Summary of our market study

French camera market stands at around 380,000 units

The global camera market has seen a downward trend in sales volume in recent years, as smartphones increasingly encroach on the space traditionally occupied by cameras due to the high quality photos they can produce.

CIPA data showed that the number of cameras delivered in 2021 was significantly lower than the figures recorded ten years earlier. In 2021, Europe became the largest importer of cameras, followed by America. The market is mainly controlled by Japanese companies, led by Canon, followed by Sony.

Innovations in the field, such as high-end hybrids, are driving the market, which is also seeing the reappearance of film cameras.

Nikon and Canon plan to stop developing their SLR camera ranges in 2022.

Regulatory measures such as the ecolabel, NF Environnement, the energy label and the reparability index have been introduced to address environmental impacts.

Market trends and consumer dynamics in the French camera market

The French camera market has been characterized by a pattern of decline closely aligned with the global trend. However, there remains a segment of the population that still prefers cameras to smartphones for their photographic needs.

Market trends and consumer behavior are strongly influenced by technological advances and consumer age.

It is estimated that the volume of camera sales in France represents around 15% of the European market (2.552 million units), or just over 380,000 units. This calculation is based on the demographic ratio of the French population to that of the European Union.

Professionals and enthusiasts tend to opt for high-quality cameras, with a strong preference for versatility and performance.

Adults seeking higher quality and authenticity than that offered by smartphones are increasingly turning to hybrid cameras

Finally, young people and beginners seem to be turning to entry-level compact cameras as their introduction to photography.

Sales of photographic equipment increase sharply at the end of the year, when cameras become popular gifts.

In recent years, smartphones have experienced staggering growth in terms of quality, which has had the effect of counteracting the camera market. While smartphone sales have risen sharply, the camera market has seen a steady decline in demand.

Key players

  • Canon
  • Nikon
  • Sony
  • Panasonic
  • Fujifilm
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Summary and extracts

1 Market overview

1.1 Introduction

Since its "invention" on January 7, 1839, when it was presented to the French Academy of Sciences, photography has never ceased to stimulate creativity, memory and conversation, as well as information and entertainment for those interested in it.

There are many different types of camera, including :
-silver cameras (use of film)
-compacts (lightweight and automatic settings, suitable for novices)
-hybrid cameras (compact with interchangeable lenses)
-reflex cameras (many features, popular with experts)
-...and smartphones

The benchmark organization for camera market statistics is CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association), an umbrella organization for Japan's leading camera manufacturers . Worldwide production of cameras and photographic equipment is dominated by the same Japanese companies, notably Canon, which dominates the market. CIPA estimates sales of the camera market in 2021 at 442.4 billion yen, or 3.14 billion euros(CIPA). The market is driven by the many innovations on offer, as well as the frequent renewal of functions and models.

The French camera sales market is in decline, with competition coming from the ever-increasing performance of smartphones, favored by the youngest consumer segments, which deliver photo quality largely comparable to that of a conventional camera. Logically, the future of the market lies in the ability of players to innovate and move upmarket.

Cameras are sold in traditional physical outlets or online, by players with varying degrees of specialization: from mass retailers to specialist retailers, via dedicated websites and general online marketplaces (such as Amazon).

1.2 Global market trends and key players

evolution of camera deliveries

World, ****-**** Source: ****

The global camera market is shrinking year on year, after peaking between **** and ****. The number of cameras delivered in **** was more than ten times lower than ten years earlier. The market has been hit hard by the increasingly rapid evolution in the quality of ...

1.3 A declining French market, weakened by smartphones

The French market is in line with the dynamics of the global market for camera manufacturers: a weakened market.

trends in the camera market France,

In terms of sales volumes, the French market can be estimated on the basis of the European market. On January *, ****, the European population will be ***.* million. ...

2 Demand analysis

2.1 Demand cyclicality

A study by the Observatoire du rapport des français au loisir(***). This is followed by photo and video work, where **% of active hobbyists are in the habit of sharing their work. share of cultural and leisure spending on TV, hi-fi, video and photography France, ****-**** Source: Insee Share of cultural ...

