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Europe Leads Digital Camera Boom
Digital still camera shipments surpassed 63m units worldwide in 2004, up more than 35% on 2003, and should pass 100 million units in 2008, according to the annual report and forecast from US-based Lyra Research. In 2004, Europe overtook the US for the first time as the largest market in terms of unit shipments, with Japan still third.
The forecast is issued to coincide with the Photo Marketing Association (PMA) show in Orlando, FL. As in 2003, sales in the 3-megapixel category were highest, but 5+ megapixel cameras are expected to lead in 2005, with most point-and-shoot cameras now shipping already in the 4- and 5-megapixel range.
Robert Palmer, Director of Lyra's Digital Photography Advisory Service says many buyers now go to the store looking for a 'total photographic solution' - ie one that includes a printer instead of just a camera. Camera and printer bundles proved very popular last year and should gain further ground. 'Explosive growth in digital camera sales will fuel the market for photographic prints', says Palmer. 'More than 18 billion prints were produced from digital camera images in 2004, two-thirds of which were produced in the home'.
The agency was founded in 1991 and focuses specifically on research and information for the imaging industry. Its web site is at www.lyra.com
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