Nikon D3100 is the best selling DSLR camera in Japan for 2011

By [NR] admin | Published: December 28, 2011

BCNranking published their sales statistics and the best selling DSLR camera in Japan for 2011 is the Nikon D3100 with a 9.7% sales share.

Nikon D3100 is currently the #5 top selling DSLR camera on Amazon.

Related posts:

  1. The best selling mirrorless camera for 2012 in Japan? The Nikon 1 J1!
  2. More on the red Nikon D3100 camera
  3. Top five best selling DSLR cameras & is Nikon marketing falling behind?
  4. Red Nikon D3100 spotted in BestBuy
  5. NPS Japan stopped selling Nikon D4 cameras
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  • D7000 Fan`

    wow that is really interesting. go nikon

    • D7000 Fan

      FFIIRRSSTT!!!

      • Image

        What are ya…. 12 years old?

  • frAnk

    Looks to me that Canon has much bigger market in Japan.

    • Well… 22.5% Nikon and 27% Canon, only 4.5% difference here. Not sure full %100 percent here either, tired.

      • Sorry, means canon sells 20% more. 4,5 percentage points is different unit.

        • rs

          Just shows that even in Japan people don’t care about noise, build quality, and probably impulse buy.

          • EvanK

            +10 000 000

  • I think I’m done question Nikon’s decisions.

    They obviously know more than me.

    I mean I liked the V1 but I was caught up in all the tech specs but after seeing results, my faith in Nikon is pretty solid. I also recently purchased the P7000 and I am way surprised by a Coolpix. Stands it’s own with my D7000.

  • Paul

    Sony NEX-5 is a dSLR? Lol.

    • WoutK89

      If you would look better, the EVIL cameras have been highlighted in BOLD and they do count for camera sales in interchangeable lens cameras sales. I think the research name could indeed have been chosen better.

  • lolly

    If Nikon turns the D3100 into a mirrorless (for the same price) it’ll do even better in any market. But alas, Nikon is not bold enough to make such a move.

    • JED

      No, instead they were much bolder and created something unique. If you want an APS-C mirrorless then buy a NEX.

      • rs

        I think a better name should be ILPS interchangeable lens point and shoot. These are not mirrorless SLRs. Mirrorless is a stupid and erroneous
        name.

    • ShaoLynx

      @JED: I agree with lolly. The technology of the N1 shows that OVF can easily be replaced by EVF, AND allows for further integration of techs, e.g. the hybrid AF-system of the N1. Of course, you’d HAVE TO integrate everything on one chip (the sensor) since you don’t have the dual use of the light beam anymore (an advantage of the OVF), e.g. metering and phase detection vs. taking the picture. So, the choices are narrowed down a bit: integrate on the chip, or off-load to the expeed.
      IMO, in this regard, N1 could be a proof of concept of sorts, showing that one can loose the miror altogether.

      • JED

        Not sure why you directed this statement at me? I simply pointed out that creating an entirely new camera system is a bolder step than simply updating your existing entry level camera.

    • Mock

      I like V1 but there are 2 problems. Not manual control dial, and missing a proper hand grip, is so not cool.

  • JorPet

    What is really interesting is the darlings of this site don’t even rank a mention in the standings. They only go down to 1.5% of market share and any one model in the “pro” arena probably nets only 10% of that (so, .15% of the market).

    And people wonder why Nikon focuses on the lower cost, higher margin cameras.

    • Quite a thought-provoking point 🙂 In fairness the perception / aura created by the pro cameras has a significant pull on what the non-pro photographers buy. But you’re right, there has to be a reasonable balance in focus areas, especially by Nikon management.

    • MJr

      Thought that was obvious tho …

    • Boing Wronkwell

      That’s because this is about QUANTITY of sales/market share, which speaks to the low end.

      Low end = low price = more sales = popular.

      High end = hugh price = fewer sales = not popular.

      Popular = many sales = on this table.

      Not popular = low sales = not on this table.

