The D7100 comes with a software CD which contains:
Nikon's ViewNX2, while not as sophisticated as the company's Capture NX 2 (available separately at a list price of £160/$180) offers basic editing functions including the ability to crop and straighten images, and change white balance, exposure and Picture Control options in NEF files. More advanced tools include D-Lighting and highlight/shadow recovery sliders, plus lateral and axial chromatic aberration correction. Basic video editing functionality is also available. In a nice touch, many of these parameters can be built into presets using the Picture Control Utility, meaning that presets you find yourself regularly applying can be uploaded to the camera. Absent, unfortunately are any noise reduction options.
ViewNX2 also allows you to geotag photographs using Google Maps (automatically if you use the optional GP-1 GPS unit), and to rate and label images with stars or colors for ease of organization. You can even modify the names of the color tags so that they show up as 'Work,' 'Holiday,' 'Portraits' or whatever best suits your needs.
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| Although it lacks much of the functionality offered by Nikon's Capture NX 2, the bundled ViewNX2 software makes it easy to make basic adjustments to both raw and JPEG files from the D7100. | The thumbnail view does exactly what it says on the tin - it arranges all of the images in a particular folder as thumbnails, for easy navigation. |
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| When adjusting raw files, you can either apply an existing Picture Control preset (Standard, Vivid, etc.) or create and modify your own, which can be uploaded to the camera and applied to JPEG captures. | ViewNX2 allows you to geotag your images by using Google Maps to find and record where you took your your photos. If you use Nikon's GP-1 external GPS unit with the D7100, geotagging is automatic. |
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| Creating video projects is a simple matter of opening the new video editor program, and importing clips into a playlist. From here you can add transitions between clips, and audio files. | When you're ready to export your video project you can name it and specify your desired output settings. |
In the sections below we'll compare the same raw file as processed by Nikon's supplied ViewNX 2, DxO Optics Pro 8 and Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) 7.4, alongside the associated in-camera JPEG file.
As you'd expect, converting a raw file offers the potential to bring out a more natural, pleasing rendition of ultra-fine detail in comparison to the more aggressive sharpening applied by the camera's JPEG engine. Nikon View NX 2 output is only marginally more crisp than the in-camera JPEG and very closely mimics the color and contrast of the in-camera JPEG.
Both ACR 7.4 and DxO Optics Pro 8.1.5 produce more natural, less processed-looking results. DxO Optics Pro clearly renders fine details with more distinction than the raw converters in this example and offers a bit more contrast than ACR. Note that these differences could certainly be minimized with subtle adjustments to sharpening in ACR and ViewNX 2. And keep in mind that to actually see these 100% screen view differences would require viewing extremely large prints at very close distances.
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| Adobe Camera Raw 7.4 Raw -> TIFF (Default output settings) ISO 100 studio scene 100% crops |
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| DxO Optics Pro 8.1.5 Raw -> TIFF (Default output settings) ISO 100 studio scene 100% crops |
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| Nikon ViewNX 2.7.4 Raw -> TIFF (Default output settings) ISO 100 studio scene 100% crops |
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| JPEG out of camera, High quality setting, manual WB (all other settings default) ISO 100 studio scene 100% crop |
In our resolution chart comparison, the in-camera JPEG yields the least detail yet produces the most pronounced edge halos. As you'd expect at this level of detail, the lack of OLPF produces moiré in both the JPEG and Raw conversions, with Nikon's ViewNX 2 giving the most effective suppression. DxO Optics Pro takes a very aggressive approach to sharpening at its default setting, to the point of producing a mottled effect in the black lettering. It also struggles with moiré as washed out streaks are visible. ACR strikes a reasonable balance between sharpness, avoidance of edge halos and a more organic-looking yet prominent display of color moiré.
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| Adobe Camera RAW 7.4 | DxO Optics Pro 8.1.5 |
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| ViewNX 2.7.4 | JPEG Large/Fine |
The examples below illustrate the kind of real-world advantages you can get from shooting in raw mode. At low ISO sensitivity settings the D7100 gives accurate white balance and generally pleasing contrast in 'straight from camera' JPEGs. Viewed at 100%, however, files can appear a bit soft at the default sharpening settings. With just a few adjustments in ACR, you can enhance edge contrast and of course tweak color balance as desired.
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| Camera JPEG - ISO 100 | RAW + ACR 7.4 with white balance, exposure, contrast and sharpness adjusted to taste with auto CA correction applied. |
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100% crops |
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In the scene above, the default JPEG rendering is certainly passable, with CA kept well under control, but a slightly warmer color rendering along with higher contrast and a moderate sharpening adjustment can yield a richer looking file.
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| Camera JPEG - ISO 6400 | AW + ACR 7.4 with white balance, exposure, contrast, sharpness and noise reduction adjusted to taste. |
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100% crops |
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Shooting in raw mode also allows you to take control over white balance and noise reduction when shooting in low light scenes like the one above, captured at ISO 6400. Again, the in-camera JPEG is not bad. Far from it. But mixed lighting situations like this will almost always require a manual tweak to arrive at a more accurate result.
Here I've boosted exposure by almost one full stop, neutralized the overly yellow color cast and applied enough noise reduction to eliminate chroma noise. One characteristic of ACR's noise reduction, however, is a loss in saturation, as you can see in the crops above. We don't find this overly objectionable and certainly prefer it to the in-camera JPEG alternative.
The examples above are simply meant to provide general guidance on the possibilities with Raw conversions. Below we provide Raw files from the sample shots we've taken, so you can apply your preferred software and techniques and judge the capabilities of the D7100 for yourself.
| $1,146.95 | Buy on GearShop | |
| $1,726.95 | Buy on GearShop | |
| $1,446.95 | Buy on GearShop | |
| $1,446.95 | Buy on GearShop |
Nikon D7100 24.1 MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR (Body Only) | $1,146.95 |
Nikon D7100 24.1 MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR (Body Only) | $1,146.95 |
Nikon D7100 24.1 MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED Nikkor Lens | $1,446.95 |
Nikon D7100 Digital SLR Camera & 18-105mm VR DX AF-S Zoom Lens (Black) with 55-300mm VR Lens + 500mm Tele Lens + 32GB Card + Battery + Backpack + Accessory Kit | $1,799.95 |
Nikon D7100 Digital SLR Camera Body with 55-200mm Lens + 64GB Card + Battery & Charger + Case + Flash + Filter + Tripod + Accessory Kit | $1,389.95 |
Nikon D7100 24.1 MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR with 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX NIKKOR Zoom Lens | $1,446.95 |
Nikon 13293 D7100 24.1 MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR Camera Bundle with 18-140mm and 55-300mm VR NIKKOR Zoom Lens (Black) | $1,726.95 |
Nikon D7000 16.2MP DX-Format CMOS Digital SLR with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR ED Nikkor Lens | $996.95 |
Nikon D7100 Digital SLR Camera Body with 18-200mm Lens + 64GB Card + Battery & Charger + Case + Flash + Filter + Tripod + Accessory Kit | $1,799.95 |
Nikon D7100 DSLR Camera Kit with 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G VR & 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G VR Lenses. Includes: 2 High Definition UV Filters, 32GB Memory Card, High Speed Card Reader, Extended Life Replacement Batteries, Full Size Tripod, Monopod, Deluxe Backpack & More | $1,849.00 |
Nikon D7100 Digital SLR Camera & 18-105mm VR DX AF-S Zoom Lens (Black) with 70-300mm Lens + 64GB Card + Battery + Case + Flash + Filters + Tripod + Accessory Kit | $1,889.95 |
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