Press Releases

Consumer Electronics Association Announces a New Set of Camera Terminology 2015

Consumer Electronics Association‘s (CEA’s) 17th Annual CE Ownership and Market Potential study finds two-thirds (64 percent) of U.S. households currently own a digital camera.

survey-us-households-2014 *Image grab from video below.

The following silent video presents Most Owned Tech in U.S. Households 2014-2015:

  • “CEA found the top-10 most owned tech by U.S. households shifted dramatically in 2015.
  • Tablets joined the list for the first time and are now owned by more than half of American households.
  • The basic cell phones dropped off the top-10 and saw the largest decrease in ownership of any CE product.”

Also, according to the recently released U.S. Consumer Electronics Sales and Forecasts report (July 2015), the total digital imaging sector will earn $3.2 billion in revenue, selling almost 14 million units.

The CEA announced today the following new set of camera terminology for digital imaging-related communications and promotion:

  • DSLR (short for Digital Single-Lens Reflex cameras): a subset of ILC cameras that includes a mirror mechanism;
  • Mirrorless (short for Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens cameras): a subset of ILC cameras that does not include a mirror mechanism;
  • ILC (short for Interchangeable Lens Cameras): includes both DSLR and Mirrorless cameras which, by definition, have Interchangeable Lenses.

PRESS RELEASE

CEA Introduces New Terminology for Digital Imaging Sector

Arlington, VA, July 23, 2015 – The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)® announced today a new set of camera terminology for digital imaging-related communications and promotion to help provide consistency and clarity for retailers and consumers. The new terms and definitions are as follows:

  • DSLR (short for Digital Single-Lens Reflex cameras): a subset of ILC cameras that includes a mirror mechanism;
  • Mirrorless (short for Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens cameras): a subset of ILC cameras that does not include a mirror mechanism;
  • ILC (short for Interchangeable Lens Cameras): includes both DSLR and Mirrorless cameras which, by definition, have Interchangeable Lenses.

Last year, CEA’s Digital Imaging Board identified the need for a new set of terminology that better represents the industry innovations of today, and immediately launched a working group to explore various imaging terms and recommend updated terminology. The Digital Imaging Board approved the updated terms and definitions, and implementation is now underway.

“The digital imaging sector is constantly innovating and evolving and we need to keep consumer messaging at the forefront for our market,” said Neal Manowitz, Deputy Vice President of Digital Imaging for Sony North America; and chairman of the ILC Working Group. “This was certainly a team effort, and I especially want to thank my working group colleagues from B&H Photo, Fujifilm, Panasonic, Ricoh, Samsung, Tiffen and Walmart. This new terminology represents our industry in its current state today, but also assures consumers of where products and categories will be in the coming years.”

CEA’s 17th Annual CE Ownership and Market Potential study finds two-thirds (64 percent) of U.S. households currently own a digital camera. Also, according to the recently released U.S. Consumer Electronics Sales and Forecasts report (July 2015), the total digital imaging sector will earn $3.2 billion in revenue, selling almost 14 million units.

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the technology trade association representing the $286 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,000 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative and regulatory advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion, standards development and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also owns and produces CES – The Global Stage for Innovation. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA’s industry services.