according to recently released analysts reports in Japan, Pentax has sold about 20,000 *istD cameras worldwide, far less than the 50,000 forecast by the company. reasons cited by analysts for the low sales include lack of competative features and brand recognition. despite this, Pentax has revised upwards its expected profits for the end of its fiscal year on May 31 based on increased revenue from its ability to hold profit margins steady on its digital cameras by introducing new models and increased demand for its DVD pickup lens sales.
analysts see that Pentax will continue to be weak in DSLR and film SLR sales because of lack of competative features and branding and are not optimistic about the company returning to the days when it was a major player in the camera market. Canon and Casio are the only major Japanese camera manufactures to record increasing earnings from digital camera sales. although volume is increasing quickly, profits are not increasing as quickly and are slowing down as margins shrink. in a couple of years, the market will be saturated and profit margins will plummet as all but the highest end digital cameras will be commmodities. Herb...
