Nikon D7000 Body Only

A headline selling point of the D7000 is 1080p HD video with continuous autofocus. I had never previously bothered with digital camera movies but the D7000 has almost won me over. It is certainly not perfect. If you pan a group of active children the autofocus will not cope, and if you make the autofocus and VR work hard they create noise on the soundtrack. However, there is a jack to attach an external stereo mic to avoid noise problems, and if you take shots that are not too demanding of the autofocus (or use the manual focus) you can produce superb film-like results. If you have not already seen them look at the Chase Jarvis movies on the internet. In future I shall use the D7000 video in addition to my camcorder, though it will not replace it.

However, my main interest is still photography and I think that this camera is designed for people like me. Firstly, I want a camera with lots of easily accessible manual controls and the full range of customisable tools missing on entry-level DSLRs such as the D3100. The D7000 certainly has these. But I want more than this. I also want a quality camera that is not too bulky or heavy, that has lots of features to explore, and has the automatic assistance to make it easy to use casually and quickly on a day out with family or friends. The alloy body makes it heavier than the D90, albeit almost identical in size, but substantially lighter than the D300s. It feels good in the hand, the controls are intuitive, and it is fast and responsive.

The camera is feature-rich. My own favourites are:
1. A 6fps continuous shooting speed up to 100 frames - and I am equally pleased that one can adjust to between 1fps and 5fps.
2. The alloy body and weather sealing - ideal for the British climate.
3. A large bright pentaprism viewfinder with 100% coverage, definitely a big plus.
4. A 39-point versatile autofocus system - impressive numbers but what really matters is the result. It is very fast and effective.
5. Two positions on the dial to store and easily access one's favourite settings, something not always well catered for on Nikon models.
6. Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots which allow the user to program the second card for backup or extra storage, to use one for JPEGs and one for RAW, or one for stills and the other for video. I really do like this.
7. ISO range up to 6400 with little noise and excellent detail - the top feature for me.

This by no means exhausts the list of features. Among others are an in-built intervalometer for time-lapse photography, an impressively powerful battery, the ability to connect to GPS devices, and an electronic spirit level available in both Live View and viewfinder modes. In terms of features it is surely the best specified camera in its class and is enormous fun to use. However, one does not buy a camera for features and fun but for image quality, which I think is top-notch. I particularly like the accurate white balance and, above all, the performance in low light where this camera really is the cat's whiskers.

It has been observed on this website and elsewhere that the D7000 produces better images with prime and pro zoom lenses than with kit lenses. True, but that applies to all cameras. I have not used the 18-105 lens but I can vouch that good results can be achieved using the 18-200 or the 16-85 lens. A prime lens will provide even better images and it is always useful to have one as well as a zoom. For my part a pro zoom is too heavy and too expensive. I tried hard to think of major negatives but without success. The default settings produce images that are a tad soft but I prefer this to over-sharpened images for I can adjust the sharpness when editing. I prefer this to the alternative of changing the camera's settings to increase sharpness.

This camera's price will deter many considering a move from a compact for there are good alternatives such as the Canon 550D that are lighter and much cheaper. In fact one could buy the D3100 with the Nikon 18-200 lens for less than the cost of a body only D7000 and still have £100 left for accessories. However, I think the D7000 is worth the price. Many pros will buy it as a backup camera and it is a natural progression for entry-level DSLR owners and a serious contender for anyone contemplating a move from a compact straight to a mid-range DSLR, though the term "mid-range" may be a misnomer for I think it punches above its weight. I prefer the 7000 to the 300s because it is better in low light. As for the D700 I see little point in comparing a mid-range DX camera with a full frame pro camera. I do think the D7000 represents better value for money because it has Nikon's latest technology. Those wanting a semi-pro camera should wait for the D400 and D800, which will also have the latest technology - but will, of course, initially be much more expensive than the D300 and D700 they replace. Meanwhile the D7000 is an excellent choice as a first-rate mid-range camera that is a good compromise between weight/bulk and controls/features with the added bonus of HD video.

EDIT. After another month of use I am even more impressed with this camera. I am delighted that I decided to purchase it.

I cannot add much to the excellent reviews already written about this camera. Having migrated from a three year old Pentax the improvement has been jaw-dropping. The autofocus is fast and accurate, the high ISO capability is amazing (even at ISO3200 the noise is minimal) and a fully programmable design enables the user to set up the camera just the way they want it.I have been shooting RAW images and they have been superb, if a little taxing for my computer to handle. I used the camera for a photoshoot at the Hay Literary Festival, where it easily handled moving objects in dimly lit theatres.

Quite early on I picked up the fact that the camera can overexpose, particularly when set to pattern metering, and a few images had blown out highlights.Switching to selective metering options and setting the camera to systematically underexpose by about half a stop helps. I call it instrument calibration rather than there being any problem.

Unfortunately I no longer have this camera. Amazon's excellent return scheme picked up my D7000 and refunded me. The reason is that dark spots began appearing in the bottom right corner of images and a sensor shot revealed liquid droplets on the low pass filter in front of the sensor. It seems, judging by the internet discussions, that few D7000s flick an oily liquid, nearly always in one corner of the sensor filter, when the shutter fires. Air blowing won't shift the contamination and wet-cleaning provides only a temporary solution as fresh spots appear when the camera is used again.

I don't want to scare people off because the problem seems to be quite rare, rare enough for Nikon to be a bit obstinate with the few affected D7000 owners (Pentax and Canon have handled similar problems far more transparently). I will buy another D7000 because I already miss it's brilliance...but I will wait a bit to see if this problem blows over. I have to say that Amazon handled this really well so do buy from them.

Have waited a month to review this, as wanted a genuine comparison, from my D90, using the 16-85 VR lens.

At up to ISO 1600, f5.6 and above, up to 10"x8" prints, you will hardly see any difference in image quality, but push the D7000 and it shows its true worth. The ergonomics, layout and handling are all better than the D90, and the many extra features over the D90, are extremely worthwhile, giving a new dimension to your hobby, and a great expansion. Some little things are amazing, like the rear infra red receiver for remote, mirror lock up, very fast motordrive for a consumer model (jpeg), (slows considerably in RAW), and the virtual horizon is a great addition (need to custom select for viewfinder, which is also larger and brighter as well), interval shots, and nearly half as much battery life as D90, great.

One worry I had, prior to purchase, were the reviews of over exposure, it is no different to the D90 ~ result.

I mainly take stills, but the video is again better than the D90 + masses of storage with the 2 memory card slots, and a 20 minute burst rate.

Focus is better and quicker, especially with older lenses, and the low light capability is excellent, all in all, Nikon at its best, delivering a genuine enthusiasts DSLR, with not too high a price tag, and if any D90 owners are thinking it isn't worth the upgrade ~ IT IS. Add in its better build quality and weatherproofing, I love this camera, and will be very happy to use it in the coming years.

2 months on, I'm using this now with a 17-55 non VR, and 70-300 VR, image quality is very good indeed, better than I anticipated, and again must mention this camera is excellent in low light, unbelievable at times!!

Another 6 months further on, Nov 2011, and the D7000 has been on a trek around America, with the above lenses. I'm still very impressed with the capability of this camera, and am so pleased I swopped from the D90, I can't see me getting rid of this camera in the next few years, unless bodies improve dramactically, as I feel the Camera and myself are at one, and I think that says it all. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for enthusiast level, well done Nikon!!