Camera & Imaging Products Association
MA Shibaura Building 3F, 3-8-10.
Shibaura,Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-0023
Japan
Phone +81-3-5442 -48 00
PRESS RELEASE
February 1, 2021
Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA)

2021 Outlook on the Shipment by Product-Type Concerning Cameras and Related
Goods

The Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA: President Masaya Maeda) has announced the outlook
on the shipment by product-type concerning cameras and related goods for the 2021 term.
1. Track record of shipments 2020
Total shipments of digital cameras were 58.4% those of the previous year.
In 2020 (January to December cumulative), the total shipments of digital cameras were 8,886,292 units(represented by units of ten thousands in the attached table), 58.4% of those of the previous year.
Although the market continued to expand significantly from the start of keeping statistics in 1999, it
decreased in 2009 for the first time due to the impact of the worldwide economic recession, decreased in2011 due to the impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake and the flooding in Thailand, and then continued
to decrease. Although it started to increase in 2017, it has fallen below the previous year’s level for threeconsecutive years since 2018.
Shipments of built-in lens digital cameras (so called compact digital cameras) declined very sharply, andthose of interchangeable lens digital cameras (single-lens reflex and mirrorless), which now account for
about 60% of total shipments, also fell sharply from the previous year.
Originally, the digital camera market can expect to have a promising selling season in the Olympic year,
where focusing on the main products, many attractive items come out; however the spread of COVID-19
and the subsequent postponement of the Olympics cast a shadow on the market.
However, although the year-end figure is low, the recovery has been progressing at a rapid pace since lastfall, and monthly shipments of interchangeable lens digital cameras have continued to exceed 80% in
volume and 100% in value since October last year.
As leading products of each company, which had looked at the Olympic year, have appeared one after
another, they have touched the hearts of photography fans, and this has had a remarkable effect.
53.0% for built-in lens digital cameras, and 62.7% for interchangeable lens digital cameras.
3,578,643 units of built-in lens digital cameras, which is 53.0% the volume of the previous year.
5,307,649 units of interchangeable lens digital cameras,” which is 62.7% the volume of the previous year,

1and 9,024,460 units of interchangeable lenses, which is 63.4% the volume of the previous year.
The fact that the number of interchangeable lenses has reached 1.7 times the number of interchangeablelens digital cameras (body side) can be said to be a barometer that many fans continue to upgrade theirphotography systems and pursue photography.
Photography fans are annoyed by the daily life where due to COVID-19, they have no choice but to refrainfrom going out or traveling; on the other hand, in a recent user survey conducted by the Association, many
people voiced that during the self-restraint period, they were supported by facing their irreplaceable hobbyof photography.
Shipments were by no means high; however, we received enough encouragement to look forward to a boost
in purchasing when we are able to go out and travel. We would like to expect that the deepening fans willheartily recommend people around from now on.
“Taking photos of things I like makes my life meaningful.” (18, male)“I can’t see the face of people as we all have to wear face masks. I think we can enjoy daily life more if
we can share photos showing everyone’s face!” (28, female)“Photography is a great hobby which makes you mentally healthier.” (37, male)
Therefore...“I want more people take photos with a camera as their hobby.” (47, male)
From January 21, 2021 PRESS RELEASE "CIPA: Integrated Survey of Photo Imaging Market: Special Edition"

The results by region for digital cameras as a whole were "Shipments to Japan" 55.9% and "Shipments tocountries other than Japan" 58.8%. "Shipments to Japan" 57.3% and "Shipments to countries other thanJapan" 51.8% for built-in lens digital cameras, and "Shipments to Japan" 53.6% and "Shipments to countries
other than Japan" 63.7% for interchangeable lens digital cameras.
“Shipents to Japan” 54.9% and “Shipents to countries other than Japan” 64.5% for interchangeable lenses.
Over the long term, the ratio of " Shipents to countries other than Japan" tended to increase; however there
were differences among the categories in 2020. Regarding interchangeable lens digital cameras andinterchangeable lenses, the year-on-year rate of " Shipents to countries other than Japan" was slightly higher
than that of “Shipents to Japan.”
2. Outlook on shipments in 2021
Total shipments of digital cameras will be 107.2%, with 113.4% for interchangeable lens digital
cameras. Double-digit growth is expected.
In 2021 (January to December cumulative), the total shipments of digital cameras will be 9.53 million units,107.2% of the previous year, including 1.32 million units “Shipments to Japan,” at 101.5%, 8.21 million
units “Shipments to countries other than Japan,” at 108.2%.
By category, 3.51million units for built-in lens digital cameras, which is 98.0% the volume of the previous2

year, including 0.8 million units “Shipments to Japan,” 94.1%, 2.71 million units “Shipments to countries
other than Japan,” 99.3%, and 6.02 million units for interchangeable lens digital cameras, 113.4%, including
0.52 million units “Shipments to Japan,” 115.6%, 5.5 million units “Shipment other than for Japan,” 113.2%.
Total shipments of interchangeable lenses are expected to increase in "Total", "Shipments to Japan"and "Shipments to countries other than Japan."
9.74 million units for interchangeable lenses, which is 108.0% the volume of the previous year, including
0.96 million units “Shipments to Japan,” 105.5%, 8.78 million units “Shipments to countries other thanJapan” 108.1%.
The number of shipment of interchangeable lenses, which is another leading product, is expected to continue
to shift at a scale of beyond 1.6 times the number of shipment of interchangeable lens digital cameras.
The end3

PRESS RELEASE

February 1, 2021

2021 Outlook on the Shipment by Product-Type Concerning Cameras and Related Goods
Camera & Imaging Produces Association
In 10,000 units
Total Shipments
Shipments to Japan

Shipments to countries other than Japan

ActualYearYearActual
YearYearActual
YearYearForecast for
Forecast for
Forecast forresults for on-year
on-year results for on-year
on-year results for on-year
on-year
2021
2021
2021
2020
changechange
2020changechange
2020changechangeItemDigital cameras(Total)

889

58.4%

953 107.2%

13055.9%

132 101.5%

759

58.8%

821 108.2%

Built-in lenscameras

358

53.0%

351

98.0%

85

57.3%

8094.1%

273

51.8%

271

Interchangeablelens cameras

531

62.7%

602 113.4%

45

53.6%

52 115.6%

486

63.7%

550 113.2%

902

63.4%

974 108.0%

91

54.9%

96 105.5%

812

64.5%

878 108.1%

Lenses forinterchangeablelens cameras

Notes: Figures may not add up due to rounding.

Inquires concerning this press release:
Camera & Imaging Products Association
URL : http://www.cipa.jp/
E-mail : infostat@cipa.jp

99.3%