Compact cameras have seen a great return in recent years. One reason is that these devices are easy to use, convenient to carry, and allow one to make images anywhere. While the numbers are decent, they are not entirely spectacular, as smartphones are still the go-to choice for many. However, per a new report, this could change very soon, as there seems to be hope for digital cameras. How? Let’s have a look.
According to a new report by Kakaku.com, a comparison shopping website in Japan, about 400,000 people per month have searched the term “digital cameras” on the website as of March 2025. However, it’s interesting to note that brands like Sony, Canon, Ricoh, Fujifilm, Panasonic, Nikon, and Kodak have been attracting new users.
The report also showcases that Fujifilm is the one to drive the recovery of the camera market. In the first half of 2025, we saw a rush of new models, all of which have fared well in the market.
The figure above depicts how the last six months have seen a change. It started with Panasonic and Nikon in February, who saw a hike, followed by Canon in April, and Fujifilm in June. As of July, Canon, Sony, and Kodak were also some of the most searched terms by Japanese users.
For the uninitiated, this rise is due to the cameras that were launched during that period. For instance, in February, Panasonic released the LUMIX DC-TZ99, which featured a 30x zoom lens in a compact body. Then came the Nikon Coolpix P1100, which was designed for birding enthusiasts, and then the Powershot V1, which featured a 1.4-inch sensor for content creators. By June, Fujifilm introduced X-Half, a camera with a vertical 1-inch sensor and a vertical screen. Since one can shoot half frames with it, it instantly became a hit. Then came the most cost-effective camera, the Kodak PIXPro C1, which is lightweight and comes under $200. As for full-frame enthusiasts, there was the Sony RX1R Mk III, which is equipped with a 61MP sensor. Each of the models, thus, has changed the way users think of digital cameras.
In fact, Fujifilm has been a hit since 2024, thanks to the introduction of the Fujifilm X100VI, a camera that had 1.5x the viewers on the website. The X-Half has only helped increase the popularity further. There is also an increase in the search term for Canon, due to the announcement of the company resuming production of the PowerShot G7 X Mark III.
The year 2025 has been quite important for compact cameras, thanks to the number of unique products launched recently. In addition to traditional series like PowerShot or Cybershot, we have also seen new models from Panasonic, Kodak, and Fujifilm. This rise in the number of visitors only proves that a smartphone is not enough for many, and a high-end camera is not the answer to get more users. What you need is something in between, one that has important features and makes it easy to move around with a camera in your hand. Thus, compact cameras are not watered-down variants of higher-end devices; they are very much in a league of their own. If manufacturers understand this, they may be able to see a new resurgence of digital photography.
