The Most Popular Digital Camera Among our Readers Is…..
Yesterday we revealed some of the results of a recent reader ‘census’ looking at the cameras that they use as their primary camera. We shared that 94% of our readers use a DSLR camera as their primary camera that Canon is the most popular brand of DSLR (46% vs 40% for Nikon), that Canon dominate the point and shoot market also (just over 50%) and that Panasonic are #1 in the Micro Four Thirds market (just uner 70%).
Today we’re going to look at specific camera models in the three different classes of cameras and reveal which camera is most popular with our readers.
Popular DSLRs
Lets start with the DSLRs (as 94% of our readers use them as their primary camera).
As mentioned yesterday – over 11% of our DSLR using readers use 1 single model of DSLR. While we had more users mention Canon DSLRs than Nikons the #1 camera used by our readers is a Nikon – the Nikon D90 (with it making up 11.1% of the total DSLRs mentioned).
Canon EOS 450D/Xsi came in 2nd with 8.1% of responses, followed by the Nikon D300 (5.9%) and the Canon EOS 5D Mk II and Canon EOS 7D (both on 5.4%).
What I found interesting in these results was that we had a good spread of cameras mentioned in terms of price. The Canon 450D retails for around $719 with the Nikon D70 at $746 and then there was a real jump up to the rest of the top 5 with the Nikon D300 coming in at $1512, the Canon EOS 7D retailing for $1557 and the Canon 5D Mark II a more serious camera at $2399 (all prices (body only).
You can see from the list below just how much Nikon and Canon dominate the list – the first DSLR that was not one of these was the Pentax K-20D which came in at #19.
The rest of the list is a real mixture of cameras with some quite old models still being used, plenty of very entry level cameras and even a few high end Pro cameras making the list of the top 38 (I only included cameras that had at least 8 mentions as otherwise the list would have been a lot longer).
Here’s the breakdown of the top 38:

Popular Point and Shoot Cameras
As mentioned yesterday – the number of people mentioning point and shoot cameras as their primary cameras were low (6%). As a result I hesitate to create a list as the sample size probably is not big enough. The other factor at play in this section is that most cameras mentioned only had 1 mention and there are only a handful had multiple mentions. So take this with a grain of salt until we can run a survey that focuses upon point and shoots and includes secondary cameras.
Only 6 cameras were mentioned 4 times or more so I’ll just list those at this point (numbers in brackets signify how readers have each model):
- Canon Powershot SX20IS (7)
- Canon Powershot S3IS (6)
- Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 (5)
- Canon Powershot SX10IS (5)
- Canon Powershot S90 (4)
- Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ50 (4)
All except one of these are larger cameras (the S90 is really the only compact). Many many other models were mentioned and between them I’d estimate half were compact and the other half were super zooms or larger point and shoots.
Popular Micro Four Thirds Cameras
This class of camera is new and only made up less than 1% of cameras mentioned. But out of interest I’ll list the three cameras mentioned:
Interestingly the Panasonic GF1 had more mentions than any of the point and shoots and would have made the bottom of the list in the DSLR class.
Update: this post has been updated as originally we had the Canon EOS 400D in 2nd position AND 12th position. The 450D should have been in #2. This has been updated in the post above.




120 Responses to “The Most Popular Digital Camera Among our Readers Is…..” - Add Yours
June 11th, 2010 at 12:12 am
there’s 2 bars for Canon 400D/XTi – one 139, the other 54. Adds up to 193, being the #1 camera. So….
Typo? Haha.
June 11th, 2010 at 12:22 am
I assume one of the XTi entries is supposed to be an XSi, since that’s not listed at all, and I find it hard to believe that noone’s using that camera.
June 11th, 2010 at 12:25 am
I wondered the same thing. Are the XTi and the Xti really different cameras?
June 11th, 2010 at 12:34 am
What about the canon 450D/Xsi no one use this ? can’t believe it :s
June 11th, 2010 at 12:42 am
I am using a 450d.
June 11th, 2010 at 12:54 am
I think some thind is wrong with your graphic: The Canon 400D/XTi is twice. Iguess one of those is the 450D/XSi. Have a nice day!
June 11th, 2010 at 1:00 am
@foo
the second one (with 54 votes) is probably the XSi.
June 11th, 2010 at 1:01 am
There should be some kind of error, you have two 400D entries in the graph, and no mention of 450D.
June 11th, 2010 at 1:30 am
Mine is a Canon 450D – great camera – still have to find out how to use it well
June 11th, 2010 at 1:33 am
I use Olympus E620. I see that E520 and E510 made it to the list. Who did you ask the question? I can’t believe there is no one using the newest Oly E620 and also Oly E-30
June 11th, 2010 at 1:34 am
Awesome!! I bought the most popular – the Canon 400D/XTi (see foo’s post for the revised ranking) and the 4th most popular.
– baaaa baaaa baaaa (that’s my impersonation of a consumer sheep).
June 11th, 2010 at 1:41 am
I use the 450D rebel Xsi as well.
