Digital Camera News, 2/27/08

Canon to buy a chunk of Hitachi's LCD business

Reuters hit the wire first with a story this evening detailing Canon's plans to purchase a 25-percent stake in Hitachi's LCD manufacturing business. 

According to the news agency, Canon will pay $403 million in the deal. 

The move would give the imaging company more flexibility and control over production of the LCDs it needs for its digital cameras, camcorders, and copiers/printers. Canon has traditionally purchased its LCDs rather than having any controlling stake in their production. 

It's not hard to guess that the growing emphasis on LCD performance as a distinguishing feature and selling point for compact digital cameras in particular is likely a driving force behind Canon's desire for more control in this part of the process. Look for the company to more uniquely spec its cameras in this area going forward.

Read more on Reuters' website.

Full-frame controversy too much for Leica's CEO

Several of the photography and electronics blogs have reported that Steven K. Lee, former CEO of historic high-end camera maker Leica, was let go this week after apparently revealing the company's intentions to produce a full-frame upgrade for their uber-expensive M8 rangefinder.

Lee's interview with the UK's Amateur Photographer magazine given during PMA 2008 is at the center of the controversy. According to the magazine, Lee all but openly admitted that Leica would publicize its plans for a full-frame sensor upgrade for the M8 at the Photokina show this fall.

Amateur Photographer has the complete story on their website.

Worldwide digicam market: 122 million by 2010

PhotographyBlog.com is reporting today on a recent report from Global Industry Analysts, Inc. suggesting that the world digital camera market will hit 122 million units by 2010.

Not surprisingly, the report (entitled "Digital Cameras: A Global Strategic Business Report") argues that Asian growth is anticipated to remain a driving force in the market over the next few years, though Europe and the US will still represent nearly 60 percent of the digital camera market. Equally unsurprising are the report's conclusions about market-driving features: "ease of use, compact design, size, style, and convenience."

The report also makes note of the increased prevalence of and interest in wireless communications for digital cameras, providing further support for our claim that this will be one of the defining technologies of the next several years as the implementation comes into its own.

See the original story for complete details. 

Nikon unveils revamped corporate website

This evening, Nikon went live with a complete overhaul to its corporate website. The new online home is similar in structure and feel to the old site, but adds some visual interest and interactivity over its predecessor.

Also included in the redesign is a new blog called "Your Shot." Designed as a space for users to provide feedback about the site, "Your Shot" opened this evening with commentary from Nikon's Internet Communications Manager.

To see Nikon's new space in action, check out www.nikonusa.com and blog.nikonusa.com.