TIPA 2025 Awards

TIPA 2025 awards came out this year, and it's pretty much a pay-to-play event where almost every company wins something.  According to TIPA the awards are chosen by it's editors;

TIPA editors judge on quality, performance and value criteria that are very important to the end-user. When you buy a product distinguished with a TIPA Awards logo, you can be sure you are buying the very best. Keeping up with the ever-expanding range of products and services of the imaging industry, TIPA Award categories are regularly updated according to the market’s technological trends. TIPA makes it a priority to add categories to reflect current industry trends. TIPA editors judge new products available in most markets.

On the camera front, Canon won with the R5 Mark II, as well as the RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM. Additionally, the Canon imageprograf PRO-1100 printer also won.

What I don't want to talk about is what Canon won - it's the ones in which they didn't win that strike me as the most interesting.  Let's first review what Canon released last year and early this year,

• Canon EOS R1
• Canon EOS R5 Mark II
• Canon EOS C80

and on the lens front;

• Canon RF 70-200 F2.8L IS USM Z
• Canon RF 24mm F1.4L VCM
• Canon RF 35mm F1.4L VCM
• Canon RF 50mm F1.4L VCM
• Canon RF 16-28mm F2.8 IS STM
• Canon RF 28-70mm F2.8 IS STM
• Canon RF-S 3.9mm F3.5 STM Dual Fisheye
• Canon RF-S 7.8mm F4.0 STM Dual
   

Where Canon won, I bolded.  Now that looks a little different.  I understand that all companies must win a TIPA award; it's essentially a participation award.  Even if we look at per manufacturer for cameras and lenses; 

• OM System: 1
• Panasonic: 1
• Nikon: 3
• Sony: 4
• Canon: 2
• Fujifilm: 2
• Tamron: 2
• Sigma: 3

So what gives? I suppose Canon didn't receive enough recognition from TIPA last year, as the awards for "best wide angle prime lens," "best standard prime lens", "best hybrid zoom lens," and "best dual fisheye lens" weren't among the recipients.   It seems odd that the prime lenses did not win, considering that some of those categories existed in the awards in 2024.

I was also a little surprised to see Canon lose out on the best full-frame professional camera, I would have thought that Canon would have pushed for the EOS R1 to win that award.

Press Release from TIPA

Madrid, 17 April 2025

The Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2025 TIPA World Awards, honoring the Best Photo/Imaging Products of the year. These prestigious accolades recognize exceptional developments in imaging technology, product design, and user experience across the professional, enthusiast, and consumer markets.

Winners were selected during the annual General Assembly of TIPA members, held this year in Istanbul, Turkey. Editors and representatives from TIPA’s global network of print and online publications—spanning Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America—along with a delegate from Japan’s Camera Journal Press Club, voted across 40 product categories, encompassing everything from cameras and lenses to software, accessories, monitors, and output systems.

This year’s selections underscore the continued momentum of the imaging industry, driven by focused advancements and meaningful refinements. Manufacturers are evolving their product lines with more powerful imaging pipelines, improved hybrid capabilities, and workflow-conscious solutions that reflect the changing needs of today’s visual creators. Alongside performance improvements in sensor architecture, image processing, and autofocus, there is a strong emphasis on design, portability, and user experience—appealing to a new generation of image-makers who value both functionality and lifestyle. Across the board, these developments signal a clear commitment to versatility, creativity, and long-term usability.

The TIPA World Awards also acknowledged key advancements in areas such as color management, media storage solutions, precision optics, and lighting systems, showcasing the breadth and depth of today’s imaging ecosystem.

In addition to product category winners, TIPA presented a Special Appreciation Award to Leica in recognition of the company’s centennial. Introduced in 1925, the Leica I redefined photography with its compact design and helped establish the idea of the “decisive moment,” leaving a lasting impact on photographic history and culture.

Photographers’ Choice Awards
Now in its second year, the Photographers’ Choice Awards invites the public to weigh in. Readers of TIPA magazines and online platforms can vote for their favorite products in categories including Cameras, Lenses, Accessories, Services and Tech & Design. Voting takes place at www.tipa.com, and the results will be revealed at the TIPA World Awards Ceremony on October 10, 2025, at the new Imaging World Expo in Nürnberg, Germany.

Thomas Gerwers, Chairman of TIPA, commented:
“The TIPA World Awards reflect not only excellence in imaging tools, but also the market dynamics and trends that drive the industry forward. This year’s honorees represent companies that continue to lead with vision, respond to the needs of creators, and push the boundaries of imaging performance and design. We extend our sincere congratulations to all the winners.”

For a complete list of the 2025 winners, including product descriptions and imagery, please visit www.tipa.com.