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In the world of mirrorless cameras, compact cameras have been taking the lead. Per CIPA, compact cameras have been overtaking DSLRs, a trend many did not really foresee. However, it appears that tables are turning again. Last month, OM System topped the best-selling camera list, a small sensor device, leaving behind giants like Canon and Nikon. But this month, the story is different again. Nikon’s full-frame camera managed to take the lead in unprecedented ways. Here’s a look at the rankings.
Nikon is the King
In a new ranking from MAP Camera (via Digital Camera Info) and Yodobashi Camera for April 2025, Nikon has taken the lead in both camera stores’ sales. While the list is limited to Japan, it does shed light on how consumers usually go.
MAP Camera’s Ranking
- Nikon Z5II
- Fujifilm X100VI
- Fujifilm GFX 100RF
- Canon PowerShot V1
- Fujifilm X-M5
- Ricoh GR IIIx
- Canon R6 Mark II
- Sony α7C II
- Ricoh GR III
- Nikon Z50 II
- Sigma BF
Yodobashi Camera’s Rankings
- Nikon Z5II Body
- Sony α1 II Body
- Sigma BF Body Silver | Black
- Sony α7C II Zoom Lens Kit Silver | Black
- Fujifilm X-M5 XC15-45mm Lens Kit Silver | Black
- Sony α7C II Body Silver | Black
- Nikon Z5II 24-200 Lens Kit
- Nikon Z50II Double Zoom Kit
- Canon EOS R10 RF-S18-150 IS STM Lens Kit
- Canon EOS R6 Mark II Body
According to MAP Camera, the Nikon Z5 II took the first spot “with an overwhelming lead over the second-place model.” The Fujifilm X100VI has been a most after device since its launch, but it is evident that the “rumors” around Z5 II made it even more popular than the Fujifilm camera. The Z5 II features a 24.5MP BSI CMOS full frame sensor and the same EXPEED 7 processor seen on the Z6 III. It has 299-point AF points, 14 fps of mechanical shutter’s continuous speed, and 4K/60p with 1.6x crop. Overall, it is a camera that sits between the ZF and the Z8, making it ideal for a variety of users.
As we have seen with both Z5 II and Fujifilm X100VI, word of mouth and anticipation have really helped the companies leverage their sales. Reports suggest that GFX100RF could have also snatched the top spot, but due to the lack of stock, the camera could not conquer sales. The same goes for Sigma BF, which was also highly anticipated due to its design, but the stock could not meet pre-order demands.
Thus, the ranking proves that design, specs, and word of mouth are really significant contributors to the sale of the device. However, if the camera does not have the best specs, an example is the X100VI, the use of social media itself catapulted it to fame. But, in such cases, the demand will be limited to the masses, and not win over the professional crowd.
Learning from this and other data, it remains to be seen what manufacturers decide to achieve in the next few months. Our hopes are that they launch cameras for photographers and not creators alone.
