DJI and Insta360 dominate global handheld smart camera market

Global shipments of handheld smart cameras rose 57% year-on-year to approximately 5.89 million units during the second quarter of 2026, according to IDC. Total revenue for the sector increased by 50% to nearly 15.7 billion yuan.

Chinese manufacturers DJI and Insta360 dominated the market, collectively accounting for 93% of total shipments. DJI maintained a leading position with a 73% market share, driven by an 87% increase in its shipments. Insta360 followed with a 20% market share and a 40% increase in shipments.

In the gimbal camera segment, which saw 2.79 million units shipped, DJI’s ‘Pocket’ series held a 93% market share. While action camera shipments grew by 47%, the American company GoPro struggled, seeing a 49% decline in action camera shipments and a 61% drop in 360-degree camera shipments. IDC predicts annual shipments will reach nearly 41 million units by 2030.