Looking closely at the D7000, you get an inkling of its capabilities, but nothing that quite gives away its position as the hottest DSLR on the market. It has the usual Nikon red accent on the grip and a few judiciously-placed logos and icons. Drill down a bit and some of the finer points appear, such as a second LCD readout on the top, and a 3-inch 921K-pixel LCD on the rear. But the real enhancements are internal, as we’ll soon see.
Major Features of the Nikon D7000
A new DX-format CMOS image sensor and new image-processing engine, EXPEED 2, both developed by Nikon enable capture of high-definition images with superior image quality
The D7000 is equipped with a new Nikon DX-format CMOS image sensor and a new image-processing engine, EXPEED 2. The camera offers an effective pixel count of 16.2-million pixels and enables capture of high-definition images exhibiting superior image quality with extremely detailed rendering and rich tones with smooth gradations. With standard sensitivity range of ISO100 - 6400 and additional increases up to Hi 2 (ISO 25600 equivalent), the camera offers improved capability with shooting under dim lighting, such as in the evening or indoors, and also expands possibilities for expression with rapidly moving subjects.
The D7000 is equipped with a new Nikon DX-format CMOS image sensor and a new image-processing engine, EXPEED 2. The camera offers an effective pixel count of 16.2-million pixels and enables capture of high-definition images exhibiting superior image quality with extremely detailed rendering and rich tones with smooth gradations. With standard sensitivity range of ISO100 - 6400 and additional increases up to Hi 2 (ISO 25600 equivalent), the camera offers improved capability with shooting under dim lighting, such as in the evening or indoors, and also expands possibilities for expression with rapidly moving subjects.
EXPEED 2 is Nikon's latest image-processing engine developed with the ideas, know-how and technologies regarding digital images that Nikon has cultivated over the years. EXPEED 2 enables faster image processing, a high level of noise reduction, better color reproduction characteristics, and reduced power consumption.
A compact, elegant body that offers both authenticity and flexibilityA magnesium alloy has been adopted for the top and rear covers for increased durability in a size equivalent to that of the D90. All joints on the camera body have also been sealed to ensure a greater level of water and dust resistance.
A new 2,016-pixel RGB metering sensorWith 2,016 pixels, the new metering sensor developed for the D7000 offers twice the metering pixels as our previous high-end metering sensor. Prior to shooting, the 2,016-pixel RGB sensor acquires accurate information regarding the scene. That information is then reflected in autofocusing, automatic exposure, i-TTL balanced fill-flash, and auto white balance control for extremely faithful images.
A new 39-point AF system
An AF sensor module with 39 effective focus points Adoption of the new Multi-CAM4800DX autofocus sensor module enables certain acquisition and tracking of the intended subject with 39 focus points. Nine cross-type sensors at the most frequently used center of the frame allow for certain acquisition of the intended subject. In addition, the number of active focus points can also be limited to 11.
An AF sensor module with 39 effective focus points Adoption of the new Multi-CAM4800DX autofocus sensor module enables certain acquisition and tracking of the intended subject with 39 focus points. Nine cross-type sensors at the most frequently used center of the frame allow for certain acquisition of the intended subject. In addition, the number of active focus points can also be limited to 11.
Superior subject acquisition and tracking performanceDepending upon the scene or subject, the AF-area mode can be selected from Single-point AF, Dynamic-area AF, 3D-tracking and Auto-area AF. Wide focus areas containing a large number of focus points work together to accurately acquire and track the subject
D-Movie for recording and editing of full HD moviesThe D7000 is equipped with the D-Movie function that enables recording of high-definition movies (1920 × 1080p, 24 fps) exhibiting superior video quality. Autofocusing during movie recording is possible using contrast-detect AF. When the focus mode is set to Full time-servo AF (AF-F) and the AF-area mode to Subject-tracking AF, the camera automatically maintains focus on a subject moving throughout the frame in three dimensions. The D7000 also offers in-camera movie editing functions that allow users to save a single frame as a still JPEG image or delete unnecessary portions from the beginning or end of movie files.