      This table does NOT relate to manufacturing, number of dead units, returns, variety of colors, advertising, ISO rating, sensor quality .. you know, all those things.

      This table DOES relate to number of units sold in one specific geographical market.

      It does not mean any one brand is better or worse than another, or that any one camera is better than … you know, all THOSE things.

      • Boing Wronkwell

        “Hugh Price” … Ha! That should be “HIGH PRICE”.

        🙂

      • WoutK89

        low end = on the table = Canon 5d mark II 😀

  • LesM

    Interesting ….

    Of the 20 top selling cameras, Nikon have 4 cameras, representing 22.5% of the market.

    On the other hand, Canon have 6 cameras in the top 20, representing 27.8% of the market.

    However, I remain confused about the described “aggregation period”. It says it’s May 20 2011, January 1 to December”. What does that mean and how can they issue figures to the end of December BEFORE the end of December?

    • Worminator

      Nikon D3100 is 9.7% *add the D5100 for 13.7%
      Canon X3+X4+X5 is 17.9%

      So Canon still rules the “consumer” dSLR segment, but its a moot point now with mirrorless commanding upwards of 25% and that’s before the impact of strong new models like the GF3, GX1, and the latest Sony NEX, are felt.

      Would be safe to predict Nikon and Canon dSLRs fall further against mirrorless. Less obvious is how Nikon 1 will do against Panasonic, Sony alternatives.

  • Topten

    Wow! Nikon is number one! Four camera made it in the top ten! That’s impressive!
    Now show me a Nikon FM digital body! And I promise i will buy three!
    With the following specs course!
    ISO 100-12800 native, 1 stop better performance and improve DR compared to my D700
    24mp with FX sensor,
    At least 6fps still,
    Video full HD.
    Until my wish is granted im gonna stick with my D700 until the shutter gives up!
    So far 80k and still going strong!

    • WoutK89

      You want better performance than your D700 on a larger output in a smaller camera? Afraid for that you will have to wait a lot longer.

    • @Topten,
      “ISO 100-12800 native, 1 stop better performance and improve DR compared to my D700” — Bite your tounge! 🙂 The D3S was the upgrade to the D700 and D3, and it gave us 1 stop. I want to see at least 25,600 ISO native, for a two stop advantage. And if that advantage means the sacrifice of pixels, then so be it! I would rather see 16-18 MP, better DR, and both ends of the ISO scale expanded to go from 100-25,600 native. Also, Nikon should add expansion slots for optional components like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Buffer Upgrades, or GPS modules; much like the laptop industry does now! The optional modules should be sold through Nikon distribution channels and user installable. This way, customers can customize their cameras configuration to best suit their requirements. Modularity and interoperability of components in the Nikon DSLR line up would definitely help boost sales. The same modules could be used in a D5 or D7100. Each camera would have a minimum of two expansion slots to accept these modules; where higher end DSLRs might have 3 or 4 slots. Nikon, can you say “easy money maker”, or how about “Cash Cow”?!?!

      • Jabs

        @Dr SCSI

        Good ideas but not really suited so far for professional usage.

        Number one concern is the interface contacts and moisture creeping in as seals wear from removing and installing. I like removable heads but also a weakness in sealing.
        Too many people equate cameras with computers and they really are different from their sensors (light gatherers) to their now digital processors like in Expeed 3.

        • @Jabs, the sealing issue you mention, wouldn’t even be an issue. Both the CF card and the battery in my D700 have electrical contacts behind weather sealed doors, no problems yet; despite hundreds of removals and inserts. The modules I am talking about, could be just like the mini pci modules that are standardized in numerous laptops. These modules would typically not be removed and inserted frequently, so its not like you are going to wear out the rubber seal behind a cover plate. Today’s cameras, are in fact computers. They have input and output devices, a processor, volitile and non-volitile memory, and they perform computations based on programs stored in memory. I have absolutely no doubt that some hackers could run a varient of Linux an a D3 if so desired, with mouse, keyboard, and monitor!

