Digital cameras, twelve years of remarkable decline. What do the latest data say?

Compact and digital reflex cameras, mirrorless, and lenses: how has the photography market changed since the advent of smartphones? Is this an industry on the verge of extinction, or is there still hope?

By Emanuele Costanzo – FOTO Cult – January 17, 2025

If we consider the beginning of the modern smartphone era with the sale of the first iPhone in late June 2007, it’s been 16 years that the rise of all-purpose pocket devices has decimated the photography sector—a field that had been on a glorious upward trajectory until then, thanks to the advent of digital technology.

The first Apple iPhone 2G, which never officially arrived in Italy, featured a 2-megapixel camera, barely mentioned by Steve Jobs himself during its 2007 presentation. In contrast, for many years now, almost all smartphones have primarily focused on their digital imaging capabilities.

Chilling numbers! But they need to be viewed in the right perspective…

February 5, 2024. The latest figures released by CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association) have allowed us to reach some conclusions that, while unsettling on one hand, also permit cautious optimism on the other. We have grouped the main data into four charts—don’t worry, we’ll guide you through them by highlighting the most significant points.

But first, a few stark numbers: in 2023, 1.168 million DSLRs and 4.83 million mirrorless cameras were shipped, totaling 6 million digital camera bodies (+1.25% compared to 2022). There was a slight decline in the lens market: with 9.639 million units shipped worldwide, the decrease from the previous 12 months of 2022 was kept to a modest 0.92%.

The Panasonic Lumix G1, the first mirrorless camera in history, launched in 2008. So far, mirrorless cameras have helped slow the contraction of the interchangeable-lens camera market. However, a return to the pre-smartphone era seems unlikely.

Photography on a roller coaster ride

Now it’s interesting to place these numbers in a broader context, extending back to 2008 as the first year when the impact of smartphone proliferation—especially those geared toward photo and video—became noticeable.

From 120 to 6 million in 16 years…

  • From 120 to 6 million in 16 years…
  • The decline of DSLRs, not yet offset by the growth of mirrorless cameras
  • Units decline, prices rise

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