Digital Camera News: Skin for Optio WP, Nikon Profits Look Good, Digital Image Printing Growth

Pentax Launches H2OCamera.com and Optio WP Silicone Skin

Golden, CO. (August 25, 2005)...PENTAX Imaging Company announced today the limited availability of a protective, silicone Skin for the OptioWP digital camera.  Custom-made to protect the popular waterproof camera, the PENTAX OptioWP Skin helps prevent surface scratches and dents, offers a non-slip surface and retains the compact, elegant shape of the camera.  The translucent, non-toxic, versatile Skin material will stretch and give to fit snugly around the camera and offer an anti-static finish to further repel moisture and dust.  Made of high-quality, flexible and durable silicone, PENTAX OptioWP Skins will be available exclusively online from PENTAX Imaging Company at a cost of $19.95 US beginning September 1, 2005.

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"A go anywhere digital camera may fall victim to wear and tear, but clad in one of these new must-have Skins, an OptioWP can remain as fresh as the day it comes out of the box," said Ned Bunnell, director of marketing, PENTAX Imaging Company. 

Along with the launch of the Skin, PENTAX unveiled the www.H20camera.com microsite devoted exclusively to PENTAX OptioWP owners and wannabees.  Aptly named for the waterproof capability, www.H20camera.com is packed with information and reflects the new world of digital imagery opened to PENTAX OptioWP owners.  Between now and September 30, 2005, visitors to the microsite may enter to win one of 50 OptioWP Skins to go with their digital camera.

Nikon May Exceed Targets

Based on some speculation, Nikon may exceed it's operating profit targets.  Based on sales to date and the current outlook for the six months ending September 30, their profits may hit 22 billion yen, beating the target of 19 billon yen.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000101&sid=aV6hLTwWg8nY&refer=japan

Digital Image Printing Increased 70 Percent

According to PMA survey results, reported by Digital Camera Tracker, printing digital images of all sizes has increased 70% for the year ending in June.  Printing at retail lab jumped 128% and home printing increased by 30%.

"The retail channel accounted for a total of 38.7 percent of prints made in the 12 months ending June. Specifically, 16.9 percent of the prints were made instantly by consumers on a kiosk; 19.1 percent were sent from a kiosk/ordering station to a minilab for printing or customers gave their memory card to a store clerk. Households also ordered 2.8 percent of the total prints online from home or work and later picked them up at a retail location. In addition to these prints ordered online, 8.9 percent of the total prints were ordered online and then mailed back to customers. Home computer printers and small-format consumer photo printers/docking combos accounted for about half of the printing volume in the year ending June, losing 0.9 percentage points of share from the previous month.

Including prints ordered online and picked up at a store, the retail channel accounted for 38.7 percent of the printing volume in the year ending June, a substantial improvement from 26.2 percent in the previous year. Home printing - as a share of total printing - ended the period at 49.6 percent versus 65.0 percent a year ago. Online players have also improved their share in the market from 6.2 percent in the year ending June 2004 to 8.9 percent in the most recent 12-month period."

http://www.digitalcameratracker.com/archives/2005/08/26/digital-camera-printing-increased-70-percent.html