Digicam Households To Double
Staff -- TWICE, 4/16/2001
BOSTON — Market research firm InfoTrends predicted that consumer digital camera penetration will double in 2001, according to a survey of 1,000 households.
If this holds true it will be the second consecutive year such growth has taken place. Substantial growth is occurring in low-cost, low-resolution entry-level cameras, the report noted. Among digital camera owners, 7 percent received their camera for free or won it. Additionally, another 20 percent paid less than $200 for their cameras. In 2001, first-time buyers expect to pay an average of $278 for a digital camera, according to the report.
"Despite the slowing economy, purchase intent is remarkably high," said Michelle Lampmann, digital photography analyst at InfoTrends. "Consumers are interested in sharing photos via e-mail, printing photos at home, and using online photo sharing services."
The study also examined the issue of when digital might replace film. Most digital camera users also own a film camera, and still produce more prints from their film camera. But the report said their use of film declined overall, and 10 percent of users said film has been replaced completely by digital.
