ArticlesProduct Reviews & PreviewsThe Myths and spirit of Nikon D7100

The Myths and spirit of Nikon D7100

By krikman | Published Apr 26, 2013 | Product Reviews & Previews

Tagged with: camera-body-comparison nikon-d7100 real-life-test

Foreword

What is it?

It is my review of features and myths of D7100 Nikon DSLR body.

It is not another technical specification listing, and here will be no files to pixel peep in DXOmark style.
No obvious chewing as FX vs DX or "N." vs "C."
It is honestly and thorough comparison of features and possibilities of 2012-2013 camera bodies.
It organised as Q&A for better reading and because D7100 already has plenty of myths and insinuations based on specs lists as advertised and few opinions and reviews.

Why I write this review?

Because I was in search of good camera to replace D300s. And now share my experience and conclusions.

Why D7100?

It combines all useful innovations and feels right in the hands.

To whom this review?

For users experienced enough in general photography and in Nikon DSLR bodies.

Prerequisites

What annoying me?

What annoying me in D800

While perfect for professional work, D800 still too large for everyday amateur usage.
Larger than D4 body with battery grip
If my regular income on photo assignments will greater $1000/month I'll buy it.

I mean 'regular', i.e. USD 12000 income from photography alone in one year.

Bad color repair at ISO 2000+ (greens are still greens, but skin tones gets posterized)

What annoying me in D600

AF coverage, overall feel, fear of oil spot issues.
No use of zoom preview on OK button alone keeps me out of D600.
Still downgrade from D300s in many aspects
Bad colors at high ISO 4000+

What annoying me in D300s

No AUTO ISO SPEED
IQ not consistent with today's standards for professional work. Body still too large for everyday usage with battery grip.
Basically D700 is the same as D300. At least in good lighting.

What annoying me in D4

Nope annoying except price of body unreachable for amateur.
If my regular income on photo assignments will greater $2000/month I'll buy it.

What annoying me in D7000

While nice camera, lacks too many features of pro body.
No AUTO ISO SPEED

What I love?

What I love in D4

Feel in hand. Gods! it feels just right! And these light buttons made fantastic camera! (all other things just right)
ISO 400-6400 colors way better than in any other camera.

What I love in D300s

Sturdiness and feel with battery grip
Works in bad environment

LIKE 0

Flag as inappropriate

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions held by dpreview.com or any affiliated companies.

Print view

Comments

Total comments: 10

D700 is the same as a D300s??? really? I have both and there is no comparison.

0 upvotes

In sense of handling they nearly identical

0 upvotes

Just FYI, the D7000 does have configurable auto ISO that works well.

0 upvotes

AFAIK Auto-ISO in D7000 don't take account of focal lenght.

0 upvotes

Nice review. Thanks.
You were wondering :
Small rubber opening to battery compartment near battery cover.

Isn't that just the cover for battery grip electric contacts ?

0 upvotes

Thank you for a nice review. I come from D300 and are very happy with my D7100.

The only thing i didn't understand is why you don't want resolution? At the same time you enjoy 1.3 crop and high ISO improvements...

0 upvotes

Because I print large formats 42" wide and 6MP D40 was well enough with right lens. Perception of clarity by our eyes have little to do with resolution of camera but mostly with photographer's skill (And lens, and subject, and lighting etc.).

Yet another reason is that I purposely miss IQ aspects and concentrate review on handling and getting the right picture.

Comment edited 2 minutes after posting

2 upvotes

Try to use camera instead of "seeing samples"

0 upvotes

yeah, I reckon wearing rose tinted fanboy sunglasses can do that to you .
In my oppinion , the D7100 is a pretty ordinary DSLR compared to its competition ,but with an excellent sensor up to ISO 1600 , 99% of the samples I have seen above that have all had dissapointingly unaccepteble noise .

0 upvotes

Yeah, it can look a bit, uh, crinkled (very minor noise) at lower ISOs, but it's finer and more consistent noise than the DSLRs before it. Especially at high ISO. Easy to use noise reduction without using too much detail, especially with software that uses custom profiles like Neat Photo. Color retention is amazing at ISO 6400, too. Coming from a D7000 (like I did) is even a significant step up in quality.

1 upvote

Total comments: 10