Canon Sells More DSLRs Than Anyone Else in 2012

[jondave]

No, they're not savvy enough. Even shop assistants who advise people are not savvy enough.

By definition, masses of people can't be made of experts. It's quite clearly a paradox.

In fact, if we go by the number of units sold, then the 18-55 IS and the 50/1.8 are likely to be considered as the best lenses ever. Or in the same way, if Canon sells more rebels than 1DX, then Rebels are better.

Quite a childish way of reasoning.

Wow, take it to the extremes would you. If you're going to compare sales, then at least do so within the same category. 'Cause by your same reasoning the best cars in the world are the Toyota Corollas and the Honda Civics - forget the Porsches, BMWs, Bentleys, and the like.

And if I recall, wasn't it just recently that someone posted Nikon sales figures besting Canon's to flout Nikon as being better?

I knew it was just a matter of time before someone here responded that Canon sales figures mean nothing. Well Nikonistas, if you can come up with hard, verifiable numbers to back up your claims that most people believe that your Nikons are better, I'm all ears. Until then, sales figures are king.

 

[Dylan777]

O no, the gap is getting smaller and smaller ;D ;D ;D

 

[Chosenbydestiny]

Alas, Nikonistas will say that us Canonistas all over the world live in a false reality... the number of cameras sold does not make one the better camera.

Ahhhh, so the majority of people are intentionally buying inferior cameras, or are not savvy enough to determine what's a better camera. If that thought is what lets you sleep at night.....

No, they're not savvy enough. Even shop assistants who advise people are not savvy enough.

By definition, masses of people can't be made of experts. It's quite clearly a paradox.

In fact, if we go by the number of units sold, then the 18-55 IS and the 50/1.8 are likely to be considered as the best lenses ever. Or in the same way, if Canon sells more rebels than 1DX, then Rebels are better.

Quite a childish way of reasoning.

I agree, that is a childish way of reasoning, if that were the case. Did you read the entire post? Canon's marketshare increases when the lower end of sales including rebels are removed. Of course shop assistants aren't savvy enough! They're not supposed to be, they just need to know enough to do their job. Those who know more don't need that knowledge to sell. Sales are their priority, not photography. More lower end bodies only sell for one reason, price. That's why they're better for the "masses" because they're not all millionaires with big lens collections. You have to give people more credit than that when making purchase decisions, especially these days when they can just google information instead of going down to the store and talking to a "shop assistant". No one goes to DXO first to read dynamic range mumbo jumbo to buy their first camera. No, most people I know that shop for the camera have seen results from sites like flickR and places offline where Canon is dominant like event related activities. Heck, the internet is a false reality and Nikon is a better camera because of it. It's like saying "I should buy a Nikon just to look like I'm not part of the mass." Now THAT would be a childish way of reasoning.

 

[scarbo]

I totally get that. Do you think then, that Canon advertises better, influences the market more? You're right, as a pro I never really paid attention, but maybe this is the case?

Nikon 1 system is all but utterly marvellous, yet appartently it sells like hot cake. The same can be said about the iPhone series, and many other "trendy" things.

I think a lot of things are to be taken into account, but recently it seems to me that best selling products are those that look cute and have an almost non-existent learning curve. These features appear to be more important than the end result or the value for money.

So ultimately it might well just be that Canon cameras look more slick and are easier to use.

Yes, I think looks is a key factor with most consumer products. That's a big part of the reason why Apple does so well despite often selling less spec for more money.

 

[scarbo]

Anyway, why do people care so much that the manufacturer of their camera is selling more merchandise than a rival manufacturer? I can understand being curious who sells more, but I would expect the interest to merely be academic and completely dispassionate.

 

[bdunbar79]

Alas, Nikonistas will say that us Canonistas all over the world live in a false reality... the number of cameras sold does not make one the better camera.

Ahhhh, so the majority of people are intentionally buying inferior cameras, or are not savvy enough to determine what's a better camera. If that thought is what lets you sleep at night.....

No, they're not savvy enough. Even shop assistants who advise people are not savvy enough.

By definition, masses of people can't be made of experts. It's quite clearly a paradox.

In fact, if we go by the number of units sold, then the 18-55 IS and the 50/1.8 are likely to be considered as the best lenses ever. Or in the same way, if Canon sells more rebels than 1DX, then Rebels are better.

Quite a childish way of reasoning.

