Why so many people use Canon???

Derrel · Jun 8, 2014

Many sporting events have agency shooters who use gear provided by their employers. In the past, pre-2007, Canon was the preferred choice of many large organizations due to higher-megapixel, just flat-out BETTER sensors. After the Nikon D3 generation was invented in 2007, suddenly Nikon had a lead in cameras, and Canon had the disastrous 1D Mark III, the pro-camera-that-could-not-autofocus-properly debacle for 18 months in a row, and most of the Sports Illustrated shooters who were not shooting Nikon switched to Nikon. The thing is, the big lenses that many agencies buy last for literally YEARS, so the pendulum swings often show a delayed response.

At the 2008 Olympics, Canon might have had an edge in users, many of whom were using 5-year old lenses and 2- to 3-year-old bodies bought by their employers or themselves, but even in 2008 the "edge" Canon might have had was debatable, as you can see by this shot of WORLD-WIDE photographers at the 2008 Beijing Olympics: http://files.fotopolis.pl/download/canikon.jpg

By 2012, Nikon was more prevalent at high-end international events, like the Olympics. These things kind of go in cycles. Nikon,Canon,Nikon,Canon,Nikon,Canon. There really are no other realistic choices except for the Big Two these days.

It's a photo finish as Canon and Nikon both claim Olympic gold - AJW by The Asahi Shimbun

snerd · Jun 8, 2014

Maybe just personal preference?

runnah · Jun 8, 2014

I would say because they are one of the two largest makers out there.

Same reason people buy Chevy and Ford.

Pav10566 · Jun 8, 2014

I have been in photography for almost 45 years now....I'm a Canon user. Back in the 60's Canon was the Professional tool for Sport reporters with their F1 and I also remember National Geographic as big users of Canon material too...but war correspondents were Nikon users

JoeW · Jun 8, 2014

1. The short answer is: that Canon makes a lot of good cameras. That's also the answer to the question about why so many people use Nikons: b/c Nikon makes a lot of good cameras.

2. The more involved answer is Darrel's where he explains the nature of trends and how the camera business has evolved. Think of it this way: the World Cup (soccer) is starting up in a matter of days. Many of the players and teams will be wearing Nike (uniforms or shoes). Is that b/c Nike makes the best clothing and cleats? Nike, Puma, Adidas, and others are in a battle for visibility that sells their product.

3. The even more involved answer is that you're looking around, seeing a lot of Canon users and conclude "everyone uses Canon." You're operating on a very limited sample size. And I'd be saying the same thing if you asked why everyone is using Nikons.

The reality is that it's the shooter that matters the most. I've been shooting for 35 years, most of that time with Nikons so I'm more used to them ergonomically. I'd like to think that once I adjusted, I could pick up a Canon or a Sony or a Pentax and also create some lovely work. For the past 30 years, I've mostly driven cars made by Honda. My wife drove Hondas before I met her. That doesn't mean everyone drives Hondas. Nor does it mean Hondas are responsible for my excellent driving record--I'd like to think that my skill as a driver has something to do with that.

rexbobcat · Jun 8, 2014

From the perspective of the average consumer, I imagine it has something to do with the fact that Canon has their hands in several different markets, while Nikon generally sticks with cameras/lenses and...binoculars/scopes.

So more people probably have some kind of Canon product or knows someone who does whether that be a projector or a printer, and since it's (assuredly) reliable and familiar, they're more likely to buy a Canon camera.

From a professional's point of view, it really just varies too much to figure out why.

Dao · Jun 9, 2014

Same as why so many people eat at McDonald?

Best product does not equal to best selling product. It just need to be decent and the rest is just how to market it and how the market react to it.

astroNikon · Jun 9, 2014

If someone were to pay me to use top end Canon gear I'd use it.

Until then, I'll just use what I have ...

ConradM · Jun 9, 2014

rexbobcat said:
From the perspective of the average consumer, I imagine it has something to do with the fact that Canon has their hands in several different markets, while Nikon generally sticks with cameras/lenses and...binoculars/scopes.

So more people probably have some kind of Canon product or knows someone who does whether that be a projector or a printer, and since it's (assuredly) reliable and familiar, they're more likely to buy a Canon camera.

From a professional's point of view, it really just varies too much to figure out why.

That's a good point, I've had several Canon P&S's and a Vixia video camera. Heck my first experience with a DSLR was with a Rebel.

Derrel · Jun 9, 2014

Coke, Pepsi=Canon,Nikon. RC Cola is Sony. Dr. Pepper is Pentax.

shadowlands · Jun 10, 2014

Derrel said:
Coke, Pepsi=Canon,Nikon. RC Cola is Sony. Dr. Pepper is Pentax.

You nailed it.

Solarflare · Jun 17, 2014

enyceckk said:
Doesn't Nikon have better sensor? Like the D7100 vs 70D

Yes.

Canon 70D has Dualpixel, the big breakthrough for sensorbased AF, which gives them a big edge with lifeview and video AF performance.

