I dunno, but to me it’s confusing. There is a logic, but it falls over badly.

So, we have: ESO300D, 350D, 400D etc - the “hundred” line is clearly consumer, entry level kit. I get that.

Then we have the EOS 30D, 40D etc - the “tens” which are not full frame DSLRs, but are more advanced, and more “pro” than “am”.

Then the EOS 4D, 5D, 5D MkII - full frame, professional level cameras, with prices to match.

So... where does the EOS 7D fall in all this? It’s not full frame, so in my eyes it doesn’t fit with the 5D line. It’s more in the 40/50D line. It doesn’t make sense to me.

Canon's website currently shows the range as this:

EOS 1000D
EOS 450D
EOS 500D
EOS 50D
EOS 7D
EOS 5D Mark II
EOS-1D Mark IV - DEC 09
EOS-1Ds Mark III

I'm not saying it makes any sense but when have companies been known to make things easy for us!

The way I see it, the xxxD series is the standard entry level, with xxxxD being a reduced entry level. Then there's the xxD which is a step up. From then on you have a choice between a faster burst-rate or a more pricey but higher IQ full-frame version, with the 5DII and 7D, and the top-end pro 1D and IDs.

Personally I see the xxD series as pretty redundant, as you'd be barking not to get a 7D for a bit more, and the xxxxD seems to exist just to offer an option to match Nikon's slightly-cheaper-than-an-xxxD entry level model, and is just a crippled xxxD.

Well if you think that's confusing (as far as I can tell, with a few exceptions, the lower the number, the better the camera), could someone explain Nikon's system?

No.

Thats a mess right? Their 'professional' range is...

D3X
D3S
D3

So good so far then as far as the top of the range goes. Then....

D300S
D300

At the bottom of the pro range. Thats ok too, I get that. But just to throw a spanner in the works there's the D700 sitting right in the middle.

D3X - FX 24mp
D3S - FX 12mp and video
D3 - FX 12mp
D700 - FX 12mp
D300S -DX 12mp and video
D300 - DX 12mp

Although looking similar in sensor spec to the D3 the D700 doesnt have the portrait handle/battery grip layout as the D3. Its like the anomoly in the range lol

As for the consumer spec models I havent got a bleeding clue (as listed in order on Nikon website)...

D90
D5000
D3000
D60

?????

I started considering Nikon and gave up trying to figure out their numbering. Canon have got a bit confusing but are nowhere near as bad.