According to the CAMERA & IMAGING PRODUCTS ASSOCIATION (CIPA) the total shipments of digital cameras in 2008 exceeded 2007 results by 19.3%.
SLR camera sales increased 29.7% and compact camera sales rose 18.5 year-over-year.
2009 predictions are not so rosy. All camera sales are expected to fall in 2009 rather than increase. The prediction is for a 0.7% decline.
Interchangeable lens sales saw a 25.1% increase in 2008 but in 2009 are expected to grow less quickly at a rate of only 6.1%
I’d be interested to see photography sales reports & predictions for 2008 & 2009. Marketing is usually the first place budget cuts are made, so that will probably affect most commercial photographers.
I am sticking with my canon 20d until I make $3000 a month on photography. That’s the plan. This year is the year of the Cintiq21UX for me. My tax guy says I can’t take a loss for much more than 3 years without declaring photography is a hobby, not a business. I choose to buy less until paid gigs pick up some more.
A decline in sales will most likely bring camera prices down….
I do see a D700 in my future….
I just did my part to help 2009.
I switched from Canon to Nikon this wek with the D700, and 3 incredible lenses. WooHoo!!!
~randy
I just helped too. Ordered a second Pentax K20D for my wife. I like to help the little fella sometimes.