Lensvid analyzed the official CIPA shipment data and concluded:

2024 was the first year since 2017 where we have seen a year-to-year increase in the number of cameras sold/shipped globally – from 7.8 million in 2023 to 8.3 – an increase of over 6%.

And they attempted a forecast:

Looking ahead to 2025 we don’t expect big changes. If anything we believe that unless some big global changes occur this year (again), we are going to see mostly more of the same with possibly a slight increase in sales (especially with mirrorless cameras at the expense of DSLRs) and maybe even an increase in compact cameras thanks to the interest in the X100 line from Fujifilm (and possibly a new RX1 replacement) and some of the instant cameras (even basic compacts have seen a renewed interest, especially in Japan).

Zeiss posted a second teaser for an announcement happening on February 25. Like I told you last week I am near certain we are getting a newly designed OTUS series for Full Frame mirrorless system cameras. This will certainly include the E-mount, but I’m not sure if there will also be an L-mount version. As these could be manual focus lenses…. there’s a good chance they will!

The original OTUS series for DALR cameras had four lenses:

• 28mm f/1.4,
• 55mm f/1.4,
• 85mm f/1.4,
• 100mm f/1.4

It is possible that Zeiss will keep the same basic specifications but make the lenses much more compact.

Meike currently offers two PRO E-mount lenses, the 55mm f/1.8 and 85mm f/1.8 L-mount. There is now a third lens coming. Meike global confirmed via chat (Source: Reddit) that they will launch the 35mm f/1. 8 Pro L-mount lens at the Cp+ show:

The 7Artisans 50mm f/1.8 AF L-mount lens has been announced today and it’s already in Stock at Amazon.

Asobinet reports that major Japanese retailers have labelled the Lumix S1 as ‘no longer available’. This is no surprise…. the real question is whether Panasonic will announce a new S1II in the near future…