          • Jabs

            @Dr SCSI

            I understand your points but again, laptops and cameras are two different animals. If you open the pipeline of a camera and its’ processing to hackers, then you have created a monster of a Warranty nightmare for yourself as a Manufacturer.
            Your desire to make more options in a complex system now causes you more Warranty Repair and thus ultimately a lessened perception of quality and resale value via modified or non-functioning hacked cameras.

            I can see an external multifunctional port like in the new Nikon 1 System but then that is catering to a different Market. Nikon already has ports on their Pro bodies but with increasing the number of ports, you take away real estate for other things and now make the cameras larger and more complex instead of the opposite. I believe that you perhaps have been indoctrinated with (LOL) the concepts of ‘upselling’ from the Computer Industry and this to me would be disastrous in cameras, especially Pro models. I remember how flexible the F3 Series was and would love to see some of that return, but more ports might not be the answer. A few multi-function ports which can be sealed after an item is inserted might work out better or even electronic functions added via newer modules over the lifespan of the gear – may be better.

            Manufacturers are not about to prolong the life of an electronic camera body, as things degrade in the body and newer advances would make certain functions obsolete and unable to run within the now limited pipeline of an older camera. I also disagree that cameras are now computers but I see them more akin to GPU’s as they process DATA and are not mere CPU’s.

            Adding externally accessible ports also lengthens the signal path, complicates it and slows down the camera, so nothing to be gained but mere ‘upselling’ like they do in laptops. Build them right in the first place and then make newer models with better capabilities later on, seems much better to me from an Engineering point, as cameras are designed years in advance PLUS designed to fit within a smaller body structure than laptops thus diminishing returns after a while like we now have in smartphone sizes.

            Lastly, laptops remind me of consumer cameras with almost everything built-in while desktop computers remind me of Pro bodies – built rugged and very flexible but bigger. Cameras more function like the latest high end graphics cards or even Workstation cards and not really like CPU’s – a common mistake and analogy made here.

            • John Smith

              Arguing on the internet is like the special Olympics. You may win, but you’re still retarded.

  • enesunkie

    Nikon, release a D4, D800 and a D400 and you’ll have 3 more bodies in the top 20!

  • Vangelis

    Ninth place: D90
    When a camera is that good it will still make profit after years and years..

  • BCAl

    The D90 holding its ground like a boss 😀

    • BibiFoc

      D90 best camera!!!!

  • Top20

    The top 20 cameras listed about amount to only 72.4% of the sales of DSLRs.

    That other 27.1% covers the rest of the manufacturers, each under 1.5%.

    From the above, Canon scores 27%, Nikon 22.5% and Sony 11.9%

  • @ #20 the Canon 5DmkII is the best selling FX camera (#13 top selling DSLR camera on Amazon) !

    No big surprise here, but I’m wandering about the D700 ranking…

    • I wouldn’t put too much emphasis on Nikon sales this year as their supply channels have been seriously impeded. Often, the “We could have sold more Nikon product, if we could have gotten are hands on it!” statistic is overlooked. How might the sales data changed, had Nikon products been readily available? All too often when I went to purchase Nikon items, they weren’t in stock anywhere, or where it was available, the vendors were price gouging!

  • Simon

    #41 D700..

    Weird, the M9 come before the EOS 1D IV !!?

    • WoutK89

      Sales in 2011, maybe the market for 1d IV was saturated in the year it was released, and the market for the Leica is still growing?

  • larry

    The reason why nikon d3100 became no 1 bcoz it has cheaper price and its not that its better than d others. it means that there are more people who can afford it compared to dome of the higher models

  • Boing Wronkwell

    But … But… But … They don’t say exactly WHICH D3100 is the best!

    Is it the spew green one?

    Or is it the Hello Kitty pink one?

    Perhaps it’s the cute blue one?

    This is such a meaningful result … NOT!

  • There are a lot of mirror-less cameras on that chart. The Japanese really like them.

