D5? D800s?

*faceplam*

I would think Nikon would have some naming convention.

For example, the D (single digit) series like D1, D2, and D3 and their variations are built tough for extensive professional use.

On the other end of the line is the D (four digit) series like the D3000 and D3100.

In the middle used to be the D (two digit) series like the D80 and the D90.

That seemed to make sense to me, the smaller the number after the D, the more professional the camera's design and intended user.

But then complexity set in. The replacement for the D90 is not another double digit camera but rather is a quad digit camera: the D7000. Why? To avoid confusion because there was an old D100? Another complexity: a D (triple digit) camera should slot between a double digit camera like the D90 and a quad digit camera like the D5100, But it doesn't. Nikon's triple digit camera slots between the single digit D3 series cameras and the D7000 which is the new top of the line for the old D double digit line of cameras.

There used to be four lines, single digit, double digit, triple digit, and quad digit. Now I think we will have three lines: single digit (D4) signifying built for professionals, triple digit (D400 and D800) for professionals who don't want a "brick" or want a lightweight backup or for non-professionals who want that FX size sensor, and quad digit (D3100, D5100, D7000) for different levels of non-professionals. I suggest the double digit line is dead and now is incorporated into the high end of the quad digit line. But where does this leave the new D400? I suggest it will be the DX equivalent of the FX D800 serving the "semi-professional - advanced amateur" who prefers the DX senor over the FX sensor for some reason such as compatibility with an existing collection of DX lenses or use in telephoto wildlife photography.

If I am correct, I would expect to see a new D4 series over the next few years such as a D4s and D4x before we get to the D5. Also, I would expect the D800 and the D500 to essentially share the same body and both use the same battery holder. Also, they should evolve to a D800s and D500s about two years from now. Finally, I would expect the D quad series of cameras to be Nikon's best sellers because they are all the camera 90% of purchasers really need. The D7000 already has a rugged magnesium alloy body. In a few years a D7100 or D8000 will be out with an improved sensor (perhaps the 24 mega pixel sensor rumored to be in the new D400) so what more will anyone really need?

Since digital cameras advance so rapidly (every two years significant changes are made) couldn't a professional (such as a wedding photographer) be as well served by using a D7000 and replacing it as soon as a newer version is out? Will not the D7000 magnesium alloy body with its 150k shutter actuations (enough for 205 shots every day for two years) actually serve a working professional adequately at less than half the cost of shooting the D3 or D4 series?

If you see errors in my thought, please inform me.

TaoTeJared said:

The hard thing about Nikon is that they really don't skimp on lower models and many pros can use lower models. The lower models also get refreshed faster and that is why you see many pick them up for video since that tech is improving quicker than Line-up refreshes.

I think this was a factor in the Design of the D7000 that nikon refuses to admit. Almost all of the D90 users I knew were pros (although most of them used it as a lighweight backup to a D3 or D700). Soccer moms went for the D5000 and advanced amateurs and hobbyists went for the D300s and D700...

Dx (Pro),DxxX (Expert),DxxxX (Amateur),Dxxxx (Beginner)

(Note Cap 'X' changes) This seems to be the new designation. It give them the room to grow where in the past they ran out of numbers with the Dxx (D50 was older than the D40, D70/80 older than D60, etc.)

I don't think the FX & DX changes much except for cost at this point. I wouldn't be surprised if the D400 becomes more of a "Pro" DX line as there are pros who do like the DX crop for various reasons like extra reach with smaller lenses and more DOF for macro.

TaoTeJared said:
Basically anything above $2,500k is a pro, above 1,500 is a simi-pro, below $1,500 Amateur/Consumer. This holds true with most brands. The D7000's price pushes the threshold as well as a amateur/Advanced build, but feature set put's it squarly in the advanced amateur/ consumer line-up. My line breaks are where the big changes of feature sets happen.

Thank you; very well said and you got my point exactly. I'm trying to figure out Nikon's model progression and product placement.

With Nikon film cameras, you had the F1/2/3/4/5/6 with all the features aimed at the Professionals. The FM/FE/N90/F100, etc with lesser feature sets aimed at the Amateurs (beginnner or advanced).

With digital SLR's, the D1,2,& 3 is again aimed at the Pro's. The D40/50/60/70, etc aimed at the amateurs or beginners. But, the middle ground is fuzzy with D80/90/100/200/300/700/3000/5000/7000.

