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Digital camera makers are eyeing a 40-50 per cent rise in sales of digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras this fiscal, despite muted growth in the overall camera market.
While an overall depressed consumer sentiment is predominantly impacting the sales of compact cameras, nearly 2.25 lakh DSLR cameras are expected to be sold this fiscal, according to industry sources.
This will mark a 50 per cent growth over last year.
“Last year, 1.5 lakh DSLR units were sold in the Indian market. This year’s combined segment sales could go up to about 2.25 lakh units for all the players,” Alok Bharadwaj, Vice-President, Canon India, told Business Line .
Apart from Canon, Nikon and Fuji are major players in the Indian DSLR market. To expand in the Indian market, these players had, in the second half of this year, reduced the prices of DSLR cameras in the country.
Lower prices
Bharadwaj pointed out that DSLR units in the Rs 25,000-50,000 range would account for 90 per cent of the total sales in this segment.
Canon India, for example, cut prices by 10 per cent across 16 camera models with effect from September 19.
Another digital camera major Sony India expects a near 10 per cent decline in overall compact camera (point-and-shoot cameras) sales.
“We expect a 10 per cent decline in terms of volume. However, there could be a slight growth in terms of value as we have been promoting the mid- and high-range cameras,” Sunil Nayyar, Senior General Manager, Sales, Sony India, said.
Nikon India declined to comment on this trend. Nayyar said the emergence of smart-phones with better camera qualities has impacted entry-level compact camera sales.
According to Bharadwaj, three million compact cameras were sold in India in FY12 and the figures are expected to remain flat in FY13.
Festive season
This year’s festive season too (September and October) witnessed a near 50 per cent growth in DSLR camera sales.
“Starting from September to October-end, 45,000 DSLR units were sold this year, compared with 35,000 units during the same period last year,” Bharadwaj said.
However, compact camera sales witnessed a substantial drop during this festive season.
“Sales of compact cameras for these two months declined from 8 lakh units last year to 6 lakh units this year,” Bharadwaj added.
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