Nikon rumors remake int2 by Vinh Nguyen

NEWS

REVIEWS

FORUM

I AM LIMITLESS

NEWS

October B&W Photography Winner: Jason Mars Between Here and There

REVIEWS

FORUM

D600 | Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 AFs-G Shutter Speed: 1/250 Aperture: f/5.6

NEWS

October B&W Photography Winner: Jason Mars Between Here and There

REVIEWS

FORUM

D600 | Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 AFs-G Shutter Speed: 1/250 Aperture: f/5.6

NEWS

October Wildlife Photography Winner: Peter Carlson White Thunder

REVIEWS

FORUM

D7000 | Nikkor 400mm f/2.8 AFs-VR Shutter Speed: 1/800 Aperture: f/4

NEWS

REVIEWS

FORUM

arrow appears on hover

October Wildlife Photography Winner: Peter Carlson White Thunder

D7000 | Nikkor 400mm f/2.8 AFs-VR Shutter Speed: 1/800 Aperture: f/4

NEWS

October Concept Photography Winner: James Wall What Shines and Glimmers

REVIEWS

FORUM

D4S | Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8 AFs-VR Shutter Speed: 1/320 Aperture: f/8

NEWS

REVIEWS

FORUM

Nikon Announces New 24-70m.m f/2.8 October 06, 2015

It late voluptae invendis eos nis et re sit, vitiis qui quam id eos is eos auda alitate mposae ventiore, culpa seratur, nim nam id quiatinctat la que eum alitassecum cumquos simil et alibeatus, sequos assumet lant eos eatibus ent idem num estem quam fuga. Et rem re que prepratur senis aut asperum qui derum aritatu repratenet quia vendigenda sequi ut aut ad que voloresequia voluptati usvoluptur reium fugiti nullaborum, cus. Ipicips antistio temo totatemqui dolorio nsequis num imoluta cusande mposapi enihilicipsa que cumquatur? Occat quis nem. Aquia diciist laut faci doloribus as nectur, officiiscia qui sapidenia imentem sitis molorita perspidus. Ucius dellut volorum quasper ibusam sit harum conserestia custium aut labo. Nam nis reribus cienis ium aborro offic tem quis at pror modi te nimagni asitem et elendis sanis arcim earunt atur?Te fat omnost fex menam quam istia nu mante cons hocaesse facissena, comne etemustrae, que derissultur ublicepotil viris. Ti. Sediu sente adet; noca; hordicatum rem omprari cononcum imenius traet; niquo convehenin verium diisquit. Maceri cora nihiliciam ordiem la pubRead More...

First Images of the D400? October 04, 2015

NEWS

REVIEWS

FORUM

An Inside Look at Nikon’s M1 October 02, 2015

NEWER ENTRIES »

NEWS

REVIEWS

FORUM

Nikon Announces New 24-70m.m f/2.8 October 06, 2015

First Images of the D400? October 04, 2015

An Inside Look at Nikon’s M1 October 02, 2015

NEWER ENTRIES »

NEWS

REVIEWS

FORUM

Nikon Announces New 24-70m.m f/2.8 October 06, 2015

First Images of the D400? October 04, 2015

An Inside Look at Nikon’s M1 October 02, 2015

NEWER ENTRIES »

NEWS

REVIEWS

FORUM An Inside Look at Nikonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s M1 October 02, 2015

NEWS

REVIEWS

FORUM

It late voluptae invendis eos nis et re sit, vitiis qui quam id eos is eos auda alitate mposae ventiore, culpa seratur, nim nam id quiatinctat la que eum alitassecum cumquos simil et alibeatus, sequos assumet lant eos eatibus ent idem num estem quam fuga. Et rem re que prepratur senis aut asperum qui derum aritatu repratenet quia vendigenda sequi ut aut ad que voloresequia voluptati usvoluptur reium fugiti nullaborum, cus. Ipicips antistio temo totatemqui dolorio nsequis num imoluta cusande mposapi enihilicipsa que cumquatur? Occat quis nem. Aquia diciist laut faci doloribus as nectur, officiiscia qui sapidenia imentem sitis molorita perspidus. Ucius dellut volorum quasper ibusam sit harum conserestia custium aut labo. Nam nis reribus cienis ium aborro offic tem quis at pror modi te nimagni asitem et elendis sanis arcim earunt atur?Di dias est por magniam faccus, verum ent etusapiende evel is mod moluptatem ut enimaion num et ut ut et quassunt acearci tatemquam et labo. Aruptae stiorum hit ut ad ma venitin none landa consed eum con prorept atatis non nati uta solupta volo blacil ipsaper spellac eptatet inis modiore ndigenis nullia aut essimin ctectati quibus apicimp editectam quam, ut expla in non et essed quam re pa dolor at que si res et pos et et odi dolupisque latur, quodi autatiasped ut asi imaximus vellaboribus ulloritem unt ab inimoss inctoribus cor ma voluptate laccus et fugit, qui intiorum, sitaeserspis dolupta tiorate mpossuntur? back arrow appears on hover or when user scrolls pass bottom of article

NEWS

REVIEWS

FORUM

An Inside Look at Nikonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s M1 October 02, 2015

