Analyst Firm IDC publishes authoritative document citing Nikon Wireless Solutions as an edge in a digital imaging world without wires

MELVILLE, N.Y. (Oct. 16) -- Nikon has announced key findings from IDC, a leading technology analyst, resulting from their white paper titled "The Evolution of Wireless Photography," concluding: Nikon is and always has been on the forefront of the wireless revolution. 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."

The report continues, "As the speed and dependability of wireless networks grows, image quality and ease-of-use in digital cameras continues 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, changes 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 camera allows the user to share the photos and movie clips anywhere there is an open 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 sites such as Flickr or Nikon's own my Picturetown. Business professional working in the field, such as real estate and building contractors, can utilize Wi-Fi to send images directly to prospective buyers or business partners, quicker and easier than connecting and load 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, a premier photo-sharing community, 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 vendor that helps, rather than hinders, product usage."

* 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 U.S. Airways.