Canon, Fujifilm, Nikon, Panasonic and Sony Model Series Rank Highest in Their Respective Segments in Digital Camera Owner Satisfaction

Weather Proofing and Built-In Memory Features are Most Desired by Owners for Future Cameras

The Canon EOS Digital SLR, Canon PowerShot G, Fujifilm Finepix S, Lumix (Panasonic) DMC-TZ, Nikon D and Sony Cyber-shot T series rank highest in customer satisfaction with digital cameras in their respective segments, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Digital Camera Usage and Satisfaction Study SM released .

The study examines camera model lines in four body-style segments: point and shoot, premium point and shoot, ultra slim and digital single-lens reflex (DSLR). In each segment, four factors are measured to determine customer satisfaction: picture quality, performance, ease of operation, and appearance and styling.

The Fujifilm Finepix S series ranks highest in the point and shoot segment with an index score of 757 on a 1,000-point scale, performing particularly well in picture quality, performance and ease of operation. Kodak model series also perform well in the segment and follow the Fujifilm Finepix S in the rankings with the Kodak V series (739), Kodak Z series (731) and Kodak M Series (727).

Among premium point and shoot cameras, the Canon PowerShot G series and the Lumix (Panasonic) DMC-TZ series tie to rank highest, each receiving a score of 773. The Canon PowerShot, in particular, performs well in the picture quality and ease of operation factors. The Lumix (Panasonic) DMC-FZ series follows in the segment with a score of 766, receiving high ratings from customers in the performance factor.

In the ultra slim segment, the Sony Cyber-shot T series leads with 794, performing particularly well in all four factors driving customer satisfaction. The Casio Exilim Zoom series (766) ranks second and the Fujifilm FinePix Z series closely follows to rank third with 761.

The Canon EOS Digital SLR and Nikon D series both rank highest in a tie among DSLR cameras, each receiving a score of 823. The Canon EOS Digital SLR receives notably high ratings from customers in picture quality, while the Nikon D series—which ranks highest for a second consecutive year—performs particularly well in ease of operation, performance, and appearance and styling.

The study finds that among features that owners want in their next camera, weatherproofing is mentioned most frequently by owners in both the point and shoot (67%), and premium point and shoot (68%) segments, while ultra slim owners desire 4 GB internal memory capacity and DSLR owners desire waterproofing (63%).

“Digital camera manufacturers are constantly adding new features in efforts to differentiate themselves from their competitors,” said Larry Wu, senior director of the technology practice at J.D. Power and Associates. “However, in adding new features, ease of use becomes critical in maintaining satisfaction, as average satisfaction scores are 235 points lower among customers who say their features were difficult to use, compared with those customers who say the features were easy to use. Designing features with the consumer in mind and providing clear and concise instructions can help maintain high satisfaction levels with new features and functions.”

The study also finds the following key trends:
The resources that camera owners used most frequently during the shopping process to research digital cameras are consistent across all segments, with Internet product and review sites being the most frequently cited resource. Information or recommendations from family and friends, print reviews and in-store salespeople follow as other frequently used resources.

DSLR owners take the most photos in one month, averaging 454 images, followed by premium point and shoot owners (159), ultra slim owners (96), and point and shoot owners (83).

Customers who purchased an extended warranty report significantly higher overall satisfaction scores (768, on average) with their cameras, compared with owners who did not purchase a warranty (732, on average). In 2008, 23 percent of DSLR, 17 percent of premium point and shoot, 16 percent of ultra slim and 13 percent of point and shoot owners purchased an extended warranty for their digital camera.

The 2008 Digital Camera Usage and Satisfaction Study is based on responses from more than 8,000 consumers who purchased a digital camera between April 2007 and March 2008. The study was fielded in June and July 2008. For more information on digital camera ratings or to read an article, please visit JDPower.com.

[ Share on Facebook ]

Subscribe to our feed for news & updates !

Enter your email address :

Related posts:

Canon Digital EOS 450d – Rebel XSi – Fujifilm FinePix S100FS – Casio EX-F1 digital camera reviews Casio EX-F1 Review “Casio’s EXILIM EX-F1 promises features no digital camera on the market has offered before, and it delivers - with some reservations. The camera’s strongest suit is...

Fujifilm FinePix S2000 HD Camera Review The Fujifilm FinePix S2000HD is a new ultra-zoom compact digital camera, featuring a 15x optical zoom lens with a focal length of 27.6-414mm. The 10 megapixel S2000 HD has...

Raw sample photos from Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Minolta, Fuji, Leica, Kodak, Sony, Hasselblad, Panasonic, etc at RawSamples.ch ...

Fujifilm FinePix S1500 Camera Review I've had a look at quite a few of the latest super-zoom cameras recently, including the 26x zoom Olympus SP-590UZ (£270), the 24x zoom Nikon Coolpix P90 (£330) and...

Fujifilm FinePix J38 Camera FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. today announced the newest addition to its popular J-series line-up with the FinePix J38 digital camera.  With its sleek design and powerful features, the FinePix J38...

Fujifilm Finepix F60fd Compact Camera Review The Fujifilm F60fd has relatively few external controls, just 11 in total, which is surprising considering that this camera offers nearly a full range of photographic controls. You can...

Fujifilm FinePix J30 Camera Fujifilm are pleased to announce a new camera to join the existing and popular line of J series compacts; the FinePix J30. Fujifilm’s J range of cameras has been...

Nikon D90 compared to the Canon EOS 50D, Nikon D80, and Nikon D300 Digital Cameras With the announcement of the new 15.1 MP Canon EOS 50D and the 12.3 Nikon D90 enthusiast digital SLR cameras coming [...]...

Tags: camera, Canon, eos, film, fuji, kodak, lens, nikon, point and shoot camera, Powershot, review, Sony, studio