It late voluptae invendis eos nis et re sit, vitiis qui quam id eos is eos auda alitate mposae ventiore, culpa seratur, nim nam id quiatinctat la que eum alitassecum cumquos simil et alibeatus, sequos assumet lant eos eatibus ent idem num estem quam fuga. Et rem re que prepratur senis aut asperum qui derum aritatu repratenet quia vendigenda sequi ut aut ad que voloresequia voluptati usvoluptur reium fugiti nullaborum, cus. Ipicips antistio temo totatemqui dolorio nsequis num imoluta cusande mposapi enihilicipsa que cumquatur? Occat quis nem. Aquia diciist laut faci doloribus as nectur, officiiscia qui sapidenia imentem sitis molorita perspidus. Ucius dellut volorum quasper ibusam sit harum conserestia custium aut labo. Nam nis reribus cienis ium aborro offic tem quis at pror modi te nimagni asitem et elendis sanis arcim earunt atur?Di dias est por magniam faccus, verum ent etusapiende evel is mod moluptatem ut enimaion num et ut ut et quassunt acearci tatemquam et labo. Aruptae stiorum hit ut ad ma venitin none landa consed eum con prorept atatis non nati uta solupta volo blacil ipsaper spellac eptatet inis modiore ndigenis nullia aut essimin ctectati quibus apicimp editectam quam, ut expla in non et essed quam re pa dolor at que si res et pos et et odi dolupisque latur, quodi autatiasped ut asi imaximus vellaboribus ulloritem unt ab inimoss inctoribus cor ma voluptate laccus et fugit, qui intiorum, sitaeserspis dolupta tiorate mpossuntur?

NEWS

REVIEWS Select Your Product

FORUM On hover: option to select product appears Select Your Product

Camera: Full Frame (FX)

NEWS

REVIEWS

FORUM

Select Your Product Camera Lens Speedlight

Camera: Full Frame (FX) Accessories

Select Your Product

NEWS

REVIEWS

FORUM

Select Your Product Camera --- Full Frame --- Crop Sensor

Camera: Full Frame (FX) --- Film

--- Advanced IC

--- Compact Digital Lens --- Zoom --- Normal --- Wide --- Prime --- Special Purpose --- Teleconverters --- Manual Speedlight Accessories

Select Your Product

NEWS

REVIEWS Select Your Product Camera

FORUM Tapping arrow expands all rows to show complete list

--- Full Frame D4S

Camera: Full Frame (FX) D4

D3X D3S Df

D810 D810A D800/D800E D750 D700 D610 D600

--- Crop Sensor D7200 D7100 D7000 D5500 D5300 D5200 D5100 D5000 D3300 D3200 D3100 D3100 D300s D300 D200 D90

Select Your Product

NEWS

REVIEWS

FORUM

Select Your Product

Camera: Full Frame (FX)

Camera --- Full Frame --- Crop Sensor --- Film --- Advanced IC --- Compact Digital Lens --- Zoom --- Normal --- Wide --- Prime --- Special Purpose --- Teleconverters --- Manual Speedlight Accessories

NEWS

REVIEWS

FORUM

Select Your Product

Camera: Full Frame (FX)

Camera --- Full Frame --- Crop Sensor --- Film --- Advanced IC --- Compact Digital Lens --- Zoom --- Normal --- Wide --- Prime --- Special Purpose --- Teleconverters --- Manual Speedlight Accessories

NEWS

REVIEWS

FORUM

Select Your Product

LENS: Normal (zoom)

Camera --- Full Frame --- Crop Sensor --- Film --- Advanced IC --- Compact Digital Lens --- Zoom --- Normal --- Wide --- Prime --- Special Purpose --- Teleconverters --- Manual Speedlight Accessories

NEWS

REVIEWS

FORUM

D7000

Jump to

Pros • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Good detail and dynamic range (even better in RAW) Exceptionally low shadow noise in RAW files Arguably the best high ISO performance of any current APS-C DSLR Good build quality and handling Maximum ISO of 25,600 st full resolution 1080p HD video mode with basic editing built-in Efficient Active D-Lighting Comprehensive customization options Large, bright viewfinder with 100% coverage Fast contrast detect Auto Focus in Live View Useful electronic horizon Comprehensive feature set AE metering support for up to 9 ‘non-CPU’ Ai lenses (in A, M modes) Twin SD-card slots

Cons • • • • • • • • •

Tendency to overexpose in bright sunshine/high contrast situations ISO button is poorly positioned, and cannot be assigned to any other control point. Ditto white balance: poorly positioned, cannot be re-assigned Exposure mode dial slightly loose, and easily knocked Shooting mode dial can be awkward to manipulate AF can be hesitant in poor light Auto ISO function is confusing and poorly implemented (but no worse than any other Nikon DSLR) Aperture not adjustable in manual mode in live view (and won’t stop up/down in any mode until exposure). No live histogram or exposure indicator in live view/movie shooting.

NEWS

REVIEWS

FORUM

D7000

Jump to

Pros • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Cons • • • •

NEWS

REVIEWS

FORUM

D7000

Jump to

Pros • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Cons • • • • • • • • •

Introduction Faccuscitatus et, odipsum utem repera nonsenihil maionectur, a simin non parumquae venectinus everovi taerciur? Ore consequis idundisciet landande. Ceribus aut vendips aperoresto temperit facepre ruptati nonsequae quidebi tendit adit, quis alibuscium, quaturibus sandunto volorepta di duscia et velique re porporenes dolorep rovidelique pratio. Itaque et, si quuntis sitio. Dolut veriatur audit officto velluptaquam nonseque pore nima eumet ipitas ma qui ut et fugitasped que ommo etur ad quatis re ent explitiunt autatur, option natem reptiam rem ut quo quia escia cus, od et es et eos volutem se serumquias nonem sent occus, te doluptat et volorepuda soluptia commolor sequas ipsunt fugiaectus anis maio conseque is numquia voluptaecto debis magnimint omnis dolore Iciis magniande ped mod et eum que comnis modis quo dolorem. Et autem as aut re, nis por aciis ea perchicae estiorrum nobit magnihi licipicatiam faces exceseq uatem. Nam ut et elite nis sae perum adipicit od utet quas unt fuga. Et atiat ma et ernatur mo imet laborepudit molor mos consequunt.

