It seems that prints are still the way that most of us want to view our photographs, according to a recent IDC survey, with over 60% of people saying that they preferred a physical print to viewing images on a monitor. The number of megapixels is still by far the leading criteria for deciding which digital camera to buy, and France takes the most pictures out of all the European countires surveyed.

IDC Press Release

IDC’s European Consumer Digital Imaging Survey Highlights Key Growth Opportunity in the Home Printing Market

19 Jan 2005

LONDON, January 19, 2005 — IDC’s European Consumer Digital Imaging Survey has brought to light several key priorities and preferences in consumers’ experience of digital photography and photo printing. Most notable is the fact that the majority of respondents (62%) either agreed or strongly agreed when asked if they get more pleasure out of seeing a good quality printed photo rather than viewing the image electronically on a screen or LCD. Of the countries surveyed, respondents in France gave the most positive response to this question with 72% expressing this opinion.

“While there has been a meteoric adoption of digital photography in Europe, the number of printed photographs has dramatically lagged the number of images captured,” said Paul Withington, IDC research manager and survey author. “This response shows that consumers derive great satisfaction from the printed image and with the new generation of home photo-printers becoming more user-friendly and standards such as Pictbridge increasing the compatibility between cameras and printers, the user will find it easier to realize their satisfaction, much in the way they had with film photography.”

IDC believes that given the fact that the retail digital printing infrastructure is spreading and Internet photo services are becoming more prevalent, the cost of printing in the home or on the high street or via the Internet should also decrease and stimulate more demand across the board.

Consumers’ desire to capture images using digital cameras has been shown to be remarkably high, which reflects the ability to take, re-take, and delete photos as desired. France is the most snap-happy of the surveyed countries, with 37% of respondents saying they capture more than 100 images a month, compared with an average of 24%. Of the respondents questioned, 19% indicated that they print between 10% and 25% of the images they capture and keep.

In terms of buying criteria, the survey has shown that consumers are still purchasing digital cameras on mega pixel resolution, with 84% of respondents citing this as an important or very important factor. “Although mega pixel count is by no means the only aspect of creating a high-quality photograph, the results of this survey prove that the number of mega pixels is still the first question consumers ask when purchasing a digital camera,” said Withington. “There is no doubt that this will continue to drive the industry to produce products with an ever-increasing mega pixel count as a way of continuing to drive sales.”

Zoom range was shown by the survey to be the second most important factor.

This survey examined critical aspects of the digital camera users’ buying experience, usage, and intentions. The survey also details the propensity for the user to archive, enhance, email, and print captured images or to post these images on the Internet.

Another key focus is the examination of the devices used to share images with friends and family, particularly the increased adoption of printing either in the home, at a retail photofinisher, or via an Internet photo service.

For more information on the survey, IDC’s Consumer Imaging Survey 2004 (IDC #KP08L, December 2004), which covers the U.K., France, Germany, and Sweden, or for details of IDC’s other digital camera market tracking and forecasting services, contact Research Manager Paul Withington on +44 (0) 20 8987 7239, email [email protected].

Alternatively, contact your local IDC office.