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Camera brands have changed through the years. Remember when disposable cameras were popular? They were amazing! You buy a disposable camera, take your pictures, then drop it off at the local store to have the film developed. These were the next best thing to travel size chips!

Camera technology has come a long way over the years. So many different camera brands, models, and price points. It can be overwhelming figuring out what works best for you. Photography cameras are not a “one size” fits all equipment. Oftentimes, as you gain more skill, experience, and know-how, your camera needs will change. Even for the weekend photo taker, a camera that has the gadgets you need to take great shots is important.

It’s fine if you prefer the disposable camera. They are very popular for guests that are attending a wedding. Mind you, iPhone and Android are usually used in these situations. Regardless of your preference, there are different options for any type of photographer.

There is some knowledge to have when researching the best camera for you. Things like:

what does mirrorless mean?

How does that affect my photos?

What is a filter?

Which camera works best for landscapes?

Some of this you know of, but it is helpful to know before jumping in headfirst.

Related: best camera for beginners.

List of the Best Camera Brands

Let’s go through the different camera brands and what they have to offer. We will touch on the price point for some. Giving you the best foundation to make your camera decision is the goal.

Canon

Canon is one of the leading camera brands across the globe. Extremely popular in the United States, Canon produces some of the best high-resolution cameras. They have aced the market for all photographers. Whether it’s for beginners or professionals, Canon produces top-notch cameras.

The photography industry is competitive. Standing out and launching the next-generation camera is tough stuff. Canon excels at researching this industry and where photographers are focusing their “lens.”

Canon Statistics and Facts

Headquarters : Tokyo, Japan

: Tokyo, Japan Founder(s) : Takeshi Mitarai, Goro Yoshida, Takeo Maeda, Saburo Uchida

: Takeshi Mitarai, Goro Yoshida, Takeo Maeda, Saburo Uchida Employees count : ~197,000

: ~197,000 Revenue : approx. 30.39 billion U.S. dollars

: approx. 30.39 billion U.S. dollars Canon global website

Popular Canon Cameras

Canon has launched extraordinary products when it comes to DSLR and DSLR lens lineup.

Let’s take a high-level look at what is out there today!

This brand has produced a wide range of DSLRs, mirrorless and compacts. If you’re looking for a camera with amazing functionality, Canon gets it done.

Nikon

Nikon has been working in the market of optics since 1917. It has launched a variety of products. This includes, but is not limited to cameras, camera lenses, and binoculars. Riflescopes and spotting scopes are also pieces of equipment that Nikon builds. Nikon took the need for lenses and cameras and built an empire. Hunters and outdoor enthusiasts all over the world look to Nikon lenses as an optimal option.

Nikon’s spot metering modes read the light, not only on the center of the image but also at the focal point. This is huge because the light changes so fast, especially out in the open.

This company has marveled us with some of the best DSLRs. Catering from beginners to professional photographers, Nikon holds their own. Fun fact, there is a defining signature element to Nikon cameras. There is a red swoop on the grip!

Canon Statistics and Facts

Headquarters : Tokyo, Japan

: Tokyo, Japan Founder(s) : Koyata Iwasaki

: Koyata Iwasaki Employees count : ~20,000

: ~20,000 Revenue : approx. 4.24 billion U.S. dollars

: approx. 4.24 billion U.S. dollars Nikon global website

Popular Nikon Cameras

Nikon offers excellent image quality, solid build, exceptional performance, and plenty of accessories.

Nikon produces small cameras also. Take a look at the famous super-zoom cameras. These have a magnificent zoom quality.

Nikon and Canon have always run neck and neck with their equipment. This shows the care and importance of how these two companies see cameras. They both want to produce exceptional cameras, and they have met the mark in several options.

Sony

Sony is a company known as the largest seller in the market for its mirrorless camera. Its best-quality mirrorless cameras have dominated the photography community for decades. Why doesn’t Sony manufacture DSLRs? They did actually.

