The market's growth has been powered by the rise in lower cost, pocket camcorders, such as Pure Digital's Flip, said Chris Chute, Research Manager, IDC. So while the traditional camcorders we know (and love) are holding steady, the overall market is pushed higher by the hot-selling Flip and its many imitators. The overall market for pocket models grew 31 percent in 2009. More than half (53 percent) of all camcorders shipped in 2009 were pocket models, a figure expected to climb to 63 percent in 2010, Chute said.
Inside the traditional camcorder market, the shift is on to HD. Nearly 45 percent of all units shipped last year were HD models, a figure Chute expects to hit 60 percent in 2010. Flash memory is also rapidly becoming the format of choice among consumers. According to NPD Group, 65 percent of all camcorders sold in through Oct. 2009 were flash-based (including pocket models) vs. 36 percent in 2008.
Source: Greg Scoblete
Trails Ventures, LLC.
