Low Light Imaging Market Report 2025

The low light imaging market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $15.16 billion in 2024 to $16.84 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to demand for surveillance and security solutions, expansion of wildlife monitoring, increase in consumer photography demands, increased applications in medical imaging, expansion of industrial inspection.

The low light imaging market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $26.65 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to integration in autonomous vehicles, development of wearable cameras, enhanced integration in smartphones, expansion of smart city initiatives, demand for consumer electronics with night mode. Major trends in the forecast period include technological convergence with AI, advancements in image sensor technology, time-of-flight (ToF) cameras, miniaturization and integration, technological progress in image processing.

The rapid adoption of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in automobiles is anticipated to drive the growth of the low-light imaging market. ADAS refers to electronic systems in vehicles that assist drivers using advanced technologies. To meet the growing demands for vehicle safety, ADAS requires low-light image sensors with enhanced capabilities, thus the increasing adoption of ADAS is fueling the growth of the low-light imaging market. For example, in February 2023, Compass IoT, an Australian startup utilizing connected vehicle data to improve road safety and urban planning, reported that Australia currently has over 1 million connected vehicles, with projections to increase tenfold by 2030. Therefore, the rapid adoption of ADAS in automobiles is propelling the low-light imaging market forward.

The growth in consumer electronics is expected to propel the expansion of the low-light imaging market in the coming years. Consumer electronics encompass electronic devices designed for everyday, private, or professional use by consumers or end users. The incorporation of low-light imaging in consumer electronics enhances camera performance, allowing devices such as smartphones and digital cameras to capture high-quality photos and videos even in challenging lighting conditions. This improvement enhances the overall user experience and versatility of these devices. LG, a prominent South Korea-based consumer electronics company, reported record-breaking annual revenue in 2022, exceeding $60 billion for the first time in its history. LG's remarkable sales growth of 12.9% from 2021 underscores the significant role of consumer electronics in driving the low-light imaging market.

The emergence of innovations has become a pivotal trend gaining momentum in the low-light imaging market. Key companies operating in this market are actively developing innovative products to fortify their market position. For instance, in 2022, STMicroelectronics, a Switzerland-based provider of manufacturing services for electronics products, introduced VB56G4A, a 1.5-megapixel global shutter image sensor designed for applications that monitor drivers in vehicles. The sensor boasts features such as automotive compliance, global shutter architecture, a 3D stacked sensor, and a compact design, catering to the specific needs of the automotive industry.

Major companies in the low-light imaging market are intensifying their focus on introducing innovative low-light navigation cameras to gain a competitive advantage. A low-light navigation camera is a specialized imaging device crafted to capture clear and detailed visuals in low-light or nighttime conditions, enhancing visibility for navigation purposes, particularly in vehicles, drones, or autonomous systems. Immervision, a Canada-based camera company, launched a UAV low-light navigation camera module in March 2022. Equipped with a wide-angle panomorph lens, smart pixel management, and a 5-MPixel sensor, this module excels in low-light conditions, providing secure navigation for drones and robotics.

In July 2023, LightPath Technologies, Inc., a US-based manufacturer and integrator of proprietary optical and infrared technologies, acquired Visimid Technologies for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition is intended to strengthen LightPath's infrared imaging capabilities for both defense and commercial applications by utilizing Visimid's expertise in thermal imaging and night vision. This integration will allow LightPath to develop customized solutions for Department of Defense contractors and industrial clients. Visimid Technologies, also based in the US, specializes in thermal and night vision imaging.

Major companies operating in the low light imaging market include Sony Group, Samsung Electronics, Omnivision Technologies, STMicroelectronics Inc, Teledyne FLIR LLC, on Semiconductor, Panasonic Holdings Corporation, Hamamatsu Photonics, ROHM CO. Ltd., Ushio America Inc., Photonis Technologies Sas, Pixart Imaging, Pixelplus, Ruixin Microelectronics Co. Ltd., Canon Inc., Fairchild Imaging Systems, BAE System, Cobham Limited, Honeywell International Inc., L3Harris Technologies Inc., Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Thales Group, Appareo, Himax Technologies Inc., Sharp Corporation.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the low-light imaging market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the low light imaging market during the forecast period. The regions covered in the low light imaging market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the low light imaging market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Low-light imaging pertains to the use of night vision imaging or cameras designed to capture images in low-light conditions. This technology has found applications in various scientific domains, including astronomy, fluorescence, and luminescence studies.

The primary low-light imaging technologies include complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) and charge-coupled device (CCD). CMOS refers to semiconductor technology used in integrated circuits (ICs), commonly known as chips or microchips. Low-light imaging is applied in diverse areas such as photography, monitoring, inspection and detection, and security and surveillance. It is utilized across different verticals, including consumer electronics, automotive, medical and life sciences, military and defense, as well as industrial, commercial, and residential infrastructure.

The low-light imaging market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides low-light imaging market statistics, including low-light imaging industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a low-light imaging market share, detailed low-light imaging market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the low-light imaging industry. This low-light imaging market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The low-light imaging market consists of sales of EM-CCD cameras, high-resolution monochrome (HR-M) cameras, and high-speed monochrome (HR-M) cameras. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

This product will be delivered within 3-5 business days.