June 11th, 2010 at 1:50 am
the second one is not 400 D… it must be 450 D … hehehahaha …
June 11th, 2010 at 1:55 am
Hey Darren. Thanks for the article! Just a quick point…I know the world of marketing is dominated by the Nikon’s and Canon’s, but just for the record…the Pentax K20D is NOT an entry level camera…and the list actually mentions the K200D, not the K20D as mentioned in the narrative. The K20D was the Pentax flagship before the current crop. Also, the K200D is more the mid-road currently over the entry-level K2000.
Sorry! As a Pentax propagandist and almost 20+ year Pentax loyalist, I had to point that out.
June 11th, 2010 at 2:01 am
A key feature on “crossover” cameras should be a good optical or electronic viewfinder.
I am at a loss as to why many, even relatively expensive models do not have this.
Currently looking at Fujifilm HS10 which has the viewfinder and a couple of other features I need including RAW and a 3 shot burst mode for HDR shooting.
Anyone have any suggestions on other models to look at in the $300 to $600 range.
June 11th, 2010 at 2:02 am
I have had Nikon D50′s and I currently have a Sony A350 as well as a Nickon Coolpix P90. If I was to pick one of the three to grab and take with me somewhere it would be the P90 with its small size, light weight, superb optical zoom and excellent results I have had with it. I have a wedding coming up in the family out in California and was just dreading carting my big Sony outfit out there on a plane and back. Add in two lens, a flash, the flip bar, all the charger, batteries and other stuff with the Sony and you have a load to tote on and off a plane across the country and worry about being stolen to boot. Sure, the Sony is the only choice to have if the event was local but across the country I’m not toting this brick all around everywhere I go.
June 11th, 2010 at 2:04 am
Funny that the K20D is mentioned as an “entry level” camera.
But then again when you’re on the dark side, I guess that anything that’s not part of the Canikon “Evil Empire” would be considered of lesser importance…
Cheers,
G
June 11th, 2010 at 2:08 am
Interesting. I too looked at the Nikon D90 when purchasing my first DSLR but after intense research I decided on the Canon T2i. I’m familiar with Canon and like the feel especially whith the added battery pack.
But, as the it has been proven, you can’t go wrong with any top brand. You’d have to work pretty hard to buy a BAD camera. Besides, it’s all in the hands of the photographer, inmho.
Happy shooting!
June 11th, 2010 at 2:10 am
I was very much a Nikon guy back in the film days, owning an FM and a couple other Nikons for years. With the advent of digital I switched to Olympus and couldn’t be happier with the robust reliability of the Olympus product. I shoot outdoors almost exclusively, and the climate here frequently sees winter temperatures in the minus 20 to minus 40 Celsius range or colder. Despite taking my camera on Winter camps in snow-shelters, on long road trips in my pannier bags, on extended ski trips and snowshoe trips in the back country, I have never experienced a failure with any of my Olympus gear, the same could not be said for my Nikons.
There are many good cameras out there, and each has its strength. Canon and Nikon certainly get the majority of the press coverage, and for good reason; they both make excellent cameras. But let’s not discount products by Olympus, Pentax, Ricoh and others. Mono-cultures are never healthy, and the results of your survey are a little scary because they suggest that this is exactly what we’re headed for. Choice is usually a good thing. It creates a richer more interesting landscape, and until you step off the freeway, you might not know what you’re missing.
June 11th, 2010 at 2:11 am
Hi
I read your article “DSLRS used by our readers” with interest but I would like to point out an error as the Canon 400D/XTi is listed twice. It is listed as Canon 400D/XTi at 2nd place with 139 users and again in 12th place as Canon 400D/Xti with 54 users. Any it was an interesting article. Keep up the good work.
Regards
Paul
June 11th, 2010 at 2:17 am
It’s kinda surprising that the D3X shows up, but the D3 and D3s are nowhere to be found (except ‘other’). I suppose the Canon G9/10/11 might be in ‘other’ as well.
June 11th, 2010 at 2:22 am
And you would be surprised that Pentax would be low on the list or touted as an entry level camera, why? Pentax cameras do not get the notoriety the realm of Canikon does because of the lowest amount of funds spent on advertising and marketing along with removing most of their Direct Retail outlets.
The K7 is an awesome camera that competes along with the K20D.
Come on Canikon fanboys, wake up and drink another brand of Kool-Aid. You should try out some of the Pentax glass, it is considered some of the best on the market!!!
Enjoy!
June 11th, 2010 at 2:22 am
Hi, .I am going to buy my first dslr camera .I think nikon d 90 is a good camera.But now i am confused with the lens 18-105mm .Many photographer says 18-105mm is not a good lens .Some says 18-200mm is good lens and some says you should take two lens 18-55mm and 70-300mm kindly suggest me which lens should i buy.I am new in photography so don’t know much about lens.
Thanks
Birinder
June 11th, 2010 at 2:24 am
I too was surprised the D3 and D3s are nowhere to be found on the list.
June 11th, 2010 at 2:27 am
As foo said, there are two bars for the Xti, so adding them up would make it the most used dSLR… I really think you should fix that.
June 11th, 2010 at 2:30 am
Hi Darren,
Can you clear up the Canon 400D/Xti issue? Or is it XTi? Maybe whatever software you did the analysis and graphing in separated the models because in one the “t” is upper case.
