I don't own a semi pro body Canon 7D or a pro body Nikon D3. so I cannot comment on the specifics.
I however own both Canon n Nikon semi pro system and I must say that the Nikon wins being intuitive with the controls. For me if given the new Nikon I can shoot without referring to the manuals.
I was told by friends who own both Nikon semi pro and pro systems that the cameras are operationally interchangeable ie if you use Nikon pro body you can use a semipro body for a back up camera.
But it use to be different with Canon semi pro and the pro cameras. It gives me a headache every time I use both cameras. Canon pro bodies need two hands to change any camera settings such as ISO, Av, Tv and focus points. For semi pro only one. So you have to remember and think which one you are using. Meaning Canon pro shooters needs to purchase two Canon pro bodies at great expense.
Dulu Canon is king in the pro market with their white L lenses and Image Stabilisation(antishake).
Now Nikon has catch up with their version of Vibration Reduction(antishake) now in mark 2 version and Canon is losing the pro market.
So Canon has to adapt and tune their pro and semi pro bodies to have a common operating systems.
Dulu as a guide Canon single digit body means pro system such as the 1Ds, 1D and their various incarnations. The two digit is semi pro such as the 20D, 30D, 40D, 50D and the three digit is entry level cameras such as the 300D, 400D, 450D and 500D.
Their 7D is a break from their normal meaning the merging ala Nikon of the semipro and the pro bodies starting with 1D4 and 7D in that the camera controls are similar.
Nikon pula pro body is single digit D1, D2, D3 and the various incarnations. For semipro bodies double digit starting with D100,D200,D300. Entry level is four digit like D3000, D4000, D5000. Now where does the D70, D80, D90 fit. Only Nikon knows their marketing strategy.
Competition is good for the consumer. It forces innovations and sensible pricing. May the two live forever.
my two sen.
cheers
