The Hindu Business Line : Growth in digital imaging — Canon set to phase out analog printers by June

ARE we heading towards the end of analog imaging systems given the rapid inroads digital cameras have made lately? So profound is the impact of this changeover that barring some users who pick up their camera, load a film to capture a specific event or a moment, the majority - both professionals and amateurs - are taking to digital imaging, according to an industry expert.

The Vice-President of Canon India, Mr Alok Bharadwaj, told Business Line that Canon India would also probably ship its last of analog printer systems by June this year, after which everything will go digital.

"I am not airing just the company's perspective, but something the entire industry would gradually move over to," he said.

There are some key trends driving this change over, according to him.

The advantages of portability and superior features these gadgets bring, such as higher resolution and easy-to-handle nature, are making a difference to lifestyles.

One can just slip it into a shirt pocket and carry along anywhere as opposed to analog ones.

"Initially, when people used digital cameras they just captured images and transferred them to their desktops or laptops and exchanged them over the Internet through e-mail. This is something they are also doing with mobile camera phones too. But we are now moving on to next stage, where digital cameras are coming with wireless interfaces, where one can transfer and print images with ease. Even the existing systems are enabled to do this with the use of adapters."

The technology upgradation has changed the capacity and capability of digital cameras, which have turned lifestyle products that are marketed in departmental stores.

There are already signs that the digital camera has killed the camera film industry, which can be gauged from the fact that one of the largest makers has announced move to close shop and the other is following suit.

Given the fact that manufacturers like Canon are offering printers along with a new camera, "the print it yourself" approach is catching up. People actually enjoy holding and feeling a snap.

Referring to the growth of the industry in India, Mr Bharadwaj said that that the market is poised to grow to 400,000 units where Canon is aiming to garner about 25 per cent share.

Asked if mobile phones with superior cameras have the potential to challenge digital cameras, he said that this was unlikely given the huge differential in resolution capability and features of stand-alone cameras.