I also wondered if you put the D300s, (can you guess that’s what I shoot with?) in with the D300.
Don’t you just love explaining your survey results to everyone? I guess more than anything it shows we are a very detail oriented lot.
Keep up the good work, I read your stuff often and appreciate the work you are putting into this site. It greatly helps semi-advanced-amateurs like me.
June 11th, 2010 at 2:31 am
HEY!
There are 2 Canon 400D/XTi. One with 139 and another with 54. Maybe the one with 54 was the missind 450D ?
I can’t believe there are more D90s than 400D anyhow.
The top of this chart is wrong IMHO.
June 11th, 2010 at 2:31 am
HEY!
There are 2 Canon 400D/XTi. One with 139 and another with 54. Maybe the one with 54 was the missind 450D ?
I can’t believe there are more D90s than 400D anyhow.
The top of this chart is wrong IMHO.
Read more: http://digital-photography-school.com/the-most-popular-digital-camera-among-our-readers-is/comment-page-1#comment-116080#ixzz0qT75rhtc
June 11th, 2010 at 2:32 am
I tote the Sigma dp2 about day-to-day. Because I don’t want to lug a conspicuous brick as I move about. I would enjoy having control of DOF, but until the geniuses who manufacture these things understand that there is an entire market for a quality compact that has a DSLR size sensor and interchangeable lenses, and at the very least a LED with excellent res I will remain unsatisfied. The DSLR market will soon plateau. Then what? Another path is needed for people like me.
June 11th, 2010 at 2:32 am
Same thought…what about the 450d / XSI
June 11th, 2010 at 2:43 am
What a surprise. I use d90 also. It is a great camera, I am in love with it. But it is indeed a surprise d3 is not on the list.
June 11th, 2010 at 2:53 am
I am not surprised, Nikon really did right with the release of the D90 (and D80 before that) as it is the only serious sub-$1,000 camera in either the Nikon or Canon lineup, by that I mean has a top LCD, can remotely trigger a flash with no accessories, two control dials on the body, not entirely plastic body design, etc.
I wonder if there are really that many people with a D3x in the poll or just dreamers?
June 11th, 2010 at 2:58 am
lol — i’ll throw a … “wheres the bar for … fuji? ” — hehehehehehehehe =D
June 11th, 2010 at 3:02 am
Am I the only one using a nikon D70?
June 11th, 2010 at 3:12 am
I was pleased to see that the 40D and 7D both made the top ten. I’d also like to point out that the K20D is not an entry-level camera. It is a prosumer DSLR with the K200D being entry-level.
June 11th, 2010 at 3:13 am
I also use a Canon 450D and so do most of our camera group of 20 amateur photographers. Quite a disappointing result to an interesting survey; please let us have some feedback on where the 459D was placed.
June 11th, 2010 at 3:37 am
Fotomaniac: “I use Olympus E620. I see that E520 and E510 made it to the list. Who did you ask the question? I can’t believe there is no one using the newest Oly E620 and also Oly E-30″
____________
Don’t worry, there is at least one of us using the new Olympus E30. I purchased mine 1.5 years ago and love it. I chose it over the Nikon and Canon series at the time because of the reticulating LCD. That was a “must have” feature for me with the type of close up nature work I do and the back neck/back that I have.
Good article!
Bill
June 11th, 2010 at 3:43 am
The Nikon D90 is a fantastic camera, but I found myself on the Canon path long ago. Occasionally someone I know will ask me for a DSLR recommendation, and it seems like a long time I’ve been suggesting many look at the D90. (though of course it is never just a simple answer and now people avoid asking because I ask them too many questions
June 11th, 2010 at 3:47 am
Oops, my post should have read 450D and not 459D in case anyone out there is thinking that there is a new one on the market! It was an honest typo……
June 11th, 2010 at 3:51 am
This Canon/Nikon issue needs to be addressed if you want people to take your efforts seriously. – d
June 11th, 2010 at 4:01 am
Having read the great debate on Nikon vs Canon for a while now, and how popular the DSLR is, I am sticking to the Nikon Coolpix P series. Weight is very much an issue with me. Right now I still use my P80 and won’t upgrade for another few releases (we’re now at P100). I see some absolutely fantastic photos up on photo contests taken with the P80, P90 and P100. Just finished taking a course, and I am sure my picture taking will continue to improve! It’s fun to follow the debate, though
June 11th, 2010 at 4:12 am
Can’t believe EOS 450D is absent in the popular list. On some other surveys; it stands at # 1 position. Wanna c 4 urself ? Just go to flickr, the largest photo sharing and find out.
June 11th, 2010 at 4:31 am
I sure wasn’t asked what camera I used? Who was polled?
June 11th, 2010 at 4:35 am
Well, I’m just shocked that the Canon 5D isn’t anywhere on the list -
June 11th, 2010 at 4:48 am
Having shot with both, I much prefer the Nikon line. The glass is sharper and the usability of the camera (D300), is more in line with the way my mind works. As someone mentioned, you really can’t go wrong with a major brand.
