Top 10 Camera/Photo Bestsellers – May 2011

It’s the beginning of a new month so it’s time for my monthly look at the top-selling camera and photo items as measured by Amazon.com.

Another strong month for Nikon with a couple DSLRs at the top of this list, some interesting movement in the compact video camera area as well.

1. Nikon D3100 Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens – Nikon’s D3100 is a good “first DSLR” at an affordable price; it jumps up one position to the top spot this month. Serious amateurs or pros will want more features but for someone just getting started, the D3100 is a nice kit.
2. Nikon D7000 Digital SLR (Body Only) – The D7000 is quickly becoming the most-recommended camera for serious hobbyists; some pros are also finding that it offers the right features in a very affordable package. Earlier supply constraints appear to have lessened for the month although aftereffects of the Japan earthquake might cause issues soon.
3. Kodak PlayTouch Video Camera (Teal) – earlier this month, it was announced that Flip would be shut down and no longer produce cameras; a pair of Kodak PlayTouch cameras make their debut on the bestseller list this month. Offering HD video, 5 megapixel still images, and a 3″ screen, this looks like a great portable unit.
4. Kodak PlayTouch Video Camera (Silver) – a different color of the same camera that’s in the #3 spot. I wonder what their combined sales ranking would be.
5. Nikon Coolpix L22 Digital Camera – around $80, this Nikon point and shoot packs a good feature set for someone needing a small carryaround camera.
6. Flip UltraHD Video Camera – Black, 8 GB – Now being discontinued due to the parent company shutting down Flip, this camera continues to sell well while the retail channels move product through the pipeline. It’s a great unit; I wouldn’t hesitate to buy one although you should also consider the newer Kodak cameras above.
7. Nikon COOLPIX L120 Digital Camera – This looks like a great mid-range point-and-shoot camera from Nikon. This particular form factor is popular for being able to offer good image quality with a decent zoom lens. My wife has a similar camera and loves it.
8. Kodak PlaySport (Zx3) HD Waterproof Pocket Video Camera Bundle – in addition to Kodak’s great PlaySport waterproof camera, this bundle includes a flex tripod, remote control, and 4GB memory card – a great way to get started with video capture on the go!
9. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V Digital Camera – a newcomer to the list, this mid-range Sony pocket camera provides ten megapixels which is about right – cameras that try to push for more in this form factor often suffer from image quality issues. This is a nice little pocket camera with a 10x wide angle zoom.
10. Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS Digital Camera – we wrap up this month’s list with a low-end PowerShot – one of Canon’s great little point-and-shoot cameras. This one is small enough to fit in a pocket yet will provide decent pictures. This camera’s been on and off the bestseller list for several months; it seems Canon made a unit that appeals well to those looking for a sub-$200 unit.

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Tagged as: cameras, canon, D3100, d7000, dslr, flip, kodak, nikon, playsport, sony, video cameras