Canon is warning that the artificial intelligence boom may soon do more than strain data centers: it could also make cameras more expensive. In its latest financial update, released on Monday, July 27, the Japanese maker said surging memory costs were eating deeper into its outlook, even as it posted record camera sales in 2026.
The company said the expected hit from the memory squeeze has widened by 6 billion yen from its earlier forecast. Canon now sees a potential 69.4 billion yen impact, or about $424 million, over the course of 2026. The pressure stems from fast-rising demand for memory chips used in AI servers and data centers, which has pushed up prices across the storage market and affected parts used in camera manufacturing.
For now, Canon has some cushioning. The company said it benefited from a tariff-related reimbursement of about 37.5 billion yen, and it had built up inventory before prices surged. Even so, Canon told investors it is watching the market closely and will seek to blunt the damage through price increases and additional cost cuts if memory prices stay elevated for longer than expected. That leaves open the possibility that consumer camera prices could rise in the months ahead.
Canon is not alone in that assessment. Fujifilm has already said it will raise prices on several camera models from September 1, citing higher DRAM and component costs, while Nikon has told investors it may pass on some of the pressure depending on how the situation develops. The broader picture suggests the AI-driven memory shortage is no longer confined to laptops, phones and data centers; it is now working its way into photography gear as well.
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