We are again pleased to announce the results of Digital Imaging Reporter’s 8th Retailers’ Choice Awards. The awards recognize the imaging products favored in our online survey of nationwide photo specialty retailers. We asked 70 dealers to indicate their favorite products in 14 different categories based on product quality, support as well as ease of selling.
What’s more, every survey question included at least four specific choices. There was also an area where photo dealers could write in their favorite products if they were not listed.
The online survey took place from September 23 to October 15, 2022. Further, the survey reflected products currently in the marketplace or announced before those dates. All responses were confidential. In addition, we received a 34% response rate for our survey. As always, we appreciate those retailers who took the time to participate in this year’s survey.
8th Retailers’ Choice Awards Winners
Here are the 2022 Retailers’ Choice Awards winners and honorable mention products in each category.
Best Enthusiast DSLR
Winner: Canon EOS 6D Mark II
Honorable Mention: Nikon Df
The Canon EOS 6D Mark II ran away with this category, with nearly 70% of the vote. This clearly reflects the market’s enthusiasm for this workhorse DSLR. The Nikon Df, relatively new to the category, was a respectable second.
Best Pro DSLR
Winner: Nikon D6
Honorable Mention: Canon EOS-1D X Mark III
The Nikon D6 and Canon EOS-1D X Mark III pro cameras were once again in a photo-finish horse race for this category. However, the Nikon D6 came across the finish line first this year. Canon’s entry ran a close and respectable second.
Best Enthusiast Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Camera
Winner: Sony Alpha 7R IV
Honorable Mention: Canon EOS R6
In another hotly contested race, dealer responses mentioned most of the cameras in this category. However, the Sony Alpha 7R IV edged out Canon’s entry by one vote! Nikon’s Z 7II and Panasonic’s Lumix DC-GH5 II also received kudos from the retailers.
Best Telephoto Zoom Lens
Winner: Tamron 50–400mm f/4.5–6 Di III VC VXD
Honorable Mention: Nikon Nikkor Z 100–400mm f/4.5–5.6 VR S
Voters went to great lengths to award the Tamron 50–400mm f/4.5–6 Di III VC VXD the top prize in the long-zoom lens category. It won by just one vote over the Nikon Nikkor Z 100–400mm. Following it was the Sony FE 70–200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II with a strong 28% response.
Best Pro Mirrorless ILC
Winner: Nikon Z 9
Honorable Mention: Sony Alpha 1
The Nikon Z 9 garnered 56% of the vote in this important category. It surpassed last year’s winner with 33% of the vote. No other cameras came close to the two front-runners.
Best Long-Zoom Point & Shoot
Winner: Nikon Coolpix P1000
Honorable Mention: Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80
With a notable 47% of this year’s votes, the Nikon Coolpix P1000 once again went a long way in solidifying its position in this category. This year, the Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ80 came in a close second, and Canon’s PowerShot SX740 HS ended in third place.
Best Vlogging Camera
Winner: Sony Alpha ZV-E10
Honorable Mention: Nikon Z 30
Rejoice content creators! The Sony Alpha ZV-E10 dominated the competition in this category. It garnered a whopping 70% of the vote. The relatively new Nikon Z 30 captured the rest of the votes.
Best Camera Bag Line
Winner: ProMaster Cityscape
Honorable Mention: Think Tank Photo MindShift Rotation
In a tight race, the ProMaster Cityscape camera bag line carried the day for the third year in a row.
It topped Think Thank Photo by just a few votes, with the Lowepro ProTactic AW II line showing up in third place.
Best Action Camera
Winner: Insta360 One X2
Honorable Mention: GoPro Hero11 Black
In this close category, Insta360 finally knocked GoPro off its perch. Their One X2 edged out the Hero11 Black by just one vote! Moreover, it showed dominance with 35% of the votes. A close third by the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX0 II made this a very competitive race!
Best Prime Lens
Winner: Tamron SP 35mm f/1.4 Di USD
Honorable Mention: Sigma 20mm f/2 DG DN | C
In another hotly contested race, Tamron ruled as their 35mm f/1.4 prime recorded a narrow victory over the Sigma 20mm f/2 lens. Sony’s FE 50mm f/1.2 GM came in right behind the two front-runners to secure third place.
Best Portrait Lens
Winner: Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM | A
Honorable Mention: Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM
Sigma can claim the top prize for this one, with 35% of the vote. Further, it was followed closely behind by Sony’s impressive 85mm f/1.4 GM entry. Canon, Tamron and Nikon tied for third in the closest race of all categories!
Best Tripod Series
Winner: ProMaster Scout
Honorable Mention: Gitzo Systematic 5
ProMaster clearly stood up to the competition with an impressive 56% of the vote in the Best Tripod category. The Gitzo Systematic 5 certainly also had a leg to stand on for second place. There were also write-in votes for ProMaster’s XC-M and Specialist series. Very impressive indeed.
Best Video ILC
Winner: Canon EOS R5 C
Honorable Mention: Sony Alpha 7 IV
In another relatively new category reflecting the new normal, the Canon EOS R5 C dominated with 56% of the vote. It was followed by the Sony Alpha 7 IV. The Panasonic Lumix GH6 also garnered a number of votes to come in comfortably third.
Best Cinema Lens
Winner: Sony E PZ 18–110mm f/4 G OSS
Honorable Mention: Fujifilm Fujinon MKX18–55mm T2.9
Sony’s E PZ 18–110mm entry was an impressive runaway winner in this brand-new category with half of all retailer votes. Fujifilm’s Fujinon MKX18–55mm was certainly a favorite of some retailers, with its strong second-place finish. Canon’s CN-E 20–50mm T2.4 L F landed in a solid third place.