I agree, that is a childish way of reasoning, if that were the case. Did you read the entire post? Canon's marketshare increases when the lower end of sales including rebels are removed. Of course shop assistants aren't savvy enough! They're not supposed to be, they just need to know enough to do their job. Those who know more don't need that knowledge to sell. Sales are their priority, not photography. More lower end bodies only sell for one reason, price. That's why they're better for the "masses" because they're not all millionaires with big lens collections. You have to give people more credit than that when making purchase decisions, especially these days when they can just google information instead of going down to the store and talking to a "shop assistant". No one goes to DXO first to read dynamic range mumbo jumbo to buy their first camera. No, most people I know that shop for the camera have seen results from sites like flickR and places offline where Canon is dominant like event related activities. Heck, the internet is a false reality and Nikon is a better camera because of it. It's like saying "I should buy a Nikon just to look like I'm not part of the mass." Now THAT would be a childish way of reasoning.

Ok, but WHY is Canon dominant on these websites and WHY is Canon dominant in the masses, and Nikon ISN'T? Why can Canon dominate the mass market and Nikon can't? Why?

 

[bdunbar79]

You're arguing that Canon isn't dominating the market because they are a better camera, with absolutely no data at all. Where is your data to support your claims? Do you KNOW that Canon isn't dominant because they have better DSLR's? Show us some statistical data, or heck, ANY data, that supports the claim that the reason Canon dominates the market ISN'T because they make a better camera. And no, I don't owe you any data because I'm not making any claims as to why and who has a better camera.

 

[gngan]

Alas, Nikonistas will say that us Canonistas all over the world live in a false reality... the number of cameras sold does not make one the better camera.

Ahhhh, so the majority of people are intentionally buying inferior cameras, or are not savvy enough to determine what's a better camera. If that thought is what lets you sleep at night.....

No, they're not savvy enough. Even shop assistants who advise people are not savvy enough.

By definition, masses of people can't be made of experts. It's quite clearly a paradox.

In fact, if we go by the number of units sold, then the 18-55 IS and the 50/1.8 are likely to be considered as the best lenses ever. Or in the same way, if Canon sells more rebels than 1DX, then Rebels are better.

Quite a childish way of reasoning.

What's interesting is that you list two lenses that obviously sell more units due to price, in my opinion that is. Now take DSLR's. Everybody complains about how Canon is overpriced relative to Nikon. Yet they still sell more of them. I'm going to guess it's because the majority of the market believes Canon to be a better DSLR. There has to be some reason why this is, don't you think?

I just bought a 5D III but i was tempt to buy a Nikon. I bought a Canon because I had a 550D and will be giving to my wife. So we can share our lenses. I do NOT believe Canon is a better DSLR because i think Canon/Nikon has its good/bad. So you need to take brand loyalty into consideration. Most people do not do their research when they buy cameras. They are usually affected by friends/family, advertisement (Canon has more).

 

[Loswr]

I am stating that assuming who is better than who on the basis of sale figures is absolutely ridiculous, and that indeed this is oversimplifying. I agree, something children do frequently.

So, what objective measure would you propose to determine 'better' - bearing in mind that's a rather subjective term. Which is the 'better' candidate in an election? Depends on who you ask, what their needs are, and how well those needs are likely to be met by that candidate. But after the election, there's a winner and a loser. Which is the better camera? Depends on who you ask, what their needs are, and how well those needs are likely to be met by that camera. But like a tally of votes, a tally of sales separates the winner from the loser. Fortunately for everyone, those who chose the losing camera brand aren't required to live with the features of the winning camera brand. Heck, even the Green Party Pentax supporters get their own way. :-X

 

[scarbo]

Someone on dpreview posted the figures for 2011 if anyone wants to compare.

The final numbers for 2011 camera market shares in Japan have just been released today:
http://bcnranking.jp/award/sokuhou/index.html

Compact camera:
Canon = 16.9%
Sony = 15.1%
Casio = 13.9%

DSLR (NOT including mirrorless cameras):
Canon = 46.3%
Nikon = 39.2%
Pentax = 7.5%

The Sony Axx models are included in this category; see link further down where only mirrorless cameras according to BCNRanking are indicated in bold.

Mirrorless:
Olympus = 36.6%
Panasonic = 29.3%
Sony = 27.3%

If we examine the top 20 selling interchangeable lens cameras from Jan to Nov 2011 here:
http://bcnranking.jp/news/1201/120113_21806.html

Canon cameras = 27%
Nikon cameras = 22.5%
Sony cameras = 11.9%
Olympus cameras = 10.9%
Panasonic cameras = 8%
Pentax cameras = 3%
~ 16.7% of camera models are not accounted in the above top-20 model table

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/post/40337633

 

[Woody]

Let's not get too excited about all the numbers. It's only for the Japanese market. We'll have to wait a while for the world wide market shares to come in.

