Top 10 Most Popular Canon Cameras and Lenses of 2019

It’s a CPW tradition to countdown the most popular Canon items of the year. We compiled statistics via our street price program as well as through our posted deals (new and refurbished), and we sorted by number of copies purchased.

You can compare with 2018, 2017 and 2016’s list. Surprised by any of the items in our listing? Chime in below in the comments!

All the best to our CPW readers in 2020!

1. RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM
2. RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM

   Designed with a similar aesthetic, launched on the same day, and with an identical price. These lenses are like twins, so it’s only fitting that they’ve had almost identical sales figures through the year. (As of writing, the 24-70mm is ahead by one extra copy sold.) These lenses are the new foundations of any RF photography’s kit. We’ll see the final member of the f/2.8 zoom trinity, the RF 70-200mm, join them next year on the 2020 “most popular” list.

   Our current street price for the twins is $2099 and $2099.

3. EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM

   The popularity of the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM has waned in 2019, likely as it has had competition from the mirrorless bodies and two other great mirrorless RF lenses. This lens falls from #2 all the way down to #8. Still a fantastic performer and now tremendous value at $1449.

4. RF 28-70mm F2 L USM

   Of all the EOS R launch-day announcements, the RF 28-70mm F2 L USM had to be the most polarizing: an f/2 zoom across the quintessential 28-70mm focal range? Yes please! A $3000 price tag? No way! It was the most popular RF lens in 2019 (other than the RF 24-105 kit), although the three f/2.8 zooms launched at end of year are quickly catching up. Our street price is $2799.

5. EOS 90D

   The EOS 90D is the first crop-sensor body to have made it onto our annual top-10 list. No surprise, as the successor to both the 7D Mark II and 80D, Canon has unified these two product lines into one feature-packed prosumer body — at an introduction price which was surprisingly competitive. Our street price is now $1059.

6. EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II

   The fifth full year for the 100-400mm II and still going strong since its release in late 2014. It fell one spot from last year’s #4 finish, but this is because of a lack of end-of-year deals, and not at all due to the stellar optics of this widely-loved lens.

7. EOS RP

   When the EOS RP was announced, at an excellent $1299 price point, we thought it would be the more popular Canon full-frame mirrorless. Surprisingly, EOS R sales increased after the EOS RP announcement. Even as the EOS RP dropped sub-$1000, the EOS R has been more popular at a 3:1 ratio. Our hot street price is currently $949 with a free adapter.

8. EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM

   The EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM has supplanted the mk II version of the lens and was the most popular Canon lens of 2019. Most of the purchases seem to be new owners of a 70-200mm, as the incremental features (better lens coating) aren’t quite worth the pricey upgrade. Our street price is currently $1699.

9. EOS 5D Mark IV

   After two years on top, the 5D Mark IV has fallen to #2 in its third full year of sales. It was destined for #4 or #5, but a crazy holiday deal at $1999 or below propelled this camera to a respectable #2. Now that the holiday deals are over, we really don’t see this camera making next year’s top 10 list.

10. EOS R

    We have a new sheriff in town! The full-frame mirrorless EOS R rockets to the top in its first full year (it was introduced September 2018). This camera has been gaining in popularity over time, fueled by some great price drops and deals throughout the year. At the $1499 holiday price it was a fantastic price point and a no-brainer for many. Canon’s transformation into a mirrorless-camera company is well underway, and we expect to see more full-frame mirrorless atop the list next year.