25% of Digital Cameras to Go Wireless by 2011

Research and Markets has announced the addition of A Successful Wi-Fi Digital Camera: Where is it? to their offering.

Wireless digital-still cameras began appearing in early 2005. With features such as wirelessly uploading of photos to the Internet and wireless printing, these new models created a buzz in the camera industry. Unfortunately, these products never gained much traction with consumers. Many issues plagued their success including high prices, insufficient advertising, lack of consumer interest, and limited functionality.

Recently, the second-generation of wireless digital cameras have hit the market. This time competing technologies and products – like wireless Universal Serial Bus (USB), Bluetooth-enabled camera phones, and converged devices like the iPhone may impact the success of these new products.

In addition, the popularity of photo-sharing and social-networking sites have captured consumer interest, which may trigger demand for the wireless features of these next-generation cameras. It will be important for all the players involved in the design and marketing of wireless digital cameras to include and emphasize these capabilities.

We predict that wireless technologies will be included in close to 25% of the digital cameras shipped in 2011.