According to IDC, the number of aggregate digital images captured per month continued to grow another 18 points in 2005, largely driven through cheaper flash memory card prices and increased capacities, IDC found in a new study of U.S. digital camera owners' usage habits. As a result, the total number of average monthly prints is expected to increase by 29 percent in 2005. However, printing behavior is changing with home printing continuing to decline in favor of retail locations. "Variability in printing behavior is obvious," said Chris Chute, senior analyst, Worldwide Digital Imaging Solutions and Services. "While one-third of digital camera owners never print, over 10 percent print every image they keep. There are therefore distinct clusters of users who can be identified by their printing behavior." Other key findings from IDC's Consumer Digital Imaging Survey include:
The mean number of digital images captured per month is 75. 14 percent of total digital camera owner respondents capture more than 100 images per month. 15 percent of total respondents never delete any images, while 6 percent delete all their images.
The mean number of digital images captured per month is 75. 14 percent of total digital camera owner respondents capture more than 100 images per month. 15 percent of total respondents never delete any images, while 6 percent delete all their images.