Canon vs Nikon:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Canon had more branded searches than Nikon among telephoto lens brands in New Zealand. Canon had about 4,200 branded searches, while Nikon had 2,870. Canon made up 17.2% of all telephoto lens brand searches we track, and Nikon accounted for 11.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about telephoto lens brands, both Canon and Nikon appeared in all five answers. Canon was mentioned before Nikon in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Canon, about 46% more searches than Nikon
Who does AI mention more?
Both are mentioned in every answer we collected.
Who does AI recommend more?
Canon, named ahead of Nikon in every answer
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Top telephoto lens brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, both Canon and Nikon showed up in all five answers. Canon was listed before Nikon in every answer.
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.
See every answer about telephoto lens brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which telephoto lens brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best telephoto lens brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best telephoto lens brand in New Zealand for wildlife photography?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best telephoto lens”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“long zoom lens”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Canon or Nikon more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Canon and Nikon by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all four telephoto lens brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Canon, Nikon. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Sony | Canon | Nikon | Sigma |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 67.4% | 19.9% | 11.6% | 1.2% |
| Nov 2025 | 72.1% | 17.2% | 9.6% | 1.1% |
| Dec 2025 | 70.5% | 18% | 10.5% | 0.96% |
| Jan 2026 | 64.7% | 22% | 12.1% | 1.2% |
| Feb 2026 | 66.9% | 19.8% | 12% | 1.4% |
| Mar 2026 | 66.3% | 20.8% | 11.7% | 1.2% |
| Apr 2026 | 68.1% | 18% | 12.9% | 1% |
| May 2026 | 67.3% | 20.4% | 11.2% | 1.2% |
| Jun 2026 | 68.7% | 19.2% | 10.8% | 1.2% |
| Jul 2026 | 68.7% | 19.8% | 10.6% | 0.92% |
| Aug 2026 | 64.6% | 22% | 12.3% | 1.2% |
| Sep 2026 | 70.1% | 17.2% | 11.8% | 0.86% |
How has the Canon and Nikon comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Canon was ahead of Nikon in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Canon’s share of searches among telephoto lens brands in New Zealand moved from 19.9% to 17.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 4.5K to 4.2K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Nikon’s share of searches among telephoto lens brands in New Zealand moved from 11.6% to 11.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 2.6K to 2.9K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand telephoto lens brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Canon lost share of searches among telephoto lens brands in New Zealand, from 22% to 17.2%.
In September 2026, Nikon lost share of searches among telephoto lens brands in New Zealand, from 12.3% to 11.8%.
How are branded searches counted?
6 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Canon’s and Nikon’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 telephoto lens brands
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