Sony saw a need for mirrorless cameras. These types of cameras allow the light to hit the camera’s image sensor direct. Why is this important? Well, it allows for a lighter carrying option. You won’t have to worry about the size and weight of the more traditional DSLR. The mirrorless option is popular because the image displays directly to the LCD screen. This allows the photographer to adjust and preview the image before it’s ever shot! That’s cool right! This allows for more control over the image before every taking the picture.

Sony Statistics and Facts

Headquarters : Tokyo, Japan

: Tokyo, Japan Founder(s) : Akio Morita, Masaru Ibuka

: Akio Morita, Masaru Ibuka Employees count : ~111,000

: ~111,000 Revenue : approx. 10.37 billion U.S. dollars

: approx. 10.37 billion U.S. dollars Sony global website

Popular Sony Cameras

Because of the mirrorless option these cameras offer, Sony is the top seller for sensors. Considered the world’s largest manufacturer of digital sensors, Sony rocks the supplier pipeline.

Sony produced a series of compact cameras too. Look and see what Sony options are out there.

Sony has evolved in the field of camera production. From pocket size to professional style, Sony’s cameras hold their own. They can be small but also mighty. Packed with the best specifications and excellent features to produce high-quality pictures.

Fujifilm

Fujifilm is a Japanese-origin company making its mark in 1934. Today it stands at number 4 in the market due to its innovative products in the field of photography. Fujifilm is widely known for its professional and amateur photo equipment. This includes accessories and consumables. We will look at some of these cameras below in a little more detail. This will give you a good foundation of what Fujifilm can offer.

Fujifilm Statistics and Facts

Headquarters : Tokyo, Japan

: Tokyo, Japan Founder(s) : Daicel Corporation

: Daicel Corporation Employees count : ~37,000

: ~37,000 Revenue : approx. 21 billion U.S. dollars

: approx. 21 billion U.S. dollars Fujifilm global website

Popular Fujifilm Cameras

Fujifilm is one of the oldies but goodies out there. They have produced a wide range of cameras for professionals and beginners alike. Staying true to their roots they even a retro camera. Its compact design has innovative features. They also brought back the old style with high specifications. Keeping the old look but adding the new technology is genius.

Olympus

Olympus a company based in Japan. They produce a wide range of optics, photo gear, and best-quality optical equipment. Their product has some of the best stabilization and weather-sealing. This camera brand is popular for its stylish and high-quality devices. Which also includes the micro four-thirds sensor (m43). This sensor is a hallmark of the Olympus Corporation camera brand.

Olympus Statistics and Facts

Headquarters : Tokyo, Japan

: Tokyo, Japan Founder(s) : Takeshi Yamashita

: Takeshi Yamashita Employees count : ~35,000

: ~35,000 Revenue : approx. 7 billion U.S. dollars

: approx. 7 billion U.S. dollars Olympus global website

Popular Olympus Cameras

Panasonic

Panasonic is one of the leading appliance company’s. Known for their wide range of electronics and home appliances. Who would have thought they too, would be in the photography business.

Panasonic Statistics and Facts

Headquarters : Tokyo, Japan

: Tokyo, Japan Founder(s) : Kōnosuke Matsushita

: Kōnosuke Matsushita Employees count : ~244,000

: ~244,000 Revenue : approx. 73 billion U.S. dollars

: approx. 73 billion U.S. dollars Panasonic global website

Popular Panasonic Cameras

Like Olympus, the Panasonic camera brand has produced a magnificent range of cameras. They come equipped with micro four-thirds sensors (m43). Unlike Olympus, its performance is extraordinary in video shooting. It is the leading camera brand for video shooting with video recording mode. More home videos people!

Pentax

Pentax is another great imaging brand. Owned by Ricoh Imaging, they are notorious for their weather-sealed cameras. Even though not at the top of the charts when it comes to popularity, their cameras are jam-packed full of features.

