CP+ 2026
CP+2026 will finally be held at Pacifico Yokohama this week for four days, February 26th to March 1st. Billed as the “world premiere show for cameras and photography,” this trade fair usually attracts exhibitors from many camera and camera accessory manufacturers, as well as related companies and organizations, and is bustling with visitors every day. Considering the recent boom in photography and imaging, there is no doubt that we can expect even more visitors this year, and expectations are only growing.
Here, I (Takeshi Oura, photographer and camera writer) would like to offer my own predictions about what kind of trade fair CP+ will be based on the exhibitor list and venue map published by the Camera and Imaging Products Association, which organizes CP+.
A huge exhibition area featuring Canon, Sony, Nikon, and Fujifilm
To start off, as usual, all the major Japanese camera manufacturers will be at this show. The far side of the venue will be particularly filled with the huge booths of four companies: Canon, Sony, Nikon, and Fujifilm. While the size of a trade fair booth is usually measured in units of frames (1 frame = 3m x 3m), it’s impossible to tell how many frames each booth has.
Features to expect at each exhibition
Company exhibits are expected to be extremely lively, with touch-and-try corners featuring the latest cameras and lenses, as well as seminar venues with huge displays. The touch-and-try corners in particular can sometimes have long lines of visitors waiting their turn, so if there’s a model you’d like to try out, it’s wise to visit the booth as early as possible.
In some touch and try corners, you can load your own memory card into a camera on display and take pictures to take home, or you may be able to attach a lens on display to your camera and take test shots, so it’s a good idea to ask the staff.
Highlights from each company include Canon’s EOS R6 Mark III, the just-announced RF7-14mm F2.8-3.5 L FISHEYE STM, and RF14mm F1.4 L VCM, Sony’s α7V and FE 100mm F2.8 Macro GM OSS, Nikon’s NIKKOR Z DX 35mm f/1.7 and NIKKOR Z 24-105mm f/4-7.1, and Fujifilm’s Instax mini EVO Cinema.
Panasonic, Tamron, Sigma and others showcase their unique exhibition styles
Across from the small booths in the center of the venue, Panasonic, Kenko Tokina, Tamron, Sigma, and OM Digital Solutions have booths near where you’ll be entering the exhibition hall. While these company exhibits are slightly smaller than the previous four, they still seem to be quite large and well worth seeing (because Sony and Canon’s booths are so huge).
All of the manufacturers will undoubtedly have touch-and-try corners here as well, but some will be putting in a lot of effort, like Sigma’s booth previously displaying all of the company’s photo books, so be sure to check them out.
The highlights from each company include Panasonic’s LUMIX S 100-500mm F5-7.1, Tamron’s just-announced 35-100mm F/2.8 Di III VXD, and Sigma’s Sigma 35mm F1.2 DG II | Art.
Highlights of the Cosina, Focus Studio, DJI, and PRONEWS booths
At the back left of the venue, you’ll find booths from some of the more niche manufacturers, including Cosina, Focus Studio, and DJI. Focus Studio is a trading company that mainly deals in Chinese-made lenses, which have become quite popular in recent years. They’ll be showcasing a huge selection of lenses from the Chinese market, making this a booth not to be missed by lens lovers.
The Cosina booth is not to be missed, as it will be secretly displaying unreleased lenses such as the SEPTON 40mm F2 Aspherical and PORTRAIT HELIAR 75mm F1.8. DJI will also be exhibiting drones and action cameras, as well as Hasselblad, so photography enthusiasts interested in medium-format digital cameras should definitely stop by.
PRONEWS will also be hosting a stage for video enthusiasts called the PRONEWS SUMMIT, as well as a booth that will provide real-time information on CP+ 2026. Photography enthusiasts who are interested in video expression should definitely take a look.
Emerging lens manufacturers gaining momentum and their booths in the center of the venue
The center of the venue was packed with small to medium-sized booths. Nearly half of them were the smallest booths, measuring just one corner in size. Most of them were lens manufacturers and accessory manufacturers of tripods, rigs, etc. from East Asia, mainly China, Taiwan, and South Korea.
Expect the unexpected at CP+ 2026!
Our team has been covering such manufacturers at CP+ for many years, and every year it’s not uncommon for manufacturers whose names I’ve never heard of to show up without any prior notice, which I find very intriguing. I’m particularly impressed by the energy of manufacturers based in China. At the same time, listening to their stories, I can really sense their enthusiasm to get Japanese photography enthusiasts to know about their companies and the products they make.
Some manufacturers may not be familiar with these types of exhibitions, and some of the exhibits may leave viewers feeling a little unsatisfied, but please be patient. In any case, there are many interesting items, so I highly recommend you go and check them out.
Accessory manufacturers supporting the photography experience and how to enjoy the area around the venue
Many well-known accessory manufacturers will also be setting up booths here. It goes without saying that the items on display are diverse and worth seeing, but if there’s an item you’re interested in, such as camera bags and tripods, which are difficult to buy without knowing the size, you can actually see and touch the actual item, so it’s a good idea to check it out. Many familiar manufacturers such as Widendham, Asanuma Shokai, Hakuba, Etsumi, and Slik will be exhibiting, and I’m personally interested to see that Ginichi, which canceled its exhibit last year, has set up a booth again.
Stuff for the Kids Too!
The venue also features a huge Plarail display that you can enjoy with your children, as well as other elaborate corners and art exhibition corners, so you’ll never get bored all day. There will also be plenty of events, including numerous seminars hosted by manufacturers and the CP+ office. Furthermore, the area around Pacifico Yokohama, where CP+ is held, has many great spots for casual photography, so be sure to bring your favorite camera with you.
