Sarcasm filter off. You've been warned.
Many people buy DSLRs based on the image they want to portray to others. Let me illustrate.
Right now, Sony Alpha fans tend to be younger and want to project some sort of hipness. How is this manifested in the product? Sony is pushing the new tech angle (even if some of it is old, it's new to DSLRs): pellicle mirrors, EVFs instead of optical viewfinders, GPS, industry leading megapixels, AVCHD 2, and more. It's a bit of the kitchen sink philosophy, but it's the latest and greatest technical kitchen sink. You're hip to the future if you're using a Sony Alpha. Plus 24mp is perfect for those Facebook photos.
Nikon, on the other hand, has been projecting the old Oldsmobile*/Buick thing: we made great stuff in the past and we still do (well, at least Buick is still making things ;~). It was good enough for your parents, so it's good enough for you. (Oh, wait, you're a parent now, too, maybe even a grandparent. It is your father's camera [or at least his lens].) Things don't change much in the Nikon F-mount system: same lens mount for over 50 years, same basic UI since the N8008, less embrace of tech for tech's sake. You're buying "old reliable" with Nikon: you want something that works, but even if there's new technology in it, you don't want it to be much different than before. Of course, the Nikon 1 poses a problem for Nikon, as it IS different, it doesn't work the same, it does embrace new technologies, and it tries to be hip (if white, black, silver, red, and pink can said to be hip).
Canon has had the name Rebel prominently emblazoned on most of their DSLRs in the US for years. That, plus the futuristic sounding EOS name (in old NASA logo-style type) was an attempt to be hip back in the 80's. But where are they today? Well, they make great video DSLRs, if you're into that ;~). The whole Canon Rebel/EOS shtick is wearing thin these days. Okay, we get it: it's the camera to buy if you take pictures of your kid's sports, even if they aren't a pro tennis or football player. But Canon users are feeling a little undefined right now. Sure the Rebel models keep on coming, but their users hear that Nikon is kicking butt with the pros and Sony is now the obvious hipster camera, so where does that leave the Canon user's self worth? Canon hasn't launched anything lately to renew the Canon user's spirit. Heck, they even said the EOS M wasn't for men, so what's with that?
Sarcasm filter back on.
While I had my tongue firmly planted in cheek in the above paragraphs, there's also a fair amount of truth in what I wrote. Sony is up and coming and relying on technology to drive their products, Nikon is same as they ever were, and Canon seems a bit confused at the moment about whether they're making video or still cameras.
People do indeed buy product based upon their perception of a brand and how that makes them look. Guys coming out of their twenties hate the thought of buying and driving a minivan for their growing family. It's not who they think they are (or want to be still seen as). Women don't have that problem, they see a minivan as a mobile nest.
On the other hand, women tend to like smaller vehicles (VW bugs, Mazda Miatas, etc.). Bigger isn't necessarily better to a woman. On the other hand, a Ford F350, now that's manly. (Darn it, I thought that sarcasm filter was off.)
So the question of the day is this: are you buying a camera and brand because it's the right camera for what you need to do, or because it fits what you want others to think of you as? (It's right about here that I launch a new accessory line of custom camera coats that help disguise your camera by making it look what you want others to think you're carrying. Like my new Nikon F350 DSLR Cover for your Nikon V1 camera.)
Really? Challenge yourself. What is it you seek: right camera or right public image? Which did you choose?
Yep, I'm taking a week off from the D800 autofocus craziness to hit back on one of my common themes. This week is "go out and photograph week." But I want to make sure you're using what you need, not something for which you're practicing idolatry or brand worship.
Some of you might have noticed it, but let me remind all of you while there's a photograph taken with a consumer Samsung model at the top of my site: when I pick up a camera, my goal is to take the best possible pictures. I don't look at the brand name emblazoned on the back (ever notice that, you already know the brand, so why do you need to see it?) and genuflect before taking a picture. I figure out what the camera can do, how it needs to be set, and then concentrate on trying to get the best possible image. That's the goal: make a good picture. Create the picture you desire.
Let's not forget that goal, even when we have to degrade into dealing with equipment issues (cleaning sensors, checking focus, or solving any other gear problem).
I'll give you a day to contemplate that, then we'll start some photo assignments tomorrow.
*I was amused when my spell checker didn't have Oldsmobile in its dictionary, but instead suggested "disenable."