Smartphones eating into camera sales in US

LONDON, UK: Smartphones are eating into sales of basic cameras and camcorders in the US, BBC reported citing a market research.

The NPD Group said in a study that the "point-and-shoot" camera market sold 17 per cent fewer units in the first 11 months of the year compared to the same period in 2010.

It said the pocket camcorder market fell by 13 per cent over the same period.

An online survey of adults and teenagers suggested users were also more likely to opt for their phone camera to take footage "on the fly".

Respondents said they were more likely to opt for their smartphone, rather than a dedicated device, to take pictures or video of "fun, casual or spontaneous moments".

However, the study revealed that smartphones were less likely to be used when it came to holiday snaps.

The data also suggested that out of the people screened, the total share of photos taken on a camera had fallen below the halfway point for the first time.

Around 44 per cent of photos were taken on a camera over the last year, down from 52 per cent over the previous period.

In contrast, the share of photos taken with a smartphone rose to 27 per cent from last year's 17 percent.

However, higher-end cameras appear to be immune from the rise of the smartphone.

The study said said 12 per cent more detachable lens cameras -- including SLR cameras -- were sold over the last 11 months.

Sales of cameras with a 10x zoom lens or greater rose by 16 per cent.

"There is no doubt that the smartphone is becoming 'good enough' much of the time," NPD's senior imaging analyst Liz Cutting was quoted as saying.

"But for important events, single purpose cameras or camcorders are still largely the device of choice."