Nikon D7000 Review

 

I feel with a title like ‘Nikon D7000 Review’ I need a drumroll before this content box. Really, the name itself is spoken in high regard, being the newest and hottest sought-after DSLR’s in it’s class. Rephrase: almost a class of it’s own.

With a starting price point of $1400 {with AF-S DX 18-105mm VR Lens Kit}, the biggest crowd-catchers are the ISO performance and video recording features. Simply put, it shoots in full 1080 HD video with full-time autofocus.

I noticed specific qualities about this camera, straight out of the box. For one, it has a very quick start-up, no lag at all to turn it on and shoot. Despite being the heaviest camera that I have used, it didn’t feel cumbersome and placement of dials and buttons came with ease.

At first I used I tested the Auto Mode capacity, quickly becoming impressed with the picture quality and color. Really, it picked colors brilliantly, I noticed this in all of my shots.

Usually I use an external flash with my DSLR, even in shaded outdoor shots. For closeups, an external wasn’t needed, it picked up light very well. Yet, the flash range on the Nikon D700 seemed to be lacking somewhat when trying to shoot beyond 8 feet, this is when my external was again needed. Not a huge issue with me of course, since I prefer using the external to avoid harsh flashes.

When shooting out of Auto Mode, I liked the ISO performance. Usually I’m hesitant in fully playing with the manual settings on a new SLR until I am fully used to the camera, yet I actually use them quite often with the Nikon D7000.

When photographing kids, I appreciate a camera that has great scene functions and the ability to capture fast moving objects with ease. Whether in manual or auto, I found that I got a good shot right from the start with the D7000.

The battery life needs a round of applause as well, I actually haven’t needed a recharge, even after about 4k photos. Since I’m one to shoot hundreds at a time and prefer to choose a larger or RAW format, I love that it has twin memory card slots. Settings allow you to set one to take over when the other is empty, yet I see this handy for dedicating a memory card just for HD video.

Here are the specs:

• The 16.2MP DX-format CMOS image sensor captures images with brilliant colours, minimal noise and smooth tonal gradations making them seem almost lifelike
• Nikon’s EXPEED 2 image processing engine ensures that D7000 delivers superior performance and high quality images, while using minimal energy
• A high ISO sensitivity is manually extendable up to 25600, which can enable faster shutter speeds so you capture more detail and less noise in action or low light shots
• 100% viewfinder coverage with nearly 0.94x magnification for precise composition
• A durable shutter delivers precise control and exceptional reliability with a shutter speed of up to 1/8000s, and flash synchronization at up to 1/250s
• The 39-point autofocus system features nine cross-type sensors in the centre for fast and sharp autofocus across the frame
• Four AF-area modes ensure sharp results whether your subject is off-centre, moving fast or simply unpredictable
• The 2,016 pixel RGB metering sensor delivers highly accurate metering for exact exposures and provides precise data to the camera’s Scene Recognition System
• Scene Recognition optimizes exposure, autofocus and white balance the instant before the shutter is released for pin-sharp images
• Capture fast-moving subjects with six frames per second continuous shooting
• Record Full HD (1920×1080) movie clips; use AF mode to keep it all in focus and edit clips right in the camera
• 3″ LCD features a reinforced glass for durability
• Twin SD memory card slots also support SDXC memory cards
• Near-instant start-up time and 0.052-second shutter-release time lag

**All photos SOTC, except to resize for upload and an addition of the watermark

 

 

Disclosure: I received product to facilitate this review, all opinions are my own.

 

.