The Industry Measure, a specialized research and forecasting firm, predicts that graphic design and production establishments will spend $53.5 million on digital cameras between the summers of 2007 and 2008. While $53.5 million may not be a large part of the $18 billion global digital-camera market, the fact that digital cameras remain a top investment category for design professionals is significant.

Designers and art directors often present the toughest new competition to professional photographers. Many successful microstock photographers, for example, are ex-designers or ad-agency staffers. In addition to pro-quality digital cameras, these creatives are armed with pre-existing, in-depth knowledge of imaging software, color, composition and concept development. This combination makes their barrier to entry into the pro photographer market significantly lower than that of an amateur, and the quality of their images significantly higher.

Digital-camera spending is not leveling off in the design markets, suggesting pro photography markets are likely to continue experiencing an influx of images and tough competition from nonprofessionals migrating from other creative-industry segments.