Japanese manufacturers boosting digital camera lineups

Last year, global digital camera shipments marked the first growth in seven years, jumping 10 pct from the previous year to 8.49 million units, according to the Camera & Imaging Products Association.

Shipments of models with interchangeable lenses, including mirrorless cameras, advanced 10.2 pct, and those of fixed-lens cameras expanded 9.2 pct.

The Japanese market attained a double-digit rise last year, after the Chinese market had logged years of remarkable growth.

Among the new products launched by Japanese makers, compact digital cameras with fixed lenses are drawing attention.

The X half camera, released by Fujifilm Corp. in June, features a function allowing users to take film camera-style photos in vertical format like those taken with smartphones.

"We put emphasis on the joy of taking photos," said a developer of the camera, which is easy to carry thanks to its small size and light weight.

Canon Inc. in April introduced PowerShot V1, which allows users to take high-quality videos in addition to photos.

"There are many potential users of dedicated cameras who want to take better pictures, as smartphones have increased opportunities to take photos," said Go Tokura, executive vice president of Canon.

This autumn, Ricoh Imaging Co. plans to release a model with high image quality in its popular GR series.