Canon doesn�t make any sense

[g_canazzi]

Did you ever wonder why Canon picks the model numbers for its

cameras like they do?

 

Starting around 1970 with SLR film cameras things seemed simpler and

more sensible. You basically had the F-1 and FTb; A-1, AE-1, and AE-

1 Program; EOS-1V, EOS-3, and EOS-1HS (High Speed).

 

When Canon went digital they started out fine with their D30 and

D60. "D" for Digital - I get that, and 30 for 3 mega-pixels and 60

for 6 mega-pixels.

 

Then came the 10D (6mp), 20D (8mp), and 30D (also 8mp). Don't get

the 30D confused with the D30 of 6 years ago. Add into that mix the

5D (12mp), which came out after the 10D, 20D, and 30D.

 

Canon also has their flagship line starting with the 1D (4mp), 1D-

mkII (8mp), 1DS (11mp), 1DS-mkII (16mp) and 1D-mkIIN (8mp). I feel

sorry for you if you work in a camera store and get that phone call.

 

One idea may be that they name their cameras by the mega-pixels and

have a variation number depending on their upgrades.

 

It might look like this:

 

10D = 6D: 20D = 8D: 30D = 8D-2: 5D = 12D.

 

The 1D line could now be converted to "P" for Premium or Pro.

1D = P4D (now discontinued): 1DS = P11D: 1D-mkII = P8D: 1D-mkIIN

= P8D-2: 1DS-mkII = P16D.

 

The Rebel's and Elan's could use a similar numbering system also, at

least they have a name on them to set them apart.

 

I haven't even touched on the European models that are the same

camera with different numbers on them.

 

Let me say that I have owned Canon since the mid-70's and their site

on their full history of their camera line is quite interesting as

is their R&D. You can check it out at http://www.canon.com/camera-

museum/

 

Canon does listen well to their customers so maybe someday we will

see some sense to their numbering system.

 

Please take this with the humor in which it was written. Your

thoughts and comments are welcomed.

[james_lai]

To add to the confusion, Canon also likes to reuse their model names. For example, there were 3 (or more?) models of the F-1 and at least 2 completely different cameras called the A-1. Perhaps they should have model years like cars to differentiate the models.

 

I bought a S2 IS recently, but there's also the S-II made after WWII and the II S2 and probably others I don't know about. Interested in the Canon EF (the FD-mount body)? Try a search on ebay and you'll end up with tons of listings for lenses instead.

 

Maybe that's it, this is Canon's ingenious method of forcing old camera aficionadoes like me to look at their new stuff!

[KenPapai]

For the DSLRs and most SLRs the convention seems easy:

 

1-digit numbers for their pro line. The small the number the better the camera.

 

2-digit numbers for their semi-pro/prosumer cameras, where the larger the number the better the camera.

 

3-digit numbers for the purely consumer cameras, again the higher the number the better the camera.

[ben_kriete]

While I agree that the current model numbering can be confusing, I don't think your examples of "the old way" are any clearer. There's nothing self-evident (to me at least) about the difference between an F-1 and FTb. I don't have any trouble keeping the different digital models straight (though I notice many people do), which makes me think confusion is a function more of familiarity than of an actual problem with the naming scheme.

[sean de merchant httpw]

Canon's naming predate megapixels. Hence, why should their names reflect megapixels? Ken already noted where the numbers come from and that numbering scheme eradicates confusion for me while retaining consistency with their celluloid based sensor models.

 

I suspect the shift from D30 and D60 to 10D came about due to Nikon's D100 and wanting unique names. But this is pure congecture.

[lovcom_photo]

It's just a name....like Shakespear wrote: "A Rose by any other name, would smell as sweet...".

 

I'm not sure why their naming conventions need to make sense, nor do I worry about it.

 

A 1D Mark II, by any other name, would shoot as sweet!

[praveen murthy]

Why not just name them "bob", "steve", "wanda" etc. Well, since they are Japanese, "Tadahiro", "Tsuneo", and so on. Like hurricanes, you can really anthropomorphize your cameras then.

[digitmstr]

Ken said it!

 

You want to talk about silly names? Try memorizing the names for Apple OSX...it's a real "zoo"!

[PuppyDigs]

Number names suk--too impersonal and smack of car and airplace names. I'd rather have

real names: Elan, Rebel, Kiss, etc. Japanese girlie names would be way cool, e.g., Akiko MK II,

Chizuko D, Mariko DN, etc.

[dillan k]

Yeah, I'm with you on that one, Puppy! I want my next camera to be a Canon Yuko D!

[cfimages]

Canon Hello Kitty, anyone?

[mormegil]

Waiting on the "Canon Kerokerokeroppi Mark IIN"

 

I also hate how car names have gone alphanumeric. The idea is to keep the brand name prominent. Probably the same with Cameras.

[jespdj]

Why should Canon name their models after the number of megapixels? (6D, 8D, 8D-2, 12D, ...)

 

As if the number of megapixels is the most important feature of a camera! (it is not!).

[dave_holland]

I find the added complexity of duplicate names for the same product sold in another country to be most annoying. A sexy name without the flash of model numbers would be better and more recognizable.

 

By the way, Gary, you left a space in your link to the canon website, just before the word 'museum' which disables the link.