Tariffs are confusing. These are the camera companies that have now confirmed price increases or delays
Canon and Leica have both confirmed a price increase, while Fujifilm has halted pre-orders for some models
Trump hints at 80 percent tariff rate as China and the US prepare for negotiations
China and the US are expected to begin trade talks this weekend in Switzerland. A Trump post on social media indicates that the US president believes "80% Tariff on China seems right!"
While the countries are preparing to begin negotiations, analysts don't expect a quick trade deal, according to NPR. But, for the companies that have decided to hold shipments and see how trade deals play out, this weekend's talks could be the first signs of what the tariff rates moving forward could be.
The US is currently charging a 145 percent tariff on many goods from China, with some exceptions in place.
Nikon estimates tariffs could cost the company more than US$68 million
During a financial report to investors, Nikon estimated that US tariffs could cost the company ¥10 billion in operating profit, which converts to about $68.7 million / £51.7 million / AU$107.1 million.
The estimate applies across all of Nikon's business segments, not just cameras. Nikon has not factored in those costs into its predictions for the new fiscal year, however, due to a "high level of uncertainty." US sales make up around 26 percent of the company's business.
Fujifilm estimates tariffs could cost around US$140 million a year
In Fujifilm's latest financial report to investors, the company has indicated that tariffs could cost around $140 million a year if the 10 percent tariff rate continues (around £105 million / AU$218 million).
The report lists supply chain changes, restructuring product and pricing strategies, and reducing costs as ways to mitigate some of those risks. Fujifilm notes that the estimated impact could increase or decrease by up to $100 million in either direction.
While Fujifilm hasn't announced any pricing changes in the US, the report indicates that the company is considering such a change depending on how trade negotiations play out. The effect of tariffs wasn't added to the financial forecast due to uncertainty, Fujifilm noted.
"We will continue to pay close attention to these dynamics and take swift and necessary measures to minimize any impact on our performance,” Fujifilm wrote in the financial report.
The Panasonic Lumix ZS99 has increased by $200 in the US
Panasonic's newest compact camera, the Lumix ZS99, is now $200 more in the US than the list price at launch. Panasonic has not commented on whether or not the change is related to tariffs. The camera's price in the UK and Australia is currently the same as the list price at launch.
The popular camera also appears to have some stock issues in the US, with several retailers listing the camera as out of stock, another factor that could be behind the price change. The Panasonic Lumix ZS99's key features include a 30x zoom lens and a compact design.
Sigma gear will increase in cost beginning on June 2
In an email to customers, Sigma America has confirmed that a price increase is coming. The company says the increase will arrive on June 2, while current prices will remain in place for in-stock items through June 1.
Sigma says the price increase includes all products purchased on or after June 2, but also includes "unfulfilled items," suggesting backordered products could also be affected. The company did not indicate how much prices would increase, but Sigma's factory is located in Japan, which is currently facing a 10 percent tariff on goods imported to the US.
Read the full story on Sigma's tariff increase here.
Trump calls for tariffs on foreign movies, causing confusion
In a post on Truth Social on May 04, President Donald Trump called for a 100 percent tariff on movies "produced in Foreign Lands." But after the post caused stocks from production companies to dip, the White House clarified the following day that "no final decisions" had been made regarding tariffs on films.
"The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death," Trump's post reads. "Other Countries are offering all sorts of incentives to draw our filmmakers and studios away from the United States. Hollywood, and many other areas within the U.S.A., are being devastated. This is a concerted effort by other Nations and, therefore, a National Security threat. It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda! Therefore, I am authorizing the Department of Commerce, and the United States Trade Representative, to immediately begin the process of instituting a 100% Tariff on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands. WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!"
Along with causing stocks in companies like Disney, Netflix, Paramount, and Warner Bros. to drop, the social media declaration has caused confusion over how such a tariff would be implemented. Would such a tariff apply to production costs? Could tariffs even be implemented on something that doesn't physically ship, such as streaming services and digital downloads?
