It’s that special time of year when we countdown the most popular Canon items. We compiled statistics via our street price program as well as through our posted deals (new and refurbished), and we ranked by number sold. You can compare with 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016’s list.
This year has a line-up of lenses that look similar to the previous, but some new cameras have shown up for the first time. The RF takeover is complete, with the top 40 places all going to RF mount cameras or lenses.
- RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM
This lens sneaks onto the list and continues to surprise with its popularity. Despite the three pound weight and hefty price tag to match, the lens has become a staple, especially amongst wedding photographers.
- EOS R8
Our first new-entrant to the list is the EOS R8 at #9. Even though the camera only started selling in April, it has proven to be very popular with its full-frame sensor (and many featured borrowed from the more powerful EOS R6 Mark II). We don’t expect this success to carry forward in future years, though, as the already low price-point of this camera leaves little room for more deals.
- EOS R7
The EOS R7 continues to sell well as Canon’s spiritual successor to the EOS 7D Mark II, aided by some strong end-of-year sales which took it down to nearly the $1k mark. It continues to be popular amongst wildlife and sports photographers, with a 30 FPS electronic shutter.
- RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
The RF 24-105L on our top-ten list is a good indication of first-time mirrorless body purchasers — this is often the first lens purchased with a new RF-mount body. This lens is a good performer, a good upgrade over the EF 24-105L II, and despite the price increase, is still a great value lens.
- RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM
The RF 15-35mm continues to hover on our list, as the lowest-ranked member of the “f/2.8 Zoom Trinity”. This is mostly because this lens was one of the first ‘upgrades’ for shooters moving from EF to RF, and now most photographers are working on upgrading the other lenses in their arsenal.
- RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM
The RF 100-500mm continues to be a popular RF lens, at #5 overall (and #3 lens of the year). Photographers continue to love its versatile (100-500mm) focal length range and fast autofocus.
- RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM
The RF 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom has fallen from #3 to #4, but more surprisingly, from its position of top lens. We’re used to seeing an 70-200mm f/2.8 atop our lens rankings — there are still many photographers upgrading from the EF version of this lens — but some better deals on other RF lenses has changed the usual pattern.
- EOS R5
The replacement for the EOS R5 never came in 2023, so the sales continue strong, but we expect an EOS R5 Mark II in 2024 which should push the EOS R5 down lower. Through end-of-year discounts and battery grip deals, the EOS R5 was able to keep #3 overall (and second most popular camera) during 2023.
- RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM
The RF 24-70mm makes it to the top of the lens list (and in the #2 overall position), for the first time! Deep discounts took this lens to a price point where many could not refuse the upgrade — we’re seeing a corresponding flood of EF 24-70mm II on the used market.
- EOS R6 Mark II
We have a camera showing up for the first time, and roaring into top spot: the EOS R6 Mark II is this year’s most popular item, in its first full year of sales. A big part of its success was the price point, as the camera was discounted $500 from the introductory price of $2499; refurbished sales later in the year took this even lower. Will the camera repeat as the most popular in 2024, or will a new entrant appear? We’ll find out next year!
As usual, we had a ton of fun bringing you all the Canon deals in 2023. Happy New Year and all the best to our readers in 2024!
I’d be curious to see what the top EF lenses and bodies were this year, and whether it was due to the amazing refurb sales that happened in the spring and over Black Friday.