A shortage of high-resolution imaging sensors and lenses has postponed the launch of new digital cameras from FujiFilm, Olympus, and Matsushita, which could mean a rise in prices for the next few months, or at the very least that prices won’t fall quite as quickly as they have been:
One of the problems is that while mobile phone companies have launched models using low res CMOS sensors and plastic lenses – of which there are plenty – there’s now a demand for models using resolutions higher than a megapixel, which need glass lenses. Japanese mobile phone companies are grabbing the lion share of these products because of existing relationships, said iSuppli. Even though manufacturers are ramping up production of high res components, the firm estimates it may take as long as four months for supply and demand to cancel themselves out.