Specifications Type of Camera

Single-lens reflex digital camera

Effective Pixels

16.2 million

Image Sensor

Nikon DX format (23.6 x 15.6 mm) CMOS sensor

Image Size (Pixels)

4,928 x 3,264 [L], 3,696 × 2,448 [M], 2,464 × 1,632 [S]; D-movie:1920 x 1080 / 24p, 1280 x 720 / 30fps, 1280 x 720 / 25fps, 1280 x 720 / 24fps, 640 x 424 / 24fps

Sensitivity

ISO 100 to 6400 in steps of 1/3, 1/2, or 1 EV, plus HI-0.3, HI-0.5, HI-0.7, HI-1, HI-2 (ISO 25600)

File Format

NEF (12 or 14-bit lossless compressed or compressed RAW), JPEG (Baseline-compliant); MOV movie (H.264/MPEG-4 AVC compression format with Linear PCM sound; Stero sound with external microphone)

Storage Media

SD memory card (SDHC and SDXC compliant)

Shooting Modes

1) Single frame shooting [S] mode, 2) Continuous low shooting [CL] mode: 1-5 fps, 3) Continuous high shooting [CH] mode: 6 fps, 4) Quiet shutter-release[Q], 5) Self-timer mode, 6) Remote Control 7) Mirror-up mode

White Balance

Auto (TTL white-balance with main image sensor and 2016-pixel RGB sensor), Incandescent, Fluorescent, Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, preset manua, choose color temperature

LCD Monitor

3.02, 921,000-dot, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD, allows up to 170-degree viewing angle, 100% frame coverage, and brightness adjustment

Playback Function

1) Full-frame, 2) Movie Playback, 3) Thumbnail (4/9/72, calendar) playback, 4) playback zoom, 5) Faces detected during zoom, 6)Slide show 7)Histogram display 8)Highlights, 9) Auto image rotation, 10) Image comment

Delete Function

Single image, Selected images, images taken on a selected date, All images (except protected images)

Interface

USB 2.0 (High-speed), Video output, HDMI output (Type C mini-pin connector),Accessory terminal, Stereo mini-pin audio input

Picture Angle (in 35mm [135] format equivalent)

Approx. 1.5x lens focal length

Viewfinder

Fixed eye-level pentaprism; built-in diopter adjustment (-3 to +1.0 m-¹)

Focusing Screen

Type B BriteView Clear Matte Mark II screen with AF area brackets

Viewfinder Frame Coverage/Magnification (with 50mm lens at infinity; -1.0 m-1)

Approx. 100%/ Approx. 0.94x

Autofocus

TTL phase detection, 39 focus points (9 cross-sensors) by Nikon Multi-CAM 4800DX autofocus module; Detection range: -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100 at 20°C/68°F)

Focus Modes

1) Autofocus (AF): Single-servo AF (AF-S); Continuous servo AF (AF-C); Auto AF-S/AF-C selection (AF-A), predictive focus tracking activated automatically according to subject status 2) Manual focus (MF): Electronic rangefinder can be used

Exposure Metering System

1) 3D color matrix metering ? (type G and D lenses), color matrix metering II (other CPU lenses), 2) Center-weighted (weight of 75% given to 8-mm circle in center of frame), 3) Spot metering (meters 3.5-mm circle centered on selected focus point)

Exposure Metering Range (at normal temperature [68Â°F/20Â°C], ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens)

1) 0 to 20 EV (3D-Color Matrix or Center-weighted metering), 2) 2 to 20 EV (Spot metering)

Exposure Control

1) Digital Vari-Program (Auto, Auto [Flash Off], 2) Scene ( portrait; landscape; child; sports; close up; night portrait; night landscape; party/indoor; beach/snow; sunset; dusk/dawn; pet portrait; candlelight; blossom; autumn colors; food; silhouette; high key; low key); , 3) Programmed Auto [P], 4) Shutter-Priority Auto [S], 5) Aperture Priority Auto [A], 6) Manual [M], 7) U1 (user settings 1) ,8) U2 (user settings 2)

Auto Exposure Bracketing Shutter

Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal plane shutter; 30 to 1/8000sec in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV plus bulb time(with ML-L3) and X250

Sync Contact

X-contact only; flash synchronization at up to 1/250 sec

Flash Control

1) TTL: i-TTL balanced fill-flash and standard i-TTL flash for digital SLR using 2,016-pixel RGB sensor are available with built-in flash and SB-900, SB-800,SB-700, SB-600, or SB-400, 2) Auto aperture: Available with SB-900 or SB-800 and CPU lens, 3) Non-TTL auto: Supported flash units include SB-900, SB-800, SB-28, SB-27, and SB-22S, 4) Distance-priority manual: Available with SB-900, SB-800 and SB-700

Flash Sync Modes

1) Front-curtain sync, 2) Red-eye reduction, 3) Slow sync with red-eye reduction, 4) Slow sync, 5) rear-curtain sync

Self-Timer

Electronically controlled timer with duration of 2 s, 5 s, 10 s, 20 s; 1–9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 s

