry, as mirrorless cameras become more popular among photographers.
As we venture further into the year, it remains intriguing to observe how these trends progress and which brands will sustain their positions in the competitive camera market.
The rise of drones, mirrorless cameras, and compact cameras with advanced features, such as zoom, focus, and video capabilities, promotes a shift in the technology landscape of photography gear and gadgets, paving the way for innovative tutorials and techniques to emerge.
With the market brimming with new cameras, lenses, and technology, photographers are armed with an extensive variety of gear to adapt their artistry and cater to the growing demand for high-quality news, video, and still photography.
