The Most Popular Digital Cameras
Posted by David Peterson on 24 Aug 2006 as Cameras
What’s the most popular digital camera at the moment?
Well, judging from the uploads to my forum gallery, it’s the Nikon D70, closely followed by the Canon 350D (otherwise known as the Digital Rebel XT).
EDIT: See the note at the end of this post for details, but when we merge the 300D, 350D, and the Rebels, we get a different winner!
I tallied all 47,000 photos in the gallery to come up with the below tables. So these results don’t show the cameras that pros use, but rather what most hobbyist photographers use.
The top 6 cameras are prosumer models, meaning they have most of the same features of a professional camera, but without the cost. This is quite revealing, because it means that these great cameras have come down in cost enough to be cheap enough for hobbyists to purchase.
The other surprise is that the Sony Cybershot is number 7. This is the only Point and Shoot camera in the top 10, and just goes to show the popularity of this camera.
Now turning to the top Manufacturer list. The top two are no surprise – Canon and Nikon. The interesting thing is that Canon has almost double the number of people using a their cameras than the second placed Nikon. I suggest this is because there are more cheaper Canon cameras available. Fuji is a surprise 3rd, given they only have three cameras in the top 20.
Is your camera one of these? If so, why do you use it? Make a comment below.
| Top Camera Models | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Nikon D70 |
| 2 | Canon EOS 350D DIGITAL |
| 3 | Canon EOS 20D |
| 4 | Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL |
| 5 | Nikon D50 |
| 6 | Canon EOS 300D DIGITAL |
| 7 | Sony CYBERSHOT |
| 8 | Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XT |
| 9 | Nikon D70s |
| 10 | Canon PowerShot S2 IS |
| 11 | FinePix S7000 |
| 12 | FinePix S5500 |
| 13 | Sony DSC-H1 |
| 14 | Kodak DX6490 ZOOM DIGITAL CAMERA |
| 15 | Panasonic DMC-FZ20 |
| 16 | Olympus C750UZ |
| 17 | FinePix S5000 |
| 18 | Canon PowerShot S1 IS |
| 19 | Nikon D100 |
| 20 | Sony DSC-F828 |
| Top Manfacturers | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Canon |
| 2 | Nikon |
| 3 | Fuji |
| 4 | Sony |
| 5 | Kodak |
| 6 | Minolta |
| 7 | Pentax |
| 8 | Samsung |
| 9 | Olympus |
| 10 | Panasonic |
EDIT : A lot of comments below have asked what the results would be if we merged the 350D with the Rebel XT, and the 300D with the Rebel since these cameras are the same thing, just branded differently for different markets. So I did that, and merged the D70 with the D70s too since these cameras are also very similar. The results? The 350D is now in top, followed by the 300D, then the D70.
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Interesting results! The Canon and Nikon are pratically a toss up as far as quality and price are concerned in their DSLR models. I went with the 20D because I liked how it handeld better for me personally than the D70. I don’t think you could go wrong with either brand and it is important for people to keep both brands viable so that the competion continues to give us, the photographers, new and better fetures at the best possible price. When you drop below the DSLR type cameras there are lots of great choices and brands out there so just look for the price and features that are important to you and you should do well.
The canon 350D is a wonderfull camera in my opinion. The balance of colours is fine and it is easy to work with. Important for me is the weight of the camera, wich is just good for me.
NIKON -D 200 DETIALS AND COMARTAPLE LENS PLZ YOUR SUGGESTION THNKS YOUR MAIL BY sathish
Interesting results but somewhat misleading I’m afraid.
At position 2 we have the Canon EOS 350D DIGITAL and at position 8 we see the Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XT. These are in fact exactly the same camera. In the USA this model is known as the DIGITAL REBEL and in other countries it is the 350D. The story is the same for the Canon 300D at position 4 and the Canon DIGITAL REBEL at position 6 … they’re exactly the same thing, just a different name plate.
I suggest that if positions 2 and 8 are combined and positions 4 and 6 are combined the results will be far more accurate.
Hi I am a new user of digital cams
and my first cam is canon a610
i love tips from the site
Also i agree with pixel shooter about the sony cybershot category u sould seperate the cams and not the class like that u can group canon powershot A series
or nikon coolpix series
Well, I went for the underdog and love it.
I have the Olympus E-500 DSLR while everyone else seems to have the Canon . As a retired school teacher, I couldn’t afford the extra $400 for the Canon. Enjoy
Well, I went for the underdog and love it.
I have the Olympus E-500 DSLR while everyone else seems to have the Canon . As a retired school teacher, I couldn’t afford the extra $400 for the Canon. Enjoy
The best Canon Powershot s2 is
I have the new Nikon D-200 with the 18-200 Nikon Lens. Love this camera! Feel as though it is the best for the the money.
