High-end ideas reshape compact camera marketCompact camera manufacturers have begun testing the waters with a wealth of high-end features as they search for new ways to gain revenue, market share and recognition.
 The Nikon P6000 has an onboard GPS system for geotagging images.Premium features aren't an easy sell. They tend to appeal to niche markets rather than the mainstream. Early implementations are often rough around the edges. And it's hard enough to convince people to buy a new camera, much less one with a higher price for the premium features. But winning those customers can have a good payoff with better profit margins. And that's critical in this day and age. Market research firm IDC expects that after years of growth, the shipments of digital cameras will decline in 2009. "It's crowded," IDC analyst Ron Glaz said of the digital camera market. "We're anticipating that with the slowdown in economy and disposable income, we'll start seeing consolidation of the vendors." In other words, even though something in the neighborhood of 38 million digital cameras are sold annually, some companies will throw in the towel. Even as the compact digital market has become saturated in recent years, digital SLRs have shown strong market growth. Some high-end compact models are geared for those thinking of buying an dSLR but who want something less bulky and complicated. Another type: dSLR owners who need something they can slip into a pocket or easily take on a trip. Tags: DSLR, Camera, International Data Corp., Nikon Corp., geotagging |
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