Digital cameras sell better than 35mm

Digital cameras have outsold their 35mm counterparts in Britain for the first time, according to electrical retailer Dixons. The mark was passed in April, traditionally a peak month for camera sales as people prepare for summer holidays, the company said.

"This is a sea change in consumer photography," said Ian Ditcham, Dixon's marketing director. "What our figures reveal is that digital imaging has really caught on to the extent that film-based photography is no longer the leading form of imaging for our customers."

Dixons attributes the change to the instantaneous nature of digital photography and the fact that the images do not require development. Falling prices of digital cameras, improvements in the design and production and a more technologically aware public are also factors.

The best selling camera in Dixons' stores in April was the Olympus C-860 (£199.99) followed by the Kodak DC215 (£229.99), the Fuji MX2200 (£349.99), the Cool iCam (£49.99) and the Sony FD90 (£549.99).

See also: ZDNet UK's Consumer News Section.

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