The Nikon D7000 introduces a new evolutionary step in the DSLR market. There has been as much anticipation and excitement around this camera's release as Nikon's own D90, the first DSLR to incorporate high-definition video into any DSLR. Looking at the specifications of this new camera is amazing and something that began making me think. Nikon's own press release begins with this defining statement:
"Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the release of the Nikon D7000, a model that introduces a new line of mid-class Nikon DX-format digital-SLR cameras. The camera is equipped with a new CMOS image sensor and a new image-processing engine, EXPEED 2, that enable capture of high-definition images exhibiting superior image quality. It also offers a number of advanced high-performance features packed into a compact, elegant body."
I have been making a living with my DX-format cameras for years. I still sell images for publication that were shot on a 6.1 megapixel DX sensor. So are terms like "mid-class" or "consumer-level" or even "pro-sumer" anything beyond marketing language? After looking over the cameras Nikon has released over the last several years, it seems not.
In 2005, Nikon released, as they and the media described it, the World's Flagship Pro DLSR, the D2x. This camera was THE ONE to own if you were a professional photographer using DSLR's. It is still the staple for thousands of professionals working today.
But wait.
What are the specs for the D2x? 16 X 24mm DX sensor. 5 frames per second shooting. 12 megapixels. ISO range from 100 - 800. 11 Autofocus zones. Really?!?! This is not just a Professional camera - this has been the most highly-touted professional-grade DSLR in the world. Technology evolves, thank goodness. But does the introduction of newer and more capable make the D2x suddenly take non-professional images? Is there some alien camera-melting gamma ray that reduces the capabilities of the D2x? Of course not. That is stupid. And so is calling a newer, far superior camera something less than professional.
It turns out calling the D7000 consumer, pro-sumer or any of the other terms being spewed to the public is nothing more than a marketing term to position the products they are selling for $5000 and up as Professional-grade DSLR's. Sadly, even photographers who should know better, have been repeating this jargon as though this is not a camera a professional would use - but consumers who take their photographic hobby seriously might want to check this camera out!
Wrong.
Let's compare some specifications from Nikon:
| Feature | D7000 | D3 | D700 |
| Effective Pixels | 16.2 million | 12.1 million | 12.1 million |
| Sensor Size | 23.6 x 15.6mm | 36.0 x 23.9mm | 36.0 x 23.9mm |
| Sensor Format | DX | FX | FX |
| Sensor Type | Expeed 2 CMOS | Expeed CMOS | Expeed CMOS |
| Total Pixels | 16.9 million | 12.87 million | 12.87 million |
| Image Area | DX-format (L) 4928 x 2364 (M) 3696 x 2448 (S) 2464 x 1632 |
FX-format (L) 4256 x 2832 (M) 3184 x 2120 (S) 2128 x 1416 |
FX-format (L) 4256 x 2832 (M) 3184 x 2120 (S) 2128 x 1416 |
| Card Slots | 2 Secure Digital (SD) | 2 CompactFlash© cards | 1 CompactFlash© card |
| Viewfinder | Eye-level pentaprism single-lens reflex viewfinder | SLR-type with fixed eye-level pentaprism | SLR-type with fixed eye-level pentaprism |
| Viewfinder Frame Coverage | 100% Approx. | 95% Approx. | 95% Approx. |
| Reflex Mirror | Quick-return type | Quick-return type | Quick-return type |
| Depth of Field Control | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/8000 sec. | 1/8000 sec. | 1/8000 sec. |
| Top Continuous Shooting Speed (Full Resolution.) | 6 frames per second | 9 frames per second | 5 frames per second |
| Exposure Metering | 2,016-pixel RGB sensor TTL Exposure Metering | 1,005-pixel RGB sensor 3D Color Matrix Metering II | 1,005-pixel RGB sensor 3D Color Matrix Metering II |
| Max. Autofocus Points | 39 | 51 | 51 |
| Interfaces | Hi-speed USB NTSC HDMI Stereo Microphone Input Audio/Video out |
Hi-speed USB NTSC PAL HDMI 10-pin Terminal |
Hi-speed USB NTSC PAL HDMI 10-pin Terminal |
| Video | Movie with sound 1,920 × 1,080 (24p); 24 fps 1,280 × 720 (24p); 24 fps 1,280 × 720 (30p); 30 fps 640 × 424 (30p); 30 fps |
None |
None |
| WiFi / GPS Compatible | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Score | 9 | 5 | 3 |
Bottom line, use the camera that makes sense for you. The D7000 is a superior camera to the D2x. Therefore, it is a world-class professional-grade DSLR of extreme capability. Don't get wrapped up in the marketing speak, or photographers who try to look like they know more than they do. There will be better cameras released year after year - but I highly doubt you will be able to even purchase a DSLR that does not exceed the world-class professional specs of just a few years ago. They are almost all professional equipment at this point. Buy the camera that has the features you need, and go show us how hard you rock with some amazing images.
