More families going digital

A recent survey commissioned by Circuit City shows that 71% of Americans who use film cameras are thinking of purchasing, or actively shopping for, a digital camera. The also cite CEA (Consumer Electronics Association) data that says 57% of U.S. households now own at least one digital camera.

The survey reveals that 86% of respondents say it's very important to be able to preview their pictures to know instantly if the shot turned out. Another 80% felt it's very important to only print the pictures they want, while 60% feel the ability to share photos via email, print pictures at home, and organize and store pictures electronically is very important.

Click on the headline of this article for the Circuit City press release.

Smaller, Better, Faster; Digital Cameras Gaining the Attention of American Families

* Mom is the Main Family Photographer in Most Households

A new national survey(1) from electronics retailer Circuit City Stores, Inc. shows nearly three- quarters (71%) of Americans who use film cameras are thinking of purchasing, or are actively shopping for, a digital camera. The same survey shows many families who already have digital cameras are considering an upgrade.

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) estimates that 57 percent of U.S. households now own at least one digital camera. Newer digital cameras are more affordable, easier to use and take better quality pictures than first-generation models. The technology advancements and dropping prices have turned digital imaging into a mainstream experience.

Why they went digital:

Survey respondents who already own digital cameras rated the importance of some of the primary features of digital imaging:

* Eighty-six percent said it's very important for them to know instantly
whether they got the picture they wanted

* Eighty percent said it's very important to be able to print only the
pictures they want

* Approximately 60 percent assigned "very important" rating to sharing
images via email, printing pictures at home and organizing and storing
pictures electronically

Ready for an upgrade:
Forty-three percent of the survey respondents who already own a digital camera are either thinking of upgrading to a new camera, or are actively shopping for one. Asked what features they are looking for in their next digital camera:

* Sixty-five percent said they want better picture resolution (more
megapixels)

* Fourteen percent said they're looking for smaller, more stylish design

* Thirteen percent said they want faster shutter speed

* Eight percent said they're looking for a better lens

More than 2,900 people responded to the survey. Fifty-seven percent said the person who takes the most family photos in the household is mom. Dad was a distant second at 27 percent. Kids (13 %) and other family members rounded out the total.

The perfect Mother's Day gift:

Circuit City stores carry all the tools mom needs to take and share family photos, including photo printers, memory cards, photo paper, ink and a wide selection of approximately 50 digital cameras. Three-megapixel cameras start at less than $100.00.

Help for last-minute Mother's Day shoppers:

On Saturday, May 13, 2006, Circuit City Superstores nationwide will offer special demonstrations of the Kodak EasyShare digital photography and printing system from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. The EasyShare system includes a camera and printer-dock that allows users to print high quality photos without a computer, starting at $199.99. The first 100 customers who participate in the demonstration can pose for a free family photo and receive a Mother's Day greeting card to give to mom on her big day.

(1) The Circuit City "Just what I needed for Mother's Day" survey was
commissioned by Circuit City Stores, Inc. and conducted on the
Internet by Decision Analyst, Inc. of Arlington, Texas. The margin of
error is plus-or-minus 2%.