Sony 2008 Annual Report Download - page 23

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21
the world, Sony camcorders consistently
maintain a global market share of approxi-
mately 40%, and are a major profi t pillar of
Sony’s Electronics segment.
Within the digital imaging domain, the global
market for compact digital cameras
showed a dramatic growth of 27% in the
fi scal year ended March 31, 2008. This was
due to replacement demand and continued,
robust new demand in emerging markets.
For these and other markets, Sony has
introduced products that respond to
different consumer needs, including new
models in the affordably priced Cyber-shot
W- and S-series and the advanced, slim-
design T-series.
Recently, we launched models equipped
with newly developed functions such as
“Smile Shutter,” which ensures users never
miss those natural smiles, and a face-
detection capability, where focus, exposure
and skin tone are automatically detected
and adjusted. As a result, unit sales of Sony
compact digital cameras increased 38%
year on year to 23.5 million units, signifi -
cantly outpacing global market growth and
contributing to earnings.
A newcomer to digital SLR cameras, Sony
entered this highly promising market in 2006.
Following on the heels of our fi rst model, the
α100, we unveiled several new models in a
bid to expand our product portfolio during
the period under review. These included the
α200, which offers enhanced basic features;
08SonyE_P14_27_0802.indd 2108SonyE_P14_27_0802.indd 21 08.8.7 2:18:47 PM08.8.7 2:18:47 PM