In the eyes of Internet goers, Canon is the best manufacturer of digital cameras, according to a survey conducted by professional pollster Ipsos Insight. Among the 15 brands offered as choices to the survey's respondents, Tokyo-based Canon garnered about 24 percent of the "best" votes. Other makers capturing significant kudos from consumers were Kodak, Sony and Nikon.


Ipso revealed that Canon's endorsement is highest among those who are younger, college-educated, and with high annual incomes. On the other hand, Kodak receives strongest support from older, less-educated consumers.

"Kodak was the top manufacturer for digital cameras in the U.S. in 2005, but has now fallen to third place in terms of market share for 2006," Ipso Vice President Leslie Rich said in a statement. "Our study results show that consumer perception of the Kodak brand has been more positive than the brand's actual market share figures would reflect."

American consumers are eager to utilize their amateur photography skills and print their own images, ipsos added. More than two-thirds (70 percent) of U.S. Internet users reported owning a digital camera and nearly the same amount (61 percent) reported owning a home printer capable of printing photos.