Popular Digital Cameras and Gear

Here’s what Digital SLRs, Point and Shoot Digital Cameras, Lenses, Accessories and Books have been bought by DPS readers over the last three months (the first 3 months in 2009) in their shopping at Amazon.

Popular Digital SLRS

The winner in this category was clear and the most purchased camera in all classes over the last three months. After the XSi though there was very little between the next 6 cameras in terms of sales numbers. The New Canon 5D Mk II just scraped in for it’s first appearance in these rankings.

Popular Point and Shoot Digital Cameras

As with the last 3 times we’ve run this features on DPS - Canon dominated this list and were the most popular brand by far in the point and shoot digital camera category.

Popular DLSR Lenses

50mm lenses always do well in this list but the Nikon 35mm lens (pictured right) entered the list over the last quarter at position #2!

Popular Digital Camera Accessories

I’ve not had an accessories list for a while but thought it made an interesting read with a real range of digital camera accessories being used by readers.

Popular Digital Photography Books

There are some great books on this list with a good range of topics being covered.

Read more from our Cameras and Equipment Category

Darren Rowse is the editor and founder of Digital Photography School. He lives in Melbourne Australia and is also the editor of the ProBlogger Blog Tips and TwiTip Twitter Tips blogs.

29 Responses to “Popular Digital Cameras and Gear”

Sarah Graham-Taylor Says:
April 17th, 2009 at 1:54 am

I just bought the Canon 5D Mark II DSLR. It’s a BRILLIANT camera (should be, for the price!) but one thing I find disappointing for an almost tope-of-the-range camera. Its’ shutter is really noisy: I thought it would be really quiet. Apart from that, I can’t fault it.
Tom Says:
April 17th, 2009 at 11:10 am

I can’t beleive it.
Just bought an A590IS and it’s #1 on the list.
Have been researching and decided to get the XSi, again the #1 spot.
It has the all features I like, want and need.
svenneballe Says:
April 21st, 2009 at 3:48 pm

canon all over i tink yo ar paid by canon? it stinks
Darren Rowse Says:
April 21st, 2009 at 4:49 pm

scenneballe - I wish we were paid by Canon! We’d love to land them as an advertiser on our site - however if we did we’d disclose the relationship.

No - the above lists are what our readers are buying when they visit Amazon. Our readers have always used Canon and Nikon cameras more than any other - in the DSLR range it’s usually fairly evenly split - in the point and shoot range Canon usually comes out on top in all of our surveys. Whether this is reflective on the wider market I’m not sure - but this is a fairly typical result for our surveys of readers.
Rex Says:
April 23rd, 2009 at 6:07 am

I just bought a Canon XSI and I love it, I can understand why it is so popular among the readers here. I grew up using a Canon TX (fully manual), then used P/S digitals for the last 10 years or so. Now I am back into creating images and have found this site to help me re-learn photography. XSI is a great entry level DSLR with enough features to keep me busy for years. To shoot great photos, like the ones here, you have to get control over the camera. Thanks Darren.
Keith Says:
April 24th, 2009 at 4:02 am

Up until approx. 8 months ago, my primary camera was a 35mm slr (Canon EOS Elan 7) and I just love that camera. In order to travel with fewer bags (including camcorder gear), I purchased a Canon PowerShot G9 last year. It’s my 1st digital camera and I’m extremely happy with it. I was originally looking for something to fit in my shirt pocket, but when I saw the features, including a hot shoe not to mention the solid construction, I was sold on the G9. For my particular interests, I still prefer the G9 over the G10 because the difference in wide angle is not that important to me, whereas the big difference in telephoto is. I have most all of the versatility of a DSLR in a compact package. The results are very impressive and the ability to work with RAW is very handy and enjoyable. The 12 megapixel ability gives me a lot of latitude for cropping and enlarging and still keep the noise down. I usually shoot ISO 100 or 200 and with image stabilization, it’s never a problem. The reviews usually say anything on the G9 above ISO 800 are very grainy. Again, I am speaking from my needs. The ability to use an external flash is so very handy and guess what, the video is pretty nifty too, even though that is not one of the reasons I purchased the camera. No, it’s not as fast as a DSLR but when I look at my particular needs I have seldom used rapid fire except out of curiosity on my 35mm slr. I considered my needs and desires before I purchased a small camera I could put in my jacket or pants pocket. As a result, the decision was the Canon PowerShot G9 and I am extremely happy I made that choice.
John McCosh Says:
April 26th, 2009 at 8:03 am

Putting the Canon v Nikon war aside. It’s interesting to note that the top 10 places in the Popular Digital SLRS category for both Canon and Nikon are price driven going from cheapest to dearest in almost perfect order apart from a few glitches.

My personal choice was the Nikon D90 that I have had for 6 months now, buying it as soon as it went on sale. I can’t fault it with great picture quality and great control over all settings. I normally shoot at ISO100 in my studio and get crisp high quality images that even when viewed at 400% are sharp.

Happy shooting everyone, no matter what camera you use.

