The biggest event on the camera calendar, CP+ 2026, has opened in Japan – and I'm here on the show floor at the Pacifico Yokohama convention center in Yokohama, Japan, until the event closes on March 01.
CP+ has played host to some of the biggest announcements in the industry, as all the major players try to exert dominance on their shared home court – Japan being the home of digital imaging and camera development. With all the big brands bringing their best wares, there's going to be plenty of exciting news coming out of Yokohama!
What is CP+ 2026?
CP+ is the Camera and Imaging Show, an annual event held in Japan attended by all the major players in the camera industry. The big brands have historically timed their first announcements of the year to coincide with the show – giving us a glimpse of what we can expect over the next 12 months.
For photographers lucky enough to attend the event in person at Pacifico Yokohama, CP+ means the chance to see and try the latest gear, along with attending seminars and workshops to learn a few new skills.
When is CP+ 2026?
CP+ 2026 is taking place now, having opened on February 26 and running through Sunday March 01 at Pacifico Yokohama.
There is also a virtual component to the event, enabling visitors to "attend" from the comfort of their own home. Take a look at the online event list for more information.
What's happening and what to expect from CP+ 2026
In the past, manufacturers have used CP+ to set out their stall for the year to come – often announcing new products or revealing new technologies, which give us a taste of what's on the way.
I'm currently running around the show floor and updating this page whenever I can – here's a look at the things I've seen so far, along with some of the more persistent camera rumors about what might be here…
Canon at CP+ 2026
There's plenty happening on the Canon stand this year – and the most exciting is the Canon Analog Concept Camera, a retro box-style camera with waist-level optical viewfinder and fully manual focus!
It's my highlight of the show so far, as I got hands-on with a prototype and loved how it felt in the hand – and the sample images I've seen are pretty good, too.
Elsewhere, Canon has tripled down on 3D and VR imaging with multiple exhibits showing its MReal (mixed reality) technology, along with spatial VR tech using its dual fisheye lenses as well as – amazingly – VR images taken without any special lenses whatsoever, but created using Canon's Dual Pixel architecture to create 3D images from a still photo!
Nikon at CP+ 2026
There's been plenty happening in Nikon Land lately, with the Nikon ZR signalling the first official crossover product between the Big N and Red. As the first member of the new Z Cinema lineup, we could well be looking at new optics to flesh out the first-party cine lens lineup.
It's been widely speculated that the Nikon Z9 II was being prepped and tested at the Winter Olympic Games. The flagship camera is certainly due an update and, if it has indeed been in the hands of ambassadors and pros in Milano, it could signal that a development announcement is about to be made.
Personally, given how big a part of its booth the Nikon Zf and Zfc were at last year's show, I'd love to see Nikon roll out some more retro-styled primes to go with its retro cameras!
Announced just ahead of the show is the redesigned professional workhorse - the Z 70-200mm f/2.8 S VR II – which will be lighter, faster, and more expensive than its predecessor when it goes on sale at the end of March. Nearly everything has been improved on this lens, which is 362g lighter than the original Nikkor Z 70-200mm f/2.8 S VR which was introduced in 2020.
Sigma at CP+ 2026
Sigma has introduced two new lenses at CP+.
The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG II Art refreshes the popular wide-angle prime with redesigned optics in a lighter, smaller package. Available in both L-Mount and Sony E-Mount, Sigma says that the lens has been “completely redesigned,” a change that makes the lens about 20 percent lighter and around 14 percent shorter than the existing 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art which was launched in 2019.
Meanwhile, the new Sigma 15mm f/1.4 DC Contemporary is a lighter upgrade to the brand’s earlier 16mm f/1.4 lens for Canon, Fujifilm and Sony APS-C mirrorless cameras.
Additionally, Sigma has revealed that it is developing an 85mm F1.2 DG | Art prime lens for Sony and L-mount full-frame mirrorless cameras. This will complete its series of fast f/1.2 prices, which currently comprises of the newly-announced Sigma 35mm F1.2 DG II | Art and existing Sigma 50mm F1.2 DG DN | Art.
Sony at CP+ 2026
There's a whole lot of chatter around Sony right now. Obviously the Sony A7 V has just dropped, so that's going to be the crown jewel of its CP+ lineup. But there's even more intrigue surrounding its six-year-old sister camera.
Everyone wants to know what's going on with the successor to 2020's Sony A7S III – and, accordingly, the Sony FX3, FX6 and ZV-E1, all of which share the same image sensor and core technology and all of which definitely feel due an update. Especially with the C50 and ZR breathing down their necks.
The most fascinating chatter, however, revolves around Sony's next generation of medium format sensors – something which might directly influence what's announced by another brand…
Fujifilm at CP+ 2026
Fujifilm has really doubled down on innovative, quirky, creativity-focused products recently. The half-frame Fujifilm X Half has struggled to find an audience, with some retailers giving them away as freebies with other cameras, but the "instant camcorder" Instax Mini Evo Cinema seems to have generated a lot of positive interest.
