Digital cameras getting cheaper
24/4/2003 17:52
Digital cameras are getting cheaper in China, as the leading domestic
manufacturers rush to market low-price products.
Analysts say the low
price strategy is a result of stiffening competition in the digital camera
market and a bid by camera makers to take advantage of the shopping peak over
the upcoming five-day Labor Day Holiday, which will begin next
Thursday.
Beijing Peking University Founder Group Co. unveiled four new
models yesterday, all at lower-than-market prices, while its major rival Digital
China Holdings Ltd. launched a one-month promotion campaign last Friday for its
Legend brand cameras featuring price cuts of up to 50 percent, sina.com
reported.
One of Founder's four new models--the DCPower 2--sells for only
999 yuan (US$121).
With 2 million pixels, the model is multi-functional,
capable of taking photos, videotaping and audio recording. It can also function
as an Internet camera.
The model reflects Founder's strategy in new
product development, according to Yu Tao, general manager of Founder's consumer
product division.
He said the company would focus on developing
2-million-plus-pixel products this year, which it foresees as the main trend in
the digital camera market.
The number of pixels in a digital camera
determines the image quality--more pixels make for clearer, finer
pictures.
Legend's promotion, scheduled to run through May 14, involves
three of its digital cameras, the sina report said.
The price of the
1.3-million-pixel SO.SHOW303 is halved from 999 yuan to 499 yuan, and that of
the 2.2-million-pixel SO.SHOW530 is slashed to 1,499 yuan from 1,999
yuan.
The other model is the 3.21-million-pixel SO.SHOW303, which sold
for 2,999 yuan before the price cut, the sina report said.
Jane Chen / Shanghai Daily news
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