2.2 Consumer profile

The profile of camera consumers varies according to their intended use. Three main categories can be distinguished: -Professionals/passionates: These consumers want top quality and flexibility in their choice of accessories, so they go for top-quality cameras. They include sports, wildlife, landscape, war and paparazzi photographers, for example.-Individuals who want ...

2.3 Consumer motivations, expectations and spending

Photo equipment revenues France, Q* ****-Q* **** Source: GFK This graph shows that, every year, the last quarter of the year is the one with the highest revenues for photo equipment. This period corresponds to the end-of-year festivities, so we can deduce that the camera market is sensitive to festive periods, surely ...

3 Market structure

3.1 Industry forces and organization

Leading brands in the camera market France, **** Source: ****

The figures shown on this graph are more or less approximate. In the case of Nikon, for example, we have taken their annual results as our starting point. The first is to establish a geographical zone, and only the results for Europe are ...

3.2 A wide range of distribution channels

Distribution channels are varied and attract different customer groups. Even if the price of the equipment remains a central criterion to be taken into account, the warranty conditions offered, after-sales service and support play an important role (***):Specialized online photo retailers

Specialized online retailers are brands whose universe revolves around photography ...

3.4 Direct competition with smartphones

We can draw a parallel between the evolution of smartphone quality, and therefore sales, and the fall in the camera market. As we saw earlier, the global and French camera market has been in constant decline since ****. conversely, the smartphone market has been particularly buoyant over this period.

Total smartphone sales ...

4 Offer analysis

4.1 Camera types and prices

Cameras fall into five main categories:

- Film cameras are the film cameras that existed before the advent of digital cameras. These products are enjoying renewed appeal, with iconic models such as the Nikon FM*, Leica M* and Polaroid SX** offering instant printing.

- Hybrids: This category has only recently emerged ...

4.2 The different parts of the camera

A camera is made up of a few inalienable components: the sensitive surface, which in film also acts as a storage system, the lens, the diaphragm and the shutter mechanism.

The viewfinder

The viewfinder is the element used to compose a photo, distinguishing between a frame and an out-of-focus area. Located ...

4.3 Product innovation and high-end development

The photographic market still has growth potential, thanks to innovations that stimulate the renewal of equipment.

While compact cameras are directly targeted by competition from smartphones, traditional players are betting more and more on high-end cameras. Hybrids, which are cameras with more powerful sensors, Wifi, *k and multiple options, are showing ...

4.4 Most popular models

The Digital Phtography School site, a reference for photography enthusiasts, frequently publishes a list of the hottest camera models of the moment. These lists are compiled from the purchases of the site's members, and are therefore not based solely on France.

Source: ****

5 Regulations

5.1 Current regulations

The Eco-labelthe only official European eco-label, distinguishes products that are more respectful of the environment, thanks to criteria that guarantee the suitability of products for use and a reduction in their environmental impact (***).

The reparability index was introduced on */**/****, as part of the anti-waste law of **/**/****. It is a mandatory note ...

6 Positioning the players

6.1 Segmentation

  • Olympus
  • Nikon
  • Sony
  • Fujifilm
  • Canon
  • Carl Zeiss Group

List of charts presented in this market study

  • Evolution of camera deliveries
  • Key players in the global camera market
  • Desinations of camera exports by Japanese companies
  • Evolution of the camera market
  • Share of cultural and leisure spending on television, hi-fi, video and photography
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Latest news

Zeiss invests 33 million euros in the extension of its Périgny plant - 03/02/2023
  • 33 million euro investment to extend Zeiss Périgny plant
  • 14,000 m2 building under construction
  • First extension in 2020: 8 million euros
  • 2,000 m2 of office space in the new building
  • Extension will create over 300 jobs
  • Work to start in January 2023
  • Handover scheduled for January 2025
Electronics prices are on the rise, whether for video game consoles, smartphones or electronic components. - 26/08/2022
  • Sony raises PlayStation 5 price by 50 euros
  • From now on, consumers will have to pay 549.99 euros for a PS5 with disc drive and 449.99 euros for the digital version
  • MacBook Air M2 costs 1,499 euros
  • Samsung and TSMC raise their prices by 15 to 20%

Companies quoted in this study

This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :

Olympus
Nikon
Sony
Fujifilm
Canon
Carl Zeiss Group

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