There are many models of the Sony Cybershot camera. I think the tallying is not that accurate since I think all
Cybershot pics are lumped together. We should be careful with this so as not to mislead people.
I think Nikon lost in the tallying since most of the responders are most probably non-professionals. If you’ll ask one, the answer will still be Nikon. Just watch BBC, ESPN or CNN and you’ll see a Nikon camera being used by professional photographers—photojournalists, sports photographers, etc. Nikon still is the gold-standard for photography as far as I’m concerned. Most of the other manufacturers either copy or try to out do Nikon but fail to do so. So far, all Nikon cams that came out of their production are excellent cameras especially dSLR’s which are rugged and made of quality materials. Although I must give it to Canon for marketing and pricing. However, if you want quality, you must be willing to spend for it. As I say, if you see a cheap camera, there is a reason why it’s cheap!
I think Nikon loist in the tallying since most of the responders are most probably non-professionals. If you’ll ask one, the answer will still be Nikon. Just watch BBC, ESPN or CNN and you’ll see a Nikon camera being used by professional photographers—photojournalists, sports photographers, etc. Nikon still is the gold-standard for photography as far as I’m concerned. Most of the other manufacturers either copy or try to out do Nikon but fail to do so. So far, all Nikon cams that came out of their production are excellent cameras especially dSLR’s which are rugged and made of quality materials although I must give it to Canon for marketing and pricing. However, if you want quality, you must be willing to spend for it. As I say, if you see a cheap camera, there is a reason why it’s cheap!
I’m new in this stuff (digital photography) and now I’m planning to buy my 1st DSLR. But I’m confused since I got limited resources, I need to decide between Canon EOS 350 and Nikon D50. Both of them was in top 5.Which is best buy?
Hi, I bought my Nikon D70s digital last year, and have never been more pleased with a camera. It does everything I want it to do and more, and for the price you cant knock it. Well worth the money !!
I own a Nikon 4600 which i had bought last october and iam very happy with it. It has got a lot of features and the best part is there is still a lot to learn. I have begun to like photography and try to click pictures when ever i get a chance. My aim is to buy a digital slr next year;-)
I have just perchased the Nikon D200…and I dont see it up on the list..How old is this list?
I just brought Nikon Coolpix L3, amazing results/ almost on daily basis I take shots of my childens and enjoying
Bilal
Ive owned a D70 for a while now and it is a nice peice of hardware, that has been superceeded by a nicer peice of hardware the ………. (fill in the blanks yourself).
In the end an avid interest in Photography and having the time to experiment and exercise that intrest, coupled with a willingness to explore new situations and increasing your understanding of your craft will always serve one better than suffering the large cash-hemorrhage that some of these models demand.
Someone just starting out in photography should buy a relatively simple camera with a small memory card (to start with) and shot photos of everything that catches thier eye for a month or two with just that setup. This would allow them to learn the two most important lessons photography has to teach, Humility and patience.
The most valuable lesson photography offers cannot, in my opinion, be learnt it has to be arrived at through time and painful, frustrating experience. all of which lead us to an appreciation of the fact that even with the best intentions , stellar equiptment and fantastic subject matter all you can sometimes get are a bunch incredibly unsatisfactory photos. The hardest part of the lesson being that sometimes satisfactory is all you can hope for, that satisfacory is …as good as it ever gonna get when looking at the gods handiwork through anything but the creators twin cameras .
Enough said I think.
Matthew Henge
The photojournalist’s creed.
“Keep your depth of field shallow your flash gun charged, and the engine running”.
KL.Bluther
Laos 1973
The safari photographers byword
“Keep one eye pressed to the viewfinder the other on your equipment and the other on wind direction”.
DT. Jennings
Kenya 1983
I have got a Canon powershot A310.
It takes great pictures.
I am glad than canon is the best
I bought the Canon 350D (twin lense package) to capture the once-in-a-lifetime photos of my new born son. That is the best buy I have ever bought. Great pictures… especially portrait style and Black & White being the best.
Good to see that this camera is top 2 in the listing.
As for me, I recently invested in a 350D about a month ago. I orginally wanted to get the 20D, but because of budget constraints, I decided on getting its “older brother” instead. I believe that the differences in these two models are relatively small (except for the MP, LCD screen, and weight), so I think I made a good decision. Given that I’ve only had the unit for less than a couple of months now (coming from my 2 year old Powershot unit), I’m still a rookie when it comes to more serious photography. But definitely, with this EOS unit, this “hobby” can , and will, grow into something (hopefully) more interesting, and maybe, profitable.
