Photography News

 

In a report from the Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA), the global camera market was shown to have grown steadily in 2025, with shipments rising 6.6% and overall value climbing close to $20bn. The fastest-growing category was fixed-lens cameras, which surged 30% in volume and 49% in value, now making up more than a quarter of all new cameras shipped worldwide. This reflected rising demand for premium compacts and high-end fixed-lens models that combine portability with advanced specifications, driving higher average prices and reshaping the market mix. MPB noted that fewer entry-level releases and more selective buying reinforced the importance of trusted used platforms, while looking ahead to 2026 with expectations of continued single-digit growth across both cameras and lenses.

 

From MPB:

 

• Global camera shipments grew 6.6% in 2025, with total market value growing by 4% to just under $20bn
• Fixed-lens cameras emerged as the fastest-growing segment, now accounting for just over a quarter of all new cameras shipped globally
• Shifting product mix and fewer entry-level model releases are reinforcing the role of accessible, circular routes to high-quality equipment

 

New data from the Camera & Imaging Products Association (CIPA) shows the global new camera market continued its steady growth trajectory in 2025, with unit shipments growing 6.6% year-on-year while overall market value grew to just under $20bn.

In 2025, volumes of Digital Interchangeable Lens Cameras (DILC), including mirrorless and DSLR models, increased by around 6%, while lens volumes grew by approximately 3%. Despite sustained underlying demand throughout the year, value within the interchangeable-lens segment remained broadly flat, as pricing dynamics in some markets offset volume gains.

Against this backdrop, fixed-lens (compact) cameras emerged as the standout growth story of 2025. CIPA data shows compact camera shipments increased sharply by 30% year-on-year, with market value rising at an even greater pace of 49%. Fixed-lens cameras now account for 26% of all new cameras shipped globally.

This growth reflects rising demand for premium fixed-lens cameras that combine advanced specifications with highly portable form factors.  From high-end compacts to APS-C and medium-format fixed-lens models, these cameras offer flexibility and performance that complement interchangeable-lens systems rather than replacing them. The premium nature of many new fixed-lens models has also driven higher average selling prices in this category, reinforcing their growing importance within the overall camera market.

Across the wider market, product mix played an increasingly important role in shaping performance in 2025. Mirrorless camera volumes continued to grow, with shifts in model mix influencing how value accumulated across the category. MPB analysis suggests this reflects fewer entry-level releases and more considered purchasing decisions, reinforcing the importance of trusted used platforms in broadening access to high-quality equipment.

Looking ahead to 2026, MPB expects the new camera market to continue delivering single-digit year-on-year growth in both volume and value, supported by continued demand across both cameras and lenses. Premium fixed-lens cameras are expected to remain an important growth driver, complementing ongoing strength in interchangeable lens systems and reinforcing the role of trusted used platforms for photographers seeking flexibility and value.

Commenting on the data, Matt Barker, CEO of MPB, said:

“2025 was another strong year for the camera market, with broad-based growth across mirrorless cameras, premium lenses and fixed-lens `models, which have become an increasingly important part of the category. We continue to see content creator demand evolve, with kitbags expanding to include a wider range of specialist and premium equipment.”

“This evolution of demand underpins the importance of platforms like MPB. By offering access across categories and price points, we help creators build the kitbags they need to compete in today’s creator economy, without compromising on quality or performance.”

For more information, please visit the MPB website.

When I first heard about the Dwarf Mini Smart Telescope, I have to admit I was skeptical. A smart telescope you can carry in a pocket (albeit a large pocket like a photographer's vest), plop down, and produce decent astrophotos seemed like a stretch. Smart telescopes have certainly evolved over the last few years, and I've reviewed a few of them.

[ Read More ]

 

In January, we asked you to hit the 'like' button on your favourite 2025 POTW images to help us choose our 'Photo of the Year.' Now the votes have been counted, and we’re pleased to reveal that ZenTony with the image ‘Pensive' takes the title of 'Photo of the Year.' Congratulations!

89 'likes' were awarded to the stunning shot. The ePHOTOzine team noted, “The image captures a man with a contemplative expression and subtle, engaging presence. This capture stands out for its superb use of light and monochrome finish, with simplicity and depth allowing emotions and textures to shine through.” We crowned it our 'Photo of the Week' in February 2025. 

 "A superb monochrome portrait with excellent use of light and a contemplative expression." - ePHOTOzine. 

