What's the difference between Nikon and Canon numbering in the names?

Do the numbers in the Nikon mean a higher version when they're higher (for example, a Nikon D50 is higher than a D40); and for Canon, a higher version when theyre lower? (5d higher than 450d).What's the difference between Nikon and Canon numbering in the names?
No. For example, I own a Nikon D100 which is obsolete compared to the D40, D50, D60, D70, D80 and D90.





It's all marketing. The model names have nothing to do with how current the camera is.





Disclosure: I am the owner of http://www.lenslenders.com/ in Canada.What's the difference between Nikon and Canon numbering in the names?
Unfortunately, there's not really much order to it.





For Canon, the entry-level cameras are the xx0D. In other words, the 300D, 350D, 400D, 450D and the 1000D. Here, higher generally means better except for the 1000D which come after either the 350D or 400D (depending on your criteria). The pro-sumer level cameras are the x0D. In other words, the 20D, 30D, etc. In this case higher does mean better. Finally, the professional cameras are the xD, in other words 5D, 1D. Just to make things even more confusing, LOWER is better here. So yeah, it's confusing.





As for Nikon, they're a little more logical. Higher numbers pretty much always mean a better camera.