I'm not really a beginner as I started in photography when LBJ was in office but I must say I am entirely baffled by Nikon's numbering (naming?) system for their DSLR cameras. Is there a system or are they just random? For example, it is obvious that d700, d7100, d7200, and d7500 represent the sequence in which these were released, but its not at all clear if the numbers mean anything else. Also the d750 appears superior to the d7500 except in price and in having a lower number.
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Nikon camera numbering
#1
Posted 17 October 2017 - 01:22 PM
#2
Posted 19 October 2017 - 07:24 PM
The best way is to look at the number of digits. After that, look at the first digit.
DX sensor:
D3xxx -> entry level
D5xxx -> mid range
Dxx -> mid range, retired
D7xxx -> high end
D3xx, D5xx -> pro
D1, D2 -> pro, retired
FX sensor:
D6xx -> "entry level"
D7xx -> mid range/high-end
D8xx -> pro (high res)
Dx -> pro (speed)
#3
Posted 19 October 2017 - 09:47 PM
Adam's list is almost correct, except that the D700 was a pro body and the D750 is mid range/high end. The Dxx range needs to be split in two groups as well as the D50, D40 and D60 were entry level and the D70, D80 and D90 mid range/high end. The D100 and D200 were high end, bordering on pro bodies. The Df needs to go somewhere too, I feel it is high end.
If we use the categories entry level, consumer, enthusiast, prosumer and pro, the list will be something like this.
Entry level
D50, D40, D60, D3xxx
Consumer
D5xxx
Enthusiast
D70, D80, D90, D7000
Prosumer
D100, D200, D7100, Df, D750, D7200, D7500
Pro
D1, D2, D3, D4, D5, D300, D700, D8xx, D500
The D600/D610 were prosumer bodies when introduced, but moved down to the enthusiast range when the D750 was introduced.
#4
Posted 20 October 2017 - 08:31 PM
#5
Posted 21 October 2017 - 12:18 AM
Peter’s list is almost correct except that he missed out the D610 - although it did get a mention at the bottom.
However, I would argue that the DF fits into the system below D610 purely on its lack of a second card slot.
#6
Posted 21 October 2017 - 08:57 AM
The reason I left the D6x0 out is that the long time in production has moved it in the line-up.
The Df is a special case as it has only one card slot, but is the most backward-compatible of all DSLRs and it has the D4 sensor which places it firmly in the prosumer bracket.