NIKON LEADS WIRELESS DIGITAL CAMERA TECHNOLOGY

Nikon announced today key findings from IDC, a leading technology analyst, resulting from their white paper titled "The Evolution of Wireless Photography i " concluding: Nikon has been on the forefront of embracing wireless photography. Since the introduction of its first wireless cameras in 2005 to the current COOLPIX S51c digital camera, Nikon has been the worldwide leader in regards to Wi-Fi integration and innovative ways to share memories such as the new my Picturetown, Nikon's new photo sharing and storage service. Results are based on IDC's ongoing research on wireless connectivity, digital camera market research and a consumer survey on the adoption of wireless digital cameras and their propensity to embrace the capability in future camera purchases.

With each new digital camera generation, Nikon continues to streamline the photo-sharing process through wireless technology, making it easier than ever to share and send pictures without the confines of wires and cables or even computers! The new white paper from IDC states "To date, Nikon is the only digital camera manufacturer to consistently and fully embrace wireless photography. IDC predicts that other top vendors will seek to catch up and embrace wireless photography as well, spurring industry-wide adoption."

"As the speed and dependability of wireless networks grow, image quality and ease-of-use in digital cameras continue to build. Nikon's aim is to give the pioneers and the participants of the new web 2.0 an easy way to share not only their photos, but also their lives," says Bill Giordano, General Manager of Marketing, COOLPIX for Nikon Inc. "Wireless features have advanced significantly since 2005, with changes that consumers can now embrace and easily understand, especially with the recent introduction of the COOLPIX S51c and my Picturetown."

So how important is the ability to share? The white paper states that 60 percent of respondents cite that they would be somewhat or much more likely to consider one camera over another should it include wireless connectivity. What's more, respondents said that they would be willing to pay up to $86 more for a camera with this ability.

Nikon continues to enhance this technology to be user friendly and effective based on the needs of consumers. The IDC survey states that 43 percent of U.S. digital camera owners recognized that wireless connectivity is an important feature in choosing a digital camera, and with good reason. Nikon's wireless COOLPIX S51c camera allows the user to share the photos and movie clips anywhere there is an open access Wi-Fi hotspot. At home, in the office, in a coffee house, airport, a user can simply press a button and have photos sent to email addresses, published to Web sites, or posted on photo sharing communities such as Flickr or Nikon's own my Picturetown. Business professionals working in the field, such as real estate and building contractors, can utilize Wi-Fi to send pictures directly to prospective buyers or business partners, quicker and easier than connecting the camera and downloading pictures to a computer before sending the image.

Additionally, Nikon engineers digital cameras to enhance not only image quality, but also the "photo-sharing experience" by partnering with service providers T-Mobile®, allowing the user to send images and videos to my Picturetown from over 8,200 T-Mobile® HotSpots® nationwide* and Flickr®, one of the world's leading photo sharing communities, to provide consumers with more sharing and viewing options. IDC believes "Nikon's courage in opening its technology is critical for wireless photography to be fully embraced by consumers, and positions the firm well in future consumer mindsets as the manufacturer that helps, rather than hinders, product usage."

Please click here to view the white paper.

* The T-Mobile HotSpot service is available in Starbucks® coffeehouses, Borders® Books & Music stores, FedEx Kinko's® Office and Print Centers, airports, and the airline clubs of American®, Delta®, United®, and US Airways®.

T-Mobile and HotSpot are federally registered trademarks of Deutsche Telekom AG. ©2007 T-Mobile USA, Inc.


Nikon, At the Heart of the Image™. Nikon Inc. is the world leader in digital imaging, precision optics and photo imaging technology and is globally recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance for its award-winning consumer and professional photographic equipment. Nikon Inc. distributes the Nikon Total Imaging System of consumer and professional digital SLR cameras, Nikkor optics, Speedlights and System Accessories; Nikon COOLPIX® compact digital cameras; COOLSCAN® digital film scanners; 35mm film SLR cameras; Nikon software products and Nikon sports and recreational optics. At the heart of every Nikon camera is Nikon's Exclusive Feature System, making it easy for anyone to take amazing digital pictures. Through the Nikon Spirit Initiative™, the company, plays an active role in supporting aspiring and advanced photographers through a variety of philanthropic organizations, educational programs, events and workshops. For more information, dial (800) NIKON-US or visit www.nikonusa.com, which links all levels of photographers to the web's most comprehensive photo learning and sharing communities.

iIDC White Paper sponsored by Nikon, The Evolution of Wireless Photography, Doc #208670 , Oct 2007