Photography

Nikon D7100 Camera: Review & Comparison to the Nikon D7000 and D300 Updated

My First dSLRs: Nikon D300 & D7000

I learned photography from my father. I started my camera collection with his hand-me-downs including a film-based Nikon F. When I was old enough to buy my own Nikon dSLRs, I started my journey with a Nikon D300. I later upgraded to a Nikon D7000 and then my current model, the Nikon D7100.

Nikon D300

In 2008, the D300 was Nikon’s top of the line ‘prosumer’ camera. The D300 had a 12.3MP DX format CMOS sensor and a new auto-focus sensor with 51-points. It was based on the original EXPEED processor. And, it introduced a 922k pixel, 3 inch LCD display. The D300 was ultimately replaced by the Nikon D300S (which added 720p video recording and faster continuous shooting) and complemented by the D90.

Nikon D7000

When the D7000 was released in 2010, it was supposed to fit between the lower-end D90 and high-end D300S. But, it really served as an upgrade to the D300S because the D7000 had a larger 16.2MP sensor and it could shoot video at 1080p/24fps. The D7000 also featured a new 39-point AF array (down from the D300S’ 51-point array) and a magnesium alloy body shell. DPreview described it as having “best high ISO performance of any current APS-C dSLR”.

Nikon D7100’s Refinements

The Nikon D7100 was released in 2013 as the flagship of the DX series. It possesses a new 24MP sensor v the D7000’s 16MP sensor that leverages the EXPEED3 processor. Nikon also removed the optical low-pass filter (OLPF), which results in a higher effective resolution than filtered 24MP sensors. The D7100 increases the number of auto-focus points to 51 with 15 cross-type v the D7000’s 39 points with 9 cross-type.

Nikon D7100. Photo credit Nikon.

Although I don’t use my dSLR as a camcorder, Nikon also increased video fps to 1080 60i/30p from 24p and included a stereo microphone.

The D7100 has gotten bad marks from some reviewers due to the size of its buffer. As ExpertReviews notes, “sustained fast performance is possible, but only if you’re willing to forego raw mode and distortion correction, and possibly lower the resolution.”

Overall, the D7100 build quality is excellent. It is weather sealed; and it works with all my old Nikon lenses and equipment. In my experience, the Nikon’s autofocus almost never misses. It is the camera I use for all my action and nature photography.

With the Program Auto feature, I can easily share it with a family member or friend and know that they will “get the shot”. But it is a heavy camera, particularly when paired with the 28-300mm telephoto. And, the telephoto can easily slide to full length while being carried around, unless it is locked.

My Camera Bag

Sample Images

Photo credit Michael Connelly.
Photo credit Michael Connelly.
Photo credit Michael Connelly.
Photo credit Michael Connelly.
Photo credit Michael Connelly.

Resources

Nikon D7100 camera firmware v1.03 can be found here.

Nikon distortion control v2.015 can be found here.

Comparison to Subsequent Nikon Models

I compare my Nikon D7100 to the successor D7200 here, to the ‘premium’ D500 here, and to the successor D7500 here.



Updated on April 20th, 2017