Nikon D7000 review

What was originally expected to be the replacement for the DX-format 12-megapixel D90 turned out to be a new addition to the range. The new D7000 sits between that and the semi-pro D300s. In terms of size, it’s closer to the D90 and functionality closer to the D300s, itself an aging model. Both will remain for the time being, so it’s quite possible we’ll see another replace the D300s as the flagship DX (APS-C) camera.

In the meantime, the D7000 has a tempting specification for semi-pros. Chief among those must be the build quality. It’s not quite as heavy as the D300s but it features a dust and moisture-sealed body made from magnesium alloy, a real step up from the well made but plastic shelled D90. Also it has a similar durable shutter tested to 150,000 cycles, and 100-percent viewfinder coverage with 94-percent magnification. Other key features include dual SD slots that can be used either for backup, overflow or capturing Raw on one and Jpeg on the other, plus continuous shooting up to 6fps without having to adopt the external battery pack. Unlike the D90, the D7000 adopts the AI (auto-indexing) post of the pro models as well as menu registration of lens details (focal length and maximum aperture) allowing backwards compatibility with legacy (non-chipped) manual focus lenses. Even if the price is a sign, it’s details like this that indicate the intended market.

Peering through the viewfinder though the magnification is not quite as impressive as it seems as the figure quoted is adjusted for the smaller APS-C format, corrected to 35mm full-frame it’s 63-percent. If you thought viewfinders were getting smaller then you were right. For an APS-C model, though, the D7000’s viewfinder is impressively bright thanks to a glass pentaprism and it’s also equipped with a new 39-point AF system. This is loosely based on previous offerings like that found on the D300s and D3 but has 9-cross type sensors, which are both horizontal and vertical line sensitive and fast 3D-tracking for fast moving subjects. It works in association with a new 2016-pixel colour (RGB) metering system, and the first major overhaul for Nikon since the 1005-pixel system introduced with the 35mm F5 SLR, a derivative of which can be found in the D3s and D3x.

This RGB meter and AF module is the basis of a scene recognition system that can actually distinguish between the subject and, for instance, grass and the sky and adjust the exposure and AF point to track accordingly. In use the camera is blisteringly fast though I must admit to taking quite a long time to adjust to the near instantaneous shutter release. Together though the new metering and AF system in the D7000 is a real standout feature. And that’s before we’ve discussed the new sensor. It’s a self-cleaning 16.2-megapixel CMOS, a Sony sourced sensor originally but made to Nikon’s specification, allowing sensitivity to run from ISO100 up to an eye-watering ISO25600, and, unbelievably, largely noise free to ISO6400.

Nikon D7000 with AF-S Nikkor 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G at f/16 (mounted on the outstanding combination of Gitzo GT2541 EX tripod and Arca Swiss P0) and the result of a HDRi shot for a client.

Because of the limitations with CCD, CMOS is adopted for LiveView principally, but the considering the superbly detailed 921k dot resolution of the 3-inch screen to the rear, checking focus accuracy at high magnification is marked by interpolation, which is a pity. Autofocus is possible, indeed there are two AF options but neither is particularly fast or that useful unless you intend to take the occasional overhead picture.

Mirror Lock up is offered but it’s selected along with the other shooting modes from a rather narrow, and therefore fiddly dial, surrounding the shooting mode. Nikon has moved the LiveView option to a new location, to the right of the rear LCD and operation is via a switch surrounding a new dedicated video capture button. LiveView is, of course, the basis for the camera’s video capabilities but while there are advances here the D7000 is deliberately limited in the EU, at least, to recordings of five minutes. If it wasn’t for that the 1080/24fps movie clips would sound very tempting, the quality is there, although you would want to adopt manual focusing instead of the somewhat noisy AF. This unwanted sound is easily picked up by the built-in mono microphone, although the D7000 has a mic socket for a external stereo mic.

Although nice to have, the movie mode doesn’t impress as much as the stills; quite a feat considering the increase in pixel density over the 12-megapixel offerings. Colour rendering and detail is outstanding with Nikon’s pro-grade lenses; while the optional 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G VR kit lens is a decent enough performer, there are FX and DX lenses that will get more from the sensor. Some sharpening is required of JPEGs straight from the camera though little else, especially with Active D-Lighting to improve dynamic range, peripheral illumination correction and automatic chromatic aberration reduction. Aimed at the enthusiast for the most part, the D7000 also offers a burgeoning range of post-capture processing options. It seems slightly incongruous at this level but, for all that, the D7000 is a significant improvement over the D90 and, to a lesser extent, the D300s, which makes it a simple choice for any Nikon photographer looking to add or replace a DX body to his kit.

Contact

For more information please follow the link for Nikon Europe or Nikon USA.

Sales

Adorama US:
Nikon D7000 body ($1,299).
Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF DX (17-35mm equiv) $809.95
Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX (28-70mm f/2.8 equiv) $1,424.00
Jessops UK
Nikon D7000 body (£949.95 inc VAT)
Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF DX (17-35mm equiv) £669.95
Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX (28-70mm f/2.8 equiv) £1,064.95
Wex UK
Nikon D7000 body (£949.00 inc VAT)
Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF DX (17-35mm equiv) £659
Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX (28-70mm f/2.8 equiv) £1,064.95

Related posts

Read our review of the Nikon 1 V1
Read our review of the Nikon D700.

Sony add clip-on monitor CLM-V55 for HDDSLRs

Sony has announced a 5-inch 800x480pixel LCD for their video-enabled DSLRs. The images provided don't show the power options. There's a AC adaptor and a battery-pack, which presumably attaches to the rear, hence the lack of photos - it's unlikely to be a neat solution. Although it will be available in March, the price has not yet been confirmed.

