Camera Labs

Hi guys.
I don’t want to get into the Canon vs. Nikon discussion, I just want to talk about their product lines (excluding pro DSLR since I’m not really familiar with them).
It seems that Canon and Nikon product lines are not equivalent, in my opinion it is something like this (simple models at the top, advanced at the bottom):

Nikon D40
Canon 400D
Nikon D80
Canon 40D
Nikon D300

Nikon has 2 budget lines, while Canon has only one, as if Canon tries to make its entry level interesting enough for both new users and amateurs while Nikon separates these lines.
Nikon lines are straight forward, if you’re new to DSLR, buy the entry level. Serious amateur will buy the D80 and semi-pro the D300. In Canon, if you’re new or amateur you’ll buy the 400D, but serious amateurs will probably go for the 40D (and semi-pro users of course). So they are “pushing” serious amateurs into their semi-pro line. On the other hand, they supply a very good entry level camera (comparing to the D40) in a very reasonable price (comparing to the D80).
What do you think? What can be the reason / logic for this?
This is only my opinion, so no offence and feel free to disagree.

Liron.

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Canon EOS 50D, Canon EF 17-40L, Canon EF 70-200L f/4 IS and Canon SpeedLite 430EX
My picasa

Hi Liron,

Don't forget that you can still buy the EOS 350D/Rebel XT so Canon does have two entry level models. I would guess that the 400D will pick up the role of the 350D once the 450D is released.

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Hi Bob.
OK, you can still get the 350D, but you really think that this is a different line? I think the 400D replaced the 350D but you can still get the 350D as an older model.

Liron.

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Canon EOS 50D, Canon EF 17-40L, Canon EF 70-200L f/4 IS and Canon SpeedLite 430EX
My picasa

If you look at the pricing, the Canon 400d sits somewhere between the D40 and the D80, although of course there's the D40x which is priced about the same as the 400d. I'm not sure how the D40x compares with the 400d though, other than it having the same megapixel count.

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Nikon D700 | 20mm f2.8 | 28mm f2.8 | 50mm f1.8 | 70-300 f4-5.6 | SB800 | flickr | serial photography