As we become increasingly dependent on connected devices, camera specialist Nikon has revealed that it expects more than half of its compact cameras to be Wi-Fi enabled by the end of 2014.
Setting itself a timeframe for achieving increased levels of Wi-Fi compatible compacts, the company has revealed that although interest is growing for connected snappers, there are still consumers who want to keep things simple, and cheap.
“Wi-Fi connectivity has become more prolific,” Zurab Kiknadaze, Nikon’s European Product Manager said in a recent interview with TrustedReviews.
“In 2014 more than 50 per cent of our compacts will be Wi-Fi enabled. We’re not at that level right now, but as we progress through the year we will make more cameras with Wi-Fi.”
Although detailing the rapid rise of Wi-Fi enabled cameras, Kiknadaze has remained hesitant on where the market will evolve next, suggesting there will also be a demand for simple, none-connected cameras.
“There are many consumers that want to pay absolutely bottom dollar for their cameras which is why they don’t have Wi-Fi,” he told us.
“Wi-Fi makes everything a lot more interesting. We are monitoring how consumers use this functionality.”
While the company is seeing big increases in Wi-Fi capable cameras now, this has not always been the case, with the first models widely discredited by consumers.
“We launched the first Wi-Fi enabled camera years ago and it was a complete flop,” the Nikon PM said. “Being a pioneer in the market does not always pay off.”
He added: “How long before all our cameras are Wi-Fi enabled? It’s too early to say, that is where the trend is going though.”
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