Depth of Field Preview Button

Yes

Operation and Controls The D7000 might be a new model, but in terms of its operation and controls it is very similar in many respects to the D90. A summary of the main design differences between the D90 and D7000 follows below: Live View ‘switch’ (rather than button) and dedicated movie record button Playback button moved to left of viewfinder (like D300S/D3S/D3X) Slightly larger buttons on left of LCD Thicker rubber on hand grip Smaller rubber area on rear (limited to thumbrest area) AF and Drive buttons deleted from top plate AF mode button now situated at hub of AF/M switch near lens mount New lockable drive mode dial on left of top plate Raised white dot on front of body to aid lens alignment when mounting/removing lenses Twin SD card slots under ‘full height’ card door

Rear Controls

Viewed from the rear, the D7000’s control layout is all but identical to that of the D90. Some of the controls have changed shape (live view, for example, which has gone from a simple button to a sprung switch surrounding the new movie record button, a la D3100) and the playback button has leapt up to join delete, on the top-left, but otherwise, we’re looking at the same controls in pretty much the same position. Like the D90, the D7000 has a rear control dial and a customizable AE-L/AF-L button to the right of where your thumb naturally rests when the camera is held. The LCD screen is the same too - 3 inches and 921k dots, and like the D90 the D7000 comes with a clip-in screen protector as standard (the BM 11 - not pictured). Unfortunately, the D7000 also inherits the D90’s ISO button, which is inconveniently-positioned for use with the camera to your eye.

Top Right Controls

On the top right of the D7000 are the shutter release with on/off/LCD illumination collar switch, the top status LCD and dedicated metering and exposure compensation buttons. When pressed and held simultaneously, the metering and delete buttons (on the rear of the camera) act as a shortcut to format either/both memory cards. From this position you can also clearly see the rear control dial, and the six small holes to its left cover a built-in speaker for playing back sound on movie footage. On the D90, drive and AF mode buttons were positioned to the right of the status LCD - in the D7000 these functions are taken care of via the shooting mode dial on the right of the top plate (see below) and the new AF mode button on the AF switch, adjacent to the lens throat.

Top Left Controls

The biggest changes compared to the D7000’s stablemates are on the top-left of the camera. As well as a conventional exposure mode dial, the D7000 also features a second drive-mode dial which resembles those on higher-end Nikons. It deals with frame advance modes, timers, and the like, adding ‘Quiet’ mode plus true mirror lock-up to the selection available on the D90. Like the similar dial on the D300S, D700 and D3-series, this is lockable, and is released by depressing the small button on the lower left. The dial is knurled on its front edge, which aids grip, but we still find it rather narrow and as a consequence, quite fiddly to manipulate. It is a little disappointing, too, that whilst this dial is impossible to shift accidentally, the more exposed exposure mode dial above it is all too easy to inadvertently knock when taking the camera in or out of a bag, or if it brushes against your hip when the D7000 is held over one shoulder.

Overall Handling and Performance In terms of its operational handling, the D7000 is very close to the older Nikon D90. It might have a similar body shell to the D300S, but despite this and some other ‘pro’ touches, like a thicker rubber coating on the grip and the lockable drive mode dial, it will probably be a lot easier for a long-time D90 user to upgrade to the D7000 than it will be for a D300S user going in the opposite direction. This is no bad thing - the D7000 is, after all, aimed at the upper end of the enthusiast market - and overall, we really like the way it handles. The D90 is a popular model for very good reasons, and in coming up with the design of the D7000, Nikon has not attempted to meddle too much with the formula. The few changes which have been made (like the addition of a direct video shooting button on the Live View switch), mostly make sense, and improve the camera’s handling. We like the ‘business-like’ metal body and we don’t mind the slight increase in weight, although with a fast-aperture lens attached, the D7000 does make its presence felt.

Specific Handling Issues In general the D7000 handles well, as we’d expect from a camera which is essentially a hybrid (in ergonomic terms) of the D90 and D300S. There are a couple of issues though, which make using the D7000 less pleasurable than we think it should be. One of the few serious problems with the D7000 from an ergonomic point of view is the placement of the ISO button, in the middle of the row of buttons to the left of the LCD screen on the rear of the camera. Although preferable to having no directaccess ISO button at all, this button cannot easily be located by touch, and is in entirely the wrong position to be accessed with your eye to the camera’s viewfinder. In the D300S, the ISO button is located on the left hand side of the top plate - still the wrong side for easy ‘blind’ reach - but on the D7000 we’d really like to be able to swap the metering button, which is bizarrely prominent, just behind the shutter release - with ISO. Maybe Nikon thinks that the majority of D7000 users will just stick with Auto-ISO, but quite apart from this we can’t fathom why metering should be given such prominence. Surely more photographers adjust ISO ‘on the fly’ than metering mode? Likewise white balance, which languishes with ISO right over on the left-hand side of the camera, out of easy reach. This wouldn’t be so much of an issue if the ‘Fn’ button on the front of the camera by the lens mount could be assigned to either function, but unfortunately it can’t. There is a workaround though - the ‘quick ISO’ option in the shooting/display custom menu tab assigns ISO to whichever control dial is unused in aperture priority, shutter priority and program modes respectively. This is handy if you habitually work in a single one of these modes, but there is no escaping the fact that it is a workaround, rather than a fully satisfying solution to the problem. The unused dial is different from mode to mode, and it doesn’t work in manual. It is also incompatible with the (arguably more useful) easy exposure compensation custom function. Speaking of ISO, by default, ISO is not visible in the viewfinder unless you’re in the process of changing it. Whilst not a major annoyance most of the time, this means is that in auto ISO mode, you have no idea at which sensitivity setting you’re currently shooting. Custom option d3 in the shooting/display custom menu tab allows you to show ISO sensitivity in the frame counter display of the viewfinder, but annoyingly, as soon as you depress your finger on the shutter button, the ISO display reverts to showing frame count. Actually, the D7000’s auto ISO functionality - like all current Nikon DSLRs - feels a little half-baked in general. Within this dialog is an ISO selection window, the purpose of which is somewhat obscure unless you happen to have the user manual to hand. Contrary to appearances (and what the on-screen help dialog tells you), selecting an ISO setting here actually defines the lowest ISO setting that the camera will use in auto-ISO mode. This is simply confusing, but we’d question the logic of having a single ‘minimum shutter speed’ option (which in P and A modes raises ISO sensitivity if the shutter speed required for exposure falls below the selected value). A single shutter speed makes sense if you’re shooting on a long telephoto prime lens, but since the majority of D7000 users are arguably more likely to shoot zooms (probably stabilized) than long telephoto primes, this is - to say the least - something of a blunt instrument. A ‘set minimum shutter speed according to focal length’ option would be more useful, and something that we hope Nikon will address in the next generation, because for now, auto-ISO is something of a kludge. Also irritating, but of less importance overall is the design of the drive mode dial on the extreme left of the D7000’s top plate. We like the idea of the lockable drive mode dial, but as we’ve already mentioned in the body pages of this test, it can be rather awkward to manipulate. Positioned beneath the relatively loose exposure mode dial, it seems more like a gimmick than a serious attempt to ‘professionalize’ the camera.

