Samsung unveils latest range of digital imaging products

Unless your name is Canon or Nikon, aiming to be among the Top 3 digital camera makers by 2010 is a tall order.

But that’s the battle plan of Korean electronics giant Samsung, which announced just that during a recent unveiling of new digital imaging products at the Manila Hotel Tent.

Samsung Electronics unveiled more than 20 models of its latest products at the inaugural Samsung Digital Imaging Roadshow 2008.

The company’s latest offerings highlight its focus on the category as a key growth engine to propel its regional growth and extend its leadership of the regional consumer electronics industry.

“Rising demand for film camera replacement in the region’s developing markets and for camera upgrades in developed ones has presented Samsung with an unprecedented opportunity to expand our presence in digital imaging. We aim to be among the top three digital still camera player by 2010,” said Spencer Shim, president and CEO of Samsung Philippines.

“The brand preference we have built in the marketplace from our strong market position in other categories such as color televisions and mobile phones gives us a solid foundation to succeed,” he added.

To capitalize on the expanding digital imaging market, Samsung has moved the sales and marketing functions from Samsung Techwin to be directly under the Samsung umbrella.

This enables the company to leverage its brand value, resources and existing relationships and strengths in the consumer electronics retail channel to grow the category.

It will expand its channels and embark on an aggressive and integrated communications campaign to raise brand awareness of its digital still cameras.

At the same time, Samsung has enhanced its research and development for the category by integrating the function into its main Suwon complex in Korea, to better develop compelling products to meet consumers’ needs.

Globally, industry sales of digital still c amera increased 13 percent to 88 million units in 2007, with revenues rising six percent to $20.4 billion, according to IC Insights.

This year, digital still camera shipments are forecast to grow 10 percent to 96.5 million units worldwide, and sales are expected to rise six percent to $21.7 billion.

By 2010, nine out of 10 still-picture cameras sold worldwide will be digital still cameras. On the product front, digital cameras are fast becoming indispensable lifestyle gadgets.

The new Samsung cameras target different consumer segments from first­­ -time buyers to photography enthusiasts.

The products include the NV24 HD. The world’s smallest, 24-mm ultra-wide angle, 10-megapixel digital camera incorporates premium design, smart technology and state-of-the-art imaging quality.

The i8 is Samsung’s stylish, ultra-thin, eight-megapixel multimedia fashion camera that lets users enjoy movies, videos and their favorite music on the go with its large 2.7” high-resolution display, 2.5-mm headphone port and SRS 3D acoustic external speakers.

The L100, meanwhile, is a compact high-value digital camera featuring a high-quality, 3x-optical zoom Samsung NV lens and packing a large, 2.5” LCD screen. The L100 is joined by the L110 and the L210.

The stunning 14.6-megapixel GX-20 is Samsung’s first DSLR camera to be introduced in the Philippines. It features built-in Optical Image Stabilization to ensure clear, steady pictures and can be used in all weather conditions with its resistance to dust and moisture.

The availability of the GX-20 was yet to be announced as we went to press.

On the video camera front, the VP-HMX20C is Samsung’s stylish and ergonomically designed Progressive HD flash-based camcorder that features Full HD and 1080p mode with 30 frame-per-second recording capability.