Digital cameras and reduction in photo film sales

[Dom Tuk]

With the spread and widespread use of digital cameras what has been the % drop in sales of photo films. Also do those mail order film processing companies do any business as photo printers are so cheap.

[Machecoul]

The printers might be cheap - but the ink and paper not so cheap + the time it takes to print photos should be taken into account.

Reviews suggest that processing companies are doing quite well printing digital photos.

How many digital cameras have been sold? How many photo printers have been sold?

[gary baldy]

Kodak made a loss of $1 billion last year and shed 3000 jobs worldwide. Their digital business now accounts for more than half of sales.
Ilford, the film and paper makers, closed their Uk factory last year.
Despite that the processors still do good business. It was easier for them to refocus (excuse the pun) their business and the change in their technology is relatively small. In fact they have cut their overheads by receiving images by email and printing directly from digital files - one less stage in the process removed. The quality of prints from home printers is good but professional processors can handle big volumes and get better results.
The digital photography market has levelled out now and film sales - although tiny compared to before - will still continue, i'm sure, to a small but dedicated elite!