DSLRs continue double-digit growth in Japan

According to the results of market survey by BCN, DSLR sales in January maintained double-digit growth rates -- 113.4 percent compared to January 2007 on a unit basis, and 137 percent on a value basis, after 120.3 percent on a unit basis and 148.7 percent on a value basis in December, reports JPEA International PEN News Weekly. These high growth rates are despite the continuous decline of average selling prices since November 2007. BCN has been constantly monitoring POS data from 2,299 PC and home electronic appliance stores all over Japan.

The ratio of DSLRs among all digital cameras during the period from November through January stood at around 7 percent on a unit basis and about 20 percent on a value basis. Canon regained the top position in the DSLR domestic market in January with a share of 46.9 percent, followed by Nikon with a 42 percent market share, and Pentax with a 4.9 percent share. Sony's position is unknown, according to BCN data.

BCN says there will not be any sudden change in the market structure of the one-on-one straight fight between Canon and Nikon, reports PEN News Weekly.