Majority of Consumers Are Sharing Their Digital Photos

A majority of consumers are satisfied with their options for sharing digital photos, according to a new study by the USA's Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). The study found that 65 percent of consumers are satisfied with their options for sharing, protecting and backing up photos, and 63 percent are satisfied with their options for photo storage.

"Digital cameras are becoming increasingly pervasive enjoying a 77 percent household penetration rate, not to mention other popular consumer electronics devices such as cell phones that are capable of taking digital photographs," said Chris Ely, CEA senior research analyst. "President Barack Obama became the first U.S. president to have his official portrait taken with a digital camera showing how pervasive digital photography has become."

The study shows consumers took an average of 72 digital photos at the last event they attended and shared an average of 51 percent of the photos they took. The most popular means for sharing photos include emailing (55 percent), showing on personal computers (48 percent) and posting online (40 percent). News organizations across the country put out a call for the millions of people attending Tuesday's presidential inauguration to share digital photos of the experience, demonstrating the importance of photo sharing.

Traditional print photos remain a popular method for sharing images with the option to print at home, use an online kiosk or an online printer. Among consumers who post photos online, MySpace is used most frequently, followed by Facebook and dedicated photo sharing sites such as Photobucket and Snapfish. When deciding which service to use for sharing photos, consumers' top factors include ease of access for friends and family, speed of uploading and cost of service.

Posted to the site on 23rd January 2009