More than 10 billion photos have been uploaded to Facebook
According to a recent article in TechCrunch, by Erick Schonfeld, Photos is the prominent application on Facebook. Based on data from comScore, more than two-thirds of monthly visitors worldwide either look at or upload photos and more than 10 billion photos have been uploaded to the site.
According to comScore, Facebook appears to be pulling further ahead of competitors. Just a few months back, in September, the top three U.S. competitors, Photobucket, Flickr and Picassa, were running neck-and-neck with Facebook Photos, as measured by unique visitors. By January, the number of monthly U.S. visitors going to Facebook Photos increased by more than 40 percent, increasing the gap between its closest competitors.
Facebook has the advantage in the photo department because this is default photo feature of the largest social networking site in the world. Also, whenever a friend tags a photo with someone’s name, they get notification by email. This is a powerful way of connecting people. This feature, however, has been part of Facebook for a while now. The accelerated growth since September is a result of the Facebook redesign that went into effect and added a Photos tab on everyone’s personal homepage.
PMA Data Watch: Most popular photos on Flickr shot with DSLRs
PMA Marketing Research has surveyed the Camera Finder page on the popular photo sharing site Flickr to see which camera phones are most popular and compare usage to that of the most popular point-and-shoot cameras. Overall, DSLRs are actually the most popular cameras on the site. Popularity is assessed by tracking the number of users, as well as, the number of images uploaded on any given day with each particular model highlighted. Four of the five most popular cameras in use in the Flickr community happen to be DSLR models from Canon and Nikon, with the Apple iPhone taking the fifth spot and beating out all of the point-and-shoot models. DSLR users, on average, upload more pictures per user than those uploading from popular point-and shoots and camera phones, according to the site.
The most popular DSLR camera on Flickr, is the 10.1 megapixel Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi. On Feb. 17, there were 98,216 items uploaded from this camera by 7,313 users. This averages about 13.4 items per user, much higher than the average uploads from any of the popular point-and-shoots and camera phones. The Nikon D80, another popular DSLR, boasts 66,103 uploads on the same day and 4,529 users. While there were fewer uploads and fewer users of this model, each user uploaded 14.6 items on average. The Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT and the Canon EOS 40D DSLRs are next in line in terms of popularity.
DSLR users are generally not classified into specific demographic groups based on age or gender, but instead encompass a variety of demographic segments. DSLR owners also tend to be more experienced picture takers as the DSLR is unlikely to be their first camera purchase and most likely to be an additional purchase, according to PMA Marketing Research. Those owning DSLRs are more likely to take pictures for a variety of reasons when compared to the typical digital camera owner. Therefore, it follows that they would be most interested in uploading images to social networking sites for their talent to be shared. For more information on the models mentioned above and more visit the Camera Finder page on the Flickr website.
PMA Data Watch: A look at uploading activity from the most popular camera phones in the Flickr community
The popular photo sharing site Flickr includes a feature allowing users to check out popular camera models and camera phone models being used in the Flickr community. Popularity is assessed by tracking the number of users, as well as, the number of images uploaded on any given day with each of the models. The most popular camera phone continues to be the Apple iPhone, as it was when PMA Marketing Research surveyed the site in June. Following in order of popularity are the Nokia N96, Nokia N73, Nokia N82, and the Sony Ericsson W580i. This time, the Nokia N96 and the Sony Ericsson W580i made the list rather than the Nokia N95 and the Sony Ericsson K800i.
On June 26, 2008, there were 9,867 photos uploaded on Flickr from the popular Apple iPhone and there were 1,124 users. On Feb. 10, 2009, there were 3,363 users and 21,500 images uploaded. While there are more users and more images being uploaded, this data indicates that each user is uploading fewer pictures than they were back in June. On average, 6.4 pictures were uploaded per user on Feb. 10 with the iPhone, compared to an average of 8.8 pictures per user in June.
In any case, this is significant as the number of pictures being uploaded to Flickr from the iPhone is up and just barely trailing the number of photos or videos uploaded on the same day from the most popular point-and-shoot camera, the Canon PowerShot SD1000. The number of photos or videos uploaded per person, on average, with this popular point-and-shoot declined as well.
