Summary
- The Kodak PIXPRO FZ55 led Japanese compact-camera sales in 2025 and September 2026.
- Two C1 variants took second and third places in September.
- JK Imaging manufactures PIXPRO cameras under license to use the Kodak name.
- The renewed appetite for simple compacts does not prove superior image quality.
A straightforward 16MP Kodak-branded camera keeps topping Japanese sales charts, as affordable compact cameras find an audience beyond enthusiasts buying expensive gear.
The Kodak PIXPRO FZ55 was Japan’s best-selling compact in 2025 and returned to the top of BCN’s monthly chart for September 2026. Its position at the top of compact-camera listings on Amazon in the US and Japan, observed on October 23, provides another indication of demand. These are different rankings and periods, not a single measure of global market share.
Kodak-branded cameras lead Japan’s affordable compact market
In BCN’s September 1–30, 2026 chart, the black PIXPRO FZ55 ranked first, followed by the black and brown PIXPRO C1 in second and third. The waterproof PIXPRO WPZ2 ranked fifth. BCN tracks unit sales among participating Japanese retailers; different color variants appear as separate entries.
The momentum was already visible in Japan’s first-half 2025 camera sales data, when Kodak reached 21.7% of the compact segment. Across 2025, BCN reported a 24.0% share for the Kodak brand in its fixed-lens camera category, with the FZ55 series accounting for nearly half that share. This reflects BCN’s retail panel, rather than every transaction worldwide.
What the PIXPRO FZ55 offers
The FZ55 is a conventional point-and-shoot: a 16MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor, a 28mm-equivalent wide-angle lens with 5x optical zoom, a 2.7-inch screen and 1080p Full HD video. Its rechargeable lithium-ion battery and compact body make it easy to carry. The official US suggested retail price is $159.99; that is not a confirmed Greek or European price.
Its appeal is unlikely to rest on cutting-edge specifications. The small sensor has clear limitations in low light and dynamic range compared with more advanced cameras. Still, real optical zoom and the experience of carrying a dedicated camera offer a practical alternative for people who would rather take photos without using their phones.
More information here.
The C1 and the return of retro-style photography
The PIXPRO C1 takes an even simpler route: a 13MP 1/3-inch CMOS sensor, a fixed 26mm-equivalent f/2.0 wide-angle lens without optical zoom, and a 2.8-inch display that tilts through 180 degrees. It records Full HD video, but its principal appeal is its small body and retro design. Its official US suggested retail price is $119.99.
The trend extends beyond these two models. The expansion of the range with the PIXPRO C10 and P1 shows that JK Imaging continues to invest in compact designs, from longer zoom ranges to waterproof options.
More information here.
Who makes Kodak PIXPRO cameras today?
There is an important distinction: PIXPRO digital cameras are not manufactured by the historic Eastman Kodak company. JK Imaging manufactures and sells these products under a global license to use the Kodak brand. The success of Kodak-branded compact cameras should therefore not be confused with Eastman Kodak making the devices itself.
Why are inexpensive compacts returning?
Nostalgia for the look of older digital cameras, ease of use and the desire to separate photography from smartphone notifications are plausible reasons for their appeal. The sales figures do not reveal individual buyer motivations or establish that these cameras deliver better images than modern phones.
What they do show is a market for affordable devices that simply work as cameras. A premium compact targets a different buyer from someone who wants a small camera for holidays, friends and spontaneous snapshots.
What we think
It is striking that while the camera conversation revolves around larger sensors, AI-driven autofocus and expensive lenses, an FZ55 keeps selling. A camera does not need to be technically outstanding to have a purpose. For someone taking photos with friends or on holiday and wanting to leave their phone in a pocket, a basic compact can be a more enjoyable way to shoot.
That does not make this little Kodak-branded camera a tool for demanding jobs. If we need clean files in challenging light, flexibility in post or serious video capabilities, we will look elsewhere. But if the point is to take more photographs and spend less time thinking about the device, its popularity makes sense.
There is also a naming point worth getting right: these successful products are sold by JK Imaging under the Kodak brand. That distinction matters when discussing one of photography’s most historic names.
Frequently asked questions
Are Kodak PIXPRO cameras made by Eastman Kodak?
No. PIXPRO digital cameras are manufactured and sold by JK Imaging under a license to use the Kodak name.
Is the FZ55 the world’s best-selling camera?
No. The evidence refers to particular categories, markets and periods: Japan’s BCN rankings and Amazon compact-camera lists, not worldwide sales of all camera types.
