Small-size panel shortage could impact 2Q11 DSC shipments

WorldWide Tech & Science. Francisco De Jesús.

Taiwan-based digital still camera (DSC) makers including Ability Enterprise, Altek, Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) and Asia Optical may see their DSC shipments in the second quarter lower than fore casted due to a shortage of small-size panel because of demand from Apple's iPhone and iPad, according to sources from upstream players.

However, although demand for DSCs has taken a hit by the growth of the DSLR camera and smartphone segments, consumer DSC shipment volumes in 2011 will still be higher than in 2010.

In addition to panels, supply of key DSC components such as CCD image sensors from Japan has also recently turned unstable due to the impact from the earthquake in early March and the effect is likely to create obstacles in DSC production efficiency in the second quarter, the sources noted.

The sources pointed out that the component supply issue from Japan is likely to recover in May or June, but the panel shortage will have a good chance to continue haunting the makers.

In additional news, as Samsung is seeing its global DSC market share expanding in 2011, the market watchers that originally expected Samsung to start outsourcing some of its DSC models to Taiwan maker now argue that Samsung is releasing only niche-type products with small shipment volumes, so Taiwan DSC makers are unlikely to benefit significantly from any orders from the vendor in 2011.