Photography has grown so fast, from just capturing a small moment and expressing a thousand words with one picture to becoming a wider profession and having one camera per family.
So as the lifestyle changes with it, the technology around also changes.
Using the camera is so fascinating. Similarly, producing it with new features and facilities also has become captivating by most companies.
The two ruling companies in Camera production are from Japan, and both have been popular since they captured this industry.
Key Takeaways
- Canon and Nikon are two of the most popular camera brands, with Canon being known for its user-friendly interface and Nikon for its superior image quality.
- Canon cameras use the EF or EF-S mount, while Nikon cameras use the F mount.
- Canon has a wider range of lenses, whereas Nikon has better low-light performance.
Canon vs Nikon
Canon uses the EF and EF-S mount, favouring warmer colours, and tend to have more intuitive menus and easier-to-use controls. Nikon uses the F mount, producing sharper images with cooler colours, and offers more advanced features and customization options, offering a wide range of cameras.
Comparison Table
| Parameter of Comparison | Canon | Nikon |
|---|---|---|
| Establishment | In 1937, Canon Inc. was established in Tokyo, Japan. | Nikon Corporation was established in 1917 in Tokyo, Japan, by its parent company Mitsubishi Group. |
| Formerly Known As | Seiki Kogaku Kenkyusho (Precision Optical Industry Co. Ltd.) was its former name. | Nippon Kogaku Kogyo Kabushikigaisha (Japan Optical Industries Corporation) was its former name. |
| Users | Canon is an excellent choice for beginners, as it easily understands controls. It even captures natural photographs with its Auto Mode. | Nikon is hard to understand for beginners or inexperienced users. Professionals mostly use it. They adjust their settings to capture the picture. |
| Company | For the past 83 years, Canon has been in the camera equipment industry. | Nikon is an older company than Canon; it has been in the market for the past 103 years. |
| Camera Production | Canon started its Camera production in 1934 when it was formerly known as Seiki Kogaku. | Nikon started its camera production 1946 and named the first 35mm camera ‘Nikon.’ |
| DSLR | D30 was the first DSLR produced by Canon. | In 1999, it invented DSLR Camera D1 on its own. It was the first actual DSLR in the world. |
| VR Set | Canon produces its VR cameras and Headsets. | Nikon produces VR Lenses. |
| Durability | Canon is more durable than Nikon. | Nikon is less durable than Canon. |
| Unique Product | Its 400 mm, pocket-sized, Monocular Telephoto, ‘Canon PowerShot Zoom’ Camera is easy and lighter to carry while travelling. | Its ‘Nikon CoolPix W300 Camera has a waterproof and rugged body. It is the topmost in waterproof cameras. |
| Revenue | 3.59 Trillion Japanese Yen (2019). | 708.7 Billion Japanese Yen (2019). |
What is Canon?
Formerly known as ‘Seiki Kogaku Kenkyusho,’ now Canon Inc., was set up on 10th August 1937. It is an older company (83 years in industrial production) headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
Camera and Lenses are important production sources.
It is known for its industrial products like Still Camera, Lenses, SLR Camera, Digital Camera, Scanner, Camcorder, Photocopier, Printer, LCCs, Micro Motor, Magnetic Head, Ophthalmic Equipements and.
The first-ever 35mm camera in Japan was produced in 1934 and named ‘Kwanon.’ After 1947, the company was called Canon Inc. It even manufactures excellent VR Cameras and Headsets.
It has more durability. Also, the website focuses more on visuals, and support is user-friendly.
Last year, its revenue was 3.59 trillion Yen (Approx. US$ 34 Billion). Strongly competing with Nikon.
The Monocular 400 mm ‘Canon PowerShot Zoom Camera is a unique product, pocket-sized and easy to carry.
What is Nikon?
The Foundation of Nikon Corp. was on 25th July 1917 in Japan. It also mainly produces Cameras and Lenses, a powerful competitor of Canon.
The former company name was ‘Nippon Kogaku Kogyo Kabushikigaisha’, which changed to Nikon Corporation in 1988.
The term was an abbreviation of Nippon Kogaku in 1946 for its first 35mm Camera, then decided to rebrand the firm with the same name.
It is a much older corporation in this field, nearly growing and serving exclusive products for over 100 years.