White House spokesperson Kush Desai said that the Trump administration was exploring options "to deliver on Trump's directive to safeguard our country's national and economic security while Making Hollywood Great Again."
Tamron to shift lens production to Vietnam
During Tamron's first quarter financial report with investors, the company indicated that it would be shifting more lens production to Vietnam in response to the US tariffs.
Tamron plans to shift production capacity in Vietnam from 25 percent to 45 percent by 2028, while reducing production in China from 65 percent to 45 percent. Tamron expects its Japan production to remain unchanged at 10 percent over the same time period. The company also expects to reduce parts procurement from China from 30 percent to 20 percent or below this year.
A majority of Tamron's photographic products are sold in China at 27 percent, followed by Japan at 20 percent and other Asian countries at 20 percent. Sales to the Americas are about 14 percent.
While the report indicated reduced sales in both the US and China for the first quarter, Tamron said that its 2025 projections remain the same, as much of the changes related to tariffs will be absorbed by cost reductions.
Vietnam is currently facing a 10 percent tariff in the US, while China sits at 145 percent.
The quarterly report also came with the indication that the company plans for six lens launches this year and 10 in 2026.
DJI Osmo Pocket 3 increases to $799 in the US
The popular vlogging camera the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 has increased in price to $799 in the US, while the UK price remains the same as at launch. The cost of the popular camera jumped up from $519.
Meanwhile, many DJI drones are listed as out of stock at DJI's US online storefront, suggesting tariffs could be impacting availability. DJI has not announced price changes in the US for drones.
DJI is based in China, which is facing a 145 percent tariff rate.
Leica's price increase has now come into effect, with a steep increase on the D-Lux 8
After Leica announced last week that prices would be going up ion May 01, the cost of some Leica gear has now increased in the US. For example, the Leica D-Lux 8, which is made in China, has jumped from $1,595 to $2,790. The full effect of a 145% tariff added to the original cost would be about $3,908, so it does appear that Leica may be absorbing some of the China tariff rates.
Other Leica gear, which is largely made in Germany, sees a smaller increase, including the Leica SL3 and Q3. Leica has indicated that prices have also increased in Canada, as Leica's North America distribution center is located in the US.
Read the full story on how Leica's prices have changed as a result of tariffs here.
Nikon USA is "evaluating potential impacts" of the tariffs
Nikon hasn't been immune to the rumors and speculation arising from the potential impact of the tariffs, but the company hasn't yet shared any delays or price increases. A Nikon USA spokesperson has said that the company is continuing to monitor the changing market conditions. "Nikon is closely monitoring the evolving global market conditions and evaluating potential impacts," A Nikon USA spokesperson told Digital Camera World.
Nikon's Z series mirrorless cameras are largely made in Thailand, while the company's lenses come from Japan, Thailand, and China. Japan and Thailand currently have a 10 percent tariff rate as part of the 90-day pause, while China is facing a 145 percent tariff on goods imported to the US, with some exclusions.
Canon says the new RF 75-300mm will come to the US, but doesn't yet have a launch date
When Canon announced the new RF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 lens, the company's US branch didn't announce the lens at all, leading to speculation that tariffs were preventing one of the company's cheapest RF system lenses from coming to the US. A Canon USA representative, however, has confirmed that the lens will be coming to the US.
While the new budget telephoto will be headed to the US, Canon USA did not share a date when the lens would be coming, nor how much the lens would cost. With the lens already having a launch date and price in other regions, it seems likely that tariffs are, at the minimum, causing a delay in getting the new lens to the US.
Tariffs will also increase camera prices in Canada, Leica says
After Canadian retailer The Camera Store shared that Leica was also raising prices in the country, Leica has confirmed that the US tariffs will also affect pricing in Canada. Leica explained that all imports for North America are sent to Leica's US location before shipping to Canada. The company noted that it is investigating potential workarounds, including a potential Canadian subsidiary.