Regards
John
Diamond Says:
April 29th, 2009 at 10:09 am

Well, it feels great to know that my recent purchase (just arrived today!), the Nikon D40, is the #2 choice! I agree, what difference does it make, as long as you’re happy with the results? Both Canon and Nikon are on top, and that should make us all feel good!
Richard Says:
May 1st, 2009 at 11:26 am

Interesting article & comments. I currently own four Canon models, the Rebel XT, 30D, 40D & the 5D Mark II, and although there are clear technical improvements in each of the models over the prior version (or line) in terms of features, ergonomics and processor capability, what is becoming increasingly clear to me is that in terms of the real bottom line - image quality - the differences are marginal. Increased pixel density and/or full frame sensors certainly help in terms of detail if you want to heavily crop your image, but most of the time I don’t. The downsides are ever increasing file sizes and the need for ever heavier noise suppression algorithims at higher ISOs that tend to degrade sharpness. But, in truth, for 95% of the photographs I take, I would get just as satisfactory an image from my aging XT as my brand new 5D II.

Thus I am beginning to get a little jaded over the relentless upgrade cycle that seems employed more to get us to part with money on a regular yearly basis than, at this stage, give us startlingly improved images.
Skip Says:
May 4th, 2009 at 8:40 pm

Wow - No D300 - Hell even the D200 was one of the most popular Digital cameras sold?

So looking at what is popular DLSR camera’s, I’m going to guess that a lot of this has to do with the fact that many folks here are just getting into digital photography. Once you have got the “Bug” - go out and make yourself VERY happy, and buy a D300 … you’ll wonder how you have been doing this what out one.

Now I’m not a Nikon rep or anything like that. I own a Olympus C8080 that (in my opinion) is the finest PAS camera ever made:) - but boy do I love my D300.

Skip
ricardo Says:
May 7th, 2009 at 3:23 am

Before I bought my entry level dslr Canon 450D last April 2009, I had to wait for 2 weeks because resellers/authorized distributors in the Philippines, particularly in Quiapo, Manila where most local pros and enthusiasts troop for the best bargain, ran out of stock of the said unit. They were offering EOS1000D and D90; but I wanted a 450D/XSI so I waited. Even my classmates in Camera Club of the Philippines have 450D when we took basic photography course in December 2008 ( I was then using a Samsung L100 P&S).
wotnoshoeseh Says:
May 16th, 2009 at 10:48 pm

I bought an Olympus E410 recently. It was a replacement for a compact digital camera, and I did not go in with the intent of buying a DSLR. I got it for $280 as a clearance item in Wolf Camera.
Overall I’m pretty happy with it and I added the next lense up 40-150 mm. zoom for $80, again at a (different) Wolf Camera outlet. Seems to me as it Wolf are getting out of the Olympus business….
I think I got a good deal but I now need to learn loads of stuff as to how to use this camera.
I was sent the link to this website and I’m looking to expand my knowledge and hopefully capture some good shots with my new camera.
Brian Fry Says:
May 27th, 2009 at 8:14 am

Last fall we put 10 590is’s in our photo class. What a camera! Price is very right and it gives me the option of having my students make manual adjustments instead of just clicking away. I would have to say that each of our cameras have well in excess of 3000 clicks this year (yes, I fully hold to the philosophy of “it takes a lot of pictures to get good pictures”). The battery doors are starting to show a little wear from the often changed out batteries but that is the only issue we have encountered. Great little camera at a great price. We will probably add another 5 or so this summer.

I just bought for myself the XSi. I was holding out for a good used 40d or 50d (dreaming of the Mk 5) and decided that enough was enough and pulled the trigger. Looks like I scored right on both cameras. We are a Canon school and proud of it.
Lawrence Viles Says:
June 6th, 2009 at 2:32 am

I’ve been taking pictures for a long time. Now with the digital age, seem to be having problems with focusing. Tried the auto focus but not happy when I enlarge pic’s to 8×10. Also went to the manual type focus, and again, doesnt seem to be right on. I thought maybe it just might be my camera, but I take many pics of the same thing, just to get “that one” shot that looks the best. And yes, I know of the adjustment on my camera for my vision deficit. Any help would do….. because Im tried of throwing out (potentially) good shots, because there not totally in focus. Thank you.
Skip Says:
June 6th, 2009 at 6:59 am

Hi. Well from what I’ve been told, and see as true for a lot of my pictures is, they MUST be sharpened in PS or a like program.

As long as my photo’s are of landscapes I’m ok, but as soon as there is anything in the photo that can be seen that clear, I have to sharpen it, for the best results.

Skip
Troy Schulz Says:
June 10th, 2009 at 12:06 am

I have always used Olympus cameras and have been very pleased with the awesome picture color and clarity, even from my prosumer C-740 UltraZoom. This camera takes the most unbelievable super ms to photos!

