News

Fujifilm releases study on digital camera printing preferences

January 14, 2003

ELMSFORD, N.Y. -- Digital camera developing at retail locations via kiosks has tremendous potential, according to a study released by Fuji Photo Film U.S.A. Inc. on Jan. 14.

The study, conducted by InfoTrends Research Group for Fujifilm in September 2002, tracked printing, storage and kiosk usage and preferences of digital camera users and those planning to purchase a digital camera. The results were compared to findings from a similar study in August 2001, according to a news release.

The study shows digital camera usage continues to grow rapidly among wired households, jumping from 23 percent in August 2001 to 31 percent in September 2002. Projections show that by the end of 2003, 47 percent of Internet households could own a digital camera.

More consumers prefer to get prints from their digital images made at kiosks, although 61 percent of those surveyed didn't know if their local film processing location offers digital camera developing services, according to the release.

"These figures clearly demonstrate that the face of the digital camera user is changing - and it increasingly resembles the mainstream imaging consumer," said Joe Welch, Fuji's marketing director for Retail Digital Systems in the Commercial Imaging Division.

"We know that the mainstream imaging consumer is accustomed to the ease, convenience and affordability of film developing at retail," Welch said in the release. "The challenge for retailers and manufacturers is to make digital camera developing just as easy, convenient and affordable as traditional retail film developing, and to drive this message home to the consumer."

A copy of the study's white paper is available by contacting Fujifilm at presscenter@fujifilm.com.