Chinese media reported that Chinese-made cameras are gaining popularity in Japan, a camera kingdom that boasts to the world. This is because, with the widespread popularity of short videos and Vlogs, what many consumers are looking for is not "cameras that can shoot most professionally," but "devices that can more easily capture beautiful images."

According to China News Service (CNS), in August, around Tokyo's downtown Asakusa Temple, many Japanese customers formed long lines amid heat exceeding 30 degrees Celsius. This was to wait for the opening of the first store in Japan by Chinese camera maker Insta360. Among those in line were also people carrying cameras from Japanese manufacturers such as Canon and Panasonic.

The sight of people queuing for Chinese-made cameras was also seen in Akihabara, Tokyo, in July. When DJI's "Osmo Pocket 4" was restocked, many people brought folding chairs and lined up from before dawn, and wait times reached up to approximately 9 hours. The 450 admission tickets prepared reportedly ran out in just 30 minutes after the store opened.

For many years, Japanese manufacturers such as Canon, Sony, and Fujifilm, with their accumulated optical technology, precise manufacturing technology, and rich lineup of interchangeable lenses as strengths, have held a large share in the global professional camera market and led the imaging industry. Buying cameras from Japanese brands during a trip to Japan was once one of the standard activities for Chinese tourists.

However, now a change is occurring in this trend. With the rise of Chinese brands such as DJI and Insta360, significant changes are also emerging in Japan's imaging equipment market. According to data from Japanese research company BCN, DJI's "Osmo Pocket 3" has rapidly expanded its share in the Japanese camcorder market since November 2023. In terms of sales volume by series in 2024, it became number one with a 41.5% share, and DJI also achieved its first annual top spot in sales volume by manufacturer.

Regarding the reason why Chinese brands are increasing their presence in the Japanese camera market, CNS reported that "one is that they captured the change in what consumers demand from cameras." They stated that "while conventional cameras can achieve high image quality, many are large and complex to operate, making them suitable for professionals and serious photography."

In contrast, Chinese companies, backed by a robust supply chain for home appliances and electronic devices, have combined smart technology and AI (Artificial Intelligence) algorithms to take the lead in this new market. Chinese manufacturers' smart cameras, which are capable of everything from gimbal-based image stabilization to 360-degree shooting, AI-powered auto-tracking, auto-composition, and one-touch editing, have lowered the barriers to video shooting that previously required specialized knowledge, creating new demand worldwide.

CNS mentioned that "the sight of Japanese consumers queuing for 'Made in China' products might have been hard to imagine 10 years ago." They emphasized that "as China's manufacturing industry evolves from mere 'manufacturing' to 'smart manufacturing' that leverages technology and ideas, changes are also emerging in global consumers' perceptions and choices regarding Chinese brands." (Editor/Hinata)