Recording of stereo sound via an external microphone is also supported.
Recording of stereo sound via an external microphone is also supported.
Key features:
Ø Nikon DX-format, newly developed 16.2MP CMOS sensor: with expanded sensitivity range, this high-pixel sensor offers outstanding colour and detail for both pictures and movie
Ø New EXPEED 2 image processing: achieves higher image quality, higher speed processing and multiple functions, with lower energy consumption
Ø High ISO (100-6400, extendable up to 25600) sensitivity: offers low noise whilst still providing extremely sharp detail
Ø New 2,016-pixel RGB metering sensor: the high-pixel RGB sensor will enhance the effectiveness of the Scene Recognition System for high-quality images every time
Ø Newly developed AF system featuring 39 focus points including 9 cross-type sensors in the center: delivers superior subject acquisition and tracking performance, so you can achieve the right focus no matter where your subject is on the screen
Ø Glass Pentaprism Viewfinder with approx 100% frame coverage and 0.94x magnification: for the most precise view and focus of any scene
Ø High durability with magnesium alloy top and rear, sealing against dust and moisture: allowing you to shoot with confidence even in the toughest conditions
Ø Full HD D-Movie with AF-F modes and in-camera editing functions to choose the start and end points of your movies and save individual frames as still images. It also supports an external microphone input for quality stereo sound recording
Ø HDMI connectivity: so you can view your images or watch your HDTV movies on a full HD television
Ø Easy access Live View with new Contrast-detect AF modes: face detection with contrast AF is faster and more powerful than ever. Up to 35 people can be detected within approx. 0.08 seconds, even if subjects are not directly looking at the camera. Subject Tracking keeps moving subjects in focus. Normal area AF is recommended for pinpoint focus and wide-area AF for handheld shooting
Ø Durable shutter unit with shutter speed up to 1/8,000: proved by 150,000 cycles of shutter-release testing
Ø Twin SD memory card slots: offer more capacity for saving images, more options for organising your images and videos or extra backup so you can manage your images exactly as you want them.
Ø High Speed Continuous shooting at 6FPS: With approx. 0.05-second release time lag and 6 frames-per-second shooting, you won’t miss a moment
Ø Extensive playback functions: including 72-thumbnail display, calendar display and image sorting by date
Ø In-camera retouch functions (retouch menu) including movie editing function and new color sketch
Ø Tone and colour control: Picture Controls lets you set the look and mood of your pictures and movies before you shoot
Ø ViewNX 2 free bundled software, will be bundled with the D7000: It inherits the basic operations of ViewNX whilst providing much enhanced operability, including a refined GUI, and a range of easy-to-use features allowing you to edit photos as well as movies
Ø 7.5 cm (3-in.) LCD Monitor:, the approximately 920k-dot TFT LCD monitor has a VGA wide-viewing angle (170°) with reinforced glass so you can immediately see your work in detail
Ø Supports a wide variety of NIKKOR lenses
Ø Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL15 : intelligent power management to give maximum performance with minimized power usage
Nikon D7000 and Nikon D90: Key differences
The D7000 sits above the D90 in Nikon's current lineup, and as befits its new position in the range, the D7000 combines elements of the D90 with elements of the D300S - Nikon's current APS-C flagship. The most obvious physical clue to its new position is a magnesium alloy body shell, which up to now has been reserved for Nikon's top-end APS-C and full frame cameras.
'Under the hood' though the differences are legion - a new 16.2MP CMOS sensor, dual card slots, a new 39-point AF array, 'true' HD movie mode with full-time AF and more customization options, some of which are inherited from Nikon's professional DSLRs. Like the D90, the D7000 supports AF with Nikon's older AF and AF-D lenses (lower-end models are limited to compatibility with AF-S and AF-I optics only) but additionally, because the D7000 has an Ai indexing tab on its lens mount, up to 9 'non-CPU' lenses can also be registered with the camera.