Pentax Statistics and Facts

Headquarters : Tokyo, Japan

: Tokyo, Japan Founder(s) : Kumao Kajiwara

: Kumao Kajiwara Employees count : ~1,200

: ~1,200 Revenue : –

: – Panasonic global website

Popular Pentax Cameras

Pentax cameras are great but not as popular as other brands. When compared to other brands, lenses and other accessories can be a bit more difficult to find.

Leica

Leica is a German-based company, founded in the year of 1869.

They have aced the market in the film game. Their photo equipment has some of the best optics out there. Their lenses boast a compact design and high aperture setting.

Lecia produces some of the most beautiful designed cameras. They are durable and portable, which is huge for someone who travels often.

There is a saying that goes around in the photography world. The “Leica Effect.” This “effect” is something that photographers strive for. The effect is simple…producing sharp and high-quality images! It’s often discussed among professional studios, street photographers, and war-time photo-journalists.

Leica Statistics and Facts

Headquarters : Wetzlar, Germany

: Wetzlar, Germany Founder(s) : Ernst Leitz senior

: Ernst Leitz senior Employees count : ~3,500

: ~3,500 Revenue : approx. 628 million U.S. dollars

: approx. 628 million U.S. dollars Leica global website

Popular Leica Cameras

Leica S3 Medium Format DSLR

Leica S Medium Format DSLR

Leica SL2 Full-Frame Mirrorless

Leica M10-R Full-Frame

Hasselblad

Besides being known for their chocolate, Sweden produces more than that! Hasselblad is Sweden originated company. Founded in the year 1841, they produce hi-end medium-format cameras.

Hasselblad is the first to produce mirrorless electronic medium format cameras. These are the Hasselblad XLD-50C. This camera is well known as it was once taken by NASA. Because of its extraordinary and high-quality features and specifications, NASA needed it.

One of the most popular features is a lifetime warranty with excellent quality. But it is the most expensive camera brand in the world. You know the old saying, you get what you pay for. Well in this instance, you will.

Hasselblad Statistics and Facts

Headquarters : Gothenburg, Sweden

: Gothenburg, Sweden Founder(s) : Fritz Wiktor

: Fritz Wiktor Employees count : ~137

: ~137 Revenue : approx. 35 million U.S. dollars

: approx. 35 million U.S. dollars Hasselblad global website

Popular Hasselblad Cameras

X1D II 50C Mirrorless Medium Format

907X 50C Mirrorless Medium Format

H6D-100c DSLR Medium Format

H6D-50c DSLR Medium Format

Let’s move to one more camera. I want to bring you into the modern age. Now, the cameras we have discussed in the article have developed over time. There are some pretty fantastic technology advancements included with these cameras.

One option that could combine all that we have discussed into one is the…GoPro.

GoPro

Nick Woodman, founder of the GoPro technology company is an innovator. GoPro came to life in 2002 in California. Currently, it develops action cameras, mobile apps, and video-editing software.

The GoPro company’s net worth is somewhere around $300 million today. With so many apps and accessories that can be purchased and used, the GoPro has made its mark around the world.

Completely versatile, you can throw a GoPro in your backpack, or even a coach purse and be your way. The video quality is amazing, their light, durable and the image quality is impeccable.

GoPro Statistics and Facts

Headquarters : California, United States

: California, United States Founder(s) : Nick Woodman

: Nick Woodman Employees count : ~964

: ~964 Revenue : approx. 892 million U.S. dollars

: approx. 892 million U.S. dollars GoPro global website

Popular GoPro ameras

Some options to look over are the:

Which Camera Brand to Choose?

With so many different options out there, it will be a lot to figure out which is right for you. Ask your colleague, look at reviews (this is a huge option), get a physical feel for what you are looking at. Also, ask about return policies. Sometimes camera stores or dealers have options to buy the camera, and if it doesn’t work for you then return it. There are stipulations so be sure you know what those are.

I will leave you with a condensed list of cameras that we discussed.

Camera Brands List

Canon

Nikon

Sony

Fujifilm

Olympus

Panasonic

Leica

Hasselblad

GoPro

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