Nikon D7000 Pro Reviews

Our tests reveal that the Nikon D7000 is an excellent camera that is capable of capturing a high level of detail across the full sensitivity range. However, getting the best from it requires a little bit more than is provided in the AF-S DX Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR kit box. While this lens offers a versatile effective focal length range of 27-157.5mm it hampers the camera's AF system in less than ideal lighting conditions. With a professional-level lens mounted the D7000 proves itself to have an excellent AF system capable of accurate results in very difficult situations. An ever expanding feature set makes greater demands on a cameras menu and control systems. Nikon has obviously spent some time thinking about this and the D7000 is easy to use. With the right lens the revised AF system is superb, and the way its more advanced features have been integrated into it mean they are far more likely to be used by the photographer. It's a shame the LCD screen isn't articulated though. While View NX2 is an improvement on Nikon's earlier software options it doesn't really offer the enthusiast enough control and many will be eagerly awaiting Adobe's Camera Raw update to allow greater control over noise reduction, especially at the lower sensitivity settings.

The Nikon D7100 isn't just an upgrade in terms of additional megapixels crammed into the sensor, but the removal of the optical low pass filter means that with the correct technique, you should be able to take the sharpest and most detailed images possible from an APS-C Nikon camera. As we found out in our Nikon D800 vs Nikon D800E review, with increased detail possible, correct technique becomes even more important. For some it would have been nice to see an increased continuous shooting speed, however there are enough upgrades included in the D7100 to make it worth serious thought, even if you do have a D7000 currently. Updates including an increased number of focus points, an improved screen, full HD video at 30/25/24fps and stereo sound recording, as well as improved design, make the D7100 an impressive Digital SLR and one that's well worth investing money and time in, particularly as the Nikon D7100 could take you to your next level of photography.

Solid all-round performance and some surprisingly upmarket features at a competitive price make for a truly excellent mid-range DSLR

The D7000 is an outstanding release by Nikon. This camera is a real treat for the enthusiast photographer but can work equally well as a back up body for professionals. You do have to master its features to get the best out of it though – refining the results through trial and error – to appreciate its responsiveness in different environments. This may be too much of a challenge for some, who might be better served by something like the Canon EOS 60D, but there are plenty that appreciate these subtleties which make the D7000 more than some kind of refreshed D90. The only way to consider it an heir to the D90 is in its reception, which has been very enthusiastic, ranking very highly on on-line sales lists from Amazon and Jessops. Indeed, I daresay the D7000 could prove more problematic for the D300s sales than Nikon might like. Admittedly, it is a shame the kits lens does not show off all of the camera’s potential, but there are no shortage of lenses in the Nikon arsenal that will.

The D7000 is an absolutely exceptional DSLR that, although categorised under Nikon's ‘consumer' bracket, offers a lot of pro-like specification. There's a lot out there to compete with, not least that Canon's 7D can be found for a few hundred pounds more, and the D7000 does a good job of balancing between consumer and pro. Its part magnesium, part polycarbonate body is testament to this. The new 39-point AF system is fantastic, the images are of exceptional quality right into the high ISO setting and the only slight drawbacks are the relatively high price point, fairly shallow buffer for Raw shooting and slight overexposure in unexpected circumstances. Otherwise the D7000 succeeds in carving out a new niche in the DSLR category and provides bags of power for the money.

Feeling very much in hand like a pro camera, with magnesium alloy top and rear body construction, the Nikon D7000 (list: $1199, body only) has all the bells and whistles of a modern D-SLR, including a high megapixel count CMOS sensor, a new image processor to handle all the data it can capture, including 14-bit NEF, a high ISO 6400 “normal” (expandable two stops), and the currently requisite 1080p HD movie capability. This DX (APS-C) format camera also features dual SD card slots, with spillover or format sort capability, a nice and speedy 6 frames-per-second (fps) shooting capability for up to a 100 frame burst (JPEG), and full-time AF with video and Live View. The monitor is bright and highly readable in just about every lighting condition. Unfortunately, it is fixed and does not articulate, but the penta-prism finder makes one pray that Nikon will never go EVF (electronic viewfinder), yielding 100 percent coverage and being a pleasure to view through, especially after suffering some recent EVF obscuring experiences.

If you’re ready to get serious about your photography, the Nikon D7000 is well-equipped to help you transition to the next level. It has a sophisticated feature set, top-notch performance, and highly pleasing image quality. Expect a learning curve, though, particularly if you want to take advantage of everything this camera has to offer. It’s easy to get lost when digging deep into functions like autofocus and its multiple choice menu. But it’s well worth the effort to explore the D7000’s many options. Beginners may want to check out entry level cameras such as the Nikon D3100 or the Canon T3i for more user-friendly features (and prices).

