Menu
08/08/2005
End of roll for 35mm cameras at Dixons
High street consumer technology retailer Dixons group has announced that it will stop selling 35mm film-based cameras from most of its outlets within the next two months.
While the merits of digital versus film photography have been discussed in photographic circles for some time, with many professionals and purists preferring the 35mm camera, Dixons report that sales of digital cameras are outstripping sales of 35mm cameras by 15 to 1.
According to research group GfK, sales of 35mm cameras peaked in the UK in 1989, when 2.9 million cameras were sold. Since then sales have been in decline, a trend that has accelerated with the advent of affordable digital cameras. Three million (mega) pixel digital cameras are now available for under £100 and the cost of digital cameras has fallen dramatically as image quality has risen since they were first launched in the early 1990s.
A recent test of 100 customers carried out by Dixons revealed that 93% are now unable to tell the difference between digital prints and 35mm film prints. "Statistically, this tells us that there is no real difference in quality between digital and film," said Dixons' Marketing Director Bryan Magrath. "The digital camera, which delivers huge benefits due to its memory, speed, image quality and transferability of images, is a big winner with the millions of customers that shop with us every year."
Dixons, which originally began as a photographic studio, opened its first outlet in Southend in 1937 and cameras were the first products sold in the store.
Industry estimates reveal that around three-quarters of photographs are taken on holiday.
However, Dixons' tax-free airport stores will continue to retail a limited specialist range of 35mm cameras mainly for the professional market.
Last year Dixons moved to pull the plug on VHS recorders also on falling sales of the 1970's technology.
(SP/KMcA)
While the merits of digital versus film photography have been discussed in photographic circles for some time, with many professionals and purists preferring the 35mm camera, Dixons report that sales of digital cameras are outstripping sales of 35mm cameras by 15 to 1.
According to research group GfK, sales of 35mm cameras peaked in the UK in 1989, when 2.9 million cameras were sold. Since then sales have been in decline, a trend that has accelerated with the advent of affordable digital cameras. Three million (mega) pixel digital cameras are now available for under £100 and the cost of digital cameras has fallen dramatically as image quality has risen since they were first launched in the early 1990s.
A recent test of 100 customers carried out by Dixons revealed that 93% are now unable to tell the difference between digital prints and 35mm film prints. "Statistically, this tells us that there is no real difference in quality between digital and film," said Dixons' Marketing Director Bryan Magrath. "The digital camera, which delivers huge benefits due to its memory, speed, image quality and transferability of images, is a big winner with the millions of customers that shop with us every year."
Dixons, which originally began as a photographic studio, opened its first outlet in Southend in 1937 and cameras were the first products sold in the store.
Industry estimates reveal that around three-quarters of photographs are taken on holiday.
However, Dixons' tax-free airport stores will continue to retail a limited specialist range of 35mm cameras mainly for the professional market.
Last year Dixons moved to pull the plug on VHS recorders also on falling sales of the 1970's technology.
(SP/KMcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
16 April 2013
CPI Holds Steady At 2.8%
The consumer price inflation has held at 2.8% in March, the Office for National Statistics has said. At its highest rate since May last year, it has remained level due to rises in the cost of books, digital cameras and car insurance being offset by lower inflation for petrol and diesel.
CPI Holds Steady At 2.8%
The consumer price inflation has held at 2.8% in March, the Office for National Statistics has said. At its highest rate since May last year, it has remained level due to rises in the cost of books, digital cameras and car insurance being offset by lower inflation for petrol and diesel.
27 April 2004
BBC publishes first report on digital TV switchover
The BBC has published its first report on the proposed switchover to digital television.
BBC publishes first report on digital TV switchover
The BBC has published its first report on the proposed switchover to digital television.
06 October 2014
Alice Gross Murder: Post-Mortem To Be Carried Out On Zalkalns
A post-mortem is to be carried out today on the body of a man who is believed to have murdered school girl Alice Gross. It is understood Latvian builder Arnis Zalkalns was found hanged in woods at Boston Manor Park on Saturday. The body is scheduled for a post-mortem at Fulham Mortuary this afternoon.
Alice Gross Murder: Post-Mortem To Be Carried Out On Zalkalns
A post-mortem is to be carried out today on the body of a man who is believed to have murdered school girl Alice Gross. It is understood Latvian builder Arnis Zalkalns was found hanged in woods at Boston Manor Park on Saturday. The body is scheduled for a post-mortem at Fulham Mortuary this afternoon.
27 January 2011
Speed Camera Study In Focus
According to a new study by Which? over half the fixed cameras in England and Wales don’t work at any one time. The consumer watchdog found that Sussex had 60 fully functional cameras, while only 10% of Lancashire’s 287 yellow boxes were snapping motorists at any one time.
Speed Camera Study In Focus
According to a new study by Which? over half the fixed cameras in England and Wales don’t work at any one time. The consumer watchdog found that Sussex had 60 fully functional cameras, while only 10% of Lancashire’s 287 yellow boxes were snapping motorists at any one time.
06 March 2009
Mum Jailed For Toddler Fire Death
A mother whose 'Home Alone' daughter died in a house fire, has been jailed. Michelle Brown, 37, of Oxford Street, Coventry, was jailed for seven-and-a-half years for causing or allowing the 22-month-old toddler's death and perverting the course of justice.
Mum Jailed For Toddler Fire Death
A mother whose 'Home Alone' daughter died in a house fire, has been jailed. Michelle Brown, 37, of Oxford Street, Coventry, was jailed for seven-and-a-half years for causing or allowing the 22-month-old toddler's death and perverting the course of justice.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
