Nikon, canon confusion

[Paul]

Maybe other camera firms do it but not noticed but what I don't get is why the likes of canon release different dslrs like the 10D, 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D, 60D and at the same time they were releasing the 350d, 400d.......600d.
There's not a great difference in price with each release e.g the latest releases are the 600d and the 60d. The price difference is only around £50 more for the 60d so without examining all the specs of both cameras, what's the point?

Similarly the nikon do it e.g d5000, d5100 then you got the d60's, 80's 90's :confuse:

[Marvin]

Yes, you're right, seems daft to me as though they are in competition with themselves. But I guess the more models they have got, the more sales they will make.

Don't know about the Canon and others, but there seems to be 2 trains of thought with the Nikon models....
The likes of the D80, now superceded by the D90, are almost a semi-pro model with a slightly larger and heavier body and a focus motor built in. Nikon started with the D40 then the D60 in producing a smaller, lighter body with no motor, relying on the lens to supply it. Now they do a whole range like this.

Apparently, over 50% of DSLR purchasers never buy another lens for it so it doesn't matter to them where the motor lives. Me? I have just one motorised lens & LOADS without so I'm happy the D300 has a motor!

[benjiblanco]

I think Nikon actually have a fairly organised product line now.... the lingering D90 the only exception.
We might even see the same system used for a few years to come as the numbers now allow that to happen.

There are 3 separate categories with Nikon... Amateur, Prosumer and Pro.


In the amateur category there are 3 models, D3000, D5000, D7000. the next gen (already released 2 of them is) D3100, D5100 and D7100. When/If the far east ever recover from all the natural disasters we should have D3200, D5200, D7200 etc. for each future release.

This gives a great choice for the amatier photographer, 3 great cams to choose from, the 7000 model being top spec (close to pro quality)

The old d70,d80, d90, models are now retired by this d7000 range.


Next we have the Prosumer category.. This is a pretty small area with just 2 models
D300 and D700. Cropped sensor and full frame. (The D300s just a minor step upgrade to the d300, added video and a few small changes)
These are very likely to become the D400 and D800 in the next 6-12 months, again depending on the recovery in the factories.

There is not a huge difference between the 7000 model and the 300, weatherproofing, larger body, slightly more pro all round.


You then get the Pro category. D3 D3s D3x. no doubt to become the D4, possible D4s and D4x eventually?

Full on pro model, i wouldn't be surprised if we see 2 models here like there are now when the D4 range come out, 1 more for portrait, studio work and landscapes, (Higher pixels but less iso performance, and 1 for sport.


The slight overlaps and confusion happen because the whole lineup isn't renewed in one go.

For example, the Nikon D3200 may be released before the D5200, making the technology on the D3200 very comparable with the D5100 because its newer.

This is the case with the D7000 slightly overlapping the D300 in many areas. The D300 is the 'better camera' as far as category is concerned, but because the D7000 is 2 years newer many features are actually better.

This is also why the prices get very similar too. (weatherproofing and slightly larger body and 'this is a prosumer body not a amateur body but 2 years older' are not on the specs lists so dont jump out either)


Im pretty sure Canon has the same sort of line up.

:top:

[Paul]

Ahh right, that explains it perfectly. I can only speak from an aesthetic point of view cos, other than my old 350d, the upgrades since, and even including the new 600d, just look more lightweight and perhaps marketed(?) to people who want a good quality camera but not to someone who wants to take it up as a hobby or as a stepping stone to an amateur hobbyist.

Not sure if that might offend or even make any sense so probably easier to say it this way. If I had got a 400d I might have got a 500d then a few years later a 600d cos they seem to throw them out very quickly. Too quickly imo but I don't get that urge with the camera I have now

[benjiblanco]

I think that it's pretty much the same as any other product in a way. Its the set up of the machinery and production line that cost.
They set up the factory to make say 100k d5000 units, when they're done, they set up to run off a 100k D7000 units. If they sell out of D5000's in the meantime, they think they may as well make a few small changes and make it the D51000 this time when they redo the set up..
The speed at which they sell those 100k units governs how quickly they produce a new model, which is why the more higher end models have a slower turnaround.

Its the same with everything.. cars being a good example.
The Ford Fiesta or Mondeo gets upgrades every 4 - 5 years, a Jag every 10-12, an Aston Martin 15-20.


I guess its where you come in at on the market too that counts, the actual cost probably doesnt change much.
If i buy a D300 at £1000 and they and I upgrade it every 4 years, its costing £250 a year.
I could have bought the D5000 at £500 which they and I would upgrade every 2 years, still costs £250 a year.
I know you dont need to upgrade, but if there's a new model of your camera out there, you quite likely would.

At least we dont change our TVs every time a new model comes out, you'd be in Comet every other weekend.

[Paul]

Get it. Thanks :top:

Not too happy though I have to wait another 15 years to get the new Aston Martin mind :(