Optical Viewfinder Market Size – By Type, Application, Component, End Use Analysis, Share, Growth Forecast, 2024 – 2032

Optical Viewfinder Market Size

The global optical viewfinder market was valued at USD 1.5 billion in 2023 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2024 to 2032.
 

The growth in demand for DSLRs and high-end mirrorless cameras contributes greatly to the development of the optical viewfinder market. Some of the key end users of optical viewfinder include professional photographers and photography enthusiasts who prefer to use unprocessed compositions during shooting, especially when shooting outdoors under different lighting conditions. These users enjoy the clarity and multidimensional accuracy provided by the unbiased view of the optical viewfinder and continue to receive high-quality images, which diverts most users away from the digital display camera.
 

Innovations in optical technologies, such as new glass, lens coating or precision technologies, improve the quality of optical viewfinder. These advances facilitate the work of photographers by achieving greater clarity, contrast and resolution, and provide them with greater efficiency when it comes to focus capture. In addition, the latest optical viewfinder has a thin and light structure, facilitating ease of use in the wider consumer and professional markets.
 

Optical Viewfinder Market Trends

The use of mirrorless cameras with electronic detection is increasing, but DSLRs, which thrive from optical detection, remain the leading player in the professional photography market. Many practitioners specializing in fast-moving photogenic subjects, such as sports, wildlife and even fashion, prefer the accuracy offered by optical viewfinders. In addition, an increasing interest in old-fashioned photography is fueling interest in optical viewfinders. These systems allow a reliable and accurate shooting technique that goes back to the simpler times when photography was a vocation.
 

As the camera industry advances and develops, optical sensor technology is experiencing an unprecedented boom. Improvements in optical glass properties, better coatings and lens configurations have contributed to higher clarity and lower distortion and greater brightness of these optical viewfinders. High-end cameras are using these advanced optical viewfinders to improve the control of the image composition and surpass the challenge of night lighting for photographers.
 

As a result, some cameras' customs and external optical viewfinders have become sophisticated accessories in the most creative industries such as filmmaking, documentaries, and even street photography. This trend is driven by the disproportionate demand for amateur and professional-grade cameras that require customization, which drives growth in the advanced and complementary market.
 

Optical Viewfinder Market Analysis

Self-contained cameras, including those equipped with optical detectors, are also beginning to see a decline in sales as smartphones are increasingly being used for their sophisticated cameras. For beginners and casual photographers, the amount and weight of terrestrial cameras is reduced, and they will trade them for mobility convenience with smartphones equipped with digital viewfinders. This is harmful to the dedicated camera market and directly affects the market.
 

Based on components, the optical viewfinder market is divided into lens, prism, eyepieces, focus screen, mirror. The lens segment is expected to register a CAGR of 6.2% of the forecast period.
 

• The quality of lenses in optical vision is one of the most important components in optical vision that determines the functionality of the camera, and the images captured. The lens is structured to accurately focus light into the image sensor and film.
   
• The various lenses available, whether prime, zoom or any specialty lens, change the focus range and opening, changing the style and composition of the image and allowing creativity in different photography. Advanced lenses reduce the abnormalities, flares and distortions that occur during the viewing of images in the camera, making images as realistic as possible.
   
• With the growing popularity of photography, lens technology has improved, and the development of light and compact materials has improved the quality of optical detectors.
   

Based on type, the optical viewfinder market is divided into pentaprism viewfinder, pentamirror viewfinder, rangefinder viewfinder, and direct optical viewfinder. The direct optical viewfinder segment is projected to account for USD 756.8 million by 2032.
 

• Direct optical viewfinders can also be called Galilean finders. This viewfinder offers optical views, but it is simpler than most. Its compact design makes it popular with compact and rangefinder cameras.
   
• The view provided by the direct optical observer is achieved through the camera lens. This type of monitor is ideal for consumers because it is cheap, light and effective for basic photo needs. Another advantage is that direct optical viewfinders can get a realistic view of the scene and tend to capture images without digital delays.
   
• However, this form of optical observer also has disadvantages. Unlike traditional electronic lensfinders, collecting images does not fully match the focus and frame captured by the lens, so it is likely to cause a parallax error.
   

