China's digital camera sales in 2007 surged 29.9 percent to hit 8.3 million sets in 2007, according to the estimates of the CCID Consulting, a leading market consultant.

Statistics showed that 5.9 million sets of digital cameras were sold in the first three quarters of last year. The sale in the fourth quarter was estimated at 2.4 million sets.

The sale of digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras was put at 310,000 sets, up 47.6 percent. The two Japanese brands, Canon and Nikon, were still monopolizing the DSLR market.

CCID also forecast that sales of digital cameras in 2008 would top 10 million. It said DSLRs would not become a mainstream product in the next two years, as the price is still too high.

Beijing-based CCID Consulting was the first domestic consulting firm to be listed in the Growth Enterprise Market of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. It is affiliated to the China Center for Information Industry Development (CCID Group).

(Xinhua News Agency January 13, 2008)