D7000

The D7000 is widely regarded as the successor and the step-up to the ageing-but-still-sold Nikon D90 DSLR.  This is typical Nikon strategy, and one that I am sure new entrants find pretty confusing.  For a similar range of features/price, they will have multiple options.  I would have much preferred for them to give clear guidance to the consumers of their roadmap for individual model paths, but thats a post in itself.

The D7000 is a APS-C sensor (what Nikon calls the DX format) camera that was introduced in September last year.  It has an upgraded processor, a 16.2 MP sensor and 39-point AF system.  Ergonomically, I believe this is the best DX camera, short of the $2000  D300S, and as good as, if not better than the older FX cameras in terms of AF speed, etc.

I have had this for about a month now and am extremely happy with its performance.  I love the 39-point AF, the very fast focussing speed, the fact that it has a focussing screw for even the AF-type lenses (for e.g. the 50 mm 1.4 prime), very decent ergonomics, etc.  It doesn’t have as many dedicated buttons, as say the D700, but it has enough that the ergonomics is not an issue.  For e.g., with the combination of command and sub-command dials, I am able to change the following parameters through hardware (i.e. without digging through menus):

• F-Stop (Duh)
• Aperture (Duh)
• ISO (Hmmm – sorry D3000, D3100 and D5100 users)
• Metering mode
• Exposure Compensation
• Auto Bracketing settings – (Yay – HDR). Note that this does flash as well as EV bracketing.
• EV

Phew – thats quite a bit of control.  And its all nicely done, as well.

It has a nice LCD, thought its not articulated like the D5100′s.  The resolution of the LCD is excellent, it is good for Live View and for reviewing. ISO range is excellent (100-6400, along with H1 and H2 modes that go upto ISO 25,600).

Oh, and did I mention that it shoots 1080p video too?

I shoot manual, so I cannot comment on the scene modes, or how it does Auto, P, S and A modes.  I am fairly sure it will be quite competent in it. The D7000 has some features not found in more professional cameras – dual memory card slots, for e.g. – these can be set up in JBOD mode or mirroring/backup mode.  Apart from that, it has the astounding User setup modes – U1 and U2.  The complete camera (each of the functions) can be set up and assigned to a mode button.  For e.g. you can set up the camera for portrait mode – f1.4, spot af, everything and just assign it to U1.  The next mode U2 can be assigned for landscape, – f11, evaluative metering, etc. and assign it to U2.  You can then shift between these two modes just by rotating the mode dial.  Simple and brilliant!

I will have more to update on specific capabilities as I use this.  But am very happy with it so far.

Update (1 June 2011): It looks like the Fn button on the D3100 and D5100 can be configured to change the ISO. Thanks, Altaf for the observation.