CP+ 2026 takes place February 26 – March 1, 2026, at Pacifico Yokohama. Here’s what to expect from the camera industry’s first major global show of the year and the largest CP+ to date.
Since the demise of Photokina, CP+ has grown significantly and is now widely regarded as the most important photography-centric trade show on the global circuit. The way it combines its roles as an industry launchpad with being a public festival of photography turns out to be a winning formula, and this year it is expecting to feature 149 exhibitors. This is up from 125 last year.
As you can see from the floor plan, the Big Four dominate, with Sony having the largest booth. All bar Fujinon are facing challenges in the current market, so expect a fair level of activity from all of them, especially as CP+ is the first global launch window of the year.
“In recent years, participation from overseas brands—particularly from Asia—has increased in areas such as interchangeable lenses and shooting accessories,” states organising body CIPA. “Companies in video equipment, astrophotography equipment, and imaging services are also exhibiting, significantly expanding the event’s scope.”
If audience numbers show the same growth as exhibitors, CP+ will have close to 67,000 visitors this year. Happily for those that cannot make it to Japan, it has a large online presence as well. The online event attracted 420,000 participants (up 127% over the 2024 figure), and recorded 2.45 million page views. Here’s the CP+ 2026 online timetable.
Major on-site initiatives include presentations and masterclasses with leading photographers, hands-on workshops for families and beginners, photo exhibitions (including the essential Cat Photo Exhibition @ CP+2026), a large Plarail railway diorama (because, why not?), sessions from video production platform Vook focusing on AI and short-form video/drama, and plenty more.
So, that’s what we know will be there. What about what might be?
Here’s what the rumor mill is generating ahead of the show.
Canon is widely tipped to bring several bodies into play, including a possible EOS R7 Mark II, R10 Mark II, and a video-focused R8 V. There’s even a retro-styled RE-1 model on the cards, signalling a broad APS-C and enthusiast push.
Nikon is similarly expected to lean on high-end updates, with talk of a Z9 II, Z7 III, and Zf II, reflecting the usual Olympic-cycle refresh pattern.
As far as Sony goes, reports of a mystery prototype camera spotted at the Winter Olympics have fuelled talk of an A7R VI-class development or other high-resolution successor being quietly field-tested.
Fujifilm may continue its medium-format momentum with new GFX-series developments, while Panasonic is repeatedly linked to the long-awaited S1H II. This would mark its first major cine-leaning full-frame update in years and probably comes at a significant moment for the company’s long-term camera ambitions.
On the lenses front, Sigma has been linked to multiple announcements, including a new 35mm f/1.4 II, possible 15mm f/1.4 APS-C, and even an 85mm f/1.2, reinforcing its strategy of filling high-quality fast-prime gaps across mounts. The company’s long-running Foveon sensor project is also expected to receive updates or demonstrations, though expectations remain cautious after repeated delays.
There’s plenty else where that came from too, especially when it comes to third-party lens manufacturers. All in all, with MWC Barcelona starting March 3 and Apple launching anything up to a rumoured five new products on March 4, it’s going to be busy few weeks.