June 11th, 2010 at 6:01 am
Looks like the trusty 10D has fallen off the chart 8::(
June 11th, 2010 at 6:08 am
The above result to my guess in only based on how many ppl voted for what Cam they have.
So, even with D90 on the top doesn’t mean most users own it, it just means most users owning D90 decided or got chance to vote….
Don’t worry…. Canon is still on the top!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
June 11th, 2010 at 6:44 am
Another 450D/KissX2 user who can’t understand why it doesn’t figure.
June 11th, 2010 at 7:31 am
Hi Darren, interesting article, but your typos made me uncomfortable. That makes the confusion surrounding the two references to Canon 400D/XTi in the survey chart quite understandable.
PLEASE proof or at least have someone read your articles!
Jan
June 11th, 2010 at 7:56 am
Why are there two sites for Canon 400D ? Why arn’t the added together which would make it the winner.
June 11th, 2010 at 7:57 am
I own a Canon Powershot Is10. I cannot be bothered with the bulk of a DSLR. I have owned film SLRs for 40 years as well as Leica rangefinder equipment. I have a 20 to 1 zoom on the Canon and about 10 MP. I realize the sensor is much smaller than DSLRs, but these eyes cannot discern the difference. I think I will go to the 4/3 camera as I an nostalgic for my Leica.
June 11th, 2010 at 8:54 am
What an interesting list.
I’m still thinking about whether the D90 was a good upgrade on the D40 for me, except the higher resolution and the focussing motor were and still are the main reasons why I added a D90. Meanwhile my wife bought the Lumix TZ7 and that would have been a a quick favourite with me had it not been so hard to master the manual controls (cf Canon Powershot S5IS). Personally I still like the Program mode of the D40 (the D90 works differently, steadfastly hanging onto ISO rather than offering you a mix of aperture and shutter settings and adjusting ISO to suit. For that it seems you have to use manual set both yourself and then make sure the ISO mode is selected as auto – what is that for convenience?)
Its not the photographer ,its the camera, I find the D90 likes to get in the way of taking pictures the D40 does not, neither does/did my Canon S5IS and that’s the rub for us all.
The D90 is not good in auto the D40 is, and frankly I drive my auto car in auto only occasionally setting power mode or specific gear, I do use aperture control a lot but also like to choose a shutter speed and the D40 program gave you great options for that. The only thing is 6 mpegs does not give you a lot of resolution when forced to crop in closer and the Canon on a bright day with 8 out shot the D40, had inbuilt zoom range without lens change and hence…
I am of the opinion that the D90 might be my last large camera….I was a Pen half frame tragic then used my Instamatics (mostly an Agfa) over an OM1 for convenience….Hell a D90 with 2 spare lenses (ultra wide and zoom to 200 mm) is quite a carry!
Perhaps the most significant thing to notice is that the Canon 55oD is already on the list and that would have been my choice had I not had so many (6) Nikon mount lenses!
June 11th, 2010 at 9:12 am
also, Nikon d90
June 11th, 2010 at 9:23 am
I’ve updated the graphic #12 was the XSi not the Xti – apologies.
June 11th, 2010 at 9:26 am
Another 450d here . Not bothered by the double 400d just wondering what was the poll criteria. I mean who got to vote
June 11th, 2010 at 9:29 am
Darren, you live in Australia, as I do, in fact not far from you. Where those prices come from? Are they in USD or AUD?
Thanks
John
June 11th, 2010 at 9:36 am
I am pretty surprised as well.
Pentax K20D is named entry level. Simply the features and possibilities included in this (now pretty old) camera are unknown for Darren. With full respect: more cameras on the market and more diversity is better for us. But then You should be more careful in opinions.
If we want this page to have some “a little” bit pro level to keep, we should not agree for such “passus” to happen.
June 11th, 2010 at 10:06 am
Love love love love my camera. I’d like to say that I’ve taken it to amazing places but the truth is that it’s taken me to amazing places.
June 11th, 2010 at 10:08 am
List of prefe
Isn’t it wrong or unfair or weird to compare both U.S. and non-US names/numbers? Are not the Canon hundred series basically the same as the U.S. versions with smaller numbers? It would seem that several of those on the list are duplicates The truly same cameras should be combined.
June 11th, 2010 at 10:17 am
I have a Pentax K2000…It’s a entry level DSLR but it is great for what I want. I’m an amateur and this does the job well.
June 11th, 2010 at 10:22 am
Nikon placed lower because most of their users were busy taking photos and didn’t want to stop to take the survey, or we spent to much and now we have to work all the overtime we can get.
June 11th, 2010 at 10:27 am
I have just sighed up and bring E300 & E30 with me
June 11th, 2010 at 10:48 am
Are there fewer D70 users because it’s an older model camera? What camera are D70 users moving on/up to?
June 11th, 2010 at 11:44 am
I always tell people who want advice over which brand of SLR to buy that it really makes no difference as to quality which one they use, try them out and choose your camera based on look and feel, and to look instead at other things besides the camera itself. Canon and Nikon have more lenses and other accessories available, and Olympus, Pentax and Sony also have good ranges, outside of that the quality is still as good as any other brand but you’re perhaps running a risk of picking a manufacturer who might go out of business or withdraw from the camera market.
