While Worldwide Digital Camera Shipments Continue to Grow, Market Begins to Shake Out, IDC Finds

FRAMINGHAM, Mass., May 3, 2006 – While overall digital still camera (DSC) shipments continued to grow in 2005, the market began to consolidate as weaker camera vendors exited the market and new consumer electronic vendors enhanced their global presence. Additionally, IDC predicts that the worldwide DSC market, which entered early maturity last year, will continue to mature across the world as emerging markets experience strong growth curves and older markets begin to decline.

“As the digital still camera market heads into the end of its growth curve, certain metrics will become more standardized around the world,” said Christopher Chute, senior analyst for IDC’s Digital Imaging Solutions and Services.

Among key findings of IDC’s study are the following:

* Global demand will continue to be strong in the short term, with 111 million units shipping in 2008, but a slowdown is on the horizon.

* Asia/Pacific and the Rest of the World (ROW) will emerge as powerhouses and account for over 40% of the global DSC shipments in 2010.

* More vendors will exit the market in the next 18 months.

IDC’s study, Worldwide 2006-2010 Digital Still Camera Forecast (IDC #201361) provides a high-level, comprehensive view of the worldwide DSC market. It contains 2005 actual unit shipments and total 2006–2010 forecasts. Data is presented from the United States, Japan, Western Europe, Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan), and the rest of the world (ROW).

For further analysis of the competitive landscape, refer to IDC’s study Worldwide Digital Still Camera 2005 Vendor Shares (IDC #201146).

To purchase this document, call IDC’s Sales hotline at 508-988-7988 or email sales@idc.com.

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