Digital camera sales jump in Q2: IDC

US shipments of digital cameras rose 50 percent in the first half of the

year, but HP lost 4.5 percentage of marketshare during the second quarter,

according to a new study by technology research firm IDC. In its study IDC

points out that more than 3.5 million cameras were shipped in the US in the

first half of the year, with more than two million cameras shipped in the second

quarter. The study focused on point-and-shoot models with color screens.

Sony

Corp held its dominance with 25 percent marketshare in the quarter, and Canon

pushed into the top three digital camera makers with a 12 percent share. HP’s

share fell to 9.5 percent from 14 percent in the second quarter of 2001,

according to the study.

Prices for digital cameras, which have revolutionized photography for the

casual vacationer and professional alike, are expected to drop around the winter

holidays, according to IDC. About 40 percent of annual digital camera sales take

place in the fourth quarter, IDC said.

CIOL BUREAU