Press release

Clip-on LCD monitor from Sony for HD video shooting with Interchangeable Lens Digital cameras
 
CLM-V55 gives big, high-resolution view of video footage
• Clip-on LCD monitor attaches to DSLR camera
• Large (5") WVGA panel offers superb high-resolution view while shooting HD video
• Tilt/swivel for comfortable viewing at any angle
• Colour peaking and pixel magnification for precise focus confirmation

A new clip-on LCD monitor from Sony gives DSLR camera owners a bigger, better view of their footage while shooting HD video. The CLM-V55 is a portable video monitor featuring a high-resolution WVGA (800 x 480) (5”) LCD panel. Attaching easily to most Interchangeable Lens Digital cameras and compatible HD camcorders via the supplied adaptor, it displays video footage during shooting/playback with excellent clarity and a wide viewing angle.

The clip-on screen tilts and swivels to any angle for comfortable framing in any position – even self-shooting when you’re in the picture. The CLM-V55 is loaded with pro-style features to help photo enthusiasts and videographers shoot high-quality HD video footage with their Interchangeable Lens Digital camera. Pixel magnification mode assists with accurate focus confirmation, giving an enlarged pixel-perfect view of a selected portion of the Full HD image. It’s complemented by a colour peaking function that highlights the edges of accurately-focused areas of the video image.

An intuitive control wheel allows quick, positive adjustment of a wide range of monitor settings without interrupting shooting. Adjustable parameters include aspect ratio (16:9/4:3), volume, brightness, contrast, colour tone (phase), colour temp and auto dimmer. On-screen markers aid precise framing by giving precise indication of a TV’s 16:9 or 4:3 actual display area. The LCD monitor’s on-board mono speaker is complemented by a headphone jack for accurate audio monitoring during shooting.

The CLM-V55 attaches easily to a wide range of Interchangeable Lens Digital cameras from Sony and other manufacturers that support HD video shooting. The supplied adaptor simplifies mounting on any camera or HD camcorder that features an auto-lock accessory shoe or ISO shoe. Signal connection from camera to monitor is via the supplied HDMI cable, while power can be supplied using a battery pack or AC adaptor (both optional). The CLM-V55 comes with a detachable LCD hood for more comfortable viewing when shooting outdoors in bright sunlight.

The CLM-V55 LCD video monitor by Sony is available from March 2011.

Sales

To buy from Warehouse Express UK (currently £398.00 inc VAT), please follow the link here.

Sony announces A390 and A290 DSLRs

Sony has announced upgrades to the A330 and A230 entry-level DSLRs. As hinted at by leaks on the internet, the new models, called the A390 and A290, respectively, feature 14.2 megapixel resolution sensors (up from 10.2MP) a new, larger grip and some slight cosmetic updates. The new A390 also replaces the A380. Prices are £449 (inc VAT ) for the A390 body only, while the A290 is listed at £399 on the Sony UK site. Both are available for pre-order now, with delivery 5-days after release.

Sony A390

Sony A290

Press release:

More style and value by Sony for first-time DSLR users Easy-to-use DSLR-A390 and DSLR-A290 with 14.2 megapixels

Sony A390 (left) & A290 (right)

• DSLR-A390 with 14.2 megapixels, Quick AF Live View and 6.7cm (2.7-inch) tilt LCD; DSLR-A290 with 14.2 megapixels
• Compact, stylish body with new grip design and revised button layout for comfortable handling
• Quick AF Live View with tilt LCD (α390) for live image preview with fast, accurate autofocus
• Friendly on-screen Help Guide and Graphic Display
• HDMI output and BRAVIA Sync



The α (Alpha) digital SLR range from Sony grows further with two stylish, affordable new entry-level cameras.

Ideal for first-time DSLR users, the DSLR-A390 (α390) and DSLR-A290 (α290) offer a dramatic step up in picture quality and creative options from point-and-shoot compact cameras. Just as importantly, they’re beautifully easy to use, even if you’ve never handled a DSLR before.

With a resolution of 14.2 effective megapixels for flawless, low-noise images, both cameras offer the speedy shooting responses that are prized by DSLR users. The α390 adds the extra benefit of Quick AF Live View. This unique system teams the convenience of live image preview on the tilt-angle Clear Photo LCD with speedy, accurate phase-detection autofocus.

The most affordable new DSLR from Sony, the α290 offers the same 14.2 effective megapixel resolution as the α390 in a compact body that weighs just 456g (excluding battery and media).

Both cameras feature an attractive new grip design that allows even more comfortable handling. Upper control areas of both models have also been revised with a clear, uncluttered new button layout.

Even DSLR novices will find it brilliantly simple to explore the generous creative features of both new cameras. The intuitive Graphic Display makes it easy to understand the relation between shutter speed and aperture, plus the effects of your chosen exposure settings on the final picture. The Help Guide offers clear, concise explanations of camera functions, illustrated by a sample image to show the results you’ll achieve. Quick access to shooting and playback function menus is streamlined by colourful on-screen icons.

The α390 and α290 include a mini-HDMI terminal for direct connection to any HD Ready TV (requires optional cable). Support for PhotoTV HD ensures even better-looking still image reproduction on compatible BRAVIA™ models. BRAVIA™ Sync allows control of slideshow and other camera playback functions in comfort using your TV remote.

The stylish, easy to use new α390 and α290 digital SLR cameras by Sony are available from summer 2010.