As well as the 'Photo of the Year' title, Tony wins a Samsung Portable 1TB SSD T7 Shield from our 'Photo of the Week' supporter, Samsung. 

The competition now starts again. All 'Photo of the Week' winners from 2026 will be included. Be sure to upload your photos for a chance to win! Once the year ends, we'll compile a list of 52 winners in our forum. Then, we ask you to cast your votes.

Thank you to everyone who voted, our supporter Samsung, and those who continue to upload incredible photos to our Gallery.

Photography increasingly measures its progress through internal states rather than visible change. The language of self-care feels ethical and mature, but it quietly removes the ability to tell whether the work itself is improving.

[ Read More ]

 

Take a walk around your town or local park and you'll soon find a statue or monument. They don't move, or complain so are a perfect subject for a photographer and most are so well sculptured that you have the opportunity to shoot several varied photographs of them.

[HOOK]position_1[/HOOK] 

1. Gear Suggestions

Unless you're a particular fan of the carvings that decorate the tops of churches you'll only need a standard zoom lens which means this is a project you can do with your DSLR or compact camera. If you want a little bit more stability take a tripod along but you can quite happily work hand-held.

 

2 The Statue's Position

When you come across a statue the first thing you should do is take a walk around it to look at the angle. As most statues have a dominating position raised up on plinths, shots of statues can often end up looking a little distorted due to the low angle you shoot from. To combat this just stand further back and use a longer focal length to fill the frame. To improve your shot further, if there are steps or a wall nearby stand on them to give you more height or if you don't mind the trial and error approach you could always put your camera up above your head and take your photo - you may get some surprisingly good results.

 

 

3. Think About Backgrounds

As well as looking for the right angle to photograph the statue pay attention to the background as this can change the overall look of the image. A messy background's distracting while a bright sky can affect the meter reading and leave you with a silhouetted statue. Metering from a darker part of the scene can wash the sky out completely so try using exposure compensation if you find metering to be a problem. If you've found an angle you just have to photograph but the background's spoiling the shot, use a wider aperture to throw the background out of focus.

 

4. Working In Shade

If your statue's in a shaded area, such as under trees, make sure your flash is off as this will blast light into the scene and all the shadows which emphasis the statue's shape will be lost. You may need to use a slightly longer shutter speed so make sure you hold your camera steady or pop it on a tripod to prevent camera shake.

 

5. Other Locations

When you've walked the length of your town searching for statues there are plenty of sculpture parks across the UK that give you the opportunity to capture several interesting pieces of art in one location.

 

You've read the technique now share your related photos for the chance to win prizes: Photo Month Forum Competition  

Highlight control in Lightroom is where a clean edit either holds together or falls apart. If skies keep turning chalky or faces get shiny fast, the fix is often less about contrast and more about what you do with the brightest tones.

[ Read More ]

 

A superb black and white shot of the River Clyde, captured by andymcdonald and titled Bells Bridge and SEC Campus, has picked up our 'Photo of the Week' award.

The image shows Bells Bridge leading over to the SEC Campus in Glasgow, where you can see the Armadillo and the OVO Hydro. It uses a simple mono treatment to show off the shapes and clean lines of the buildings against the dark sky. The light catches the straight lines of the bridge and the curved roofs of the campus really well, giving it an almost sci-fi feel. By taking away the colour, andymcdonald has turned this city scene into something very moody and modern.

It is a lovely piece of work that shows how good framing and contrast can make urban architecture look amazing.

Every Photo of the Week (POTW) winner will be rewarded with a Samsung 128GB PRO Plus microSDXC memory card with SD adapter, providing top-tier storage for all your creative needs across multiple devices. But that's not all! In January 2026, we’ll crown our 2025 Photo of the Year winner, who will take home the ultimate prize of a Samsung Portable 1TB SSD T7 Shield, courtesy of Samsung. It’s time to shoot, submit, and showcase your best work for a chance to win these incredible rewards!

Bad habits don’t always ruin your photos in the moment. They ruin your time, your storage, and your willingness to pick up the camera tomorrow. If you shoot regularly, these patterns creep in fast, and plenty of photographers don’t notice until the backlog feels unmanageable.

[ Read More ]

Your camera probably isn’t the reason your color looks dull. This video makes the case that the real gains come from how you handle light, exposure, and a few choices you lock in while you shoot.

[ Read More ]