DSLR prices slipping in Europe

The average selling price for digital SLR cameras across Europe, the Middle East and Asia has dropped 1.6% in the past 10 weeks, according to UK-based market research firm Futuresource.

"Our price tracking system shows that some of the largest decreases in [average selling price] appear in the 6-7MP pixel [sic], segment," Adam Cox, of the company, noted in a statement. In that category alone, he continued, prices have declined nearly 8% in the last 10 weeks.

He explained that newer DSLRs--those in the 10 megapixel segment--have resisted the price erosion seen for older models, like Nikon's 6.1MP D40 (photo above), whose price has decreased more than 7% during the last 10 weeks.

According to Futuresource, DSLRs with sensors of 10MP or more now account for the bulk of the DSLR market and the prices for those models have declined only 3% over the last 10 weeks.

James Wells, of Futuresource, added, "Continued aggressive pricing of compacts and DSLRs is having an impact on the value of the camera business, although as margins continue to be squeezed, the industry will find it increasingly difficult to rely on price cutting to encourage consumers to upgrade."

Wells pointed out, however, that large like-for-like price declines had a significant impact on the market in 2007, when overall digital camera shipments worldwide grew 25%. Similar growth is predicted by Futuresource for 2008, when it sees global sales increasing by 19%.