Sony had quite a head start, but even with Canon's R5, R6 and R3 releases over the past couple of years, it hasn't caught up to lead the full-frame mirrorless market. Sony issued a release this morning indicating that NPD, a research firm with solid methodologies based on proprietary retailer relationships, shows the E-mount vendor staying on top.

Sony was likely helped significantly with more product releases in the mid-tier product range, such as the new A7IV.

This may change soon, as rumors have it that Canon will finally refresh the low-end of its full-frame range – the part of the market that makes up the big numbers. Currently, Canon's low-end offerings are the RP and R cameras which sport rather old technology for the market.

SAN DIEGO, CA – February 16, 2022 – Sony Electronics Inc. – a worldwide leader in digital imaging– continues to lead the industry in bringing mirrorless technology to the world. Following a year of innovative product introductions such as the Alpha 1, Sony Electronics announced today that it was the number one mirrorless camera brand[ii] and full-frame mirrorless camera brand in 2021[iii].  This past year also marks the 8th consecutive year Sony has held the #1 position in full-frame mirrorless camerasi.  And lastly, Sony has announced it was the number one mirrorless lens brand in 2021[iv] as well.

The success of the lineup of full-frame cameras, including the Alpha 7S, Alpha 7R and Alpha 9 series, has been paramount to Sony’s strong sales numbers. These have been complemented by the popularity of the Alpha 7 III, which continued to be the No. 1 selling full-frame interchangeable lens camera line for the 4th year in a row[v]. For lenses, Sony’s full lineup of 65 different E-mount models highlighted by their flagship G Master™ series continues to drive industry growth.

Additionally, newer innovations such as the new Alpha 7 IV have started to set early sales records.  For the week of December 19-25, 2021, the Alpha 7 IV had the highest single-week sales of any mirrorless interchangeable lens camera line in the last four years[vi].

“We are always listening to our customers’ feedback, advancing our innovation and creating the best possible tools for all types of content creators,” said Yang Cheng, Vice President, Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics Inc. “Finding new ways to empower our community is our top priority and we are honored that so many continue to choose Sony to tell their stories and bring their creative visions to life.”

A variety of additional stories and exciting new content shot with Sony products can be found at www.alphauniverse.com, Sony’s community site to educate, inspire and showcase work from fans and customers of the Sony Alpha brand.

Some of our articles may include affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

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45 comments

  1. They don't mention if the figures are global or just the US. The sources mention "US" and one has "Canada"...
    Source: Sony Internal Research, U.S.
    Source: The NPD Group/Retail Tracking Service, U.S
    The NPD Group/Retail Tracking Service, Canada
    Source: The NPD Group/Weekly Retail Tracking Service, U.S

    I wouldn't like to say that Sony marketing is exaggerating but perhaps they are. Globally would be a different story!
  2. Canon could be 17th for all I care. Still using them. Folks take rankings so personal, not sure what it has to do with their images :unsure:

    Many corporations have this mindset that if they're losing marketshare (even if sales are growing because the market is expanding) they are failing.
  3. Many corporations have this mindset that if they're losing marketshare (even if sales are growing because the market is expanding) they are failing.
    I was tying the news to user/member opinions (based upon what I have seen here in the past with ego based reactions to marketshare rankings)
  4. Many corporations have this mindset that if they're losing marketshare (even if sales are growing because the market is expanding) they are failing.
    Given the fact that Canon started a decade later into the FF ML market, they fare quite well. Sony is a very strong competitor with the financial power of a company that is roughly 3.5 times bigger than Canon.

    I stick with Canon, simply because Canon gear is so rugged and reliable, and that's important for wildlife shooting. I can't say anything about Sony gear, but we have an extended Nikon/Sigma gear for wildlife, aside my Canon gear, and with those we needed much more service, for cameras (Nikon, prosumer level) and lenses (Nikon and Sigma, prosumer and pro lenses). With my Canon gear I only once needed a new thumb wheel for my original 7D during the past 15 years, which was exchanged on warranty. Even the original Canon batteries lose much less power in cold environments than Nikon's, we experienced several times.
  5. Canon could be 17th for all I care. Still using them. Folks take rankings so personal, not sure what it has to do with their images :unsure:
    Yes, people often take gear far too seriously and use cameras as weapons to belittle those who have made different choices. When visiting dpreview, one could be forgiven for thinking that most of the folk in the comments section are more interested in brand-warfare and mockery than in photography. I sometimes wonder how many of them actually take photographs...
  6. Yes, people often take gear far too seriously and use cameras as weapons to belittle those who have made different choices. When visiting dpreview, one could be forgiven for thinking that most of the folk in the comments section are more interested in brand-warfare and mockery than in photography. I sometimes wonder how many of them actually take photographs...
    Oh I get that, as primarily a Canon but also an alternative process film and Lensbaby shooter on the odd occasion I get belittled off and on for using 'silly toys'. Holga as well. Happens here too. Me? I can't just limit myself to a razor sharp little box of clinically perfect photography. So much fun to have out there.
    Mock away stuffed shirts!
  7. I've used professionally Canon since 2003, and for the first time I'm really considering switching to Sony, I really disagree with Canon glass prices and also we don't have third parties glasses options...I still using the, 28 1.8 bought in 2007, 16-35 2.8 LII bought in 2009, 70-200 2.8 L bought in 2011, and 24-70 2.8 LII bought in 2014, now Canon is dropping the EF and soon will not price maintenance for these glasses...and we will be f**
    That's a funny history considering someone who started to shoot with the Sony Mavica with floppy disk LOL
  8. I think having Canon keep #2 spot is actually a good thing, keeps senior management hungry and striving so we benefit as consumers. Canon was far too complacent when they were #1 where they would cripplehammer so much good gear to protect their higher priced lineups. The R3,5,6 show their true capabilities of turning out great products when they need to increase marketshare.
  9. One big difference could be the RF mount. For pro photographers it is maybe fine with the big and expensive lenses. But for most, the cost of these chunky lenses is to big. The Sony E mount wins here.
  10. Sony writes "In North America", not worldwide.

