What do the numbers and letters stand for in camera names?

Question

For instance I have a Canon Powershot A530 and I'm looking at a Nikon d40...and like every other camera has numbers and letters too...what the heck do they mean??

Answer 1

it depends all on the manufacturer. For example your canon powershot a530 the " a " in the start represents the " a " series lines of cameras from canon the manufacturer. The same holds true for the nikon camera brand. Look at the nikon d100, the hundred numbers mean a line. Like, the nikon d100, d200, d300. In simple terms, that's just how they classify things. The nikon d1, d2,d3, the higher end. each divides into categories

:P

Answer 2

Each company has its own numbering system

For instance all the entry level Nikon DSLR's are Dxx (D40, D50, D60, etc) numbers, their pro-bridge cameras are Dxxx (D100, D200, D300, etc) numbers and their pro cameras are Dx numbers (D1, D2, D3, etc)

Letters used on the Point and Shoot cameras of course have some kind of meaning, but seem to be more obscure.

You can always call the companies help lines and you may get some clarification.