What would be interesting to know is despite the similarities in performance whether different brands appeal to photographers of a different style or personality. Is there, for instance a stereotypical Nikon user?
I for my part have only ever been an Olympus man, my first camera was an OM-1 Whenever I meet a fellow Olympus user we share a certain sense of camaraderie as though we are part of a select group. I can’t say why I like them, it’s just all about look and feel to me.
June 11th, 2010 at 12:35 pm
I agree with you Will Mca. When i first bought my DSLR, i wanted cannon because in Singapore, cannon is the dominant brand. Most of the semipro at least seemed tob e using cannon.
But when i tried playing around with them, i found nikon to be more comforting to my hands.
This could partially be due to the fact that my dad uses the old nikon and i’ve played around with them a bit.
So I’m still using nikon years after my first DSLR….try them 1st
June 11th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
i sell my d90 becouse of EER always appear in my unit, it couse me delayed of shooting
June 11th, 2010 at 3:25 pm
As some people have already mentioned K20D is not an entry level cam. In any other source I would stop reading at that point giving a big doubt to the rest of the article. Not here. I much appreciate your efforts here, thanks a lot.
I just had to add my cent
June 11th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
I raised my eyebrows too…. While I’m somewhat surprised (in a positive way) that a Pentax is the first non-”Canikon” camera on the list, I ask myself if you really mean the K20D or the K200D.
The K20D is clearly a semi-pro body with it’s sealed body and its feature list.
And so is the actual K-7 (even if the K-7 is smaller in size, which is just the actual pentax-style).
Entry level Pentax cams are the K-m (K2000D in US, as far as I know, but not in production any more) and the K-x (the successor… with quite good high iso capabilties for its class!). Mid-range cams were the K100D and the K200D (not in production anymore, a successor is still missing).
June 11th, 2010 at 3:43 pm
I had a Pentax MX for many years. Finally decided to buy a DSLR. I had great difficulty with stores trying to sell me a Canon or Nikon. I wanted to see a Pentax K7 but most didn’t have it in the showroom and would not get one for me to see unless I bought it up front. I wanted to hold it and see it first and see if it was good….I’m not that stupid. I eventually went to a large store in NYC and was able to hold and operate the K7, which I then bought, and it is a superb camera. My point…..camera sellers, and a lot of reviewers, not photographers, believe all the advertising hype put out by the big two. Yes, their products are good, but not better than others. For me, the feel of the K7 is much superior to the 7D and D300s, both of which are direct competitors to the K7, and both of which I did try out. The only way to make a choice is to go out and try the product and ignore the salesmen who try and convince you that a D5000 or Ti2 is better than a semi-pro camera like the K7.
June 11th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
Darren, this is brilliant!
Your little slip has exposed the fanaticism of certain Canon users here.
There had to be a mistake! A non-Canon camera in 1st and 3rd places. But wait….
Oh yes! The Canon XCSI Rebel 450D MkII is mentioned twice! 139+54=193! WE WIN! Yeah!!
Oh….
…never mind
(P.S. I am sure the same would have happened with Nikon fanboys too)
June 11th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
LOL. C’mon I already acknowledged that it’s a typo. An interesting one coz the famous 450D was missing.
June 11th, 2010 at 5:34 pm
well sounds about right. though i didnt think nikon would win over canon! hmmm…
June 11th, 2010 at 5:42 pm
I have used Nikon DSLR since my fist analog camera, and I had digital camera D70s for 5 years.
Since then I dreamed about an upgrading, so I started to save for it.
When the d700 Full Frame showed up I knew it would be my next camera, and for 3 weeks ago I could buy it.
If you feel like me, then have pasion and save money to let your dream come through.
The Nikon d700 is a wonderfull camera and it gives you a lot for the money.
Nikon left the pixel race with this camera and fokused insted on the picture quality, and it really proves that picture quality isn’t just question of how many megapixels.
June 11th, 2010 at 6:22 pm
I always thought that the D90 was a great camera. So much so I own two of them….. GO NIKON D90
June 11th, 2010 at 9:37 pm
brinder, above asked about the quality of the 18-105 lense for the D-90… I bought my D90 with that lens and can’t complain. I later bought a 70-300 sigma and recently an f/1.8 50mm Nikon.
My photographs have the lens used in their description. After my initial learning curve, I’ll be going with the fastest glass I can afford from here on in.
Happy shooting!
June 11th, 2010 at 9:53 pm
How abt canon 550 n nikon D90
wch one btr , m really stucked with both,
going to buy one of thm
could anyone help me out !!!
June 11th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
I have to agree with the Pentax prophets. Not quite sure where the remark” The Pentax K20D is an entry level DSLR” comes from. I recently purchased mine and and I am surprised daily by more and more capabilities of this brilliant model.
Get it, try it, you’ll love it
June 11th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
Im a d90 owner and im not surprised at all with the result d90 is really an amazing camera for me.
Go Nikonians!
