Re: [photo-3d] Pie Chart Clarification

[Brian Reynolds <reynolds@xxxxxxxxx>]

Mark wrote:
> The chart refers to " unit sales" not dollars. Disposables are not
> included. The largest gross dollar category goes to digital cameras,
> exceeding all 35mm by approx 15-20%. By next year the numbers will
> double, dollars will be 40% above 35mm sales. Two sources are the
> Photo Trade News ( an industry rag) and the other is a local Canon
> rep. who passed along some info last week.  Mark Dottle
> 

"There are lies, damn lies and statistics."

The problem with numbers like these is that they don't really tell the
whole story, and the story they tell depends on who is providing the
numbers.  (Not Mark, whoever paid for the study.)

Another source (see Robert Monaghan's MF pages
<URL:http://www.smu.edu/~rmonagha/mf/>, in particular "Death Spiral of
Serious Amateur Photography") has reported that sales of 35mm SLRs has
actually been on the rise.

Gross numbers can be misleading.  Digital cameras will gross more per
unit because they are more expensive.  From a business perspective
(which is all you care about if you are worried about the continuation
of a product) the net (i.e., profit per unit) is what is really
important.  Except for some limited prestige items, products must make
a profit to stay in production.

Rate of growth figures (e.g., 40% more digital cameras were sold last
year) can also be misleading.  Digital cameras are a new market and
should be expected to grow at high rates (assuming the market is
looking for the products being made).  Film cameras are a mature
market and will see smaller growth rates.

-- 
Brian Reynolds                  | "Dee Dee!  Don't touch that button!"
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