Overall Performance We were expecting the D7000 to be a fast and responsive camera, and in general it doesn’t disappoint. We have no serious complaints about operational speed (we’d like the D7000 to have the D300S’s buffer, but that’s about it), and as we’d expect from a modern camera in this class, the D7000 feels swift and positive in general use. Even in live view mode, AF is reasonably fast, and very accurate. We stress this point because contrast-detection in live view mode is an area where DSLRs traditionally lag some way behind mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras. The D7000 still isn’t as quick as the likes of the Panasonic G series or Sony NEX, but Nikon has narrowed the gap considerably. Detailed timings can be found in ‘Autofocus speed / accuracy’, below.

Continuous Shooting and Buffering The continuous shooting performance of the D7000 is midway between the D90 and D300S. The D7000 can manage 6fps maximum shooting speed, and can capture images continuously up to 100 JPEG frames (but not necessarily all at the same frame rate - see below). This is 1.5fps faster than the D90, but still some way off the maximum 8fps achievable with the D300S and MB-D10 grip. The D7000’s buffer is smaller than the D300S as well. We found that even with a fast card, no more than 32 pictures can be taken in a burst at the maximum frame rate before the camera has to slow to clear the buffer. In JPEG (Fine) mode this drops to 22 frames before the frame rate slows. Compared to the competition, the D7000 is pretty fast, but not class-leading. The Canon EOS 60D can manage a maximum frame rate of 5.3fps, but the Pentax K5 beats both cameras in terms of absolute speed, at a maximum frame rate of 7fps for an impressive 20-30 shots (depending on JPEG quality). The following figures are the result of our own timings - all operations are performed and timed three times, with the average given. JPEG (Fine): 6 fps for 22 frames, then 2 frames at 3fps captured every second (approx) up to 100 frames in total. Approx 10 seconds to recover. JPEG (Normal): 6fps for 32 frames, then 4 frames at 4fps (approx) followed by 2-3 frames at 5fps (approx) up to 100 frames. Approx 10 seconds to recover. RAW: 6 fps for 10 frames, then 2 frames at 2fps captured every 2-3 seconds. 16 seconds to recover. RAW+ JPEG (Fine): 6 fps for 10 frames, then around 0.5 fps. Approx 22 seconds to recover. All tests conducted at 1/250 sec in AF-S mode with a 16GB Lexar Professional 133x Class 10 SDHC card.