Leica said that prices in Canada will have an increase similar to the changes in the US, which are expected to go into effect on May 01.
Canon confirms price increase is coming in the US during earnings call
During a quarterly earnings call with investors, Canon Inc. said that some prices would increase in the US as a result of tariffs. The company has not yet shared when such an increase would happen, which products would be affected, or how much prices will increase.
In a question and answer document following the earnings call, Canon Inc. said: “We have notified major dealers that we will raise prices and are in the process of estimating the timing and amount of the increase. Since tariffs are borne against the cost of goods, the higher the cost ratio is, the higher the price rate increases. We will conduct a detailed analysis, including the cost of each product and where it is produced, and will determine the rate of price increase for each product.”
While Canon did not state how much the prices would increase, the company indicated that most of its products that are made in China are not shipped to the US, so the impact of the 145 percent tariff would be small. Instead, the company is investigating how the 10 percent tariff on Japan and other countries will affect the cost of its products.
Read the full report on Canon's tariff announcement here.
Leica prices will go up next month in the US, the company has confirmed
Leica Camera USA has confirmed that some prices are expected to go up beginning on May 1. A representative said that the cost of "select Leica product lines" will be increasing next month as a result of the US tariffs.
The official statement follows a post on the Red Dot Forum from a Miami store that said that prices would be increasing next month. Leica did not indicate which products would be affected or by how much.
Leica cameras are largely made in Germany, which is currently facing a 10 percent tariff on goods imported to the US.
Report hints that Apple could be moving iPhone production to India
A report from the Financial Times indicates that Apple could be working to shift the production of US-bound iPhones from China to India. Such a move would more than double the company's current production in the country.
While smartphones are part of recent exemptions, the exemption only includes part of the 145 percent tariff, leaving smartphones facing a far lower 20 percent tariff instead. However, the Trump administration is currently investigating a tariff on semiconductors, suggesting the smartphone exemption may only be temporary.
The report suggests that all of the iPhones that are sold in the US could be made in India by the end of next year, a move that would require doubling what Apple currently manufactures in the country. Prior to the 90-day pause that lowered tariffs out of India to 10 percent, US tariffs on products from India sat at a 26 percent tariff.
Trump says China tariffs will "come down substantially" ahead of formal negotiations
In remarks on Tuesday, April 22, President Donald Trump said that the tariffs placed on China would come down. "145 percent is very high and it won't be that high," he told reporters. "It won't be anywhere near that high. It'll come down substantially. But it won't be zero."
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also indicated a potential de-escalation with China on Tuesday, calling the current rates unsustainable. Formal negotiations with China, however, have yet to begin.
China-made goods are currently facing a tariff of 145 percent when imported into the US. China has retaliated with a 125 percent tariff on goods imported from the US.
US and Japan are close to a trade agreement, a report suggests
The US and Japan could be moving closer to an interim trade agreement, according to reports from Reuters. The anonymous tipster, however, said the agreement didn’t include two major issues and that it was still possible for the final deal to fall through.
Last week, the Trump Administration met with representatives from Japan. The Prime Minister of Japan, Shigeru Ishiba voiced “grave concern” over the inconsistency in the US tariffs. Ishiba, however, said that the country did not have any plans to terminate the 2019 trade deal with the US that was negotiated during Trump’s first term.
Japan is a key country to watch for photographers, as many key brands are headquartered in Japan.
Fujifilm halts orders of the X100VI, GFX100RF, and some X-M5 models in the US as the company assesses the impact of tariffs
Pre-orders for the Fujifilm X100VI, the GFX100RF and black variant of the X-M5 have been temporarily halted in the US, the company has said. Fujifilm released a statement that pre-orders for the three cameras have been temporarily suspended while the company assesses "various changes, including tariffs." The pause on pre-orders only applies to the US.
