Camera naming conventions

funky_snowhead

funky_snowhead

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Ok dipping my toes in Equipment as I start to research what my first DSLR and lenses might be come christmas time when Santa comes to my house...
All these different Canon and Nikon names are really confusing but you folks may be able to help!
I think Canon is simpler - the smaller the number the better the camera and the higher the price using Jessops website as a guide - although the 450D buggers that up a bit...
1DS; 1D; 5D; 7D; 50D; 500D; 450D; 1000D

Nikon def does not seem to follow a pattern, going...
D3X; D3; D700; D300S; D90; D5000; D3000

So my questions - is there a naming convention that would help me understand whats going on??? I want to read posts and at least have some concept of what camera people are talking about and where it fits in the spectrum. i.e. ignore high level stuff because even at second hand prices it will be beyond my budget and ability!
I will probably look for something second hand - so what other older camera models are out there and where do they slot in the list???
Or am I being simplistic in trying to create this list???

thanks
A
 
funky_snowhead said:
Ok dipping my toes in Equipment as I start to research what my first DSLR and lenses might be come christmas time when Santa comes to my house...
All these different Canon and Nikon names are really confusing but you folks may be able to help!
I think Canon is simpler - the smaller the number the better the camera and the higher the price using Jessops website as a guide - although the 450D buggers that up a bit...
1DS; 1D; 5D; 7D; 50D; 500D; 450D; 1000D

Nikon def does not seem to follow a pattern, going...
D3X; D3; D700; D300S; D90; D5000; D3000

So my questions - is there a naming convention that would help me understand whats going on??? I want to read posts and at least have some concept of what camera people are talking about and where it fits in the spectrum. i.e. ignore high level stuff because even at second hand prices it will be beyond my budget and ability!
I will probably look for something second hand - so what other older camera models are out there and where do they slot in the list???
Or am I being simplistic in trying to create this list???

thanks
A
Click to expand...

Canon 300D, 350D, 400D, 450D and 500D (ordered oldest 1st) are canon's smaller range of comsumer/beginner models. Canon 10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D
and 7D ED
Click to expand...
are canon's semi pro range of camera's all with 1.6x cropped sensors.

Then your have
5DMKI and 5DMkII Full Frame ED
Click to expand...
semi pro
finally 1Ds, 1Ds MkII, and 1Ds MKIII Full Frame pro camera's for studio work etc, 1D, 1D MkII, 1D MkIIn, and 1D MkIII 1.3x crop sensor sports camera's (mega $$$$)

Nikon have similar ranges of camera's

D70, D70s, D80 and D90 semi pro models
D100, D200 and D300 semi pro models
D50 (cut down version of D70) consumer models
D40, D40x, and D60 comsumer models

D700 Full Frame and then the D2, D3 models etc semi pro/pro models (mega $$$)

Don't ignore other manufacturers like Pentax, Olympus or Sony etc, and best advice is to try out as may camera's as you possible can and do you research before hand, as its your money you are spending.

OK this will be your 1st DSLR, so look at the comsumer models to start with and it sounds like you'll have a small budget as well, so for canon, look at the 350D, 400D, or 20D, 30D models, 2nd hand prices start around £200.

For Nikon, personally I would avoid the D40/D60 range (personal preferrence), limited because of no inbuilt focus motor, so limiting on lens selection. Would have a look at the D70s or D80 models as a starter for 10.

If you looking at a full frame camera, then the 5D MkI is the only way to go on $$$ about £700 2nd hand price, but lenses are the most important purchase, as you'll keep a lens longer than you'll keep a camera body, so bias the cost more to better glass (better glass doesn't always have to break the bank either) when your budgeting for your equipment.

And don't forget because there older models, it won't take good images, the newer models with the extra shiny things added don't always take better images, I still use the 20D and haven't been impressed enough to upgrade to the current newer models because the 20D still produces the goods.

Peter

ED, yep, my mistake, error edited.
 
pete.rush said:
Then your have 5D and 7D Full Frame semi pro (mega $$$$)
Click to expand...

About right, but the 7d is a semi-pro, but is a 1.6 crop.
There was a pretty graphic around recently. Triangular shaped, showed, 1D at the top, with 5D/DII then 7d as next teir, with 50D just below.
Below that was the XXXD range, then further on, the 1000d
 
It's just marketing, and manufacturers will use whatever naming convention they think will promote most sales.

Eg the new Canon 7D, which is the rumoured 50D replacement and should have been called 60D. Except that it doesn't replace the 50D, and neither is it a 5D upgrade, and is effectively a new category :shrug:

Go by the price.
 
Actually there will be a 50D replacement in the new year: 60D

The 7D is on the same tier as the 5D and its replacement the 5DII just aimed at a different semi pro segment!!
 
I've always found Nikon naming convention confusing, not in that I don't understand what is what, but in that it doesn't seem to be thought out, and will quickly lead to a dead end numbering wise. :shrug:

As has been said earlier, Canon have has gone for reducing the the amount of numbers before the D as the price and sophistication increases. xxxxD, xxxD, xxD, xD. Now the single digit prefix used to mean full frame, or at least not APS-C sensor, but the 7D has messed that up and doesn't fit in with the previous naming convention, and will indeed start to confuse. Canon at least looked ahead with the xxxD range by raising the number in 50's rather than 100's. Maybe because they were bringing out cameras at a faster rate than Nikon.

Nikon on the otherhand seem to have been really confused with their naming. Dxxxx, Dxx, Dxxx, Dx being their progression of price and sophistication, and unlike Canon, Nikon's Professional cameras were APS-C cameras for many years until the D3, so only from then may all full frame cameras be D with a single digit. But you never know, as Canon have proved. Nikon messed up a bit by starting with the D70 and have quickly got to the D90, and where do they go after that? They have already had a D100. :shrug:

Comparing Canon and Nikon model for model has always been hard as the don't quite match up features and pricewise. :bonk:

If you want a confusing model line up though, look at all the Sonys. :eek: They seem to be trying to be trying to fragment their Beginner to Mid range cameras into many slightly different options. :shake:
 
Paul Philpott said:
Actually there will be a 50D replacement in the new year: 60D
Click to expand...

Of course. Everything gets upgraded. I head it was going to be called the 50Dn, which Canon have done in the past, and will only be a minor tweak to stop it competing with the 7D. (Actually, I heard nothing of the sort, I just made that up :D )

The 7D is on the same tier as the 5D and its replacement the 5DII just aimed at a different semi pro segment!!
Click to expand...

That's the point isn't it? 7D is similar on price, but apart from that it couldn't be more different to the 5D/5DII.
 
Thanks all - I've drawn out a little post it note - so i can easily refer to - when reading about cameras now.
I'm in no hurry - and will spend next few months hopefully learning a bit more. Am only just getting my head around the body that might interest me - god knows how confusing it will be when I start to learn about lenses!!
 
That's the point isn't it? 7D is similar on price, but apart from that it couldn't be more different to the 5D/5DII.[/QUOTE]

Yes I totally agree! It is a camera that I am very exited about. With the 5DII it does nothing for me as its strenghts are not my interests and its weaknesses are where I need strenghts.

Must admit i never thought I would be able to afford an xD camera. I know the 1D range is out of reach but to be honest unless you area pro or very rich it allways will be. But the 7D........................
 
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