According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for photographic equipment are 70.85% lower in 2024 versus 1998 (a $14.17 difference in value).
Between 1998 and 2024: Photographic equipment experienced an average inflation rate of -4.63% per year. This rate of change indicates significant deflation. In other words, photographic equipment costing $20 in the year 1998 would cost $5.83 in 2024 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.54% during this same period, inflation for photographic equipment was significantly lower.
In the year 1998: Pricing changed by -2.38%, which is above the average yearly change for photographic equipment during the 1998-2024 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1998 (1.55%), inflation for photographic equipment was much lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Photographic equipment, over time, for $20 beginning in 1998. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | $20.00 | -2.38% |
| 1999 | $19.42 | -2.91% |
| 2000 | $18.90 | -2.69% |
| 2001 | $17.82 | -5.71% |
| 2002 | $16.66 | -6.52% |
| 2003 | $15.38 | -7.64% |
| 2004 | $13.60 | -11.59% |
| 2005 | $12.01 | -11.68% |
| 2006 | $10.49 | -12.67% |
| 2007 | $8.51 | -18.84% |
| 2008 | $7.50 | -11.85% |
| 2009 | $7.12 | -5.16% |
| 2010 | $6.58 | -7.52% |
| 2011 | $6.15 | -6.62% |
| 2012 | $5.79 | -5.85% |
| 2013 | $5.38 | -7.01% |
| 2014 | $5.06 | -6.04% |
| 2015 | $4.65 | -8.10% |
| 2016 | $4.51 | -2.95% |
| 2017 | $4.69 | 4.07% |
| 2018 | $4.57 | -2.70% |
| 2019 | $4.60 | 0.67% |
| 2020 | $4.81 | 4.56% |
| 2021 | $5.02 | 4.48% |
| 2022 | $5.21 | 3.72% |
| 2023 | $5.39 | 3.56% |
| 2024 | $5.83 | 8.09%* |
* Not final. See inflation summary for latest details.
** Extended periods of 0% inflation usually indicate incomplete underlying data. This can manifest as a sharp increase in inflation later on.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Photographic equipment:
| Year | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
| CPI | 100.000 | 97.615 | 94.777 | 92.231 | 86.962 | 81.292 | 75.085 | 66.385 | 58.631 | 51.200 | 41.552 | 36.626 | 34.736 | 32.125 | 29.998 | 28.243 | 26.262 | 24.676 | 22.678 | 22.008 | 22.905 | 22.287 | 22.437 | 23.459 | 24.511 | 25.423 | 26.329 | 28.458 |