Some photographers are very brand-loyal and biased, particularly regarding Nikon and Canon. All I can say is … thank goodness for Canon AND Nikon, competetively driving each other to create excellent cameras.
Here are a few highlights from the history of DSLR cameras.
(intentionally ignoring digital backs for medium format cameras)
- 1991 Kodak DCS-100 … first DSLR (based on a modified Nikon body)
- 1995 Canon/Kodak DCS 3 … Kodak digital camera back on a modified Canon body
- 1999 Nikon D1 ………. first practical/affordable DSLR for mass market
- 2001 Canon 1D ……… landmark for sports photography; 8 fps and reduced shutter lag
- 2002 Canon 1Ds …….. first DSLR with a full-frame sensor
- 2004 Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro… first DSLR with live preview
- 2007 Nikon D3 …………. Nikon’s first Fx (full-frame) DSLR
- 2007 Canon 1DS mkIII .. 21 megapixels, first DSLR to exceed 18Mp
- 2008 Nikon D90 ……….. first DSLR to shoot 720 HD video
- 2008 Canon 5D mkII …. first DSLR to shoot 1080 HD video
- 2012 Nikon D3200 ……. 24 megapixels, Nikon’s first DSLR to exceed 18Mp
- 2012 Nikon D800 …….. 36 megapixels
References:
http://www.print-digital.info/articles/history-of-canon-dslr.html http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/dslr.htm