Thanks to the strong performance of new models such as the D40 and D80, Nikon edged out Canon for the top sales position in the Japanese DSLR market in 2006 according to a report by market research firm BCN. As of December 2006, Nikon had a 47% share of the Japanese DSLR market compared to Canon’s 35%. Read more.

DSLR sales percentage for Japanese market:

1. Canon EOS Kiss Digital X      27.3% (400D/Rebel XTi)
2. Nikon D80     16.3%
3. Nikon D40     15.5%
4. Nikon D200      9.1%
5. Sony A100      6.3%
6. Pentax K10D      5.3%
7. Nikon D50      4.8%
8. Canon Kiss Digital      3.3% (350D/Digital Rebel XT)
9. Pentax K100D      2.9%
10. Canon EOS 30D      2.5%

Sigma USA has released details on the much-anticipated 18-200 F3.5-6.3 DC OS (Optical Stabilizer). This is intended to be a direct competitor to the Nikon 18-200 DX VR. Considering the $820 MSRP, the two come close. It remains to be seen if the optical quality is similar to the Nikkor.