June 12th, 2010 at 12:05 am
I think this is somewhat biased. I own a Canon 40D and love it. Would it be the most popular with myself? I don’t know because I can’t run out and purchase the “latest and greatest” everytime one comes out. Some of the newer models are only a year or two old. Just a thought.
June 12th, 2010 at 1:09 am
One wonders how large an impact marketing and media hype have on camera choice. I taught an introductory photography course this past year at our local college. We had a number of Canon G10s and a D90 as lab cameras, along with whatever students owned. Having heard so much about the D90, I was anxious to try it out myself, and for the first few weeks I carried it on all of our field walks. My evaluation of the camera closely matches the comments made by david; in many ways, it seemed to get in the way of taking pictures. By the end of the first month of classes, I found myself back to carrying my old E-330 and leaving the D90 behind.
While the D90 had some excellent strengths such as very good focus ability in low light, something my E-330 certainly does not have, it seemed more like a Christmas Tree than a camera. It’s complexity seemed to create a barrier of sorts that often interfered with, rather than facilitated, the picture taking process. Moreover, there was visible vignetting from the kit lens. The E-330, which is a much older and arguably less capable camera, was non-the-less a more comfortable choice for outdoor daylight photography.
In contrast with the D90, I was thoroughly impressed with the Canon G10s. There was very little to dislike about those cameras at all. The construction quality, control layout, and IQ were all thoroughly impressive for such a small package, but I think the thing that impressed me the most was the detail one could capture with such a small sensor. The G10 photos taken in good light easily matched anything produced by any other camera we looked at. The lens and sensor are obviously well matched and the fact that the camera can be carried in a large pocket is really just a bonus.
Ultimately, I would have to agree with others who have said that you really need to handle a camera before you can make an informed decision on what to purchase, and what feels comfortable for one person may not appeal to another, despite what the advertisers may want us to believe. Ideally, when it comes to expensive dSLRs, I’d go further and say, take one for a test drive first if at all possible.
June 12th, 2010 at 1:50 am
I dont remember voting
I have a Canon 7D and I still use my Canon XSi.
Want to know something a buddy and me observed during the 2010 Winter Olympics here in Vancouver? There were EASILY 5 Nikon (dslrs) to every 1 canon (dslr). Be it with professionals, spectators, locals or tourists – Nikon had my Canon love beat
June 12th, 2010 at 8:00 am
I have a freind and he says the best Camera to have in your hands…. any, beats the people thinking they wish they had braught one!
June 12th, 2010 at 8:56 am
The K20D is an entry-level camera? Darren, Darren, Darren … that doesn’t do your credibility any good
June 12th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
Stuart it’s not biased – it’s just a snapshot of what people are using
June 12th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
D90 rocks!
June 12th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
It would be interesting to see how this shapes up in 10 yrs time. What with the world economy the way it is, only a handful will be able to afford newer DSLR’s. I dare say, the D90 will still be at the top of the list. Us D90 users will definitely be satisfied for quite some time. The D90. The one Nikon did it right.
June 12th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
Am I alone in wanting only true colour from my camera?
This is a clear example of the media dictating purchasing decisions.
I will stick with my Sigma D14 thanks.
June 14th, 2010 at 5:01 am
This is cute, but is a very clear example of how self-selection in a survey leads to bias.
Someone mentioned in an earlier comment that the flickr camera finder link is a better cross section, and it is. That list not only includes a much larger sample but also is not self-selected; any file uploaded to flickr with EXIF data identifying camera model is included.
Looking at the Canon model link (I can’t find a link for all cameras of every model, I assume they don’t present it because it would be an enormous amount of data), and sorting by number of users (“avg. daily users”), we see the clear difference; the XSi is, as here, in the lead but the XTi is right behind it. The 5DMkII and 7D, two of Canon’s most expensive models, are next on the DPS list, while flickr reports that 5DMkII owners clock in at only 58% of total XSi owners — vs 66% here for both the 5DMkII and the 7D. At flickr the 7D represents only 32% of the XSi share. Relatively, DPS users are overrpresenting by double there.
Put in other terms, the XSi and XTi combined have over 10,000 users on flickr, on average, per day. You have to add the next four Canons together — The 40D, 5DMkII, XT, and T1i, to get close to that. Whereas, here the XTi ranks 7th among Canons, a huge difference. The 7D is 10th at flickr, by a wide margin, and third amongst Canons here. Telling.
Trying to look at the overall tally means scanning two sets of data, but lets do it. We can see Nikon’s model popularity too and sort it by number of users. If we crunch the numbers, it won’t look pretty (or be tasty) but here we go:
1. Canon XSi (4953)
2. Nikon D90 (4486)
3. Canon XTi (4481)
4. Nikon D80 (2987)
5. Canon 40D (2894)
6. Canon 5dMkII (2891)
7. Nikon D40 (2728)
8. Canon XT (2594)
9. Canon T1i (2479)
10. Nikon D60 (2470)
Without the numbers, because you can find them easily enough, a few stragglers:
11. Canon XS
12. Nikon D300
13. Canon 50D
14. Canon 5D
15. Nikon D700
16. Canon 7D
17. Nikon D3000
18. Nikon D200
19. Nikon D50
20. Canon 30D
That’s a good place to stop since other models have less than 1000 users per day.