After waiting a few years to upgrade to an SLR digital I was able to purchase a Konica Minolta 5D with 18-70 plus 70-300 for half price thanks to Sony buy out. It’s an awesome camera (especially for the price) and am glad I waited to purchase a superseeded model with the inherant saving. Sony replacement is now 2.5 times price I paid, for a few extra features. All the new sony accesories are also compatable as are the lenses from my older minolta 5 camera.
Am really enjoying the freedom of digital photography.
I purchased my Fuji S7000 about 4 years ago and have really enjoyed using it. The only complaint I have is where the manual, auto, continuous dial is located; it gets jarred and if you don’t check, you’ll end up with blurry shots. I’m now looking at the Nikon D200 for my next camera. Anyone use it? Would appreciate any comments.
i have been a nikon person from the get go. no disrespect but i have found i have far less problems with nikon. i just got a D-50 a few months ago and truly like the product its easly and has enough features for me for now. as i get better i will move up. here in texas the price of the D-70 was to high for someone who works part-time.
I started studying photography and at the beginning I wasn’t very familiar with the brands…So Canon it was. Bought my first SLR and since then I found likely in Canon. I’m using the EOS 3000V at the moment, we’re busy with film. I really love film, it restricts, desciplines and progresses your ability and doesn’t push you to take ‘happy snaps’. Next I’m propably going to buy the 350D, CAN’T WAIT! I bought the Sigma 70mm-300mm Macro Lens and I should obviously buy a body which the lens can fit on.
I always had a liking for Nikon brand, but the fact why I bought Nikon D70 is the reviews I read through the internet, and it was true. It has been since two years that I bought this camera and is working perfect, the results satisfying.
I always had a liking for Nikon brand, but the fact why I bought Nikon D70 is the reviews I read through the internet, and it was true. It has been since two years that I bought this camera and is working perfect, the results satisfying.
The nikon d70s is an amazing camera. I have only been using one for a short period of time and am totally amazed at the quality of the photos that can be taken. Thanks for the tips they are super.
I am quite suprised that i didn’t see any Olumpus E1′s or EVOLT series cameras at all. I have a E-300 and it takes awesome pics, especially with the 50mm/F2.0 Macro/Portrait lens, but the 2 lenses that came with it do a remarkable job as well.
I must say that I find it strange that Pentax is not even listed (but then again we are probably getting the most feedback from the “hobbyist” end of the market)
I have a Pentax *istD as my primary camera, but I still use my Fuji FinePix S7000 as a backup and for macro.
The Pentax (being a SLR) is fantastic, but there is little wrong with the overall quality achievable with the Fuji S7000!
every market has a special agents and clients so i think it’s not very accurate specially for the late commers ;) like new models of Fuji and there is alot of cost to talk about updating ur gear every year :( so , we have to wait and buy what we need not running behind the announcements . good luck folks
I’ll chime in with the others to say that the results are skewed… the Canon 350D and the Rebel XT are one and the same. Combine them and I bet the number puts it at the top of the list.
For what it’s worth, Ebay also lists the XT as their most popular DSLR.
By the way, I use a 70′s era Polaroid Insta-matic.
Kidding… I’m an XT owner.
After may years with a still camera, doing wedding etc. I always thought I would’nt like a digital, because beeing alble to stand up for my still camera I’ll have to spend a lot of money. I entered a photo competition and WON a Panasonic FZ10 with a Lumix lens. WELL needless to say I am besides myself and with David’s tips I think my photos are of beter quality now. Would love to get the FZ50 though
I bought my Nikon D50 in March of this year. Quiet frankly it has truly helped me find a new and great passion in my life. That passion is Photography.Buy this camera will most likely turn out to be a defining moment in my life. Yes its that great.
No, My camera is not one of those. Mine is a Panasonic FZ5. I wonder why it is not in the list. Either the reviews on this camera are deliberately misleading or …. Nevertheless, mine is doing OK as far as I am concerned.
I just wonder, where are the Olympus? I have a Olympus 7070 w and that is just a great one. But I am still an analog man! My Minox 35 (got seven) are still my favourite! But I am learning a lot from David. Thanks David!
Jan
I have to agree with some other comments that cameras from Canon are the same: 350D and Rebel XT, or 300D and Rebel, and I am curious to see what the results would be after taking account of that. I’m a Canon fan, I have a Rebel XT and I am happy about it. I’ve also used Olympus C-50Zoom for a while and I was more than satisfied with the results – very sharp and clear pictures under any conditions (sun or snow, hot or warm, light or no light at all).
Anyway … good idea with this classification.
