Japan's CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association) has announced a downward revision for global shipments of digital still cameras produced by Japanese makers. Expectations are that volume will rise 8.4% in 2005 to 64.8 million units, compared to a January 2005 projection of 21%. 2005 represents a sharp slowdown from 2004, when Japanese maker shipments rose 37.7%, totaling 59.8 million units. In contrast, volume for the first half of 2005 reached 27.9 million units, with year-on-year growth slowing to 5.5%.

A similarly sharp adjustment was made for Japanese DSC exports. Original expectations were for 24% growth; the 2005 rate has been adjusted downward to 10% for total volume of 56.4 million units.

Citing market saturation, CIPA also indicates that the shipment of Japanese DSCs to domestic market will likely slip into decline for the first time since 1999. According to CIPA's forecast, the shipment of Japanese DSC to the domestic market in 2005 will be 8.4 million units, 1.7% lower than 2004. The earlier projection was for 1.8% growth.