    Sony writes "Based on Dollars", not on unit sales.
    Being a little pedantic... "Dollars" come in many flavours eg USD, CAD, HKD, FJD, AUD, NZD, etc. Cherry picking data for a particular audience is exactly and only that.
    I thought that "North American market" also would include Mexico but perhaps I am incorrect.
    Some of the data figures don't reference Canadian numbers either.
    America is a big market but clearly not the only market for camera/lenses.
  11. A more positive stat, from Canon's 2021 financial documents:

    Global Interchangeable-lens camera unit sales: 5.4 million units.
    Canon global interchangeable-lens camera unit sales: 2.74 million units

    2.74/5.4 = 51% Canon worldwide ILC unit market share.
  12. Canon Camera rentals in India is practically dead in India. It is all Sony. I think people have a herd mentality. If Sony is popular, everyone wants Sony. Unfortunately...
  13. Given the fact that Canon started a decade later into the FF ML market, they fare quite well. Sony is a very strong competitor with the financial power of a company that is roughly 3.5 times bigger than Canon.

    I stick with Canon, simply because Canon gear is so rugged and reliable, and that's important for wildlife shooting. I can't say anything about Sony gear, but we have an extended Nikon/Sigma gear for wildlife, aside my Canon gear, and with those we needed much more service, for cameras (Nikon, prosumer level) and lenses (Nikon and Sigma, prosumer and pro lenses). With my Canon gear I only once needed a new thumb wheel for my original 7D during the past 15 years, which was exchanged on warranty. Even the original Canon batteries lose much less power in cold environments than Nikon's, we experienced several times.
    I absolutely agree they are doing quite well for being such recent entrants to that market.

    I stick with them because there's no compelling reason to switch. I don't care if my gear isn't quite the greatest any more. It's better gear than I am a photographer, to be honest; so I don't need even more. And in the case of S*ny, I've hated every product of theirs I've bought since the 1980s, so that's a compelling reason to NOT switch.
  14. I've used professionally Canon since 2003, and for the first time I'm really considering switching to Sony, I really disagree with Canon glass prices and also we don't have third parties glasses options...I still using the, 28 1.8 bought in 2007, 16-35 2.8 LII bought in 2009, 70-200 2.8 L bought in 2011, and 24-70 2.8 LII bought in 2014, now Canon is dropping the EF and soon will not price maintenance for these glasses...and we will be f**
    That's a funny history considering someone who started to shoot with the Sony Mavica with floppy disk LOL
    Your professional work is solely dependant on EF lenses? I have never needed maintenance on any of my Canon lenses. If you still use your lenses purchased in 2007 professionally you have gotten your money's worth and then some. Thats good reliability and longevity that you are not guranteed to get with any other brand. I shoot with Canon, Sony, Fuji, Pentax.....Not a one brand person. I use cameras and glass the same way I do musical instruments.
  15. One thing I dislike about internet "news" sites is that they seldom do any real reporting and simply reprint the handouts given to them by companies. I'm not saying Sony is being dishonest here but really, they should release the full report from the NPD Group. And sites that claim to be covering the camera industry should really demand that these reports be released before reporting them as news.
  16. One thing I dislike about internet "news" sites is that they seldom do any real reporting and simply reprint the handouts given to them by companies. I'm not saying Sony is being dishonest here but really, they should release the full report from the NPD Group. And sites that claim to be covering the camera industry should really demand that these reports be released before reporting them as news.
    but it has fed the fanboys and they will be quoting it (incorrectly) for a long time to come :)
    Just looking at the number of post on the DPR article mentioning "overheating" gives some idea of the army. Thankfully the same proportion doesn't seem to correlate with actual sales.
  17. I've used professionally Canon since 2003, and for the first time I'm really considering switching to Sony, I really disagree with Canon glass prices and also we don't have third parties glasses options...I still using the, 28 1.8 bought in 2007, 16-35 2.8 LII bought in 2009, 70-200 2.8 L bought in 2011, and 24-70 2.8 LII bought in 2014, now Canon is dropping the EF and soon will not price maintenance for these glasses...and we will be f**
    That's a funny history considering someone who started to shoot with the Sony Mavica with floppy disk LOL
    Ask sony shooters! I Know a lot original alpha Minolta photographers that where really pissed of by completely letting them down with the alpha mount. A horrible customer approach.
    If you hade used Minolta-Sony from 2003 on, you would be a much more frustrated. All apha mount bodies and I believe all alpha mount lenses are discontinued now.

    For my understanding only very old Canon lenses have been discontinued. The last versions of all lenses are still in production, which is a great think.
    If you have that old lenses I think you will not be in any rush. Thrid party lenses will come also to the rf mount as they came to the ef mount, but it seems you prefer the canon lenses instead of the third-party lenses?

    Btw. Sony shooters always told me the Sony lenses are way too expensive comparing to other brands, isn't that anymore the case?

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