DC Watch Camera Awards 2018...and M43

Hi,

this is a poll with their readers (Japanese) for the best cameras of 2018 and 4 M43 cameras made it into the top 20.

8) G9

13) GH5S

14) LX100 II (I don't count it as M43 but...)

17) GX7 Mk III (i.e. GX9 to the rest of us)

19) E-PL9

28) GF10/90

https://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/img/dcw/docs/1160/690/html/data_2018.jpg.html

I think that's pretty good considering an industry that is massively dominated by Canon, Nikon and Sony (with honourable mention to Fujifilm).

Probably the most surprising is Pentax K-1 MII at 7...glad to hear they are still remembered.

Tom Caldwell wrote:

peppermonkey wrote:

Hi,

this is a poll with their readers (Japanese) for the best cameras of 2018 and 4 M43 cameras made it into the top 20.

8) G9

13) GH5S

14) LX100 II (I don't count it as M43 but...)

17) GX7 Mk III (i.e. GX9 to the rest of us)

19) E-PL9

28) GF10/90

https://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/img/dcw/docs/1160/690/html/data_2018.jpg.html

I think that's pretty good considering an industry that is massively dominated by Canon, Nikon and Sony (with honourable mention to Fujifilm).

Probably the most surprising is Pentax K-1 MII at 7...glad to hear they are still remembered.

I take all these polls with a pinch of salt as they are driven by those that feel bound to respond to them. But nevertheless any poll is better than no-poll.

In this regard it is informative that the well-regarded FF K-1 II is at 7th place and the also well regarded 4/3 G9 is at 8th. How the E-PL9 and GF10 even registered on the scale might be another question entirely. Why the GX9 is 17th whilst the LX100 II is at 14th shows more a propensity to “vote for tha camera I bought” more than any indication of general capability.

you are right, as is pretty much all polls, you do need to take these polls with a grain of salt but it's still a pretty good sample size with over 12,000 votes. And the crowd that votes at this site are like those that vote here, i.e. generally knowledgeable enthusiasts and compared to the average Joes who know nothing but Nikon and Canon.

Also, more Panasonic M43 cameras are on this list than any other one brand which I would say is rather unusual.

As for why E-PL9 and GF10 have gotten onto this list and why LX100 II is higher than the GX9 is rather simple. First, you need to realize the voters are Japanese and their preferences, likes and dislikes are different from those in the west or Europe. It's a culture that really does like small and sophisticated. The GF line (and presumably E-PL9), are best sellers in Japan, they are very popular unlike the rest of the world. And in that same vein, the LX100 is also a small compact that gets noticed in Japan unlike here in North America...and pretty much Europe and UK.

Generally speaking, the rankings look fairly reasonable considering those that voted.