D7000 - Off the Cuff, First Impressions

[James Shadle]

I did receive my D7000 from Hunt's on Friday (I think they have a few left;)).

This morning was the first crack at this new offering from Nikon.

A little history - I have owned and used the following Nikon digital cameras:
D100, D1X, D70, D70S, D2H(yuk), D2X, D200, D300 and D700. I have also used the following:
D40, D80, D3, D3S, D3X, D3000.

First I need to say WOW!

Here are my very first impressions both positive and negative. I've only run about 200 exposures through the D7000, so take that into consideration.

All statement are real world and subjective.

Positives:
Image Quality:Including resolution, sharpness and noise.
AF: Accuracy, Speed and Patterns
Speed: Frame Rate, Shutter Response, AF
Light Weight
Data Available on Rear LCD
Virtual Horizon via Function Button (Option)
Dual SD Card Slots

Negatives:
Really needs battery pack for improved handling.
User Interface not on par with D300 / D700.
Viewfinder not on par with D300 - forget about comparing with D700/D3.
Uses SD Cards

Just a few thing that struck me as I used it for the first time.
I am preparing a D7000 user guide. While you can pick a D7000 up and use it without reading the owners manual (if you have used almost any other Nikon digital camera), it is a completely different animal.

Here are my first images with the D7000
Converted with Nikon NX2.

All images:
Nikon D7000
Manual Exposure
AF-C using single and nine point centered, Lock-on setting: 4
ISO 800 Noise reduction setting: Normal
Shutter Speed: 1/1250
Aperture: F8
Sigma 300-800mm @ 400mm for sky images, 600mm for beach landing images.
WB 5000K
14bit Lossless Compressed RAW
Active D-Lighting: OFF

Processed on my laptop computer - so please consider that if exposure looks off.

[James Shadle]

These next images were all in a series.

[James Shadle]

These next images were all in a series, part 2

[James Shadle]

These next images were all in a series, part 3.

[Desmond Chan]

First I need to say WOW!

That's a good sign :)

it is a completely different animal.

In what sense, if you don't mind elaborating? :)


My understanding is it's not a "pro" camera (more like a D90) but it has quite a lot of "pro" level stuff in it. I could be wrong, of course.

Now bring on the D400 :D:D

[James Shadle]

it is a completely different animal.
AF patterns remind me of the patterns used in the D200 and D2X( I liked that setup) and the Canon 7D.
Video and Live View.

My understanding is it's not a "pro" camera (more like a D90) but it has quite a lot of "pro" level stuff in it. I could be wrong, of course.

The build quality does not look or feel as good as the D300 / D700.
The grip coating is more like the D300 / D700 than the D80 was (never used a D90).

This is a fast little camera! I can't imagine how sweet the D400 /D800 will be.
I was down to just my D700, so I decided to buy a D7000 now rather than another D300/D300s.

So far I happy with my decision.

[subhrashis]

This is really exciting.... How do you feel the AF speed is compared to the D300/D300S? These cameras will be in very similar price brackets now, and being newer, D7000 may have an IQ edge... but how about AF?

Also do you have a 80 400 VR around? It might be interesting to see how AF speed with non AF-S lenses compares with the beefier D300s..

[James Shadle]

The D7000 (the way I used it, with the lenses I used) was as fast, perhaps a touch faster than the D300.

I feel pretty sure that will not be the case with the 80-400 VR. The AF drive motor makes a huge difference with that lens. I doubt (but could be wrong) Nikon would put the same motor in the D7000 that it did in the D300 / D700. Than again, they aren't putting drive motors in that many camera's any more.
Maybe they use the same motor to keep inventory simple?

[subhrashis]

Thanks a lot for that James!

So now it seems we'll have to see what comes first, Our chance to buy a D7000, the 80 400 replacement, or D7000 + 80 400 images somewhere! :P

Since we have to get a lens and a body, a 100-400 + 50D/60D may be an option too...

Than again, they aren't putting drive motors in that many camera's any more.
Maybe they use the same motor to keep inventory simple?

That would be nice!

[Harshad Barve]

Impressive results for sure but that body was in one great hands too

TFS info James , Food for thoughts

[Paul Guris]

Thanks a lot for that James!

So now it seems we'll have to see what comes first, Our chance to buy a D7000, the 80 400 replacement, or D7000 + 80 400 images somewhere! :P

Since we have to get a lens and a body, a 100-400 + 50D/60D may be an option too...

I've been following the rumor mill (which while nowhere near 100% accurate is surprisingly good) and it looks like the 80-400mm is likely Nikon's next or next to next lens. The patents have already been filed in both Japan and the U.S. So in 6 months or so, you may be able to get both the D7000 and a new 80-400.

Interestingly, it sounds like Canon may be looking at an update to the 100-400mm also.

[James Shadle]

I would buy an AF-S 80-400mm right now!!

The original 80-400mm is very sharp with good contrast.
It is an AF pig on earlier, low end bodies. However, I used it extensively on a D100 (slow AF motor) for BIF with great success.

If you prefocused, used your limiter switch and didn't miss it was not a bad Auto-Focusing lens:).

[Michael Yessik]

Would you mind expanding on your comment about deficiencies in the viewfinder?

[James Shadle]

It's darker than the D300 or D700 and offers a little less info.
You choose between displaying ISO or remaining frame count, not both.

[Cliff Jensen]

Now that you have had the D7000 for a while, if you were restricted to going into the field with either the D300 or D7000, which would you choose? I am so comfortable with my D300 and am trying to get accustomed to the controls on the D7000 that I am afraid I might miss a shot. I have only had the D7000 for a week.

Thanks, Cliff

I did receive my D7000 from Hunt's on Friday (I think they have a few left;)).

This morning was the first crack at this new offering from Nikon.

A little history - I have owned and used the following Nikon digital cameras:
D100, D1X, D70, D70S, D2H(yuk), D2X, D200, D300 and D700. I have also used the following:
D40, D80, D3, D3S, D3X, D3000.

First I need to say WOW!

Here are my very first impressions both positive and negative. I've only run about 200 exposures through the D7000, so take that into consideration.

All statement are real world and subjective.

Positives:
Image Quality:Including resolution, sharpness and noise.
AF: Accuracy, Speed and Patterns
Speed: Frame Rate, Shutter Response, AF
Light Weight
Data Available on Rear LCD
Virtual Horizon via Function Button (Option)
Dual SD Card Slots

Negatives:
Really needs battery pack for improved handling.
User Interface not on par with D300 / D700.
Viewfinder not on par with D300 - forget about comparing with D700/D3.
Uses SD Cards

Just a few thing that struck me as I used it for the first time.
I am preparing a D7000 user guide. While you can pick a D7000 up and use it without reading the owners manual (if you have used almost any other Nikon digital camera), it is a completely different animal.

Here are my first images with the D7000
Converted with Nikon NX2.

All images:
Nikon D7000
Manual Exposure
AF-C using single and nine point centered, Lock-on setting: 4
ISO 800 Noise reduction setting: Normal
Shutter Speed: 1/1250
Aperture: F8
Sigma 300-800mm @ 400mm for sky images, 600mm for beach landing images.
WB 5000K
14bit Lossless Compressed RAW
Active D-Lighting: OFF

Processed on my laptop computer - so please consider that if exposure looks off.