Nikon D7100

In summary

Announced in late February as an update to the popular D7000, Nikon’s D7100 features the same 24-megapixel sensor as the D5200 and D3200 but without an optical low-pass filter in front of it. Theoretically, this should produce higher resolution, although you’ll need top-quality lenses to realise it. The D7100’s AF system has been improved substantially with additional sensor points and algorithms derived from the Nikon D4.

Features-wise the D7100 has plenty to offer for photo enthusiasts and boasts impressive specifications for its price tag. The bright, full frame view viewfinder is a big plus here, as is the sharp data overlay that makes it easy to view shooting information as shots are composed.

Landscape and architectural photographers will welcome the removal of the low-pass filter from the sensor as it will enable them to achieve very high resolution with capable lenses. Those who shoot in dim lighting will appreciate the camera’s superior high-ISO performance and the capable noise-reduction processing.

Professional photographers – in particular wedding and portrait shooters – could find the D7100 a useful second body, particularly if they want to reduce the weight they carry but still retain most aspects of professional performance and adjustability. Support for Nikon’s Advanced Wireless lighting enables the built-in flash to be used in Commander mode for triggering up to three groups of external flash units.

The camera’s video capabilities provide plenty of HD recording settings (although none at standard definition) and users benefit from  full-time autofocus and manual control over exposure and recording levels plus the ability to connect an external microphone and headphone to the camera.

Sports and wildlife photographers should find the 6 fps continuous shooting speed appealing, particularly when the camera is used in the 1.3x crop mode, where the AF sensor array covers most of the recording area.   However, for those who prefer recording raw files, the limited capacity of the buffer memory will be problematic. (High buffer capacities are only available with JPEG capture).

Rating

RRP:  RRP: n/a.  ASP:  AU$1350; US$1200 (body only)