    • lolly

      I wouldn’t be surprised if in 2012 the top ten will be mostly mirrorless cameras. An ILC that’s light and fits easily in a discreet shoulder bag is desirable to many people rather than a DSLR.

  • neversink

    Friendly Copy-Editing Comment to Admin….

    On charts, one does not have to spell out the numbers one through ten. In fact, one shouldn’t spell out those numbers. Obviously, the chart came from another source, but nevertheless these errors drive me a bit crazy… I guess it is because I used to work in the publishing world….. One only spells out those numbers in sentences in the text body, not in charts…. Oh well… Who really cares????

    On another note… I hope that Nikon takes its profits from the D3100 and puts them to good work in R & D so we can benefit…

    And on another note… Everyone speculates much too much here and compares current products with future products. A new sensor could be totally redesigned, so today’s sensors that are out in current products may have nothing to do with tomorrow’s sensors….

    Happy New Year…..

  • chris zeller

    What I find most interesting is that Nikon sold more D90’s than D7000’s in 2011. Given that the D7000 came out in November 2010 and the slim price difference but much better performance of the D7000, I find this fact remarkable. Clearly the general public–particularly in Japan–is much less informed, enthusiastic, and price-driven than the users of this website would lead you to believe.

    • Vlad

      Not only in Japan. Look at this page:

      http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestsellers/electronics/3017941/?ie=UTF8&tag=nikorumo-
      20&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=390957#2

      #25: D90 with 18-105 mm lens
      #26: D7000

    • WoutK89

      I don’t know about other countries, but in Holland the D90 went for almost only 500 euros compared to 800 euros for the D7000. That difference would also make the choice different as a first owned camera. I would choose as an uninformed costumer the D90 which was and is a very capable camera.

      Right now in the store I usually check, both cams are in back-order and the price went to 1049 D7000 body and 599 for the D90 body.
      Other store I bought of, has now 749 for the D90 (back-order) and 1079 for D7000 but in stock. This all happened since the situation in Thailand.

    • Jabs

      Where did you get your information about the D90 outselling the D7000?
      On the above chart the D90 is ninth and the D7000 is seventh.

  • John Smith

    It makes sence that Canon has a bigger marketshare, they are better after all.

  • Frankly, I didn’t expect that to happen 😀

  • xophaser

    The flooding in Thailand effected the baby nikons. D3100 and d5100 were the top 5 sellers for mos tof the year on amazon US. At Christmas season canon dropped their prices and nikon jacked their because of supplies and their pricing policy. Also the D7000 has been out of stock since October on amazon. There isn’t that many inventory and they are losing sells to Canon in the US because of the flooding.

  • DisillusionedInNikon

    I wonder how differrent that table would have been have the Thai floods not delayed the Sony Nex 7 rollout? I know i’m still waiting for my Nex 7 preorder
    and hopefully the box won’t be soaked in water when I do get it… 🙁

    It will be interesting to see how much the new non-reflex cameras affect the sales rankings in 2012 with Nikon/Cannon having dropped the ball so spectacularily as far as mirrorless systems are concerned IMHO.

    The Nikon 1 system may be unique as someone above mentioned – a uniquely misconceived product by Nikon, which I have previously held in high regard. Lookes like I’ll be using my rangefinder lenses on a Sony body, and not a Nikon in 2012. Who would have thunk it!?

  • cheezhed

    Best selling camera that’s not supported by Nikon’s own Camera Control Pro 2 software.

    Totally unacceptable.

  • Mickster

    Gee’s, i ‘d have thought the Nikon D90 would have been top position by a long way, it was all the rage fews ago with price v performance + video ( as rubbish as the video was ) ..and had a few years up on the sales of it’s replacement the Nikon D7000.
    The last number of years, the popular area for sales for either newbies or upgrades for previous entry level users fell somewhere around the $1000 – $1600 mark, for the last 3-4 years that’s where the D90 has been.

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