"In the US market, we have temporarily suspended orders for some digital camera products in order to assess various changes including tariffs, and their impact as cost-increasing factors," A Fujifilm North America representative told Digital Camera World. "As a result, we are currently not accepting new pre-orders for the X100VI, GFX100RF, and X-M5 (Black) models."
A representative from retailer B&H also noted that the store has stopped taking pre-orders for those models as well, until a shipping date can be confirmed.
Editing accessories may be getting pricier as a report hints at higher Logitech prices
The cost of many Logitech computer peripherals has increased in the US, according to a report by The Verge. According to the report, the cost of Logitech MX Master 3S – Digital Camera World's top choice on the best computer mouse for photo and video editing – has increased in cost by $20. The list price of the mouse is now listed at $119.99 on Logitech's store as well as on Amazon. However, Amazon US currently lists a temporary discount that brings the mouse back down to $99.99.
Keyboards were also among the products that saw a price jump, according to the report.
Wandrd updates fans: "We may need to raise prices on some of our gear"
In an email to subscribers, camera bag brand Wandrd has alerted fans that prices might be rising in the future. Wandrd hasn't officially raised any pricing yet, but the company says that production costs have gone up and prices may need to increase accordingly, depending on how the tariffs play out.
"We always want to keep you in the loop," the email reads. "With these new tariffs, our production costs have gone up – and they could rise even more. Depending on what happens, we may need to raise prices on some of our gear. We're doing everything we can to hold the line – pushing back where we can and looking for smart ways to stay efficient. But we also believe in being upfront with our community before anything shifts. If you've been eyeing something, now might be the time to grab it at the current price – just in case."
The announcement doesn't confirm if a price increase will be happening, but indicates that camera bags may be impacted by tariffs as well, depending on how the tariffs play out.
The newly announced Instax Mini 41 will cost 30 percent more than the previous model in the US
Fujifilm did not share a US price for the new Instax Mini 41 at the announcement last week, but now the brand has officially shared the retail price for the US: $129.99. That's a 30 percent increase from the older Instax Mini 41. In comparison, the cost in the UK is £94.99, a £5 drop from the older camera.
Fujifilm did not comment on whether or not the price increase is due to tariffs, but the announcement could be the first sign of how the changes could impact camera pricing in the US. As an affordable instant film camera, however, it's still unclear how high-end digital cameras may be affected by the tariffs.
Moving camera manufacturing to the US may not skirt tariffs, Blackmagic Design suggests
In a recent interview, a Blackmagic Design representative said that the company was looking into building a factory in Texas, but the potential semiconductor tariffs could negate the cost benefits of such a move. Blackmagic, a company based in Australia that has already announced price hikes in the US for some cameras, indicated that it was exploring a US-based factory in order to be closer to the US companies that supply some camera sensors.
However, Blackmagic says that those US companies source those sensors from outside of the US. With the Trump administration investigating a potential tariff on semiconductors, those plans for a US factory appear to be on hold, as the cost of components could still increase.
The interview sheds some light on the confusion surrounding the recently enacted tariffs and the potential for a semiconductor tariff, which the White House indicates would replace earlier tariffs rather than be added on top of. While the goal of the tariff is to boost American manufacturing, the potentially paused Blackmagic factory is an example of how the effects of tariffs may not be so simple.
Rumors: Camera dealers suggest price increases could come as soon as 1-2 weeks
While little official data remains on the impact of tariffs on camera pricing, camera dealers have speculated that price increases could be coming as soon as 1-2 weeks. An unverified report by Canon Price Watch indicates that some Canon authorized dealers have said that prices will be increasing in 1-2 weeks. Other camera dealers have speculated that a reduction in sales and rebates could offset tariff costs instead.
Official details from camera brands themselves, however, remain slim. Manufacturers may be waiting to see how the tariffs, which seem to be changing regularly, play out.
