Funny! Canon has announced that it was the number one mirrorless/full-frame/camera company in 2021. However, Sony just announced the same a week ago. Both Canon and Sony base their findings on the same research company (NPD). So which is right?

Canon: “#1 position in the Digital Camera industry in 2021”

Canon has tweeted, that according to NPD (National Purchase Diary Panel Inc.) it was 2021’s overall #1 position in the industry. As stated: “ Thank you Canon customers! You’ve helped us continue our overall #1 position in the Digital Camera industry in 2021”. Furthermore, Canon has published a picture showing the highlights of the findings (see below). Canon stated that in 2021 it was:

• The #1 U.S digital camera company
• The #1 in mirrorless camera unit sales
• The #1 in full-frame camera sales
• The #1 in lens sales.

This data comes from the NPD which is the industry’s retail reporting and analytics source (Almost all consumer electronics market data comes from NPD). However, Sony claims almost the same achievements, which is also based on the same data source.

Sony: “#1 mirrorless camera brand in 2021”

Last week we’ve reported that Sony announced that it was the number one mirrorless camera brand and full-frame mirrorless camera brand in 2021. Sony added that this past year also marks the 8th consecutive year Sony has held the #1 position in full-frame mirrorless cameras. Sony has also based these findings on the same NPD reports. This is the major resource: The NPD Group/Retail Tracking Service, U.S., Detachable Lens Camera, Sensor Size: Full Frame, Mirrorless Detachable Lens, Annual 2021. Sony said that there are footnote references to “Sony Internal Research” and these are still referencing NPD data. However, Sony Internal Research refers to the analysts that compile, organize and verify the NPD data.

So, which is correct?

Well, it depends on who you’re asking. Both of the manufacturers dominate the camera market, no doubt about that. However, theres’ only one which is number one. Which do you think it is?

Product List

Here’re the products mentioned in the article, and the links to purchase them from authorized dealers. 

• Canon EOS R3 Mirrorless Camera Body
  • BUY on B&H
  • BUY on ADORAMA
• Sony Alpha 1 Mirrorless Digital Camera
  • BUY on B&H
  • BUY on ADORAMA