Creativity will, I'm sure, be central to Fujifilm's offerings at CP+. Instax is enormously popular and profitable, so it will definitely take center stage – and while I don't think we'll see a new camera as such, we may well see (like last year) a new color variant revealed for one of the Instax lines.
Elsewhere, the company will want to focus on the Fujifilm GFX Eterna as a serious option for filmmakers. It was only present inside a glass case last year, so I expect it to be much more prominently positioned – again, especially with the Canon EOS C50 and Nikon ZR capturing most of the headlines.
With regard to X cameras, everyone is expecting the Fujifilm X-T6 and the Fujifilm X-Pro4 to arrive sometime this year. I imagine they will probably merit their own X Summit events, rather than being revealed in Yokohama, as that's how Fujifilm usually rolls.
Panasonic at CP+ 2026
Panasonic was plenty busy last year, rolling out the latest iteration of its flagship S1 series. But while we got a Lumix S1II, S1IIE and S1RII, conspicuous by its absence is a successor to the OG Lumix S1H – which hasn't seen an update since it launched in 2019.
Rumors have been rife that the S1HII is launching imminently, again joining the C50 and ZR as "FX3 killers" taking aim at Sony's crown. And we know that Panasonic has at least three registered but unreleased cameras that are ready to roll – with one of them fitting the professional tier in which an S1H successor would sit.
One of those other cameras looks like it could be another Lumix compact camera, probably a lower-level point-and-shoot aimed at the resurgent demand in that area (which was expertly served by the Lumix TZ99 / ZS99 last year). Come on, Panny – give us a new compact with a viewfinder and you'll rake in the money!
Announced ahead of the show is a new 32-bit float microphone, which is initially aimed at those using the Panasonic S series of full-frame mirrorless models. The Lumix DMS1 microphone slots on the camera’s hotshoe, drawing power and transmitting digital audio without the need for additional leads, helping to streamline run-and-gun setups. At launch, the DMS1 is compatible with the Lumix S1II, S1RII, S1IIE, S5II, and S5IIX, with support for the GH7 and G9II planned via future firmware updates.
OM System at CP+ 2026
Things have been pretty slow in OM land, and the company needs to do something to inspire confidence from its customer base. Last year's magnificent OM System 50-200mm f/2.8 IS Pro was a brilliant lens, but it's another step down the "birding and big lenses" road rather than the "Micro" of Micro Four Thirds that user like myself want to see more of.
So, what realistically could OM show this year? I would be surprised if we saw a new camera announcement, even though the user base is clamoring for everything from an OM 10 to a successor to the Olympus PEN-F – a camera that is so enduring and cult-like, that just this past week two prominent YouTubers have made videos about it. And it's a decade old!
Certainly, OM would set headlines ablaze with the mere mention of the phrase "PEN-F II". However, with the OM System OM-3 effectively being the closest we'll get to such a camera, I think it's more realistic that we'll get a special edition Titanium OM-3 – which would both pay homage to the Olympus OM3Ti and also fit OM's playbook of releasing titanium special editions.
Tamron at CP+ 2026
Tamron is truly the low-key king of CP+ stands. Last year its booth was built around a giant diorama of Godzilla battling Mechagodzilla amid a destroyed city; this year, it is collaborating with Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment to have a Back to the Future-themed stand!
A life-size Delorean in front of a diorama of the Hill Valley courthouse will take center stage in the shooting arena, giving showgoers the chance to test Tamron's latest lens tech – including the newly announced Tamron 35-100mm f/2.8 and Tamron-Link remote focus and aperture dongle.
Going back to the future is more than just an excuse to evoke Eighties cinema, however, as this year is Tamron's 75th anniversary – and the special Tamron Lens History Board will enable guests to revisit some of its milestone creations over the years.
Samyang at CP+ 2026
South Korean lens manufacturer Samyang is rumored to have some new additions to its range at the Show, if the rumors are true. Images of a 20-50mm f/2.0 wideangle zoom, and two telephoto primes – a 200mm f/1.8 and a 300mm f/4.0 – have been leaked ahead of the show.
7Artisan at CP+ 2026
The 7Artisan AF 40mm f/2.5 FE is a new budget pancake for full-frame Sony E-mount and, despite the price, the compact prime still offers autofocus. The latest prime in the Lite range will sell for US$159 and weighs just 3.2 oz / 90g.
Brightin Star at CP+ 2026
The highlight on the Brightin Star stand is the prototype of its 50mm f/2 Tri-Sight prime. This is a nifty fifty with a difference – with a ring control that allows you to change its bokeh effect. Choose from normal, a smooth soft focus effect, or an on-trend bubble bokeh effect.
Zeiss at CP+ 2026
Zeiss has announced its latest Otus ML manual focus lens. Joining the existing Otus ML 1.4/50 and 1.4/85, the Zeiss Otus ML 1.4/35 is a large-aperture, moderate wide-angle lens that promises unparalleled optical quality for Canon RF, Nikon Z, and Sony E mount full-frame mirrorless cameras.
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