From Digital Camera World · · 1m 30s
Japan's zoom lens market shifts toward super-telephoto
Over half of zoom lenses traded in Japan now reach 200mm or longer, with third-party makers losing ground to Canon, Nikon, and Sony.
In brief
Over half of zoom lenses traded in Japan now reach 200mm or longer, with third-party makers losing ground to Canon, Nikon, and Sony. Japanese camera buyers are increasingly choosing longer telephoto zoom lenses, and brand-name manufacturers dominate the market while third-party lens makers struggle. Originally…
Half of Japan's zoom trades go long
In the first half of 2026, 51.2% of zoom lenses traded on Minna Camera reached 200mm or longer, with 24.6% hitting 400mm and beyond.
“More than half of the zoom lenses traded on the Japanese camera marketplace Minna Camera in the first half of 2026 had a focal length of 200mm or longer”
The 200mm sweet spot dominates
Two hundred millimeter lenses account for 17.9% of all zoom trades, making them the single most popular focal length. The Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S ranks number one.
“The Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S is No.1 on Minna Camera's Top 10 traded zoom lenses”
Ultra-telephoto lenses gaining traction
Four hundred millimeter, five hundred millimeter, and six hundred millimeter lenses together represent 22.4% of trades. These super-telephoto options are increasingly popular with Japanese photographers.
Canon dominates the market
Canon holds 38.1% of zoom lens trades, followed by Nikon at 27.2% and Sony at 16.6%. Third-party makers Sigma and Tamron account for just 4.1% and 3.4% respectively.
Third-party makers lag on long glass
While Tamron leads in the percentage of its sales reaching 200mm or longer at 65.6%, Sigma lags at 37.8%. Canon and Nikon focus more on telephoto, while Sony buyers prefer shorter zooms.
Sony buyers prefer standard zooms
Sony has the lowest percentage of 200mm-plus trades at 39.7%, suggesting its customer base favors standard and mid-range zoom lenses over telephoto options.
The bottom line
Japanese camera buyers are increasingly choosing longer telephoto zoom lenses, and brand-name manufacturers dominate the market while third-party lens makers struggle.
