• by Jack Loechner , Staff Writer @mp_research, September 27, 2005

In a new study of U.S. digital camera owners' usage habits, IDC found that the number of aggregate digital images captured per month continued to grow another 18 points in 2005, largely driven through cheaper flash memory card prices and increased capacities. As a result, the total number of average monthly prints is expected to increase by 29% in 2005. Printing behavior is changing, though, with home printing continuing to decline in favor of retail locations.

Chris Chute, senior analyst, Worldwide Digital Imaging Solutions and Services, says "While one-third of digital camera owners never print, over 10% print every image they keep. There are... distinct clusters of users who can be identified by their printing behavior."

Other key findings from the survey include:

• The mean number of digital images captured per month is 75.
• 14% of total digital camera owner respondents capture more than 100 images per month.
• 15% of total respondents never delete any images, while 6% delete all their images.

For the full release and access to the Survey, go here,