Autofocus Speed / Accuracy The D7000’s 39-point AF system is new, and in use, it feels extremely similar to the 51-point system of its ‘big brother’ the D300S - we certainly didn’t notice the 12 missing points. Nine of the 39 points are cross-type, which allows more accurate AF using wide-aperture lenses, especially in poor light. Compared to the D300S, the coverage of the AF array is very slightly smaller, but this difference is noticeable only by direct comparison. In everyday photography, our experience of shooting with the D7000 almost exactly matches our experience of using the D300S. With a ‘kit’ lens mounted, like the AF-S 18-105mm, the D7000’s AF system is reasonably quick and perfectly accurate, but with a faster lens like the AF-S 16-35mm f/4 or the 24-70mm f/2.8, the D7000 comes alive. The only niggling concern that we have with the D7000’s AF system (and one which is by no means limited to this camera) is an occasional tendency in very poor light to decide that it has achieved focus, when actually it has not, irrespective of whether the AF assist lamp has fired. In general though, AF accuracy is very high, in both AF-S and AF-C modes. We do not have any specific tests for AF tracking accuracy (although we are looking into it for the future) but in the shooting which we have done with the D7000, it is able to accurately track moving objects around its 39-point AF frame, with the same accuracy that we would expect of the D300S and D700. Autofocus tracking accuracy is helped of course by the new 2016-pixel RGB metering sensor for scene recognition, which facilitates 3D tracking by subject color/contrast, as well as aiding metering and white balance accuracy. We have found however that autofocus speed is highly dependant on the lens used. Whilst beginners with no immediate ambitions to upgrade their kit lenses will be perfectly happy with the speed of the 18-105mm, more advanced users will be pleased at how much more responsive the D7000 becomes when paired with a lens with a faster AF motor. This is not a problem restricted to the D7000 - it is always the case that the AF speed of Nikon’s D/SLRs is at least partly limited by the AF motor in the lens. In the case of AF-S motors, the designation alone is no guarantee of speed. Some (like the AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8) are quick, and others (like the kit lenses and the AF-S 50mm f/1.4) are relatively slow. It is worth noting that older, D-series AF lenses achieve focus almost as quickly as the fastest AF-S models. The D7000’s contrast detection AF system, which is used in live view and video modes, is not as fast as the class-leading (in terms of CD-AF performance) Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 and GH2, but it is a lot better than the previous-generation D90, and Nikon’s current APS-C flagship, the D300S. We tested contrast-detection AF speed on two lenses which are representative of the ‘fast and slow’ models mentioned above - the AF-S 18-105mm kit zoom, and the AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8. With the 18-105mm at 105mm, the D7000’s contrast-detection AF can move it from its closest focusing setting to infinity in 1.4-1.5 seconds (approx). This is only 20% longer than the time it takes for the same operation in phase-detection AF mode. Impressive performance. However, with the faster 24-70mm f/2.8 mounted, the D7000’s phase-detection AF system essentially doubles in speed, achieving focus in 0.5-0.6 seconds (at any focal length). Live view (contrast-detection) AF is no quicker though, which means that it takes roughly twice as long as phase-detection AF with this lens. Either way, it is certainly true that Nikon has made significant improvements to the D7000’s contrast-detection AF system compared to its predecessors, and we’re confident that the D7000 offers the fastest CD-AF of any current Nikon DSLR. It is also worth noting that its CD-AF is noticeably faster than the Canon EOS 60D.

Conclusion Generally camera manufacturers tend to follow a well-defined update path and it’s usually pretty clear which model is meant to be replaced by a new one. With the announcement of the D7000 Nikon has - to a degree - broken with this pattern. The new camera is located somewhere between the enthusiast D300S and the (still current) upper entry-level D90. In some areas such as build quality, sensor resolution and video quality it even overtakes the (nominally) semi-pro D300S, but as we’ve seen in this review, it’s much closer to the D90 in terms of ergonomics and general handling. Whilst the jump from D90 up to D7000 might appear to make more sense than that from the D300S down a rung, the D7000 could be considered an upgrade option for both existing D90 and D300S owners alike. The D90 user gets an upgraded body shell, a better, higher-resolution sensor, vastly improved AF system and video modes, whilst the D300S owner gets... well, almost all of that, the only penalties being slightly less advanced ergonomics, a smaller buffer, and reduced AF versatility.

Image Quality The Nikon D7000 produces high quality output in almost any shooting situation. Default JPEGs are clean of artifacts and with natural colors and tonality. At a pixel level low ISO images are very slightly soft but still show very good detail which can be further increased by shooting in RAW (you’ll have to look at a 100% magnification though to see the difference). If you’d like your images to be a little crisper out of the camera you can play a little with the Picture Control parameters and dial in some extra sharpening and/or contrast. The camera’s JPEGs also respond well to a touch of extra sharpening in post processing. In any case you should make sure you put some decent glass in front of the D7000’s sensor. The 18-105mm kit lens scores points for versatility but it doesn’t make the most of the sensor’s capabilities. While at base ISO there is very little between the latest DSLRs, at higher sensitivities the Nikon D7000 arguably offers the best performance of all APS-C cameras that we have seen so far, thanks to its combination of low noise, and sensible noise reduction, which retains an impressive amount of detail. The two highest ISO settings should probably be reserved for emergency situations or web use but we’re confident in saying that up to ISO 6400 the D7000’s output is perfectly usable at normal print sizes of letter size and smaller, plus of course web use. At 9.3EV the D7000’s JPEG dynamic range gives no cause for complaint either but working with the D7000’s RAW files not only gains you some extra detail, but crucially also helps to significantly increase dynamic range. This is thanks to the new generation imaging sensor which produces exceptionally low read noise at base ISO. This lowers the noise floor that usually limits DR and means that you can pull much more dynamic range out of the shadows when processing RAW files. The benefits can be seen in day to day shooting in JPEG mode, especially when using active D-Lighting at higher ISO sensitivity settings, but to get the absolute best out of the D7000’s sensor you’ll need to spend some time at a computer working on its .NEF files. All in all the D7000 delivers very good image quality, but there is one negative that we’ve mentioned in previous pages and have to stress again here. In bright, high-contrast conditions the camera has a tendency to overexpose - unfortunately by quite a large degree. For the past five years we’ve seen midtones from Nikon DSLRs getting progressively brighter, but overexposures of between between 0.5 and 1.0EV are serious, and can result in missed shooting opportunities. In most cases the exposure can be brought back into line by shooting in RAW mode and spending a little time in post-capure, but nevertheless, when shooting in bright sunshine and/or high contrast conditions we would urge you to keep an eye on the histogram and apply some negative exposure compensation when necessary.