By the way of further comparison, the top model of the other brands listed in DPS’s chart, as represented on flickr:
Sony A200 (651)
Pentax K10D (330)
Olympus E-510 (314)
I think it’s also interesting to note that adding the top two models for Canon and Nikon shows a pretty big discrepancy:
flickr:
Xti + XSi = 9434
D90 + D80 = 7473
(Nikon represents 79% of Canon usage)
DPS:
D90 + D300 = 291
XSi + 5DMkII = 232
(Nikon represents 125% of Canon usage)
This isn’t to be a Canon booster, or to “speak the truth”. The flickr data has its own problems, and the goal of this survey was to profile DPS users, after all, a different set. I don’t have a dog in this fight; I have a Canon DSLR, a Nikon P&S, and a Pentax SLR — and one of my favorite cameras to own was an old Kodak P&S. However, I wouldn’t expect the results to be so vastly different, especially in terms of placement of some models and that final calculation I showed. These differences go beyond simply different subsets, and I think show the effects of the self-selection of DPS’s survey respondents.
Generally, self-selection leads to more respondents that feel more strongly about the issues polled than a random selection. I think we’re seeing the clear effects of that here; people who really like their cameras are more likely to respond, and I think even more importantly there is an effect of more money spent leading to a higher likelihood of responding. This explains why the 5DMkII and 7D place so uncharacteristically highly while the XTi — the number three camera amongst flickr users — places 12th at DPS. The XTi is really a telling stat here, if you note that at flickr it has a statistically insignificant difference in number of users compared with the D90, while it’s reported to have nearly four times the number of users at DPS. Is it a surprise that fewer people are excited about owning an older model Canon than the flagship Nikon or incredibly powerful full-frame Canon?
In summary: yeah, all y’all are just cold braggin’ about your nice cameras. Maybe those with the underrepresented models are doing less talking about their gear and more actual shooting
June 14th, 2010 at 5:25 am
My camera is pentax k-x
June 14th, 2010 at 8:12 am
the important thing in this case is the photographer itself, no matter what brand did you used is how did used it properly…..not the camera…..happy shooting guys.
June 14th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
More D3X’s than D3′s wtf, that cant be right can it ?
June 14th, 2010 at 11:19 pm
Another good call on an odd data point, Chris; at flickr, D3 users outnumber D3X users by about 9 to 1. Again, it’s a newer, fancier model; of course more people will want to tell the world they have it than those using the last-gen body. This poll is really mainly useful as a survey of “DPS users who want to tell people what camera they own”.
June 15th, 2010 at 12:58 am
For a number of years, I have been involved in Ham Radio, particularly CW [ Morse Code ] and authored a popular website devoted to telegraph key collecting [ The KK4DW Telegraph Key Collection ]. You would be amazed at the comments various “would be” experts could make up praising the various over priced gadgets made to send code with. It became obvious that after spending hundreds of dollars on a “toy” which basically is nothing more than a fancy electrical switch, the owners could fabricate the most exotic reasons why this particular gadget let them send code so much better.
No matter what camera you use to take pictures with, it all boils down to your eye for a potential picture, some luck, and your ability to edit the result to produce the effect you wanted to achieve. It isn’t the appliance, it is the operator, folks. The more you spend doesn’t increase your chances one iota to become a better photographer anymore than spending 500 bucks for a darned telegraph key make out of gold and silver and palladium etc. makes you a whiz bang Morse code jockey. It is the hand, not the gadget that sends the code.
June 15th, 2010 at 4:18 am
why didn’t my fuji throw away camera make the list. wahhhh
June 15th, 2010 at 4:35 am
It would be interesting to see how this shapes up in 10 yrs time. What with the world economy the way it is, only a handful will be able to afford newer DSLR’s. I dare say, the D90 will still be at the top of the list. Us D90 users will definitely be satisfied for quite some time. The D90. The one Nikon did it right.
June 15th, 2010 at 11:04 am
i tried a canon 1000d and did not like the controls, its not user friendly i ended up with a Nikon d60.
June 15th, 2010 at 6:30 pm
Looking at the stats, there are a lot of pros/advanced users here
June 15th, 2010 at 11:11 pm
I love my D90… superb!
June 17th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
If I had the funds, I would buy a D700 or a D300.. But for now, I would settle with my buddy D60.
June 20th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
D90 RULES! Yes… I’m 2.
The Flickr counter isn’t better. D90 owners are so proud of their pics that we all have our own websites to show them off.;) Not everyone uses Flickr or this blog. This survey was just fine.
Seriously, if this were directed at pro photogs, the D90 wouldnt have been #1. If it were directed to people doing snapshots straight fron their purse, the D90 wouldn’t have been #1. It was what do the readers of this blog use. It’s interesting because we’re all reading the same material and use a wide array of cameras.
June 23rd, 2010 at 8:32 am
Is it possible to become professional with a non-DSLR camera?
