Japan’s largest photo & imaging event is back at Yokohama Pacifico for the first time since 2019. So, how did this year stack up when compared to events in the past?

For one, it was markedly smaller in scale when compared to previous onsite years. This could be a reflection of Japan’s slow crawl to normalcy post-pandemic or a symptom of something else. But industry professionals, camera enthusiasts, and casual consumers alike all seemed happy to take in the latest and greatest in camera and imaging technology.

The Big Four

While the previous onsite CP+ showed us the inevitable transition from DSLR to mirrorless cameras, this year confirmed the definitive transformation of camera brands. Canon and Nikon decided to abandon their legacy line of EF and F mount lenses respectively to exclusively showcase their burgeoning mirrorless lineup. Sony and Fujifilm being earlier adopters to mirrorless on the other hand clearly displayed a clearer example of brand maturity with their camera and lens selections.

Many Instants

Another industry trend that many of the most exciting booths wanted to capitalize on is the ability to share content and share it in unique ways. The approach that each manufacturer took varried wildly. From Insta360’s array of cutting-edge VR solutions to Fujifilm’s ability to leverage its roots in film with their instax lineup, every exhibitor made sure to highlight the potential stories their products could tell.

Overall, despite the lack of new releases debuting at this year’s event, the photo and imaging community reamined as active and curious as ever. As long as there are stories to be captured and told, events like CP+ will remain marked on our calendars!

Special thanks to the team at PRONEWS for shadowing us at the event and Benjamin Brieu for joining us.

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Don Whigan is an award-winning videographer and photojournalist from San Diego, California. He currently operates out of central Japan as a partner, editor, and head of videography at Japan Daily. His background in international relations and sociology has inspired his exploration in Japanese counter-culture and underground social movements, but he also loves to hit the trails or hop on his bike and enjoy the natural wonders and historical sights of the country.

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