Nearly 20% of US Internet Users Own a Camera Phone

A recent InfoTrends/CAP Ventures study reveals that nearly 20% of USA Internet users owned a mobile phone with an embedded digital camera at the end of 2004, compared to just 3% in 2003. In addition, 27% of consumers who do not currently own a camera phone are highly interested in purchasing one as their next mobile phone. Two out of three current camera phone owners use the camera function on a regular basis to take pictures.

The number one feature that both current and future camera phone owners are looking for is better image quality. "The introduction of several new megapixel handsets in 2005 will set off the next big wave of buying," says Jill Aldort, consultant at InfoTrends/CAP Ventures. "And higher resolutions will drive more printing from camera phones, which is good news for printing vendors."

The study shows that over 40% of current camera phone owners have printed their camera phone images. "Camera phone print volume will continue to increase as manufacturers introduce higher resolution and better quality optics, as well as options like Bluetooth and removable memory to make image transfer easier," says Aldort."

Posted to the site on 28th January 2005