This allows the use of virtually any Ai specification or later lens to be used in aperture priority or manual mode with the P7000, with almost no loss of functionality (apart from AF). Novice DSLR users might never look beyond the horizons offered by their kit lenses, but for the enthusiast, legacy support like this could well be a deal-breaker.
Nikon D7000 vs D90
D7000 and D90 are two great DSLRs from Nikon. Nikon is a giant camera making company and its every new launch surely creates ripples in the market. When it recently launched its new DSLR named D7000, many were quick to say that it resembled the already popular D90. Indeed there are many similarities in D90 and D7000 but there are quite a few differences that this article intends to point out.
D90 is indeed a great DSLR, but people were patiently awaiting an up gradation, and with the launch of D7000, their wait is over. It is only natural that D7000 retains all the good features of D90 but adds some new exciting features that make all the difference. Here is a quick comparison of these two great DSLR cameras.
Sensor
The most important aspect of any camera is its sensor, and this is where D7000 scores over D90. As compared to D90’s 12.3 MP sensor, D7000 has a higher resolution at 16.2 MP. This is an enhancement that is of particular use to professional photographers when they are cropping images. More mega pixels also means the ability to produce larger prints.
ISO
There is a great difference in ISO settings of the two cameras. Whereas D90 allowed an ISO range of 200-3200, it has been improved to 100-6400 in D7000. Even in extended mode, D7000 has a higher setting at 25600 whereas D90 can go up to only ISO 6400. Higher ISO settings are always important for that all important shot, especially in low lighting conditions, and when you dearly wish to reduce noises to a minimum.
Support for SDXC
SDXC are next generation memory cards that have higher capacities and allow faster read and write speeds. They also help in faster transfer of images from the camera on to your computer. While D90 does not recognize SDXC, and can go only as far as SDHC memory cards, D7000 allows the user to make use of SDXC cards. Thus when you talk of storage, D7000 is future safe.
Two slots for memory cards
This is another difference that has significance for enthusiasts and professionals. While D7000 allows for dual memory card slots, D90 has only one slot. This not only means more storage and backup, it also means you can keep RAW files separately from JPEG files. This is of considerable importance if you are shooting HD videos as it means that you can have longer videos without any interruptions which a photographer may experience when he is using D90.
HD videos in 1080p
While D90 could record HD videos only in 720p, D7000 allows photographers to make both 720p and 1080p HD videos. If you are shooting videos, this may be of considerable advantage to you and worth an upgrade from D90 to D7000. Again, while D90 allowed for only 5 minutes of shooting HD videos, D7000 allows video capture up to 20 minutes.
Higher burst rates
This is a feature that holds significance for sports photographers. While D90 had a burst rate of 4.5, D7000 allows a burst rate of 6fps. This means better quality photos of fast moving objects.
There are some other notable differences between D90 and D7000 that are summed up below.
- ü While D90 had only 11 focus points, D7000 allows as many as 39 focus points
- ü D7000, at 1167ISO provides much more noise reduction than D90 at 977 ISO
- ü While D7000 has auto contrast detection, D90 does not have it
- ü D7000 provides better color depth at 23.5bits compared to 22.7 bits of D90
- ü In image quality, D7000 is much better than D90
- ü As far as DR (dynamic range) is concerned, D7000 at 13.9EV is better than 12.5 EV of D90
- ü D7000 has an external mic jack which D90 doesn’t have
- ü D7000 has better viewfinder coverage at 100% compared to 96% of D90
- ü Battery life of D7000 allows one to take 1050 shots as compared to 850 shots with D90
- ü Whereas D7000 is weather sealed, D90 is not
- ü D7000 has better maximum light sensitivity at 6400 ISO than 3200 ISO of D90
However there are some features in which D90 scores over D7000.
D90 has a larger viewfinder, less shutter lag (208ms as compared to 238 ms of D7000), has a smaller startup delay of 300 ms as compared to 400 ms of D7000, and is also lighter at 703 g (D7000 is 780g).
Though there certainly are some additional features in D7000, whether or not to upgrade is dependent upon your requirements. However, if you are a new buyer, D7000 should be your fist option.