The number of items uploaded on the above mentioned day in June from the top five camera phones totaled 24,899 items. This month, however, the number totaled 34,268 items, illustrating a 38 percent increase. Users, on the other hand, totaled 5,331 items in February, up from 3,361 in June, representing a 59 percent increase. This data indicates that on the given day in June each user uploaded, on average, 7.4 items, but only 6.4 images were uploaded per user on the day surveyed in February. For more information on the models mentioned above and more visit the Camera Finder page on the Flickr website.
Consumers still spend on necessities and feel good items, despite the economic downturn
A recent article in Research Alert details the cautious behavior of American consumers in the economic downturn. As a result of such a weak economy, many Americans are making difficult choices to change spending habits and save money. Consumers are likely to be investing less than they were six months ago, saving less, and spending less on luxury items and impulse purchases. Although, more than half of Americans say that they will always find a way to afford some ‘feel good’ items. On the other hand, nearly one-fifth of Americans cannot keep themselves from spending, despite the fact that they are worried about the economy. Americans aged 35-64 are hit hardest by the current state of the economy. Younger consumers are least likely to say that they plan to spend less in 2009 than they did in 2008. Most Americans feel that they live within their means, however, the majority are carrying some debt. People were generally more concerned about losing their job in December than they were in January, however, the number that actually lost their jobs nearly doubled. Nearly half of Americans expect their own financial situations to be better by the end of the year, and more than half believe the economy will be back in order.
For more information on Research Alert please visit epmcom.com.
PMA Data Watch: Tough December for retailers when it comes to digital camera sales
According to PMA Marketing Research, typically, 30-40 percent of digital camera sales occur in the last quarter of any given year. With a faltering economy, this past November and December were especially rough for retailers. In fact, the year as a whole was not favorable for digital camera manufacturers and retailers.
Digital camera unit sales were down 7 percent in December 2008 compared to the same month last year, reports the latest PMA Monthly Printing and Camera Trends Report. November was even worse as unit sales were down 16 percent compared to the previous year. In December 2007, digital camera sales were down 3 percent compared to the prior year. Looking back at December 2006, digital camera sales were up 20 percent compared to the previous year.
For the entire year during 2008, digital camera unit sales were down 2 percent. In 2007, sales grew at a rate of 10 percent in unit terms. Revenue from sales of digital cameras was down 16 percent, whereas in 2007, revenue was still up a fraction of a percent. Looking back at December 2006, revenue from digital camera sales was up 7 percent compared to the year prior. Falling revenue is the result of competitive pricing and slow sales in the weak economy.
PMA Data Watch: A look at U.S. households that do not purchase portraits
According to the 2008 PMA U.S. Portrait Report, U.S. consumers spent in 2007 a total of $7.6 billion on well-known portrait products. Portraits involving children gobbled up more than half of that spending, according to PMA Marketing Research. Wedding photos, annual family photos, and sports team photos followed in popularity. Portraits, however, may be considered a luxury item and households have many reasons for not purchasing them.
Nearly two-thirds of households did not visit a studio or hire a photographer in 2007 simply because they used their own pictures instead. Twenty-seven percent of U.S. households reported a decrease in the need for portraits after the purchase of a digital camera. Preferring to spend the money elsewhere and cannot afford were reasons cited by 28 percent and 26 percent of households, respectively. Other reasons for not visiting a studio or hiring a photographer included having already purchased a portrait in the past, purchased something else instead, and being unfamiliar with studio/photographic services in the area.
When it comes to high school senior portraits specifically, fewer than half of households resort to using their own photos instead. One-third of those who did not have high school senior portraits taken said they could not afford it and 21 percent reported that they would rather spend the money elsewhere. Other reasons cited for not purchasing high school senior portraits were having already purchased a portrait in the recent past, purchased something else instead and being unfamiliar with studio/photographic services in the area.
There is a positive correlation between using one’s own photos instead of visiting a studio or hiring a photographer and photographic skill level. In other words, those who consider themselves advanced or proficient in photography are much more likely than beginners to use their own photos. When it comes to photos involving children, U.S. households are much less likely to use their own photos in place of portraits, regardless of photographic skill level. For instance, households are more likely to replace social/business event portraits and adult sports team portraits with their own photos than they are to replace grade school portraits or other portraits where children are the subject.