While rumors and speculation on the impact of camera prices remain prevalent, uncertainty is pushing some shoppers to buy early while others face decision paralysis. With the tariffs being announced and then delayed, however, panic buyers may be unnecessarily rushing buying decisions.
Astrophotography brand Move Shoot Move confirms a 10 percent increase
Move Shoot Move, a company that makes astrophotography accessories, including star trackers, has announced a ten percent price increase for products sold in the US beginning on April 22. The company announced the price increase in an email to subscribers.
"This isn’t what we wanted," the email reads. "It goes against the heart of what we do — making astrophotography more accessible, not less. But this step is necessary to ensure we can continue supporting you with the same quality and service."
US photographers eyeing a Move Shoot Move star tracker may want to consider buying before the April 22 scheduled price increase.
Trump administration begins investigating the possibility of tariffs on semiconductors
Federal documents shared online on Monday, April 14, confirm that the Trump Administration is investigating the impact of a potential tariff on semiconductors, as well as pharmaceuticals. According to the New York Times, the investigation looks into placing tariffs on both products that contain semiconductors as well as the equipment used to manufacture semiconductors.
The digital sensor inside a camera is a type of semiconductor. If enacted, that could mean additional tariffs on digital cameras as well as other electronics. While still in the research stage, the potential tariff would be under legislation that allows the president to enact tariffs to protect national security, under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.
Multiple film labs are raising the cost of Ilford film
Two camera stores based in the US have confirmed a 11-12 percent increase on Ilford film and paper, according to PetaPixel. The outlet reports that a Shutter Junkies and Blue Moon Camera have both confirmed that Ilford parent company Harman has increased the cost of film and paper in the US.
Ilford film and paper have increased by 11 percent at those US labs, with chemicals increasing to 12 percent, according to the report. While Shutter Junkies noted those increases were effective immediately, one-time-use disposable camera pricing is not changing at least while the store's current inventroy lasts.
Harman is a UK-based company and the increase in cost for Ilford film and paper of about 11-12 percent sits in line with the 10 percent tariff that was not part of the 90-day tariff pause. Paterson accessories, which is another brand owned by Harman, are also expected to increase for customers in the US by 11 percent, although the products produced in China could see a higher jump.
An additional semiconductor tariff is coming, which could further hurt the camera industry
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said in an interview that semiconductor tariffs are "coming probably in a month or two." This would add a tax to electronics that use semiconductors, which would include the smartphones that were recently listed as exempt.
Notably, however, a tariff on devices with semiconductors could also have a significant impact on the camera industry. The sensor on a digital camera is a type of semiconductor.
“All those products are going to come under semiconductors," Lutnik told ABC News, "and they’re going to have a special focus type of tariff to make sure that those products get reshored. We need to have semiconductors, we need to have chips, and we need to have flat panels — we need to have these things made in America.”
A post on Truth Social by President Donald Trump seemed to confirm potential semiconductor tariffs: “We are taking a look at Semiconductors and the WHOLE ELECTRONICS SUPPLY CHAIN in the upcoming National Security Tariff Investigations.”
New tariff exemptions keep smartphones safe from price hikes, but not cameras
On Friday, the US Customs and Border Protections shared a list of categories that would be exempt from the tariffs, a list that includes smartphones, monitors, SSDs, modems and routers. The list of exceptions does not include cameras, which can fall into a few different tariff categories. (Broadcast cameras, for example, are a different category for tariffs.)
That could prevent the steep price increase that has analysts projecting iPhones to cost more than $3,600 under the new tariffs. With cameras excluded, however, photography gear manufactured in China could see steep price increases. While tariffs have been paused, China was excluded, and the baseline 10 percent tariff on other regions remains in place.
In a post on Truth Social, however, President Donald Trump said that those categories aren't exempt but are rather moving to a different tariff bucket: "There was no Tariff 'exception' announced on Friday. These products are subject to the existing 20% Fentanyl Tariffs, and they are just moving to a different Tariff 'bucket.'"
