Nikon D7000 Look First

When it was announced in September the D7000 took a lot of people by surprise. Although a D90 successor had been on the horizon for some time, what wasn't expected was how close in specification terms the new camera would turn out to be to the D300S. In some respects, in fact, the D7000 actually outguns its (supposedly) semi-pro cousin, and offers a compelling upgrade option to both D90 and D300S owners, whilst nominally sitting between the two in Nikon's current lineup.

The Nikon D7000 is the company's latest mid-range DSLR. Announced in September 2010, the D7000 technically replaces the enormously popular D90, although that model will remain on sale while stocks last. The new numbering clearly positions the D7000 above the D5000, with the D3100 below both.

Nikon D7000 Key Features

16.2MP CMOS sensor

1080p HD video recording with mic jack for external microphone

ISO 100-6400 (plus H1 and H2 equivalent to ISO 12,800/25,600)

39-point AF system with 3D tracking

New 2016 pixel metering sensor

Scene Recognition System (see 2016 pixel sensor, above) aids WB/metering + focus accuracy

Twin SD card slots

3.0 inch 921k dot LCD screen

New Live View/movie shooting switch

Full-time AF in Live View/movie modes

Up to 6fps continuous shooting

Lockable drive mode dial

Built-in intervalometer

Electronic virtual horizon

Shutter tested to 150K actuations

The Nikon D7000 is a new prosumer DSLR camera with a 16.2-megapixel DX-format image sensor. Key highlights of the D7000 include Full 1080p HD video with full-time autofocus and manual exposure control, an ISO range of 100-25600, the widest of any Nikon DX camera, a new 2,016-pixel 3D Colour Matrix metering system, new EXPEED 2 image-processing engine, new 39-point Auto-focus system with 3D tracking, 14-bit analogue-to-digital conversion, 6fps continuous shooting, dust- and moisture-sealed magnesium alloy body, 921k dot 3-inch LCD screen, and dual memory card slots. The Nikon D7000 costs £1099.99/ $1199.95 for body only and £1299.99 / $1499.95 for the body and the AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR kit lens.