Demand for plasma screen TVs is expected to keep on growing

It returned to profit in the second quarter of 2006, while rival camera makers Nikon and Canon also posted higher-than-expected results.

Sony made an operating profit of 27.05bn yen ($234m; �126m) in April to June, from a 6.6bn-yen loss last year.

The success of The Da Vinci Code movie also lifted Sony's film division sales.

However, the hefty costs of marketing the film, based on Dan Brown's book, ate heavily into earnings.

Camera wars

Canon raised its digital cameras sales estimate for 2006 from 19.2 million units to 20 million, citing strong demand in emerging markets such as Russia, as well as in its core US and European businesses.

Sales of computer printers also helped boost the firm's operating profits, which climbed to 168.3bn yen, 33% up on the same period a year ago.

Canon's rival at the high-end of the SLR market, Nikon, saw its profits almost double to 14.75bn yen, from 7.75bn yen a year earlier.

Sanyo also returned an operating profit, making 2.6bn yen for the quarter, against a 13bn loss a year ago thanks to cost-cutting.

But its sales fell 11% as it lost its grip on the mobile phone and camera markets.