Handling Despite its magnesium alloy bodyshell, the D7000 is very close to the Nikon D90 in terms of handling. Having said that, the thick rubber coating on the grip, the lockable drive mode dial and the higher weight give it more of a quality feel than the all-plastic D90. The D90’s control layout has been refined for the new model in some areas (direct video shooting button, Live View switch) and overall, we really like the way the camera handles. It feels solid and comfortably weighty in the hand. The user interface also offers more than enough customization option to make it suitable for even the most extravagant shooting habits. There’s one control though we would like the Nikon UI designers to have another look at: the placement of the ISO button. In its position in the middle of the row of buttons to the left of the LCD screen the button cannot easily be located by touch, and is in entirely the wrong position to be accessed with your eye to the camera’s viewfinder. A location on the left hand side of the top plate - like on the D300S - would be better, but ideally we’d like to see ISO sitting just behind the shutter button, as it does on the Canon EOS-series and other cameras including the Pentax K-7/K-5 and Olympus E-5. It is also a shame that the D7000 offers the slightly less sophisticated implementation of live view which is traditionally found in Nikon’s lower-end DSLRs. Aperture cannot be adjusted in manual exposure mode in live view mode at all. Although you can adjust the aperture value in aperture priority mode, the actual aperture itself stays locked where it was when you initiated live view until the moment of exposure, where it stops up/down to your desired value. This makes stopping the lens open for critical manual focus more annoying than it needs to be, and means that if you initiate live view with the lens stopped down, to go ‘wide open’ you have to exit, reset the aperture, then initiate live view again. The lack of a live histogram is also annoying, and means that exposure in ‘manual control’ live view and video shooting is essentially a matter of trial and error, since the on-screen exposure simulation is hard to judge in bright ambient lighting.

The Final Word In most respects, the Nikon D7000 is an excellent enthusiast’s DSLR. The camera produces great image quality in most shooting situations, and it shines in low light, providing (just about) useable images right up to its ISO ceiling of 25,600 (equivalent). It feels swift and positive in general use, even in live view mode, thanks to greatly improved contrast-detection AF - not a traditional strength of Nikon’s DSLRs. The D7000’s buffer is decent, especially considering the large size of its files, but not in the same league as the D300S. However, although potentially irritating to a D300S user considering a second body, this shouldn’t stand as a serious criticism of a camera aimed essentially at the upper end of the enthusiasts’ market.

Image Gallery

NEWS

REVIEWS

D7000

FORUM

Jump to

NEWS

REVIEWS

D7000

FORUM

Jump to

NEWS

REVIEWS

FORUM

‹‹ 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ... 84 ››

-- Photo Contest October 2015

Announcement | 10K views | 303 comments | Most recent by autofocus 3:14PM | Photo-a-day

-- Introduce yourself here

Announcement | 14.8K views | 653 comments | Most recent by spraynpray October 25 | General Discussions

-- NRF Getogether 2016 St. Augustine, Florida April 28 - May 1, 2016

Announcement | 211 views | 4 comments | Most recent by Rx4Photo October 11 | General Discussions

-- IMPORTANT: FORUM RULES, POLICIES, HELP, USERS MAP and MORE ***MUST READ FIRST BEFORE POSTING***

Nikon Rumors Forum users map

Announcement | 8.4K views | 55 comments | Most recent by Msmoto October 2 | General Discussions

Nikon Rumors Policy Regarding Glamour Shots

Announcement | 660 views | 0 comments | Started by spraynpray September 25 | General Discussions

How to Post a Photo on Photo-A-Day- NEW INSTRUCTIONS

Announcement | 8.3K views | 146 comments | Most recent by Msmoto July 20 | General Discussions

***PLEASE DO A FORUM SEARCH BEFORE STARTING NEW THREADS***

NRF help me spend my money.

254 views | 20 comments | Most recent by Parke1953 3:51AM | General Discussions

What to buy, Profoto B1 or competitor? (Flash equipment)

518 views | 24 comments | Most recent by autofocus 3:02AM | Nikon DSLR cameras

Lens advice for shooting weddings with D7000

197 views | 18 comments | Most recent by manhattanboy 1:37AM | Nikon Lenses

Double Checking a 14-24

318 views | 8 comments | Most recent by autofocus October 30 | Nikon Lenses

D750 picture count (amount left on SD card)

607 views | 10 comments | Most recent by WRichardsPhotography October 30 | D6x0/D7x0/D8x0

‹‹ 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ... 84 ››

NEWS

REVIEWS

FORUM

‹‹ 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ... 84 ››

-- Photo Contest October 2015

Announcement | 10K views | 303 comments | Most recent by autofocus 3:14PM | Photo-a-day

-- Introduce yourself here

Announcement | 14.8K views | 653 comments | Most recent by spraynpray October 25 | General Discussions

-- NRF Getogether 2016 St. Augustine, Florida April 28 - May 1, 2016

Announcement | 211 views | 4 comments | Most recent by Rx4Photo October 11 | General Discussions

-- IMPORTANT: FORUM RULES, POLICIES, HELP, USERS MAP and MORE ***MUST READ FIRST BEFORE POSTING***

Nikon Rumors Forum users map

Announcement | 8.4K views | 55 comments | Most recent by Msmoto October 2 | General Discussions

Nikon Rumors Policy Regarding Glamour Shots

Announcement | 660 views | 0 comments | Started by spraynpray September 25 | General Discussions

How to Post a Photo on Photo-A-Day- NEW INSTRUCTIONS

Announcement | 8.3K views | 146 comments | Most recent by Msmoto July 20 | General Discussions

***PLEASE DO A FORUM SEARCH BEFORE STARTING NEW THREADS***

NRF help me spend my money.