Anyway, here are further details about the Japanese market shares.

MILC:
#1 Olympus: 29.8% (36.6% in 2011)
#2 Panasonic 23.6% (29.3% in 2011)
#3 Sony 20.0% (27.3% in 2011)
#4 Nikon 14.3%
#5 Pentax 9.4%
#6 Canon 2.1%

Looks like the top 3 in 2011 ceded market shares to Nikon and Pentax in 2012. Nikon J1 was wildy successful in the first half of 2012 due to heavy discounting. If Canon had decent AF performance, more lens choices and more camera choices with their MILC offerings, they would have done better.

DSLR:
#1 Canon 52.9% (46.3% in 2011)
#2 Nikon 34.8% (39.2% in 2011)
#3 Sony ?
#4 Pentax ? (7.5% in 2011)

Looks like Nikon's hard promotion and heavy discounting efforts for their DSLRs did not gain them very much in 2012 within Japan. As a matter of fact, they lost even more DSLR market shares to Canon in 2012 than 2011. Canon's 5D2 and 5D3 accounted for 3.9% market shares while Nikon's D800 and D600 merely earned 2.3%.

 

[Don Haines]

We can be as snobby and elitist as we want.... but don't forget it is the masses buying point/shoots and rebels that are the bulk on canon's sales, and that is what keeps Canon in business.

Most cameras are bought at the Best Buys and Walmarts of the world....The fact that they don't carry high end bodies and lenses should tell you where the money is.... the same money that pays for the R/D on high end bodies that eventually trickes it way down. I say thank you to all those Rebel buyers!

 

[Don Haines]

Also, this is not a choice of right and wrong.... it is a question of differing needs. Look at the big chunk taken by Olympus and Panasonic with micro four thirds cameras.... this is a market segment that Canon and Nikon have almost been shut out of.... is panasonic "slightly ahead of it's time"?????

 

[Loswr]

But.....but.....Nikon is "better," isn't it? DxOMark says so, it must be true. What am I missing?!? Oh, wait, I know....REALITY.

So?

Sales numbers are not and never have been an indication of quality.

True. Betamax delivered better quality as a video recording medium. Didn't help Sony much in the end, though, did it?

 

[CDM]

Wow, CR really disappoints with this post. For one thing, the data are from sales in Japan only. But the real story here is the mirrorless category, which is taking almost HALF of all interchangeable lens sales according to the report.

 

[Woody]

Wow, CR really disappoints with this post. For one thing, the data are from sales in Japan only. But the real story here is the mirrorless category, which is taking almost HALF of all interchangeable lens sales according to the report.

Yes, this is what I wanted to point out indirectly above.

In the worldwide market, I suspect Nikon managed to grab some market shares from Canon in 2012. How much? We'll have to wait for the details.

 

[Loswr]

But.....but.....Nikon is "better," isn't it? DxOMark says so, it must be true. What am I missing?!? Oh, wait, I know....REALITY.

So?

Sales numbers are not and never have been an indication of quality.

True. Betamax delivered better quality as a video recording medium. Didn't help Sony much in the end, though, did it?

Actually, it taught Sony some valuable lessons and thus BluRay beat HD-DVD.

Fair enough. Betamax 'died' in 1998, and HD-DVD 'died' in 2008. Maybe 10 years from now, Nikon's sales will too Canon? Who knows.....

 

[that1guyy]

I kind of hoped Canon would lose market share. That might actually motivate them to make something decent for a change.

 

[EchoLocation]

So, what objective measure would you propose to determine 'better' - bearing in mind that's a rather subjective term. Which is the 'better' candidate in an election? Heck, even the Green Party Pentax supporters get their own way. :-X

Please don't drag this in to a political argument(although that was my first thought,) It's way too easy to get people riled up already.

Honestly, I think both Canon and Nikon make excellent products. Some companies make features that appeal to some buyers, some others. I honestly don't think anyone can objectively choose which one is "better." Canon certainly has a better selection of lenses, however at launch their prices have been much higher than those of Nikon the last couple of years.

What I want to know is, what was the market share of 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, etc. On it's own, the market share of 2012 means a little, but if we compare it to the past few years, we may be able to spot some trends which will give us greater insight in to which manufacturer is gaining ground, or losing ground.

 

[Hobby Shooter]

I kind of hoped Canon would lose market share. That might actually motivate them to make something decent for a change.

What would that be then to make you happy? You mean that the 650D, 5D3, 1Dx and the 6D are not up to standard products? Seriously?