Filming Equipment and Software

Chronicle

2024: The volume of the global film camera market reached $319.6 million for the year

In 2024, movie camera sales on a global scale amounted to $319.6 million. About a third of this amount fell on the North American region. Such data are reflected in a Fortune Business Insights study, the results of which were published on August 4, 2025.

By movie cameras, analysts mean professional devices specially designed for shooting high-quality video materials for film and television production. The industry is showing steady positive dynamics, which is due to several factors. One of them is the introduction of artificial intelligence. Neural networks open up qualitatively new possibilities for creativity, allowing you to visualize difficult or impossible scenes to shoot. Thanks to AI, filmmakers can experiment with a variety of visual styles and angles in a virtual space before embarking on an actual shoot: it reduces takes, speeds up the content creation process, and reduces financial costs. In addition, generative AI opens up new forms of visual storytelling.

The industry is positively impacted by the development of streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu and Disney +. The availability of video-on-demand services generates additional demand for fresh and high-quality content. Against this background, key players in the streaming market are investing heavily in the creation of original films and TV series. At the same time, cinematic quality visual effects are a key factor in success. Their creation requires advanced movie cameras, which contributes to the expansion of the industry.

Technological advances are called another driver. We are talking, in particular, about the distribution of materials in 8K format. This contributes to the emergence of new models of professional cameras capable of shooting with exceptional detail, a wide dynamic range and the most natural colors.

At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the industry. Due to quarantine restrictions, there were failures in filmmaking: the shooting of many films was canceled or postponed. In addition, cinemas were closed around the world. This provoked a drop in movie camera sales. The constant emergence of new models of devices leads to the fact that filmmakers and production companies may refrain from investing in expensive equipment, fearing its rapid obsolescence.

By sensor type, the market is segmented into CMOS, full-frame, Super 35, CCD, etc. In 2024, the largest share of revenue - approximately 30% - was provided by Super 35 devices: this cinematic system provides for the use of standard 35 mm film and spherical (axially symmetrical) film optics. In terms of resolution, the Full HD (1080p) movie camera sector dominates: such devices provide a balance of image quality, file size and cost-effectiveness. From a geographical point of view, North America leads with 33.5% of revenue, or $107.1 million. Globally, the following are named major players:

• Sony Group;
• Canon;
• Nikon;
• Panasonic;
• Fujifilm;
• Hitachi;
• JVCKenwood;
• Eastman Kodak;
• Blackmagic Design;
• Silicon Imaging;
• Sigma;
• Ikegami;
• Sharp;
• GoPro;
• DJI;
• Leica Camera AG;
• Phase One;
• Hasselblad.

Fortune Business Insights analysts believe that in the future, the CAGR in the market under consideration will be 6.8%. Thus, by 2032, sales may increase to $535.3 million.^[1]

2023: Global Special Effects Equipment and Software Market Size in Cinema Reaches $138.7 Million

At the end of 2023, the global market for equipment and software for special effects in cinema amounted to approximately $138.7 million. One of the drivers of the industry was the COVID-19 pandemic, as stated in a study by Omdia, the results of which were released in mid-April 2024.

We are talking about the segment of virtual cinematography. The technology assumes that actors or objects are placed in a virtual 3D space, for the modeling of which computer systems are responsible. The virtual environment allows you to create a composition from buildings, objects and characters and control the background, lighting, time of day, weather, as well as change the position and settings of video and cameras. Thus, actors can be captured in any desired setting. The approach increases flexibility, as well as the ability to reduce the cost and timing of film production.

Among the key hardware components for virtual cinematography, Omdia analysts name high-resolution LED panels and special motion tracking systems. In addition to the film industry, such equipment and software are used in other areas. These are, in particular, corporate marketing and collaboration platforms, new systems for the educational sphere, etc.

The development of the industry under consideration, as noted, is facilitated by artificial intelligence technologies. Neural networks simplify rendering, animation, and post-processing tasks. In addition, machine learning assists in predictive analytics for more efficient decision-making during production planning. According to Omdia experts, in the future the global virtual cinematography market will develop rapidly, and its volume in 2028 is expected to exceed $1.1 billion.^[2]

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