Digital cameras are getting cheaper in China, as the leading domestic manufacturers rush to market low-price products.

　　Analysts say the low price strategy is a result of stiffening competition in the digital camera market and a bid by camera makers to take advantage of the shopping peak over the upcoming five-day Labor Day Holiday, which will begin next Thursday.

　　Beijing Peking University FoundersgroupsCo. unveiled four new models yesterday, all at lower-than-market prices, while its major rival Digital China Holdings Ltd. launched a one-month promotion campaign last Friday for its Legend brand cameras featuring price cuts of up to 50 percent, sina.com reported.

　　One of Founder's four new models--the DCPower 2--sells for only 999 yuan (US).

　　With 2 million pixels, the model is multi-functional, capable of taking photos, videotaping and audio recording. It can also function as an Internet camera.

　　The model reflects Founder's strategy in new product development, according to Yu Tao, general manager of Founder's consumer product division.

　　He said the company would focus on developing 2-million-plus-pixel products this year, which it foresees as the main trend in the digital camera market.

　　The number of pixels in a digital camera determines the image quality--more pixels make for clearer, finer pictures.

　　Legend's promotion, scheduled to run through May 14, involves three of its digital cameras, the sina report said.

　　The price of the 1.3-million-pixel SO.SHOW303 is halved from 999 yuan to 499 yuan, and that of the 2.2-million-pixel SO.SHOW530 is slashed to 1,499 yuan from 1,999 yuan.

　　The other model is the 3.21-million-pixel SO.SHOW303, which sold for 2,999 yuan before the price cut, the sina report said.