The Romanian digital camera market grew strongly in 2006, with shipments reaching 201,000 units, announced IDC on July 26, 2007. By contrast, revenue slipped to $43.6 million, about 2% less than in the previous year. According to the latest data from IDC, Romania was the sixth largest market in Central and Eastern Europe, and the third most dynamic, growing 28.5% in unit terms over 2005.
"In 2006, the Romanian digital camera market outperformed Central European peers like Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary," said Nickolay Grigorov, Senior Research Analyst, IDC CEMA. "This year we expect the country to actually replace Hungary as the fifth largest market in the region."
In 2006, consolidation continued on the Romanian market. The top three vendors were BenQ, Sony, and Canon, whose combined unit market share reached nearly 56% of the total, almost 5 points more than in the previous year.
The bestselling segment was 6 mega pixel cameras, which accounted for almost 37% of all digital camera shipments on the Romanian market in 2006. The second most in demand were 5 mega pixel cameras, comprising more than a quarter of total shipments.
The Romanian digital camera market remains unsaturated and IDC sees great potential for growth in the coming years. "We estimate that digital camera penetration in Romania is in mid-single-digits, with the user-base limited to the top 10% wealthiest households," says Mr. Grigorov "However, looking a few years ahead, the base of potential digital camera users is expected to expand at an accelerated rate to over 40%."