Professional photographers mostly use Nikon as it needs to do manual settings and is hard to understand for beginners. Its first DSLR camera was the very first actual Digital SLR Camera in the world that is D1.
Still, Camera, Lenses, SLR Camera, DSLR Camera, Monoculars, Binoculars, Laser Rangefinder, Microscopes, Telescopes, Riflescopes, Precision and Surveying Equipements, Medical solutions, and processing Equipements are a few of Nikon’s product range.
It also produces VR lenses. ‘Nikon CoolPix W300 Camera is Nikon’s current trending and unique product. It has a waterproof and rugged body and is the most popular waterproof camera.
Last year, its revenue was 708.7 Billion Yen (Approx. US$ 6.8 Billion). The website is information focused. The Monocular 400 mm ‘Canon PowerShot Zoom Camera is a unique product, pocket-sized and easy to carry.
Main Differences Between Canon and Nikon
- Beginners mostly use Canon, while professional photographers use Nikon.
- Canon gives the Auto Mode option to capture natural moments without settings, whereas, on Nikon, settings are manual.
- Nikon company is 20 years older than Canon. Conversely, Canon cameras are more durable than it.
- Canon is the first one to start the production of Cameras. On the contrary, Nikon is the one who produced the first Digital SLR (DSLR).
- Canon makes more revenue than Nikon because of its auto mode, durability, and more users (Learners). On the other hand, Nikon is unique in its professional way, and its users need a good grip on camera handling.
- https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-10-0575-6_17
- http://openaccess.thecvf.com/content_ICCV_2019/html/Cai_Toward_Real-World_Single_Image_Super-Resolution_A_New_Benchmark_and_a_ICCV_2019_paper.html
Last Updated : 11 June, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
As an amateur photographer, I’ve found Canon’s user-friendly interface very helpful. It’s made my learning experience so much better than expected.
I respectfully disagree. I find Nikon’s settings and image quality more appealing.
Absolutely, Elliot. Canon’s focus on ease of use has been a huge advantage for beginners.
The revenue figures are quite surprising. Canon certainly has a significant lead over Nikon.
Absolutely, Lloyd. It seems Canon’s user-friendly approach has resonated with a wider audience.
I think the revenue figures are just a result of Canon’s better marketing strategy rather than product quality.
The unique product offerings from Canon and Nikon are intriguing. Both companies seem to have their distinct approaches to innovation.
Definitely, Mason. It’s exciting to see how they compete with different products, catering to different needs.
I wonder if the ‘unique’ products are truly that unique, or just clever marketing.
As a beginner photographer, Canon’s emphasis on natural photographs in Auto Mode is incredibly appealing.
I share your sentiment, Teagan. Canon’s practicality is a huge plus for newcomers.
I find Canon’s emphasis on visuals and user support commendable. It shows a commitment to a seamless customer experience.
That’s true, Sophia. Canon’s focus on user-friendly support is a notable aspect of their brand.
I feel like Canon just panders to the masses with pretty visuals and not much substance.
I enjoy Nikon’s more advanced features and customization options. It feels like a more professional choice for experienced photographers.
Oh, yes, Nikon is the *professional* choice because only professionals want to take good pictures, right?
I completely agree, Carmen. Nikon’s in-depth customization options are its strong suit.
The discussion of history and establishment really puts Canon and Nikon’s influence into perspective. It’s an enlightening read.
Absolutely, Bruce. Understanding their roots gives us a clearer view of their current place in the industry.
I appreciate the in-depth comparison between Canon and Nikon. It’s helpful for anyone looking to invest in a camera.
Agreed, Collins. This sort of detailed analysis is essential for making informed decisions when purchasing photography equipment.
The historical comparison of Canon and Nikon is truly fascinating. It’s incredible to see how these companies have evolved over the years.
I fail to see the appeal. Both companies have their strengths and weaknesses, but it’s all just marketing.
Absolutely, Emma. Their journey from the early 20th century to modern times is intriguing.
I’ve been a professional photographer for years, and I’ve always been fascinated by the evolution of camera technology. It’s amazing to see how Canon and Nikon have dominated the industry for so long.
I completely agree with you, Wilson. Their competition has brought some fantastic innovations to the field.