Top 5 best-selling DSLR cameras on Amazon

Here are the top 5 best-selling DSLR cameras on Amazon, a chart unsurprisingly dominated by products coming from Japan’s digital imaging top-dogs, Canon and Nikon.

Photographers who are looking to purchase a new DSLR are researching the internet to see which camera suits their needs and budget.

Potential customers are looking for reviews from the experts as well as the opinions of people who have already purchased a camera.

This is important because the former allows consumers to get to know what a camera is capable of, while the latter tells them what they should expect after making the purchase.

Another good way to learn what people are thinking is to visit the top selling cameras list at online retailers.

Well, the most popular retailer in the world is Amazon, so it could be regarded as one of the best places where you can find out what other photographers are buying.

Top 5 best-selling DSLR cameras on Amazon based on “weighted averages”

Thankfully, Amazon has a “Best Sellers” list, which is updated hourly thanks to a complex algorithm. The retailer has not disclosed its ranking system, albeit a spokesperson has confirmed that it is based on recent and all-time sales alike.

A number of people are speculating on it, too, saying that the company relies heavily on “weighted averages”. The most important are said to be hourly sales with a 40% contribution, followed by 30% daily sales, then 20% weekly, and finally 10% monthly sales.

As stated above, this is based on speculation, so do not take these numbers for granted and choose a pinch of salt instead. Enough with the chatter, as it is time to find out which are the top 5 best-selling DSLR cameras on Amazon!

5. Nikon D3100

Nikon has unveiled the D3100 towards the end of summer 2010. It features a 14.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, which provides a crop factor of about 1.5x compared to a full frame 35mm camera.

It also features an EXPEED 2 image processing engine, a 3-inch LCD screen, full HD video recording, an optical viewfinder, maximum shutter speed of 1/4000th of a second, maximum ISO of 12,800, and an 11-point autofocus system.

This may be an old camera, but the sales continue to go very well, nonetheless. More than 800 customers have reviewed this DSLR, giving it an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

Amazon is selling this entry-level DSLR along with a Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.55.6 AF-S DX VR zoom lens kit for a price of about $420.

4. Canon Rebel SL1 / EOS 100D

The first Canon entry consists of the Rebel SL1, a DSLR which is sold as EOS 100D in Europe and Kiss X7 in Japan, respectively. It is a newer model, as it has been launched in spring 2013 as the smallest and lightest DSLR in the world.

The Rebel SL1 / EOS 100D is an entry-level camera, albeit its specs list is pretty good. It includes an 18-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, DIGIC 5 image processor, support for 14-bit RAW files, and a maximum ISO of 25,600.

Canon has also added a 3-inch LCD touchscreen to the back, a 9-point AF system, optical viewfinder, and a maximum shutter speed of 1/4000th of a second. More than 110 customers have reviewed it, taking its final rating at 4.7 stars out of 5.

You can buy it on Amazon with an EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens for a price around $530. However, you will have to add it into your cart to see the final price.

3. Nikon D3200

Here is another Nikon camera making it into the best-selling top. Coincidence or not, the Nikon D3200 is the replacement of the aforementioned D3100. It has been announced during the spring of 2012, claiming the entry-level spot of the company’s DSLR series from the D3100.

The D3200 features a 24.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS image sensor with EXPEED 3 image processor and 12-bit RAW support. Its maximum ISO and shutter speed are 12,800 and 1/4000th of a second, respectively.

This camera can capture up to 4 frames per second in continuous shooting mode and it can record full HD videos. Its optical viewfinder provides a 95% coverage and the rear view is dominated by a 3-inch LCD screen.

More than 500 people have decided that this camera deserves a 4.6 out of 5-star rating on Amazon. At the time of writing this article, Amazon was selling the camera for about $530 with a Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR lens.

2. Canon Rebel T3 / EOS 1100D

Moving upwards on Amazon’s list we can find the Canon Rebel T3, which goes by the name of EOS 1100D in Europe and other markets, as well as Kiss X50 in Japan.

It is the lowest-end DSLR in Canon’s line-up and one of the “oldest” devices on this list, having been introduced in early 2011 as a replacement for the EOS 1000D / Rebel XS / Kiss F.

Canon Rebel T3 features a 12.2-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, DIGIC 4 processor, 14-bit RAW support, 1/4000th of a second maximum shutter speed, 6,400 maximum ISO sensitivity, and 2.7-inch LCD screen. Videographers might be disappointed to hear that it can record videos only at 720p quality.

Amazon is selling this DSLR camera for a price a little under $400 with an 18-55mm IS II lens. More than 660 reviews account for an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

1. Canon Rebel T3i / EOS 600D

We have finally arrived at the best-selling camera on Amazon.  With a staggering amount of reviews that exceeds 1,180, the Canon Rebel T3i, otherwise known as EOS 600D in Europe and Kiss X5 in Japan, has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

The photographers have “decided” that this camera, introduced in February 2011, is the most popular DSLR on Amazon. It features an 18-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, DIGIC 4 processor, 14-bit RAW, and full HD video recording.

Its specs list also includes a 3-inch articulated LCD screen, optical viewfinder with 9-point AF system, 1/4000-30 seconds shutter speed range, while the highest ISO sensitivity stands at 12,800.

If you value the opinion of more than a thousand customers, then you will be able to purchase the Canon Rebel T3i at Amazon for a price a little bigger than $500. For this amount, you also receive an EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens.

Disclaimer: Readers should not associate the best-selling DSLRs with the “best” cameras on the market. These are only the most popular DSLR cameras, according to Amazon’s Best Sellers list. Be advised that the algorithm changes hourly therefore the order could be different from the one presented here.