The most used cameras in 2022 and some personal consideration
SHOTKIT published a survey among their readers and this is an opportunity to make some consideration.
The world is changing and clearly we the photographers change our habits, changing gear. In this period that I consider transitional for several reasons mirrorless cameras are very popular, with many photographers who decided to switch to more copact and light systems.
I was one of the first having made this choice in 2010. Most photographers have delayed several years in accepting this step.
After years of photographing only with point & shoot and mirrorless, I returned to photographing with DSLRs, first with a Pentax and now with two Canon Rebels. And although the market says mirrorless there is a whole recovery movement of old digital cameras ranging from DSLRs to compact cameras, especially those cameras that have CCD sensors. The SHOOTKIT survey asked to 1000 readers to answer this question: What camera are you using in 2022?
The results say that:
Mirrorless cameras are more popular than DSLR cameras for professional and amateur photographers. The most common reason is that they are smaller and lighter and counting with a better AF.
Nikon is the most popular brand for professional photographers, and Canon is the preferred by amateur photographers. Sony stands out as the third brand for both categories.
Canon seems to confirm to be the daddy brand for most of those arriving to photography. The clearest examples is given by a best selling camera, one of the most sold in the last years: the Canon EOS Rebel T7 (2000D in Europe market).
The Canon EOS Rebel T7 tops as popular camera list even on amazon for a few reasons:
It is a Canon camera,a brand well known and respected. Its price: the T7 costs under $500.
The T7 is a great choice for any beginner, looking for the first serious camera. Of course there are cameras with better specifications but for that cheap prioce you have a 24 MP APS-C sensor, a built-in flash, 1080p video, and 3 frames-per-second continuous shooting. T7 became popular even among YouTube creators.
As a user of this reflex I can say that it is very light, especially coupled with the 24mm pancake, with a remarkable battery life (something that no mirrorless can beat), very easy to use, and therefore becomes perfect not only for those who have to study photography (a bit like all those in the Rebel series) but also as a second body for certain photographers. Personally, I use it above all in popular neighborhoods, when I go not specifically to take pictures, to always have it hanging from my neck, but also professionally for portraits.
In addition to the Rebel T7 this year I bought the Canon EOS M200 mirrorless. The choice, well thought out, proved to be a winning move, and the street photos you see on this site, taken this year, are proof of this. I don't want to say that my choice is recommended for everyone. Everyone will have his preferences as it should be. But I'm fine with it because it's a really small and light camera, with the 22mm it becomes a street photography beast, which allows me to move anywhere and the experience is very similar to working with a Ricoh.
I only listened to myself in my choices. I made a choice dictated both by identifying what could make me work in the most intuitive and pleasant way possible and by the price range I was looking for. I don't think one has to spend a lot to do an excellent job as a photographer. Then, even though I bought two new cameras this year, I am increasingly oriented towards buying on the second-hand market or on some stock offers.
I am convinced that my example is positive for many out there who are interested in listening to the advice of a pro photographer who is not tied to marketing interests, even more so now that I'm no longer an ambassador and I am truly a free photographer.