Specs

• Image sensor: 23.5 x 15.6 mm CMOS sensor with 24.69 million photosites (24.1 megapixels effective)
• Image processor: EXPEED 3
• A/D processing:  12 or 14 bit
• Lens mount: Nikon F mount (with AF coupling and AF contacts)
• Focal length crop factor: 1.5x
• Image formats: Stills ““ NEF-RAW, JPEG (Exif 2.3), RAW+JPEG; Movies ““ MOV (H.264/MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding with Linear PCM stereo audio
• Image Sizes: Stills ““ DX (24 x 16) image area: 6000 x 4000 (L), 4496 x 3000 (M), 2992 x 2000 (S); 1.3x (18 x 12) image area: 4800 x 3200 (L), 3600 x 2400 (M), 2400 x 1600 (S); Photographs with image area of DX (24 x 16) taken in movie live view 6000 x 3368 (L), 4494 x 2528 (M), 2992 x 1860 (S): Photographs with image area of 1.3x (18 x 12) taken in movie live view 4800 x 2696 (L), 3600 x 2024 (M), 2400 x 1344 (S); Movies: 1920 x 1080; 60i (59.94 fields/s)/ 50i (50 fields/s) * 1920 x 1080; 30 p (progressive), 25p, 24p 1280 x 720; 60p, 50p Actual frame rates for 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, and 24p are 59.94, 50, 29.97, 25, and 23.976 fps respectively; options support both high and normal image quality *Available only when 1.3x (18 x 12) is selected for Image area. Sensor output is about 60 or 50 fps.
• Image Stabilisation: Lens based
• Dust removal: Image sensor cleaning (vibration), Image Dust Off reference data (optional Capture NX 2 software required)
• Shutter speed range: 1/8000 to 30 seconds plus bulb, X-sync at 1/250 sec.
• Exposure Compensation: +/- 5 EV in increments of  1/3- or 1/2 EV in P, S, A, and M modes
• Exposure bracketing: 2 – 5 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1, 2, or 3 EV
• Other bracketing options: Flash bracketing, White balance bracketing, ADL bracketing
• Self-timer:   2 s, 5 s, 10 s, 20 s; 1 – 9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 s
• Focus system: Nikon Advanced Multi-CAM 3500DX autofocus sensor module with TTL phase detection, fine-tuning, 51 focus points (including 15 cross-type sensors; the centre 1 focus point is available at apertures slower than f/5.6 and faster than f/8 or at f/8), and AF-assist illuminator (range approx. 0.5 – 3m/1 ft 8 in. – 9 ft 10 in.)
• Focus  modes: Autofocus (AF): Single-servo AF (AF-S); continuous-servo AF (AF-C); auto AF-S/AF-C selection (AF-A); predictive focus tracking activated automatically according to subject status Manual focus (M): Electronic rangefinder can be used
• Exposure metering: TTL exposure metering using 2016-pixel RGB sensor
• Metering modes: Matrix: 3D colour matrix metering II (type G and D lenses); colour matrix metering II (other CPU lenses); colour matrix metering available with non-CPU lenses if user provides lens data Centre-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8 mm circle in centre of frame. Diameter of circle can be changed to 6, 10, or 13 mm, or weighting can be based on average of entire frame (non-CPU lenses use 8-mm circle) Spot: Meters 3.5 mm circle (about 2.5% of frame) centred on selected focus point (on centre focus point when non-CPU lens is used)
• Shooting modes: Auto modes (auto; auto (flash off)); programmed auto with flexible program (P); shutter-priority auto (S); aperture-priority auto (A); manual (M); scene modes (portrait; landscape; child; sports; close up; night portrait; night landscape; party/indoor; beach/snow; sunset; dusk/dawn; pet portrait; candlelight; blossom; autumn colours; food); special effects modes (night vision; colour sketch; miniature effect; selective colour; silhouette; high key; low key); U1 (user settings 1); U2 (user settings 2)
• Picture Style/Control settings: Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait, Landscape; selected Picture Control can be modified; storage for custom Picture Controls
• Colour space options: sRGB, Adobe RGB
• Custom functions: 8 categories with a total of 50 settings
• ISO range: ISO 100 – 6400 in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV. Can also be set to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1, or 2 EV (ISO 25600 equivalent) above ISO 6400; auto ISO sensitivity control available
• White balance: Auto (2 types), incandescent, fluorescent (7 types), direct sunlight, flash, cloudy, shade, preset manual (up to 6 values can be stored, spot white balance measurement available during live view), choose colour temperature (2500 K – 10000 K), all with fine-tuning
• Flash: Built-in; GN approx. 12/39, 12/39 with manual flash (m/ft, ISO 100, 20 °C/68 °F); supports Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS)
• Flash modes: Auto, auto with red-eye reduction, auto slow sync, auto slow sync with red-eye reduction, fill-flash, red-eye reduction, slow sync, slow sync with red-eye reduction, rear-curtain with slow sync, rear-curtain sync, off; Auto FP High-Speed Sync supported
• Flash exposure adjustment: -3 to +1 EV in 1/3- or 1/2-EV increments
• Sequence shooting: Max. approx. 6 shots/sec. for up to 33 full-resolution JPEGs or 7 lossless-compressed NEF.RAW files with a UHS-I certified SDHC or SDXC card (7 fps possible with 1.3x crop mode)
• Storage Media: Dual slot for SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards; UHS-1 compatible
• Viewfinder: Eye-level glass pentaprism with 100% FOV coverage; 0.94x magnification (50 mm f/1.4 lens at infinity); Type B BriteView Clear Matte Mark II screen with AF area brackets (framing grid can be displayed) and organic EL display;19.5 mm eyepoint; -2 to +1 dpt adjustment
• LCD monitor: 3.2-inch TFT colour LCD with approx.1,228,800 dots; approx. 170 degree viewing angle; approx. 100% frame coverage; brightness adjustment
• Live View shooting: Live view photography (still images), movie live view (movies); Contrast-detect AF anywhere in frame (camera selects focus point automatically when face-priority AF or subject-tracking AF is selected)
• Playback functions: Full-frame and thumbnail (4, 9, or 72 images or calendar) playback with playback zoom, movie playback, photo and/or movie slide shows, histogram display, highlights, photo information, GPS data display, and auto image rotation
• Interface terminals: Hi-Speed USB 2.0, HDMI (Type C Mini), external microphone IN (3.5 mm stereo jack), Wireless remote controller: WR-1 and WR-R10); Remote cord: MC-DC2; GPS unit: GP-1; UT-1 Communication Unit; MB-D15 Multi-Power Battery Pack (accessories available separately)
• Power supply: EN-EL15 rechargeable lithium-ion battery; CIPA rated for approx. 920 shots/charge;   Optional MB-D15 multi-power battery pack with one rechargeable Nikon EN-EL15 Li-ion battery or six AA alkaline, Ni-MH, or lithium batteries
• Dimensions (wxhxd): Approx. 135.5 x 106.5 x 76 mm (body only)
• Weight: Approx. 675 grams (body only))

Buy