June 23rd, 2010 at 11:23 pm
Nikon best of all
June 25th, 2010 at 3:10 am
When it comes to art, and photography is an art, the equipment you use may be the least important factor in the success of your product. Someone making bitumen prints with a homemade pinhole camera may have far more “professional” success than another person with the best gear money can buy. What you need is passion, talent and the ability to market your product. Without those ingredients, $100,000 worth of equipment is at best an overpriced excuse for snapshots and at worst conspicuous consumption. A fancy camera collection does not make an artist…
June 25th, 2010 at 3:42 am
@ yukonchris I hear you Chris, but sometimes you just need more megapixels lol!!! Right now I need that and higher ISO would greatly improve my indoor photography. Like you said though 90% of what makes a great shot is the photographer.
June 27th, 2010 at 11:44 am
I shoot with a $25 Holga plastic camera and have been published in magazines, galleries and best of all; sold a bunch of photography.
Do I care about the brand you use? no.
Can a Canon or Nikon Camera make you a better photographer? No
Remember: It is the violinist, not the violin.
June 28th, 2010 at 8:32 am
@ click and cook : how do I get to do what you did i,e, get published AND make money etc. ? I have the passion, thousands of lovely photos, and my non-DSLR camera is my third eye which means it goes everywhere with me!
July 2nd, 2010 at 5:27 am
I suspect that the Pentax K-x is greatly under-reported. With the Sony Exmor sensor inside, it produces better low ISO results than any other APS-C camera and I love the fact that I can use K-mount lenses back to when they were introduced back in the mid-70s.
July 2nd, 2010 at 9:25 am
After all is said and done…. and there’s been one heck of a lot “said”… may I remind everyone it’s the PHOTOGRAPHER’s TALENT & EXPERIENCE that counts, not the camera. Any of the top photographers with a $50 point & shoot will produce far more wonderful images than ANY of the top cameras in the hands of lesser beings.
As they say… it’s not what you look at… it’s what you SEE that’s important.
July 3rd, 2010 at 4:35 pm
Any camera is good in a skilled shooter’s hand.
July 27th, 2010 at 10:59 am
Hi, ihave a 400d canon and im happy with it but some photographer say it is only good for sprots .iam not a sports person . so should i buy nikon . for me price is a secondrey .
February 13th, 2011 at 8:14 pm
I am using olympus e 510, nikon d 70, samsung EX 1
February 14th, 2011 at 8:00 am
Well, I finally upgraded my E-330 just before Christmas, and although I was tempted by both the new Nikon D7000 and the Canon EOS 60D, I eventually settled on the year old Olympus E-30. So far, I haven’t regretted the decision. It is proving as robust and reliable as my E-330 was and the quality coming from it is as good as I could expect. Picking a slightly older model also allowed me to add in a new quality lens for about the price of a D7000 kit.
Frankly, I think there is too much emphasis placed on brand marketing and not enough placed on photographic technique and skill. What differences do exist in the tools should be seen as opportunities to differentiate your art from what others do.
February 14th, 2011 at 10:21 am
This is like arguing which religion is more popular than another. Christianity (33%) and Islam (21%) are represented by Canon and Nikon, respectively, followed by non-religious (16%), Hinduism (14%), and all the rest including Buddhism (6%) and, surprisingly, Judaism (0.22%). As far as I can tell, they all get the job done for those who believe and practise.
It’s my opinion that if you took a group of professional photographers and sent each of them out with any one of the top-of-the-line DSLR cameras equipped with a standard top-of-the-line lens, the quality of the results would depend almost always on the photographer’s TECHNIQUE & TALENT. (I’m not including specialty use such as high speed action shots in dim lighting, etc.) Give any one of the cameras in the list to a competent photographer and I would defy anyone to identify which image came from which camera/lens. As was once said, “It’s the poor carpenter that blames his tools.”
That said, I’m a proud Pentaxian with a collection of Pentax lenses dating back 30-40 years that work as well on today’s digital cameras as on yesterday’s film bodies. Would all other brands who can make that claim please stand up! Images from Pentax equipment are second to none and anyone who tells you differently is misinformed.
March 18th, 2011 at 7:54 am
Leica M9
June 10th, 2011 at 2:11 am
Canon 5D Mk II
July 3rd, 2011 at 10:38 pm
I have a canon XSI or 450D
i live in the USA
so i have the XSI
July 6th, 2011 at 2:59 pm
My camera is a. Pentax K20, which I love absolutely, I had Canon 450d before this, but K20 walks all over it, even the model is 3 years plus old, it takes extraordinary photos, with a SMC type lens,who needs video? Built in anti shake,more functions than you can poke a stick at, since buying the camera on eBay,(brand new)I won’t go back to Canon, ever.
August 19th, 2011 at 6:03 am
Nikon d3s
September 5th, 2011 at 10:52 pm
Yeah the thing about Pentax… no advertising budget. None. So it’s looked down upon by the pros. But the pros never try it.
I’ve shot Pentax since the 70′s. And yeah, have an olympus and a nikon. Neither can hold a candle to the K20D IMHO. Unless you’re talking about dust collectors. Many modern features found in todays cameras were invented by Pentax. And they still have some unique features not even thought of by their competition.
I have yet to see a comparison between any other camera vs pentax.
September 16th, 2011 at 4:12 am
My first camera is leica d lux 4
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