New IDC Survey Refutes Camera Phone Myth: Camera Phone Use Creates, Not Destroys, Digital Camera Users

Business Wire, August 29, 2005

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. -- A new study from IDC refutes the myth that camera phones will replace digital cameras. This myth is suspect at best, especially since resolutions in camera phones have remained somewhat constant and digital camera pricing has continued to decline. According to IDC's Mobile Imaging Survey, the camera phone is more of a gateway product in the U.S., and creates, rather than destroys digital camera users.

The printing of images captured on camera phones is also on the decline, the IDC survey reveals. Instead of one image being printed on average per month like in 2004, one image is being printed every three months in 2005.

"Home is still the dominant place to print, yet the anemic number of prints supports IDC's theory that end users have more reliable expectations regarding mobile imaging than vendors themselves," said Chris Chute, senior analyst, Worldwide Digital Imaging Solutions and Services.

Other key findings of IDC's Mobile Imaging Survey include the following:

--The bulk of camera phone owner respondents are between the ages of 25 and 44.

--The top imaging activities are archiving images for the long-term and sharing through email.

--Over 30% of camera phone owners plan to purchase a digital camera because they were introduced to digital imaging through a camera phone.

IDC's new report, 2005 U.S. Mobile Imaging Survey, (IDC #33841) is a top-level study of U.S. camera phone owners. The survey focuses on key consumer imaging applications, including quantifying how many images camera phone users capture, delete, print and archive. Analysis of image sharing is brought to light, and trends are identified between camera phone owners who also own a digital camera, and those who do not, so as to determine the impact each device is having on the other.

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

For additional information about IDC's Digital Capture Devices research, please contact Anne-Sophie Dankens at adankens@idc.com.

About IDC

IDC is the premier global market intelligence and advisory firm in the information technology and telecommunications industries. We analyze and predict technology trends so that our clients can make strategic, fact-based decisions on IT purchases and business strategy. Over 700 IDC analysts in 50 countries provide local expertise and insights on technology markets. Business executives and IT managers have relied for 40 years on our advice to make decisions that contribute to the success of their organizations.

IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research, and events company. Additional information can be found at www.idc.com

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