Canon 70D has a flipscreen, which for some odd reason Nikon still only offers in the D5x00 line of cameras.

The 70D probably has also a couple other advantages I dont remember. Its a pretty good offer. Even if the D7100 is also a great offer.

Both Canon and Nikon suffer with their APS-C offers because of lack of lens choices.

Howeer, Canon just published an awesome APS-C wide lens zoom. Its the new 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 that is very cheap (300 bucks) and apparently optically awesome. This puts Nikon at a disadvantage.

Canon in general has superior video performance and superior noise reduction algorithms over Nikon.

And last not least the sensor might be a bit better, but its not worlds of difference.

Canon right now is in the disadvantage over sensors because Nikon has no qualms to buy Sony or Toshiba sensors if they are better than what Nikon themselves can produce.

But Canon produces their own sensors, which also allows them to give their cameras an edge. For example the 5D Mk 3 and the 6D both offer native ISO 25600 - something Nikon has not offered at all, before the D4s.

Lets face it, Canon and Nikon have been at this game who is better since a long time. One of the two is always ahead of the other, but the difference isnt large - not large enough to really care, anyway, if you have already invested in a large collection of glas.

And lets not forget the dawn of mirrorless cameras which makes the choices even harder. I'm really curious how that will play out.

CAP · Jun 17, 2014

I Shoot a Canon 1DX as main body, and it murders Nikon D4 " AKA company-N " in all most every way. My best friend shoots Nikon and and has as couple D4's and loves them but even he will admit that my 1DX spec's and reviews trumps company N's top dslr the d4.

He also says that only until Nikon puts a body than can compete with the canon 1DX.

And i been shooting canon since the canon A1 witch i still have by the way. And am very loyal to canon not just because its canon. I am a spec guy i like tech details and it is just that canons equipment is better. body wise i mean, i am not sure about lenses but's canon body's wins.

Also canon has 24/7 us based CPS support is another big plus for canon.

CAP · Jun 17, 2014

[TABLE="class: diffs, width: 964"]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TH="bgcolor: transparent, colspan: 6"][h=3]Advantages of the Canon 1D X[/h][/TH]
[TH="bgcolor: transparent, colspan: 2"][/TH]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="class: icon, bgcolor: transparent, align: center"]

[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"][/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Many more cross-type focus points[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent, align: right"]41[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent, align: center"]vs[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]15[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]

[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Grab focus in difficult situations[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vertical-spacer, bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="class: icon, bgcolor: transparent, align: center"]

[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"][/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Better maximum light sensitivity[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent, align: right"]51,200 ISO[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent, align: center"]vs[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]25,600 ISO[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]

[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]The 1D X's maximum light sensitivity is 1 f-stop better[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vertical-spacer, bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="class: icon, bgcolor: transparent, align: center"]

[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"][/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Larger viewfinder[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent, align: right"]0.76x[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent, align: center"]vs[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]0.70x[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]

[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Around 20% larger viewfinder[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vertical-spacer, bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="class: icon, bgcolor: transparent, align: center"]

[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"][/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Shoots faster[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent, align: right"]14 fps[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent, align: center"]vs[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]11 fps[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]

[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Around 30% faster continuous shooting[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vertical-spacer, bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="class: icon, bgcolor: transparent, align: center"]

[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"][/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Higher resolution screen[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent, align: right"]1,040k dots[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent, align: center"]vs[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]921k dots[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]

[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]More than 10% higher resolution screen[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vertical-spacer, bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="class: icon, bgcolor: transparent, align: center"]

[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"][/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]More focus points[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent, align: right"]61[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent, align: center"]vs[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]51[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]

[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Set focus accurately within the frame[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vertical-spacer, bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="class: icon, bgcolor: transparent, align: center"]

[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"][/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Higher true resolution[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent, align: right"]18.1 MP[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent, align: center"]vs[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]16.2 MP[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]

[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Capture more than 10% more detail in your photos[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vertical-spacer, bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="class: icon, bgcolor: transparent, align: center"]

[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"][/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Significantly thinner[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent, align: right"]3.3"[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent, align: center"]vs[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]3.6"[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]

[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Around 10% thinner[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vertical-spacer, bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="class: icon, bgcolor: transparent, align: center"]

[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"][/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Smaller[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent, align: right"]158x164x83 mm[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent, align: center"]vs[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]160x157x91 mm[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]

[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Around 10% smaller[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: vertical-spacer, bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="class: icon, bgcolor: transparent, align: center"]

[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"][/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Slightly more lenses available[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent, align: right"]156 lenses[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent, align: center"]vs[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]152 lenses[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]

[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Almost the same[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

play18now · Jun 17, 2014

Because the 1DX is a fabulous camera. Same reason there are lots of Nikon shooters at sports events. Because the D4 was a great camera, but the D4s is a fabulous camera. It's very much like asking which soda you prefer, as mentioned above, or why Sharapova was playing with a Head racquet at the match. A company put it in her hand, and said we're not going to charge you for this.