My overall experience with the D7000 was very positive. As a backcountry action sports photographer, I really like the D7000′s balance between packability and performance. Pair the D7000 with the Nikkor AF-S 18-200mm VR II lens and you’ve got a winning all-purpose camera kit for travel, mountain biking or backcountry skiing. It’s also pretty damn good right out of the box with the 18-105mm kit lens – especially when you compare the $1500 kit price to similarly-spec’d cameras. As the kids on the Internet like to say, the D7000 is full of win.

The Nikon D7000 is one of those cameras that's easy to recommend. The only reason to recommend a D3100 or D5000 over the D7000 is a buyer's budget, and perhaps a need for more accessible Scene modes, and the only reason to recommend the D300S or D700 is the need for more professional features. Most enthusiast photographers will be extremely pleased with the Nikon D7000. It's a certain, and highly recommended Dave's Pick.

As good as the D7000 is, Nikon has left themselves some room for improvements. For example, a 1080 HD video that captures moving subjects a bit more smoothly than the current 24 fps system. A bit less tendency to clip highlights in bright, high-contrast scenes. A less awkward mode and release mode dial interface. None of these concerns are so major that they can't be addressed relatively simply, except perhaps for the dial conundrum - D7000s anyone? When I did the first look review on this camera I mentioned that if the awkward dials were the worst the D7000 had to offer that I expected Nikon to sell a bunch these cameras. A couple other gripes have joined the list, but I still think Nikon's got a winner on their hands.

The D7000 is a fantastic step up camera for those who have outgrown entry level digital SLRs or for those who want to upgrade from older mid-range models, with the advantage this time around of a bang up-to-date feature set for the Nikon range; the obvious advantages of Full HD video and optional extras such as GPS making it a true tool for the multimedia age. It's also a sensible option for those amateur enthusiasts who land the odd paid job now and again, but who wouldn't want (or necessarily need) all the extras, nor expense, of an actual pro DSLR.

It's very hard to choose between the D7000 and its main rival, the Canon EOS 60D. The D7000's full-time AF mode during movie recording doesn't really make the grade and it lacks the 60D's vari-angle LCD screen, but it does offer slightly cleaner images at higher ISO speeds, more refined AF mode, slightly quicker burst shooting and a more durable magnesium body. It's certainly a close-run thing, though, and if you have no vested interest in either system you'd be well-advised to try them both at the same time to see which control layout you prefer. The Nikon D7000 is a fantastic addition to Nikon's DSLR lineup and is a well-deserved recipient of our Highly Recommended award.

Like its predecessor, the Nikon D7000 raises the bar of what can be expected from a mid-range DSLR. There's no arguing with its impressive feature-set nor Nikon's canny ability to satisfy the demands of both new technology fanatics and traditional photographers. As we said at the start of this page, there's something for everyone here.

The D7000 is a joy to use, and takes breathtaking photos and videos, but minor niggles keep it from an award.

The Nikon D7000 combines good usability and handling with excellent image quality in addition to a versatile ISO range. If you’re looking to buy a digital SLR but want a camera that’s more versatile than the current crop of entry-level offerings, we think this is a great option — in our opinion the Nikon D7000 easily equals the Canon EOS 60D.

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.

Our tests reveal that the Nikon D7000 is an excellent camera that is capable of capturing a high level of detail across the full sensitivity range. However, getting the best from it requires a little bit more than is provided in the AF-S DX Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR kit box.

An excellent dSLR for experienced shooters or Nikon professionals looking for a relatively cheap option, the Nikon D7000 delivers on almost all counts.

The D7000 is fairly hard to find fault with. The new 39-point autofocus system is fantastic, highly customisable and delivers continuous shooting results at up to 6fps to almost the same standard you’d expect from a higher-classed DSLR. The pictures are great too, even right up into the higher ISO settings there’s a great deal of detail and overall quality. To be particularly picky, it has to be said that exposures can often give way to highlight overexposure in a number of situations, and it’s a shame that the camera’s buffer can’t survive an onslaught of more RAW files before it’s full. But all things considered, this new release essentially offers a pro specification for a slight cut of the price and the addition of decent 1080p movie is equally impressive too. Pure class.

Performance-wise, the D7000 is no slouch either. It feels extremely responsive and delivers great image quality, even at high ISO settings. Those upgrading from previous Nikon bodies such as the D80 or D90 and even down-graders from the D200 and D300 may be disappointed that the battery has changed, but the camera offers enough in other areas to still make this a compelling choice. The street price may seem a little high when compared to that of the D300s, but many may find this a better choice overall due to the lighter weight, automatic assistance on offer and even the in camera editing functions, which are amongst the most comprehensive I've seen. For me the D7000 fills a gap in Nikon's line-up that many photographers, especially many who frequent this site fall into.