I wanted to add more professional photography to my existing business services so got a Rebel XSi on the recommendation of a photographer friend of mine. I have never been happier. I wanted good piture quality and more control and I got both. Now I know why it’s so popular.
Ian Agrimis Says:
June 15th, 2009 at 2:21 am

I bought an XSi in January and it is a fantastic camera. I love all of the features and it produces stunning images. Unfortunately there has been this odd occurrence happening where there is this line in all of my pictures and I can not figure out how to make it go away, I’ve cleaned my lenses, filters, and the line still shows up in my shots on the computer. Does anyone know what this might be, or what I could do to make it go away?
pbdweeeebie Says:
June 19th, 2009 at 1:24 am

I shoot on Nikon………………and I believe that I still fall far short of what my equipment is capable of. It would be no different if I used Canon, Olympus, Sony, Minolta, Pentax, Samsung or any other make.

Pick one, learn about how best to use it. Use it.

Its how well you know how to get the very best out of your camera that shows in the results.
doc loy Says:
June 19th, 2009 at 3:45 am

I have them both the cannon 450D and Nikon D40, they are so handy and take great shots.
Brandon Cage Says:
June 19th, 2009 at 5:18 am

I just purchased a Nikon D90 and the 18-200mm VR lens. Magnificent combination…enough said.
jeff Says:
June 19th, 2009 at 5:52 am

doesnt anyone here use a fujifilm s1000fd? its my first “real camera” and im impressed with it.
Manas Behera Says:
June 19th, 2009 at 6:14 pm

Hi Darren, I am a regular visitor to your site. Its a great website for me to learn the basics, as I am planning to buy a DSLR. Currently I am having a Canon Ixus 860IS. Though the reviews are good for this camera, I am entirely not satisfied with it. It gives poor results, I am completely pissed off with this camera. It doesn’t have anything I can really control to take better photos. It doesn’t have many scene modes.

Whatever, I am going to throw this camera. I am bit confused whether to go for a highend compact P&S (like Panasonic Lumix FZ28) or go for Canon EOS 450D. Again, I need HD video capabilities in my next camera. But DSLR having HD Video costs pretty higher. I am new to photography and eager to learn it and have a passion to own a DSLR.

Please advice.
Photojoe Says:
June 20th, 2009 at 11:52 am

I own the Sigma 70-300mm lens with macro. I enjoy this lens in every situation. Ex. I have a bird feeder on my front lawn and can shoot pictures of the various birds at close range and crop them down and the bird is still crystal clear. I have a sony alpha 100 and use this lens all the time. Tomorrow I am going to An Air Force base Open House to shoot the various static display planes and the many in the air. Can’t wait.
Photojoe
Richard Says:
June 22nd, 2009 at 6:59 am

I know this is going to be a kind of “wet blanket” remark but I think it bears saying and repeating… IT’S NOT THE CAMERA… IT’S THE PHOTOGRAPHER!

ANY of the dozens of affordable cameras and lenses available today will take excellent SNAPSHOTS. Just set ‘em on “auto” and shoot. With “shake reduction” the shooter doesn’t even need to hold the camera steady.

But SNAPSHOTS are not photography in my book, any more than the 90% of the “music” groups clogging up the airwaves these days are musicians.

In the hands of a trained, skilled, talented photographer ANY CAMERA will produce WONDERFUL pictures.
Mark Says:
June 25th, 2009 at 4:35 pm

I bought a Canon 20D when they came out, and I still have it and it is still my only camera. I added a Sigma 18-200mm(the lens that lives on my camera) and a Sigma 105mm Macro to my old Canon EOS 70-300mm and I am perfectly happy. When this camera goes wrong, or there is a truly quantum leap in digital slrs I will buy a new model - until then I can concentrate on getting the best pictures possible out of my camera. And after several years, I am still learning and getting better.

Happy snaps!
Skip Says:
June 25th, 2009 at 8:54 pm

Might you have a list of most popular digital SLR cameras to date, or over the last 12 months or something?

This would show a different trend, and also give some folks other cameras to ask about, seeing many folks would have had the camera long enough to really comment on it, with some great feedback.

This would be great for those folks who haven’t purchased a camera, but want a place to ask folks who have certain cameras - what they think about camera (X) since they’ve owned it.

Skip

D300
D200
Yashica
Jerry Says:
June 28th, 2009 at 2:05 am

Good discussions one in all. After 15 years of P&S dumb down picture taking I got into the DSLR scene in Dec ‘08 with a Nikon D300. After an exhausting search and comparison of Canon and Nikon, my decision came down to the fact that both are excellent choices, but the driving factor was I did not already own any accessories from one manufacture or the other. I do believe if you’re going to invest the money in a DSLR you better look at the accessories you will be able to get for the brand of camera you buy, and both Nikon and Canon are great cameras.

One important accessory I have NOT seen discussed is TRIPODS. Picking a suitable, practical and affordable tripod is the difference sometimes between a good picture and a GREAT picture.

Since I am such a newbie I’m looking for a good discussion thread on tripods and tripod heads, what are some people’s favorites and why?

Any help on this one?
Patrick Says:
July 3rd, 2009 at 11:58 am

We have recently bought a Canon EOS 1000D - not as fully featured as some of the cameras on this article, however for the beginner photographer it’s a great SLR camera. You can see some of the shots taken with this camera on OurPhotos.
Patrick Says:
July 5th, 2009 at 8:24 pm

Sorry the link above should be this.