From "When digital cameras were just a dream" to "Casio wasn't meant to be a camera manufacturer"… Hear from the people who made compact camera technology possible

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Curious how digital photography began? Kodak and Casio are celebrating 30 years of consumer digital cameras with a rare look at the engineers and innovations that shaped it all

laun: Sleek black Kodak camera with dual lens feature on a reflective surface and blue background
The Kodak EasyShare V610, launched in 2006, is a pocketable 6MP digital camera with dual-lens 10x optical zoom, bridging the gap between compact point-and-shoots and high-zoom cameras (Image credit: Future)

The 4th 'Digital Camera 30th Anniversary Event' takes place on March 14, 2026, in Tokyo's Chuo City, and promises a rare glimpse into the origins of digital photography. Organized by pioneers from Kodak and Casio, the event highlights how these two companies shape the cameras we carry today – even if Casio wasn't meant to be a camera manufacturer.

Kodak experimented with digital imaging as early as the late 1970s and 1980s, eventually launching its first professional digital camera, a DSLR, the Kodak DCS-100, in 1991. Casio followed in 1995 with the QV-10, a compact point-and-shoot that revolutionized consumer digital photography.

The event is a rare chance to hear directly from the engineers and developers who made digital photography a reality, tracing the journey from dream to product. While the full talks are exclusive to attendees, selected material is expected to appear on YouTube later, giving the international audience a glimpse of this historic celebration.

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4th "Digital Camera 30th Anniversary Event"

The event celebrates the start of digital cameras entering the consumer and professional mainstream.

When digital cameras were just a dream
by Kenji Toyoda, Fellow of the Society of Photography and Imaging of Japan
Toyoda is expected to explore the pre-commercial era of digital imaging, when engineers were imagining digital cameras in the late 1970s and 1980s. The talk will likely cover the technical challenges of the time – tiny sensors, limited memory, and early image processing – and show how these experiments eventually led to Kodak's DCS series and Casio's early consumer models.

Kodak Easyshare M580, released 2010, is a 14MP compact digital camera with 8x Schneider-Kreuznach optical zoom, 3-inch LCD, HD video, and smart sharing features (Image credit: Future)

Kodak's professional digital cameras
Harufumi Omori, former head of development at Kodak
A rear opportunity to hear from someone who was at the center of digital photography's commercial breakthrough. Omori will likely provide a behind-the-scenes look at Kodak's transition from film to digital, focusing on professional-grade cameras. Attendees can expect insights into the innovations, challenges, and milestones that shaped Kodak's early digital SLRs, including the DCS-100 (1991).

Casio Exilim EX-V7, launched in 2007, is an ultra-slim 7.2MP digital camera with 7x optical zoom and manual controls, notable for combining portability and advanced features (Image credit: Future)

Casio wasn't a camera manufacturer after all (provisional)
Takashi Niida / former Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
A reflection on Casio's surprising entry into digital cameras. Niida's talk will likely explore why a company known for electronics ventured into cameras, the challenges they faced, and the innovations that helped push the boundaries of compact consumer digital imaging, such as the QV-10 (1995)

Kodak PlaySport (Zx3/Zx5), launched around 2010-2011, is a rugged, pocket-sized waterproof camcorder with 1080p Full HD video, 5MP sensor, image stabilization and social media sharing (Image credit: Future)

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Kim Bunermann
Kim Bunermann
Staff Writer

Kim is a photographer, editor and writer with work published internationally. She holds a Master's degree in Photography and Media and was formerly Technique Editor at Digital Photographer, focusing on the art and science of photography. Blending technical expertise with visual insight, Kim explores photography's time-honored yet ever-evolving role in culture. Through her features, tutorials, and gear reviews, she aims to encourage readers to explore the medium more deeply and embrace its full creative potential.

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