Wolfe Camera

Hard times may persist, but not for all things digital. The past two years have been the most challenging period for the photography industry in a decade, say analysts at the Photo Marketing Association (PMA), but the rise of digital cameras stands in stark contrast. In fact, this year marks a milestone year in the making: PMA researchers expect sales of digital cameras to surpass sales of traditional cameras for the first time ever (see the graphic).

Overall U.S. camera sales are expected to rise from 23.7 million units in 2002 to 24.9 million units this year—nothing to write home about—but digital-camera sales are expected to soar from 9.4 million last year to nearly 13 million this year. Part of the reason digital cameras are on such a tear is that better technology has ironed out photo quality differences between film and digital cameras. The PMA also says that digital cameras are becoming a cultural phenomenon—especially around the holidays.

Mike Worswick of Wolfe's Cameras, Camcorders & Computers in Kansas attributes the health of his business over the past year to sales of digital cameras as holiday gifts. "Although film sales will not recover," concludes the PMA's 2003 forecast, "digital cameras will continue to be a growth product." For reviews of digital cameras, see "Snap Happy".

Copyright © 2004 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in PC Magazine.

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