Smart Phones Become Smarter, but are They Camera Worthy?

I am a huge music fan. One of my favorite artists is Nick Lowe. I see him every time he’s in the Milwaukee area (3 times over the last 25 years). The last time he was in town I convinced my wife and friends to wait after the show so I could meet him.

All was going as planned until we realized that we had all neglected to bring a camera so we could “capture the moment.” We did have our cell phones and they had cameras. Man,were we in luck. But were we…?

Alas, my picture was cut-off and grainier than the roughest sand paper so I left with the memory, but not the evidence.

It seems that many folks feel they no longer need cameras as their cell phones will do just fine. Consequently, as sales tumble, digital cameras manufacturers are launching marketing campaigns and adding new features to more closely mimic smartphones, including easier photo sharing on social networks and the ability to shoot high-definition video for sharing as well.

According to The Wall Street Journal, “Industry-wide, digital-camera sales are projected to fall 11% in 2010 to $5.6 billion, from last year, according to the Consumer Electronics Association. That’s down from a peak of $7.8 billion in 2006.”

81% of households already have a digital cameras and that’s a factor in the lack of growth as well. Camera makers argue that a smartphone is no replacement for a digital camera.

Digital cameras are tied with high-definition TVs as the top consumer electronic product that U.S. households plan to purchase in the next year, according to CEA research.

So will you replace your old digital camera with a new one or rely on your smartphone camera?

What kind of marketing messaging would convince you to get a “real” camera and what offers would compel you to make that purchase now? What kind of campaigns do you anticipate from the camera makers?

“Freeze Frame…”