Camp Snap warns it's about to sell out of cameras "due to new tariffs"
Camp Snap, the maker behind the affordable retro camera that resembles a digital disposable camera, has warned customers that the popular cameras are close to selling out. In an email to subscribers, Camp Snap said, "We're working hard to relocate our factory out of China and plan to be back online soon – but in the meantime, inventory is running low."
The camera's creators urged those needing the camera for summer camp to order in the next day or two to ensure that it arrives on time. Camp Snap is a screen-free camera that originally launched as a way for campers to take pictures at screen-free camps without the expense of disposable film. While originally meant for camp kids, the camera has also found a following among digital minimalists and retro fans.
China, facing a 145% tariff, bans American-made drones
In part of a response to the US tariffs, which are now at 145 percent for China-made goods, China has now banned 11 American drone companies. Among the list of companies now on the "Unreliable Entities" list is drone-maker Skydio.
While the move is in response to the trade war, the ban sounds startlingly familiar to the legislation that nearly banned China-made DJI drones from the US last year. That legislation did not pass, but instead, the US government gave DJI one year to pass a safety inspection or face a ban in the US. DJI has recently pressed for that review to get started, with nine months remaining before the deadline. When the legislation passed, DJI noted that the law failed to designate an agency to take on the review and did not state what would happen if such a review didn't occur before the deadline.
Canon USA says that it is "continually monitoring the impact of tariffs"
In a statement to Digital Camera World, a Canon USA representative said that the company is monitoring the tariffs. The company has not announced any related price changes in the US at this time.
“Canon remains fully committed to providing exceptional value and service to our customers and channel partners," a Canon USA representative said in a statement. "We are continually monitoring the impact of the international import tariffs on our business. As a global leader in digital imaging solutions, Canon U.S.A. has an obligation to its customers and to the industries we serve, to provide the highest and most advanced level of technology that elevates what's possible both today and for generations to come.”
Trump pauses reciprocal tariffs for 90 days, excluding China
On Wednesday, April 09, the Trump administration announced that the reciprocal tariffs would be paused for 90 days on most countries. The White House noted that tariffs would be brought to 10 percent for most countries during that pause.
The move excludes China, where US tariffs have increased to 125 percent. However, with a majority of the camera brands located in Japan, the announcement means a drop from a 24 percent tariff to 10 percent, which could lessen any impact on camera prices.
Moment says most prices will increase
Moment, a US-based company that makes photography accessories, confirmed in an email to customers that “most items” would be increasing in cost by $5 to $10 beginning next week. The company noted, however, that a few items would keep the same cost, and some products would even drop in price.
“We pride ourselves on making the best gear from suppliers we trust,” the company wrote in the email. “Unfortunately these tariffs make it impossible for us to continue without cheapening the quality, laying off the team, or forcing our mom-and-pop suppliers out of business. We’d rather raise our prices and ask for your help to get through these crazy times than face any of those alternatives.”
Moment also has an online store that sells digital cameras and while the confirmed price increase appears to be for Moment products, the company says that it expects products from other brands to increase in cost as well.
“If nothing changes, we expect prices to go up,” the company wrote. “We've already started to receive messages from brands that they too will be raising prices. Most of the world’s cameras are made in Asia, and we would expect camera prices to also start rising this year.”
Blackmagic confirms camera price hike in the US
The cinema-focused Blackmagic Design was the first company to confirm that tarrifs would impact prices in the US. The company confirmed that prices would be increasing for customers in the US on social media, directing fans to the website for current pricing.
A Blackmagic representative, commenting in a user forum, noted that Blackmagic was able to move the production of Pyxis cameras to reduce the impact of the tariffs.
That move raised the price of the Pyxis 12K G2 just two days after announcing the camera, increasing the cost by about $500, which is about 10 percent. However, the camera is currently still listed for pre-order at B&H at the original $4,995 price.
