Brand loyalty among camera users is incredibly strong. When you buy a camera your more than likely to upgrade within the same brand in the future, possibly because of the comfort of familiar operating systems or because both the two major brands in the DSLR market offer quality models and to stay competitive have remained cutting edge. Between Nikon and Canon users have become almost tribal in their adoption of a brand, and time and again reviewers praise offerings from both manufacturers without being able to determine a clear winner. Although how you will be using a camera and what features it has becomes increasingly relevant as experience grows the range of models offered by each brand accommodates all evolving needs. Meaning that once a customer has purchased, say a Nikon camera, they do not need to leave the brand. Canon and Nikon far outpace other DSLR makers, and both companies offer similar and technologically equal models. Therefore, remarkably in a society where consumer trends point towards spending on quick- fashions, as in the smart phone industry, camera users will transition from amateur to professional and shoot for decades with the same brand.
TechRadar has attempted to do what many have done before and analyse the current range of models on sale for entry level, mid-range and high-end purchasers, by both Nikon and Canon. While trying to offer the solution to which DSLR to buy. Instead, what TechRadar’s comparison ends up being is further testament to the inability to objectively select a ‘better’ camera maker. It seems to confirm the relatively unscientific facts driving first purchase decisions will be down to individual taste, experience on a friend’s model or the salesman you meet on the day you go to the shop. Technology alone is unlikely to push you in to either the Nikon tribe or the Canon tribe as while ISO shooting is hands down to Canon, Nikon stretch forward in other categories to mean that the overall cameras subjected to TechRadars analysis all come out favorably and neutrally reviewed when held against each other. More clear cut comparisons are only given by TechRadar when comparing between categories, for instance medium to entry level, not manufacteurs. They struggle to offer meaningful comparisons because they are so hard to find after balanced consideration. While it is straight forward offering a comparison between the Canon 100D and Nikon D3200, or the D5300 with the 700D in terms of listing their technical specs determining a winner returns to the habitual question; what are you using it for? It also depends on how you respond to the overall images taken.
TechRadar’s article highlights how it is often between the various models rather than brands that your choices become more clear cut when buying a camera, so without realising it several purchases in your still shooting with Canon, or Nikon. Summing up this unquestioning brand loyalty is a blog post by photographer Amy Shuman from 2012 which starts
As I prepare to invest in some more expensive lenses I began to wonder if the brand I have been shooting with since I started my business (Nikon) is really the best brand for me. I love my Nikon, but never even gave Canon an honest try.
She then posted two photos taken in the same circumstances with the same settings except one was a Canon and one was a Nikon. Shuman asked her readers to determine which brand was best. What the comments section shows is that artistic judgements are a matter of preference, what one commentator found cold about photo B another found gave it a depth that photo A lacked.
What do you think? Is one company stronger than the other? Does the lack of a clear distinction show a lack of innovation, or stagnation in the camera market?
While the settings may have been the same, A looks a touch overexposed to me (compare the brightness of the face and dress).