U.S. dominated the North America optical viewfinder market in 2023, accounting for a share of 76.2%. In the United States market is growing owing to the high number of professional photographers and staff in the media industry, the base for producing optical viewfinders is expanding significantly. The US market is also growing rapidly due to the growth in the high-end sports, wildlife and fashion photographers category, which prefers DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. The leading camera companies in the United States are also cooperating with optical accessory companies to produce many different optical viewfinder models to meet different needs of photographers. With the increase in content creators such as YouTube and social media users, the use of optical viewfinder in the U.S. market has also increased.
 

Japan optical viewfinder industry has the presence of some of the largest camera manufacturers such as Canon, Nikon, and Fujifilm. The Japanese companies are the most innovative in optics and continues to improve the visibility, accuracy and miniaturization of the viewfinder. As the domestic market is also growing and many professional photographers prefer real-time optical vision systems, Japan is one of the largest suppliers and consumers of optical vision systems.
 

The South Korean optical viewfinder market growth is enabled by the growth of its technologically qualified society and the increased demand for expensive camera equipment. Optical viewfinder is very popular with South Korean consumers, especially in urban areas such as Seoul, where photography and content creation are one of the most popular hobbies. The country's advanced electronics and optical industries also contribute to the production of cutting-edge camera technologies. In addition, the presence of various users and influencers of social media in South Korea has increased the need for high-quality cameras with advanced optical systems.
 

Optical Viewfinder Market Share Analysis

In digital cameras and optics, Canon, Nikon, Fujifilm, Leica, and Sigma face fierce competition for innovation and product improvement. Each company strives to release the highest-quality cameras, sophisticated lenses, and other optical devices that provide the highest image quality and performance, performing smoothly. Product differentiation, including sensor technology, reputation, lens quality, mirrorless cameras, cinema equipment, etc., is essential to meet the needs of professionals and fans.
 

Other factors influencing market change include price competition and medium-range products targeted at amateur photographers and videographers. In addition, the company also creates a hybrid distribution approach that involves direct sales, websites and partnerships with retail shops so that it can target customers around the world. In this rapidly changing market, brand dedication, after-sale service and integration into the ecosystem (e.g. lens compatibility) are important for the customer.
 

Optical Viewfinder Market Companies

Major players operating in the Optical viewfinder industry are:

• Aputure
• Blackmagic Design
• Canon Inc.
• Cokin
• Fujifilm Holdings Corporation
• Leica Camera AG
• Mamiya
• Nikon Corporation
• Panasonic Corporation
• Phase One
• Rokinon
• Samyang Optics
• Schneider Kreuznach
• Sigma Corporation
   

Optical Viewfinder Industry News

• In May 2023, TCL announced advancements in its Mini LED technology with the launch of the C845 series TV, featuring improved optical performance and energy efficiency, aimed at enhancing viewer experience.
  
   
• In February 2024, FUJIFILM Corporation announces the launch of the high-end compact digital camera “FUJIFILM X100VI” (X100VI) from the end of February 2024. The X100VI is the latest model in the X100 series of high-end compact digital cameras, featuring a back-illuminated 40.2 MP sensor and the latest processor. It is the first model in the series to incorporate an in-body image stabilization function in pursuit of even higher image quality and performance. The "Advanced Hybrid Viewfinder" allows users to switch freely between the optical viewfinder (OVF) and the electronic viewfinder (EVF), pursuing the "shooting through the viewfinder style” that is the hallmark of the X100 series.
   

This optical viewfinder market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD million) from 2021 to 2032, for the following segments:

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Market, By Type

• Pentaprism viewfinder
• Pentamirror viewfinder
• Rangefinder viewfinder
• Direct optical viewfinder

Market, By Application

• Digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras
• Film cameras
• Compact cameras
• Rangefinder cameras
• Mirrorless cameras with optical viewfinder

Market, By Component

• Lens
• Prism
• Eyepiece
• Focusing screen
• Mirror

Market, By End-use

• Professional photographers
• Amateur photographers
• Filmmakers
• Security & surveillance
• Others

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • UK
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Australia 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
• MEA
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa