(Luton, UK) September 20, 2005…Digital camera unit sales reached 22.5 million units in Western Europe in 2004 and the market is expected to grow by 32% in 2005, reaching 29.8 million units by year end. Although average selling prices for digital cameras declined in 2004, revenues increased by a staggering 42%. Revenues are expected to continue to increase by 29% in 2005 to total just over €10 billion. This makes Western Europethe largest digital camera market worldwide in terms of units sold and revenue.

Household penetration of digital cameras remains quite low, reaching 26% in 2004. First time buyers dominated the market, representing 85% of all digital camera purchases. In 2005, the market will shift from the early adopter stage to an early majority market as household penetration of digital cameras reaches 39%

“This year the Western European digital photography market will be catapulted into the mainstream market as a mass of consumers will buy their first digital camera,” commented Mette Eriksen, a Consultant at InfoTrends/CAP Ventures. “With that come new challenges and new opportunities for vendors. As household penetration increases, replacement buyers will become the mainstay for digital camera sales. We expect by 2007 the Western European market will make a shift with more replacement buyers than first time buyers.”

InfoTrends/CAP Ventures’ new forecast entitled Western European Consumer Digital Camera Forecast: 2005-2010answers the important question; how big will the replacement market be, and what features are consumers looking for? Other key areas such as the growth in volume, and value of point and shoot cameras compared to digital SLR are also explored. 

Although only a small proportion of the overall market, the digital SLR market was the fastest growing segment of the Western European market in 2004. The segment is expected to grow by 264% in 2005. Canon and Nikon’s consumer digital SLR cameras have been selling well, and the consumer digital SLR segment represents growth opportunities for vendors in a market that is rapidly changing from being highly profitable to one where profits are squeezed. In 2005 and 2006 new models and new players are expected to emerge in this segment. 

The top digital camera players wereCanon, Sony, and Olympusin rank order for Western European 2004 unit sales. Canon is expected to maintain its position as the market leader in 2005. Olympus and Sony can expect to lose some market share in 2005 to an aggressive Kodak, which is expected to focus its efforts in the European market this year.

This report provides five-year unit, revenue, installed base, and average selling price forecasts for the Western European market and the five major European markets: Germany, U.K., France, Italy, and Spain. It also contains sections on Benelux, Scandinavia, and Austria/Switzerland. The forecast breaks out resolution segments into sub-2MP, 2.0 – 2.9MP, 3.0 – 3.9MP, 4.0 – 4.9MP, 5.0 – 5.9MP, 6.0 – 6.9MP, 7.0 – 7.9MP, and 8MP+, and provides five-year unit and revenue forecasts for point and shoot digital cameras and digital SLR cameras.The likely impact of camera phones on digital cameras over the forecast period is also assessed. 

The forecast is available immediately to clients of InfoTrends/CAP Ventures’ Digital Photography Trends Europe Service. For more information about the report or to make a purchase, visit our online store or contact Jason Russell at + or .

InfoTrends/CAP Ventures is the leading worldwide market research and strategic consulting firm for the digital imaging and document solutions industry. We provide research, analysis, forecasts, and advice to help clients understand market trends, identify opportunities, and develop strategies to grow their businesses. Additional information about InfoTrends/CAP Ventures is available on the Web at www.infotrendsresearch.com.

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