What is the most respected brand of digital camera?

At work everyone always asks me what the "best" brand of digital camera is. I usually say that a lot of people like olympus or sony, because I have no idea.
Is there a certain company that is known for making really good digital cameras?
At the place I work we sell: Sony, Olympus, HP, Cannon, and Kodak

From the standpoint of a photographer who has used everything from a 1890s view camera, to a 1950s Rolleiflex, to numerous 1960s and newer SLRs, I have to say that I find Canon point and shoots the easiest and most logical to use. Again, this is all from a photographers standpoint, but Canon knows what settings are important and where to put them.

Nikon would be right behind them, although both make excellent cameras, both point and shoot and SLR.

I absolutely can't stand Sony cameras. Unlike the real camera companies(Canon, Nikon, Olympus), Sony is an electronics camera. Using Sony camera reminds me too much of trying to set the time on my VCR. Important settings like ISO, White Balance, and exposure compensation are buried in menus, while they're just one or two button pushes away on Canons.

Sony is an electronics company that makes cameras. Their cameras follow too much from the design of their electronics products. Sony doesn't seem to understand how Photographers think, while Canon and Nikon have had 60+ years practice at doing that.

I'll say Sony

SONY FOR SURE

Nikon makes excellent cameras, for professional and recreational photography.

Canon is my choice.

The best answer is that there is no answer. It depends on what you want to use it for, how serious you are about picture quality, the way you want to print your pictures, etc. I have a Canon digital camera. It has always been reliable through being dropped and scratched, its pictures come out very clearly, and its pictures always transfer to my computer easily, but I would by no means try to convince someone that it is the best. It's better to decide what exactly the customer wants it for and then have them try out a few to see which brand they are more comfortable with. Don't worry; no one wants a direct answer, really. The people that ask that just want to pick out a camera quickly, but it's better to help them find which brand is best for them.

my choice would actually be canon
it all depends on who you talk too
there's people who like and prefer to be using certain brands over others. otherwise no clear winner

In the point and shoot type of digital camera, Canon and Sony have the best reputation. If it's a digital SLR then choose a Nikon or Canon

Among your brands, I prefer Canon. I look to Canon for point and shoot and Nikon for SLR's. Each company makes good products in the other realm, but that's how I see it at every price point.

Stock answer may prove helpful:

Go here http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/stats.as... and look at the second chart - the one that shows interest by brand name. The best brands are indeed the ones in the top part of the chart. And vice versa.

Here's a listing in order by ratings. You can pick out the "better brands" from this chart.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/default....

See also:

http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/4103/top...

Another good rule. Even if you don't buy from them, check with B&H Photo (available through Yahoo! Shopping). If B&H does not sell the brand you are looking at, don't bother buying that brand.

SONY SONY

I don't know if best brand and and most respected would necessarily be the same company. BUT in 35mm days to me the most respected brand of SLR would have to be Nikon, even though most people on this Website swear by Canons.
Digital camera I think it's too early to tell.

Nikon