Nikon overtook Canon in volume sales of digital SLR cameras in the UK for the month of October.

The move is significant for Nikon UK, coming as camera makers prepare for their busiest sales period in the run up to Christmas.

In the recent past Canon has held the largest slice of UK digital SLR sales.

A spokesman for GfK Marketing Services, which provides sales data to camera manufacturers, confirmed to Amateur Photographer that Nikon held the number one position, in volume terms, for October.

But the GfK spokesman said he was not able to divulge Nikon’s specific market share or its DSLR sales, in value terms.

Neither was he able to comment on the position of rival brands, in accordance with GfK’s contractual agreement with camera manufacturers.

Yesterday, Canon confirmed that global camera sales may shrink next year as a result of the global economic crisis. Sales of digital SLR cameras have already been hit.

Picture for illustration purposes only