Canon vs Sony:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Sony had more branded searches than Canon among camera brands in New Zealand. Sony had about 17,400 branded searches, while Canon had 7,760. Sony made up 29.7% of all camera brand searches we track, and Canon accounted for 13.3%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about camera brands, Canon appeared in all five answers and Sony in four. Sony was mentioned before Canon in three out of five answers.
Follow Canon vs Sony and get free monthly updates on what changed
By continuing you'll get index updates and occasional product news from Brandwave. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy
Top camera brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Canon appeared in all five answers. Sony was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Sony was listed before Canon in three out of five answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Canon5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Sony4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Fujifilm4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Nikon3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
OM System3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Panasonic Lumix2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
GoPro0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Insta3600 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about camera brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which camera brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best camera brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best camera brand in New Zealand for a creator setup?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“mirrorless camera nz”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“dslr camera nz”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 19, 2026.
Is Canon or Sony more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Canon and Sony by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight camera brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Sony, Canon. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Sony | GoPro | Insta360 | Canon | Fujifilm | Nikon | Panasonic Lumix | OM System |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 29% | 22.8% | 13.5% | 14.1% | 11.4% | 6.3% | 2% | 0.88% |
| Nov 2025 | 31.5% | 22.5% | 13.6% | 12.8% | 11.9% | 5.3% | 1.8% | 0.83% |
| Dec 2025 | 29.7% | 22.7% | 13.7% | 13.2% | 12.2% | 5.5% | 1.9% | 0.91% |
| Jan 2026 | 26.4% | 22.3% | 16.3% | 14.3% | 11.6% | 6.1% | 1.9% | 1.1% |
| Feb 2026 | 27.9% | 21.8% | 15.5% | 14.5% | 10.7% | 6.4% | 2.1% | 1.1% |
| Mar 2026 | 29% | 20.4% | 14.8% | 15% | 11.4% | 6.4% | 2.1% | 0.97% |
| Apr 2026 | 28.3% | 19.7% | 17.3% | 13.3% | 11.4% | 6.7% | 2.4% | 1% |
| May 2026 | 29.1% | 18.8% | 16.9% | 14.4% | 11.3% | 6.1% | 2.3% | 1% |
| Jun 2026 | 29.6% | 19.2% | 17.4% | 13.7% | 11.4% | 5.7% | 2% | 1.1% |
| Jul 2026 | 29.6% | 19% | 16.9% | 13.8% | 11.6% | 5.8% | 2.2% | 1.1% |
| Aug 2026 | 26.1% | 18.1% | 19.3% | 14.7% | 12.5% | 5.9% | 2.3% | 1% |
| Sep 2026 | 29.7% | 20.1% | 15.4% | 13.3% | 12.2% | 6.1% | 2.1% | 1.1% |
How has the Canon and Sony comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Sony was ahead of Canon in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Canon’s share of searches among camera brands in New Zealand moved from 14.1% to 13.3%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 7.5K to 7.8K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Sony’s share of searches among camera brands in New Zealand moved from 29% to 29.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 15.6K to 17.4K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand camera brands in September 2026?
2 changes

In September 2026, Sony gained share of searches among camera brands in New Zealand, from 26.1% to 29.7%.

In September 2026, Canon lost share of searches among camera brands in New Zealand, from 14.7% to 13.3%.
How are branded searches counted?
13 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Canon’s and Sony’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among camera brands

Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.