Most trusted?

[Cyberwlf]

Okay, so this might be breaking forum rules or something in posting this but when I saw this series of news on another photography (news) site that i won't name something seemed pretty wrong to me about this...

(Newest to oldest news items...)

"Canon Most Trusted European Camera Brand

Canon has been voted the most trusted camera brand in Europe for the ninth consecutive year. In a survey by Reader’s Digest, the world’s best-selling monthly magazine, consumers in 13 out of 16 European countries voted for Canon. Respondents rated each brand on the following four criteria: Quality, Excellent value, Strong Image and Understands customer needs."

"Err 99 with Canon EOS-1D and EOS-1Ds Mark III

Canon USA have issued a service notice about the abnormal mirror operation of the EOS-1D Mark III and EOS-1Ds Mark III DSLR cameras. The mirror does not operate even if the shutter button is pressed and the following message appears frequently on the camera’s LCD monitor: ‘Err 99 Shooting is not possible. Turn the power switch to and again or re-install the battery’. Canon USA are providing free repairs to affected products."

"Autofocus Problem with Canon EOS-1D and EOS-1Ds Mark III

Canon USA have issued a service notice about the autofocusing accuracy of the EOS-1D Mark III and EOS-1Ds Mark III DSLR cameras. If an AF point other than the center AF point is used, focus may become soft. Canon USA are providing free AF accuracy checks and adjustments to affected products."

Then take recent history where numerous other hardware faults including internal mirrors falling off and black spot issues etc from the 1D(s) and 5D/5DMK2 have been reported.

So someone please tell me how given all that Nikon isn't beating Canon here?? Especially as Nikon products haven't been plagued by the constant issues Canon's seem to have had in recent history and the D3x/D700/D300 are all seen as class leading cameras!

This isn't meant to be a Canon bashing thread, i'm just a little perplexed given the facts how they ended up as most trusted?

[Rooz]

canon is a massive brand...HUGE. everyone knows canon, even those that dont know anything about cameras. hell...even people who dont HAVE cameras !! and dont forget that even though nikon have squeaked ahead of canon in dslr, canon destroys them by what...1000-1 in the biggest selling camera market on the planet...P&S.

i doubt 99% of the respondants to that survey even know what 1DsMkIII is !

[K1W1]

What Rooz said. It's marketing pure and simple. Canon is not only DSLR and P&S but also video cameras and printers and scanners and all sorts of things. Canon would have to be one of the most widely recognised brands in the world.

Don't forget that "trusted" does not mean best. When people recognise something they get warm fuzzy feelings when associating with that something. those warm fuzzy feelings invariably translate to trust.

[Cyberwlf]

Several very good points there that I hadn't considered actually. Yeah Nikon's not even a competitor to Canon in the P&S game really.

[Honest Gaza]

canon is a massive brand...HUGE......and dont forget that even though nikon have squeaked ahead of canon in dslr.... !

Big call my friend....:)

So I thought I would Google the question and found the following :

Sept 08 DPReview
Mizuho Securities Equity Research, Tokyo, issued an 8-pages sector outlook report on Precision Instruments today.

The report includes an extensive breakdown of the camera industry, including the researchers estimates on market shares and operating profit for the three months April-June 2008 (1st quarter) regarding the four leading manufacturers of DSLRs.
These figures seem to indicate that:

* Canon has regained a clear leadership in DSLRs with a market share well above 40 per cent and a very strong profit.

* Sony is now a clear #3 in DSLRs with a market share in the region of 12 per cent, more than doubling #4, Olympus.

* Sony's big step forward is costly, since Sony is taking an operating loss of no less than 16.7 per cent in the DSLR business. Olympus is losing money from DSLRs too, however much less but making no inroads either.

Please note that these estimates are from an independent researcher, your view might be different.
Key figures regarding DSLRs only (April-June 2008):
DSLR units/operating profit margin

> Canon 1,050,000/23.2
> Nikon 820,000/19.1
> Sony 330,000/-16,7
> Olympus 150,000/-6.7

Apart from that...I got nuthin' :D

But would certainly be interested to see the real numbers if anyone has them.

[DownByFive]

I don't foresee ever switching from Nikon DSLRs (which is a personal decision based on subjective criteria...I think Canon and Nikon are equal in quality and reliability)...but honestly, they will likely never be high on my list of go-to manufacturers when I need to replace my P&S. I prefer Canon in that category. So I'm not really surprised Canon came out on top of this poll.

[K1W1]

But would certainly be interested to see the real numbers if anyone has them.


Statistics and lies. :D

I've seen other reports showing Nikon to be ahead of Canon in DSLR sales at various times. It depends on the criteria being used and the market surveyed. Overall I don't think that for this thread a couple of percentage points one way or the other makes much difference because the subject is peoples perceptions not sales volume in absolute terms.

Skoda have one numerous quality and owner retention surveys in the auto industry in recent years but is Skoda the top selling vehicle in any market anywhere in the world? I doubt it.

[Honest Gaza]

Overall I don't think that for this thread a couple of percentage points one way or the other makes much difference because the subject is peoples perceptions not sales volume in absolute terms.

For this thread I agree. I was just interested in the observation by Rooz that "Nikon have squeaked ahead on Canon in DSLR" and would be interested to know the validity of the statement/observation :)

[Rooz]

For this thread I agree. I was just interested in the observation by Rooz that "Nikon have squeaked ahead on Canon in DSLR" and would be interested to know the validity of the statement/observation :)

there were quite a few stats over the last couple of year indicating nikon squeezed ahead in market share for dslr. since the d200 nikon have outsold canon in the semipro and pro series cameras. its the rebel series keeping canon ahead. not that this surprises me...there is no shortage of idiots in the world. :)

[Honest Gaza]

there were quite a few stats over the last couple of year indicating nikon squeezed ahead in market share for dslr. since the d200 nikon have outsold canon in the semipro and pro series cameras. its the rebel series keeping canon ahead. not that this surprises me...there is no shortage of idiots in the world. :)

Ok Rooz...explain it to me like I'm a 6 year old (or Canon user :p). I'm confused by your "conflicting" statements :

"indicating nikon squeezed ahead in market share for dslr".....and then,

"its the rebel series keeping canon ahead"

[Cyberwlf]

I think he was referring to taking Nikon ahead in the semipro and pro areas, not the purely enthusiast level (ie Rebel series).

[Rooz]

Ok Rooz...explain it to me like I'm a 6 year old (or Canon user :p). I'm confused by your "conflicting" statements :

"indicating nikon squeezed ahead in market share for dslr".....and then,

"its the rebel series keeping canon ahead"

squeaked ahead at one time. remember these stats are moving entities...as your article pointed out...canon REGAINED the leadership. i know its confusing to you bro. you did buy a silver rebel after all. :p

to be honest, i couldnt give a hoot one way or the other. lol

[Honest Gaza]

to be honest, i couldnt give a hoot one way or the other. lol

But it's like what Mustafa said to Dirty Harry.....

"I gots to know" :D

[SpecialK]

Most people are not qualified to make scientifically-accurate judgements or reviews.

"It's blue - I like it"

Luckily, I will never have to worry if my camera brand is getting nudged out of the top spot.

[Rooz]

But it's like what Mustafa said to Dirty Harry.....

"I gots to know" :D

i believe you gaz. :p

[K1W1]

Luckily, I will never have to worry if my camera brand is getting nudged out of the top spot.


I must dig out the old ME Supers that are lying in the cupboard with half a dozen lenses. Maybe we could start a Pentax revolution. :D