Cameras
Most people already have a digital camera — 77% of all households, according to the Consumer Electronics Association — and since no one really needs an upgrade, camera sales have gone south as times have gotten tough. To whip up some action, manufacturers from Canon to Kodak have been offering discounts on everything from modest point-and-shoot models to high-end single-lens-reflex models (SLRs) and camcorders. At many retailers, it's now possible to buy a point-and-shoot digital camera for under $100. Amazon.com was recently selling a General Electric 10-megapixel digital camera for $180, down 46% from its list price. Pricegrabber.com was recently selling a Panasonic VDR-D50 DVD Camcorder for $185, down 38% from its list price. Camera maker Pentax recently dropped the price of its K20D digital SLR by $200. Such steep discounts, especially on new technology, are rare and as the economy recovers you can expect camera prices to float back toward the list price.