Before we get into what the most popular camera is, we should first say why this is significant. As you know, Flickr is no pushover of a website. This is possibly the largest photosharing site of its kind on the internet. It has over 51 million users (from novices to professionals) and 80 million unique visitors. The camera that claims the top spot as most used out of a community this large (and particular) is certain to be a class act. So can you guess what it is? No cheating! The answer may surprise you.
That's right... according to Flickr, the most popular camera used to take photos on their site isn't even designed to be a camera primarily. It is the iPhone 4. Another interesting point to note is that the competing cameras in 2nd and 3rd place are very expensive in comparison. We can probably attribute this to a few factors. The iPhone's camera is extremely impressive given that it's only a phone. It takes a 5MP image, has great features like tap to focus and has added geotagging capabilities. There are also those crazy add on features that people can customize their phones with. And thats saying nothing about the 720p HD video it captures. Taken in proper lighting, the iPhone's photos could rival those of a much larger and much more expensive DSLR at a fraction of the cost and with much easier usability. This point alone could justify the iPhone's value for those who are still wavering on purchasing one. Beyond the quality of the iPhone's camera, this graph also proves just how ubiquitous it is in the market. And there is certainly power in numbers. Despite it's massive competition rising against it from all sides, the iPhone remains the most popular smartphone and clearly the most popular choice for a cameraphone.
Looking at this second graph which focuses strictly cameraphones, the only non-Apple product featured is the HTC Evo which does have a respectable camera from what we've seen. But again, the sheer power of the iPhone 4's popularity is impressive. And there has been a lot of talk about the iPhone 5 (or 4S perhaps being announced in the upcoming Apple event) and what kind of camera improvements we can expect (8MP!?)
How do you feel about these statistics? Is this a fair assessment and proof of the iPhone's supreme performance compared to the rest of the market (as both a phone and a camera)? Or is Flickr too small (or biased) of a subject to get an accurate analysis from?
The Roeders' Modern Life is Beautiful 
Kitchen Transformation: Photos of a Step-by-Step Renovation Process
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Make Chocolate Magic Shell Ice Cream Topping with Only 2 Ingredients
How to Cook Moist & Tender Chicken Breasts Every Time
Comments (5)
While Flickr probably gives an accurate view of the iPhone vs. other smart phones, I don't think it's quite fair to compare it to other cameras.
When I upload photos I've taken with my phone, I upload it directly from my iPhone. When I use my SLR, I have to remember to download the photos, process them with lightroom, then upload them.
As far as photosharing goes, my iPhone is infinitely easier to use, thus I'll upload more photos with it. If you look at which photos I like best, which ones I use as a wallpaper or have the most views, they're all from my DSLR.
I agree with Michelle M. That's just referring to the number of pictures taken with it, not indicating the quality of said pictures at all. There is really no comparison between a camera phone and a DSLR for professional photos.
Not surprised at all, but I did just write a paper on how smartphones are cannibalizing the small camera market.
As far as actual camera parts go, they're absolutely inferior - but the convenience factor is unbeatable. I always have my phone on me. My small camera and big camera tend to stay at home except for special occasions.
"Taken in proper lighting, the iPhone's photos could rival those of a much larger and much more expensive DSLR at a fraction of the cost and with much easier usability." I'm not saying this is wrong. Just that it can apply to almost any low budget 5M camera. :)
Also, when looking at graphs, I am always more comfortable to know the numbers that are supposed to be at the edges.
@Andsetinn: you mean sparklines are not meant to exist in a vacuum, but rather give an overview of historical trends set within the context of min/max/last values? It's almost like you want statistics that DON'T lie. =P