Snappers vote for top digital cameras

Digital cameras from Kodak, Sony and Canon have topped the ratings in a consumer satisfaction survey by JD Power and Associates.

Overall satisfaction was based on four factors: performance, connectivity, cost and appearance.

Sony ranked highest in customer satisfaction in the $199 and under price segment, performing well above the rest in the areas of performance, connectivity and appearance.

Owners cited the LCD viewing screen, overall ease of use, initial set-up and overall functionality among the brand's principal strengths.

Kodak ranked highest in both the $200-$399 and $400-$599 segments, which together make up the bulk of digital camera sales.

In the $200-$399 segment, Kodak customers said that the cameras did particularly well in terms of performance, especially with regard to initial set-up and ease of use.

In the $400-$599 segment, Kodak received its highest ratings in performance and in terms of connecting the camera to other devices and accessories.

Canon's is the highest ranked digital camera brand in the $600 or higher price segment. The company was given "exceptionally high ratings" from owners on features and functions.

The study noted that, as digital cameras reach the mainstream market, buyers are less tech-savvy than the industry's early adopters and are primarily looking for quality devices that are easy to use and make it simple to save, share and view pictures.

"Some manufacturers are struggling at designing cameras for this new type of consumer and have not mastered a way to align camera functionality, ease of use, connectivity and appearance for each customer segment," said Ron Conlin, a partner at JD Power and Associates, in a statement.

"Sony, Canon and particularly Kodak have been innovative from a consumer perspective.

"Kodak, which emphasises ease of use with its EasyShare system, is an excellent example of a brand that targets mass-market buyers with products and accessories that meet their needs."