254 views | 20 comments | Most recent by Parke1953 3:51AM | General Discussions

What to buy, Profoto B1 or competitor? (Flash equipment)

518 views | 24 comments | Most recent by autofocus 3:02AM | Nikon DSLR cameras

Lens advice for shooting weddings with D7000

197 views | 18 comments | Most recent by manhattanboy 1:37AM | Nikon Lenses

Double Checking a 14-24

318 views | 8 comments | Most recent by autofocus October 30 | Nikon Lenses

D750 picture count (amount left on SD card)

607 views | 10 comments | Most recent by WRichardsPhotography October 30 | D6x0/D7x0/D8x0

‹‹ 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ... 84 ››

NEWS

REVIEWS Welcome back, Username

FORUM Create Post | Search Forum:

Home

‹‹ 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ... 84 ››

-- Photo Contest October 2015

Announcement | 10K views | 303 comments | Most recent by autofocus 3:14PM | Photo-a-day

-- Introduce yourself here

Announcement | 14.8K views | 653 comments | Most recent by spraynpray October 25 | General Discussions

-- NRF Getogether 2016 St. Augustine, Florida April 28 - May 1, 2016

Announcement | 211 views | 4 comments | Most recent by Rx4Photo October 11 | General Discussions

-- IMPORTANT: FORUM RULES, POLICIES, HELP, USERS MAP and MORE ***MUST READ FIRST BEFORE POSTING***

Nikon Rumors Forum users map

Announcement | 8.4K views | 55 comments | Most recent by Msmoto October 2 | General Discussions

Nikon Rumors Policy Regarding Glamour Shots

Announcement | 660 views | 0 comments | Started by spraynpray September 25 | General Discussions

How to Post a Photo on Photo-A-Day- NEW INSTRUCTIONS

Announcement | 8.3K views | 146 comments | Most recent by Msmoto July 20 | General Discussions

***PLEASE DO A FORUM SEARCH BEFORE STARTING NEW THREADS***

NRF help me spend my money.

254 views | 20 comments | Most recent by Parke1953 3:51AM | General Discussions

What to buy, Profoto B1 or competitor? (Flash equipment)

518 views | 24 comments | Most recent by autofocus 3:02AM | Nikon DSLR cameras

Lens advice for shooting weddings with D7000

197 views | 18 comments | Most recent by manhattanboy 1:37AM | Nikon Lenses

Double Checking a 14-24

318 views | 8 comments | Most recent by autofocus October 30 | Nikon Lenses

D750 picture count (amount left on SD card)

607 views | 10 comments | Most recent by WRichardsPhotography October 30 | D6x0/D7x0/D8x0

‹‹ 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ... 84 ››

NEWS

REVIEWS Welcome back, Username

FORUM Create Post | Search Forum:

Home > Photo Contest October 2015

‹‹ 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ... 12 ››

Photo Contest October 2015 As a courtesy we ask that you keep your photos to under 640 pixels on the longest side. If you post a photo that is much larger than 640 pixels then it may be deleted from the thread. You can have your smaller photo link to a larger version but the embedded photos must be less than 640 pixels. If you need help on how to post a photo see below and read through the Forum Rules & FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions). Please do not offer criticism of other’s images unless specifically requested by the individual posting the photo. Criticism may be best accomplished by posting comments on Flickr or the OP’s photo posting source. Please read the forum rues regarding the posting of images not suitable for family viewing.

Comments

Exploration of Boracay

‹‹ 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ... 12 ››

NEWS

REVIEWS Welcome back, Username

FORUM Create Post | Search Forum:

Home > Photo Contest October 2015

‹‹ 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ... 12 ››

Comments

Exploration of Boracay

Nice one Kanuck, here’s mines!

Wow! Such fantastic pictures this month. I don’t think my shots are in the same league, but I’ll add them anyway. Critique is always welcome. My Breakfast sunrise: Between the Zenith Towers in Busan, South Korea, as seen from my dining room. The US Army famously said in an ad in the 80’s “We do more before 9 AM that most people do all day.” I think those hardy gents out there earning their living by extracting bounty from a moody sea for us land-dwelling seafood lovers do not fit with the “most people” that the army was talking about. They’re out there before sunrise.

I can’t agree more! You can just feel the outbreak of Fall in all of these!

Lol...Accidental double post?

This post always gets the best of me. Joining in on the action!

Such a powerful image. I can feel the contrast and motion in the subtlety.

THANKS!!!

We sometimes tangentially talk about it, but to my knowledge we haven’t had a thread about the most prevalent camera out there- our cell phones. The obvious choice that I feel most enthusiasts and photographers seem to use is an iPhone, but personally I prefer Android. For some really quirky people, they use Windows phones, which supposedly have the best camera on phones. I thought I’d make an impromptu thread just to talk about what you guys chose for your mobile phones, and maybe share some of your photography taken on your phones too. Also, for people who use Android phones, are there any suggestions on getting manual control? Lollipop supposedly allowed for manual control, but I really haven’t heard of many apps that do that. I’ll go first. This is my most popular phone taken with my 1st gen Moto G on Flickr.

Anyhow in the last two years I have noticed that pretty much every single repair I have sent in to NPS, whether under warranty or not, comes back with the impact damage claim regardless of the actual problem. I just sent a 24 - 70 in that I know for a fact has never had even the slightest impact, and even wrote on the order form, don’t try to claim impact damage because it has never happened. The problem was for the rubber coming off the focusing ring, and to check on a chronic (since I bought the lens) softness in the bottom left corner. This lens is well under warranty. Guess what? Impact damage - $600 to fix. I have been on the phone with nikon support the last week. Supposedly I got my issue resolved and it was being repaired, then it wasn’t being repaired and I got another bill. So today I did some searching. Within 30 minutes I found 100’s of posts by professional shooters (many from the sportsshooter forum) claiming the same thing.

‹‹ 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ... 12 ››