Category: Digital imaging

NPD points out that in the twelve months ending September 2007, while digital still camera unit sales were up 20%, revenue increased by only 3%. Concurrently revenues from camera accessories (e.g., lenses, batteries, external flashes, filters and tripods) increased more than 50% during the same time period. DSLR camera buyers are far more likely to purchase accessories than are consumers who purchase simpler point-and-shoot digital cameras. Still, 69% of point-and-shoot digital camera consumers and 54% of DSLR buyers left the store without purchasing anything beyond what was included in the initial purchase price of their new digital cameras.

Worldwide, there were 2.8 mln digital frames shipped in 2006, and the average selling price was $168, according to IDC. By 2011, IDC said, shipments will increase to 42.3 mln units, with US shipments representing 54% of the market. In 2006, IDC said, the 5-to-6.9″ frame category made up the bulk of the marke, but the 7-to-8.9″ category will dominate in 2007 and retain the top spot throughout 2011.

Shipments of digital cameras to the United States in Q3 2007 rose 22%. Canon remained the top selling brand, with a 23% market share. Next was Sony at 18%, while Eastman Kodak had a 15% share, IDC said. Samsung saw its US market share halved to about 4%.

CMOS sensors held nearly an 80% share of image sensor shipments in 2006. CCD sensors remain strong in digital still cameras, security cameras, and camcorders. Dual-camera phones are in high demand among 3G wireless subscribers in Asia and Europe, In-Stat reported.

The average digital camera price is projected to slip from $298 in 2006 to $191 in 2011 in North America, InfoTrends says. In the compact camera segment, average prices are projected to drop from $262 in 2006 to $163 in 2011. Digital SLR (single-lens reflex) cameras, which offer higher performance and interchangeable lenses but are bulkier and costlier, are projected to drop from $966 to $507 over the same period. People are taking a lot of photos, up from about 50 bln a year in 2007 to about 60 bln in 2011. 2006 was the year the bulk of the digital camera market switched over from first-time buyers to repeat buyers. In 2007, 73% were repeat buyers, and in 2011, it should be 97%.

InfoTrends estimates that 67% of US households had digital cameras in 2006, up from 42% in 2004.

More than 60% of US mobile phone users have camera functionality in their phones in 2007, up from about 40% in 2006. In-Stat predicts more than 1 bln camera phones will be in use by year-end 2007.

ABI Research says automotive cameras market will enjoy a revenue stream well in excess of $100 mln by 2012.

The installed base of camera phones will exceed 1 bln in 2007, as mature market replacement sales above one megapixel and emerging market first digital camera phone purchases (typically VGA) continue to drive sales. Camera phones have been a huge success, with unit sales rising from three mln in 2001 to 500 mln in 2006, Strategy Analytics.

The image sensor market reached $6 bln in 2006, a jump of over 30% over 2005, with sales expected to grow another 14% in 2007, according to Strategies Unlimited.