Then, you throw FX & DX in the mix.

Where is Nikon going? What is their product line progression: Dx (Pro),Dxx (Expert),Dxxx (Amateur),Dxxxx (Beginner)?

Let's not get into what person is a "Pro" again and stick to the OP's question of terms describing cameras.

NikoDoby said:
Expert = Professional
Hobbyist, Semi-Pro = Advanced Amateur
Beginner, Newbie, Noob = Amateur

Niko has it listed very well.

With the camera lines, you have it fairly close - the price ranges is a good indicator.
People start getting really personal with what labels are applied to what camera. It is safe to say it comes down to feature sets when the point where IQ doesn't change much. The age of the system does not change the class it is in either.

$8,000 D3x - Flagship - Pro
$5,200 D3 - Pro
-----------------------------
$3,000 D700 - Pro/Expert/Semi-Pro/Advanced Amateur
$1,700 D300 - Expert/Semi-Pro/Advanced Amateur
-----------------------------
$1,200 D7000- Advanced Amateur/Consumer
$900 D90 - Advanced Amateur/Consumer (Still on Nikon's site)
$800 D5100- Consumer
$600 D3100- Consumer

Basically anything above $2,500k is a pro, above 1,500 is a simi-pro, below $1,500 Amateur/Consumer. This holds true with most brands. The D7000's price pushes the threshold as well as a amateur/Advanced build, but feature set put's it squarly in the advanced amateur/ consumer line-up. My line breaks are where the big changes of feature sets happen.

The hard thing about Nikon is that they really don't skimp on lower models and many pros can use lower models. The lower models also get refreshed faster and that is why you see many pick them up for video since that tech is improving quicker than Line-up refreshes.

Sorry duplicate post.

jeephoto said:
A quote by the "Nikon Rep" from July 19th Nikon Rumors, leaking "two new FX cameras" to be announced in August:

"Nevertheless, the two FX cameras will be aimed at different customers who have different needs: one camera for “expert” photographers, the other for “pro” photographers."

My confusion is his use of the words "Expert" and "Pro" as two different groups.

There are other threads on the forum where we have discussed what makes someone a professional. My take on it is that a professional is someone who receives payment for his/her work. Someone who is unusually shooting a wedding or other event for money is shooting it professionally at that time. Someone who earns their living from their camera is a professional photographer. In my opinion it has NOTHING to do with your competence or skill, so in answer to your question, "what's the difference between an expert and a pro"? A camera that an expert photographer would use could well not need to be made to the same physical toughness as a model designed for a "Pro", (someone who would most likely be using their equipment most days of the week). The D700 and D3s are good examples of this. They can be (and are) used by either group, but the 3s with it's built in grip, larger standard battery, longer lasting shutter life etc, would lean itself to favour the professional user. Many "Pro's" however use the 700 and lower models in the range and achieve fantastic results. I would say the various models in the Nikon range are mearly "aimed" at different end users based on their features and construction, this in no way limits their use by people outside of those intended users.

Expert, Pro and FX all equal $$$ :)

But my guess the difference is such as the D3S/X and the D700. So price point the D3 is twice as much and has more features.

According to the rumor then that should be a D4 and D800 to replace the models. The D800 being considered expert and D4 considered Pro. Most likely a amateur expert could afford and might use the D800, but most likely only a Pro would use a $5000+ body.

A quote by the "Nikon Rep" from July 19th Nikon Rumors, leaking "two new FX cameras" to be announced in August:

"Nevertheless, the two FX cameras will be aimed at different customers who have different needs: one camera for “expert” photographers, the other for “pro” photographers."

My confusion is his use of the words "Expert" and "Pro" as two different groups.

Expert = Professional
Hobbyist, Semi-Pro = Advanced Amateur
Beginner, Newbie, Noob = Amateur

Is there a "standard" category?- Not really. The above terms are all used interchangeably. Not everyone will agree on how they are divided.

What are the proper names for the different Nikon camera "lines"? How do we categorize the different models and the prospective customer/user?

The D3 is for Professionals;
The D7000 is for Advanced Amateurs;
The D5100 is for Amateurs.

But what about the terms: hobbyist, Semi-Pro, Expert, beginner, etc.?

Is there a standard naming or categorizing when discussing Nikon dSLRs?