This compares to 178 million camera phone shipments in 2004. InfoTrends predicts camera phones will account for 227 billion photos captured in 2009, more than the combined photos from digital and film cameras.
The information is published the information in its new report, "Mobile Imaging: Technology Trends, Consumer Behavior, and Business Strategies." InfoTrends says, "Primary drivers behind this explosion are improvements in imaging functions (i.e. image sensors, zoom, auto focus); rapid declines in prices for this functionality; higher-speed wireless bandwidth; and easier-to-use handsets, services, and peripherals."
Key findings
InfoTrends says the key findings are:
* 12.5% of Japanese consumers with a camera phone indicate that it is their primary camera that they use most frequently, the highest percentage of any region.
* Approximately half of the consumers that do not currently own a camera phone have considered purchasing one.
* Consumers in North America and China are taking about 20 pictures per month with their camera phones, compared to only 5 per month in Japan.
* Consumers are printing around 8% to 10% of their camera phone pictures, except in Japan where they are only printing 1% or 2%. Image sharing rates are about twice that of printing rates.
Chris Hayes, a director of InfoTrends, says in the press release, "Camera phones will put immense competitive pressures on one-time-use cameras as well as low-end to mid-range digital still cameras.
"There is a very real potential for camera phones to replace disposable film cameras and low-end digital still cameras. Digital SLRs and high-end point & shoot cameras should maintain their niche, but for many consumers the camera phone will become their everyday camera."
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