Originally posted by mee At one point my local, friendly, neighborhood walmart had several Nikons D3x00 series side by side by side.... from different generations.
I get the feeling the 5X00 series are essentially an upsell from the 3X00 series.
The D7X00 are viable as a flagship do-all crop body. Much like the K-7/K-5/K-3 have been for Pentax and the 80D for Canon. They make sense to keep that line continuing.
The D500 is a specialized sport crop body. Much like the 7D II for Canon. The D7X00 series can pro too.. no problems... they just don't have the same AF system or burst/buffer.. but they do have a bit more resolution.
I'm tempted to spend a couple hundred for a cheap
---------- Post added 03-03-17 at 07:38 PM ----------
[/COLOR]As far as Nikon goes.. this is how I'd restructure the DSLR lineup.
For Dx: Get rid of D3X00 series. Done.
For Fx: Get rid of D6X0 series. Done.
Everything else stays. But lower the price of the D5X00 slightly as well as the D7X0. They become your entry bodies into Dx and Fx F mount.
You wouldnt get rid of the D3000 series becuase of consumer perception. The typical entry level buyer will buy the most cheapest option due to being afraid testing DSLR waters..but that D5000 flip screen is sure nice to have! so they will be like should I spend 200 more for the flip, or should I get a flip Rebel for the same I would spend on a D3400?
Nikon should just rename the D5000 to D3000 and make it a day..
Heres an example..go to a pawn shop anyday and you find what? D3x00s! why? too complicated to handle, they went mirrorless..
Also, that D72xx niche is pretty small, mostly becuase those entry level buyers who mastered the craft are also searching value..by the time they learn, they will rather pony up some more cash and go pro than buying into a middle level item, knowing that they will outgrow it..
Anyway, Nikon knows that pursuing the Leica elite business model is not going to cut it, I think Nikon survives on selling bulk, not quality
---------- Post added 03-03-17 at 09:55 PM ----------
Norhead
"I can't imagine looking back at something like a D3200, saying "that camera was seriously lacking in important features", and being happy about that."
Thats exactly the whole point! why buy the next tier if it still has the same lack of important features? Nikon just lost a customer there..brand loyalty is not a feasible garantee anymore, at least for the entry level consumers..they have options like Sony and Canon.
I was Nikon, went Pentax becuase of cheaper great lenses, I did my research and that got me sold..buy crap Nikkor Cosina made AF-S lenses at Pentax Limited prices? no way..my roadmap was from a K30 to a K5iis and ,as a matter a fact, I never felt cheated. Next would be a FF, theres hardly anything on a K70 or a KP that would pursuade me to buy one of those.