Interesting list, but with some errors: Canon Digital Rebel and Canon 300D is _exactly_ the same camera, only with different marketing names for different part of the world – USA and Europe. (I am wondering if there is also Canon Kiss Digital at the lower part of the ladder. This is marketing name for Japan. :-) )
So, it’s quite strange to list it twice. The same applies for Digital Rebel XT and Canon 350D and Kiss n Digital.
My wife bought me my first DSLR, I got the Pentax istDs. I’m very surprised that it didn’t make the top ten, obviously looking at the list there are a lot of point and shoot cameras and the list doesn’t only haqve DSLR’s on it.
Here in Australia, Pentax really is number 3 behind Nikon then Canon, as they are more popular and also more expensive, although Nikon have now released the entry level D50 which seems to be gaining popularity.
My Pentax does pretty well everything I want and need it to do, it allows me to retro-fit older Pentax lenses, which unlike its major competitors is a real bonus. Accessories so far have been harder to find but have been cheaper for the Pentax than either the Nikon or Canon DSLR’s although this may just be because of where I live?
The Pentax RAW Format is great, I use Adobe Photoshop CS2 and it’s amazing how much I can do with my photos, it is actually easier to shoot in manual and I know I can produce the same high quality images everytime with some behind the scenes work at home. The only drawback is when I reduce the image size from 6.1 Megapixels so that I can post it on the Internet I really start to lose the quality, but the same happens to the other cameras too.
Overall I love my camera…
I Travel a lot by airways, , need to carry hand luggage only. Use Sony DSC 717 and a Sony DSC R1, These models offer me the lightist in mass and volume, no need for number of different lenses etc , give quality results for prints.
Find Sony very realiable .
Glad to see my Kodak Easy Share DX6490 is STILL on the list! I’ve had it for a few years and it does a good job for me even though I’ve been wanting to upgrade to something else.
Now I have some good advise. Thanks all!
After reading a lot of very positive reviews on the Fuji S9000 digital Camera, I was quite surprised that it was not on the list of popular cameras. Why?
Brian, I too have a Pentex IST D2 and am very happy with it. My only regret is the lack of motion stabalizer. I got it because I can now use my collection of Pentex lenses that accumulated over the years with my Pentex SLRs. I have been using Fuji digitals until Pentex offered an SLR Digital. I like my Fugi S5600 also which is now used as backup. I really should use it more for it is a great little digital.
I have a 4 year old Nikon F100, A 3 year old D100 and last week purchased a Nikon D200, lots of lens, some for sale as well will sell F100 & D100
I just purchased a Nikon D50, the first time I ever owned an SLR and am loving it. I love the fact I can get the shot I see. I owned an Olympus Camedia 2030 Digital for years and enjoyed it but now I have so much more versatility and so much more to learn! I have a 28-70 and 70-300 lens and so far seems to do everything I want. I ama below amatuer photographer but I feel this camera will help me improve immensely. It feels comfortable in my hand and not too bulky or heavy.
I agree with Stan, it’s the person behind the camera that makes a picture great. I hope to get there.
I am very surprised that Pentax didn’t make the top 10. I have purchased the IST D2, which is my first “real” camera and recently went to Spain for a holiday, the photographs I took with this camera have surpassed my expectations greatly and I am very pleased with it. Surely I am not the only person on this site with a Pentax camera?
My first digital (many years ago) was a type w/ internal memory only & w/ low resolution, quickly the decision to upgrade was obvious! I bought a Kodak DX3900 which was very easy to use, lots of options, the dock, it took great photos for a point & shoot. I eventually handed it down to my son & for a couple of years now have had an Olympus 5.1 C-5060 Wide Zoom ( I take alot of outdoor photos living in Colorado!) I’m still learning to use it but I love it, sometimes when I have to carry it around…I still miss my compact Kodak!
I have had a Canon 20D for nearly a year now. It’s the first SLR I’ve had and the best camera I’ve ever owned. I like to photograph Steam trains and Birds mostly and can enlarge quite small area’s to big A4 prints. I have the 17-85 and 70-300mm, F4-5.6 lenses. Yes I do find the camera just on the heavy side, but this helps to keep it steady. The quality, you can feel it.
I am new to digital cameras. I wanted something with a longer optical zoom. I was able to purchase a Fuji S5600/S5200 depending where you live. It has a 10X optical Zoom and quite good manual controls. It came at a very good price and I have been very happy with it.
I have had Lumix FZ20 for over an year. I should state that both the pictures taken with it and the low price of the model compared to other makes are stunning. I was only surprised that FZ30 did not make it in the list, when it considering that it is an improvement over FZ20. Any comments on this?? If I am to go for another camera I would opt for the latest FZ50. I am committed to the performance of Lumix.