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.
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!
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 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.
Mock away stuffed shirts!
That's a funny history considering someone who started to shoot with the Sony Mavica with floppy disk LOL
Sony writes "Based on Dollars", not on unit sales.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?