Each year, InfoTrends’ analysts think deeply about the year ahead and predict what we believe to be the pivotal trends that will shape the market. These predications are published in our annual Road Map reports. In the digital photography market we expect a year of interesting changes and at the center of these changes will be the emergence of connected cameras.

Camera vendors will finally get serious about wireless connectivity in cameras in 2012. Since 2005, when the Kodak EasyShare One (the first Wi-Fi camera) was introduced, InfoTrends has been waiting for camera vendors to embrace wireless communications in cameras. The first cameras were marketed specifically as Wi-Fi cameras and not as excellent cameras that came with integrated Wi-Fi communications as a feature. The user experience with early cameras was complicated and difficult. With smartphones winning the convenience versus quality battle, camera vendors are finally acknowledging that they must connect at least some of their cameras. Digital camera vendors are now adding Wi-Fi to still cameras and camcorders, and InfoTrends believe that connectivity is here to stay.

Samsung has been aggressive with Wi-Fi in cameras over the last couple of years. Panasonic is jumping into the fray. Others will follow this year. The pairing of cameras to a Wi-Fi hotspot is not technically challenging. The challenge will be ensuring that the user interfaces are easy to navigate and the experience is pleasant. Camera vendors would be wise to benchmark their workflows against some of the sharing apps that are available for smartphones today and address any perceived shortcomings. The results will be an improved sharing experience originating from the digital camera.

InfoTrends’ 2012 Digital Photography Road Map highlights trends that we believe will influence digital photography activities this year. The analysis is presented in a brief, high-level summary form as a reference tool to assist our clients in making key product planning decisions. These trends will frame our coverage of the industry, and will be examined in greater detail in InfoTrends’ forecast, research, and analysis documents throughout the coming year.

Top Digital Photography Trends for 2012:

• The Year of the Connected Camera
• Smartphones Take a Bite Out of Digital Camera Sales
• Digital Cameras Shifting to become Household Items Unless DSC Vendors Respond
• From Consumers to Professionals, Video Capture Gets Hot
• 3D Flounders and Only Finds Limited Acceptance
• Cameras on Tablets Improve and Quickly Follow the Smartphone Path for Specifications
• Compact Interchangeable Lens Cameras Gain Traction Outside of Japan
• Metadata Gains More Attention: GPS Becoming More Common
• Computational Photography Gains Ground as Microprocessors Get More Powerful
• Hands-free Cameras Gain Attention

Additional Road Maps Available:

• Internet Imaging Trends
• Photo Merchandise Trends
• Photo Printing Trends
• Digital Photography Trends – Western Europe

For more information on InfoTrends’ Road Map reports visit InfoTrends' online store or contact Stephanie Tose at 781-616-2103 or stephanie_tose@infotrends.com.