Nikon D7100 DSLR Review

The Nikon D7100 is the newest of Nikon’s D-SLRs with a DX sensor (APS-C size). This is a new sensor without a low-pass filter, a very unique feature in this class because nearly all compact and SLR cameras use low-pass filter systems to avoid moiré and aliasing effects. The sensor has a resolution of 24MP (6000x4000 pixels). We did our tests with the kit version of the D7100, using the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, said to be optimized for DX cameras.

 

The D7100 is Nikon’s newest SLR camera with a DX sensor (APS-C size). It has a brand-new 24MP sensor that does not have a low-pass filter. It offers simple automatic functions like scene modes for beginners and a lot of individual setup and exposure features for advanced photographers.

The camera offers a small built-in flash and is compatible with Nikon auxiliary flash systems such as the SB-900; it also supports i-TTL.

The D7100 has a very large LCD screen on the back with a very high resolution (1.229 million RGB dots). It’s the control center for all image and recording settings. Two setup dials (on the back and near the shutter release button), an eight-way control field, and many function buttons allow for comfortable and efficient handling.

The camera has an illuminated status LCD on the right-hand side of its top. On the left you will find a mode dial (P, S, A, and M, scene modes, etc.) and a second dial directly beneath the mode dial. This second wheel allows the user to select the burst mode (two frame rates), mirror up mode, and self-timer.

The camera offers numerous interfaces on its left-hand side, which are all nicely sealed by a thick rubber cover: USB, HDMI, and (optional) GPS module and remote control interfaces are available. There’s also a microphone and an earphone jack for better sound recording and control when shooting video.

The camera has a massive and robust body. It sports a classic SLR design with a bulky handle on the right-hand side, which allows for stable and secure handling of the camera. A large and illuminated LCD screen on the top shows all the necessary image parameters and important information.

The camera is very fast. Shutter delay and start-up time are low; we’d say on a professional level. The camera can record up to 6 frames per second in full resolution (24MP).

Its AF system offers 51 sensors (15 cross-type sensors) and shows a very quick response when pressing the shutter release button halfway down. The user can change the AF sensor setup and define the AF area in the image center with nine, 21, or 51 sensors. The AF areas are shown in the bright and very large optical viewfinder, which also shows 100 percent of the final image. In addition, the camera offers a live preview on its very large LCD screen (3.2”), which features a very high resolution (1.229 million RGB dots).

The LCD screen is fixed, which is a slight drawback when using the Nikon D7100 as a high-end video recorder. It records Full HD video with up to 60 frames per second (interlaced) or up to 30 full frames per second (progressive recording). Manual exposure settings can be used when shooting video.

The D7100 offers parallel recording of Raw and JPEG images. In addition, it has a dual SD card system that, for example, allows the user to send Raw images to the first SD card and the JPEG version of the images to the second card. The two cards can also be used in serial mode (recording on the second card starts when the first card is full) or as a backup system (copy images on the first card directly to the second card).

Image Quality
Color:
The camera is able to reproduce colors very exactly. The automatic white balance system did a perfect job under nearly all lighting conditions and created very neutral colors, but it also showed a tendency toward a very saturated color style. This was noticeable in the blue and red nuances of our test chart; the red color in the portrait shot is quite saturated. This causes a mean/average saturation of more than 112 percent, a very high saturation result for an SLR system. On the other hand, skin tones are reproduced nearly perfectly.

The standard test box was shot in P mode and is slightly underexposed. Colors are rendered very nicely; the gray background is reproduced with a neutral look.

Sharpness: The resolution results are excellent. The camera reproduced the ISO 12.233 chart with 3911 lines in picture height, which relates nearly to its nominal resolution of 4000 lines. The images have a crisp, but still very natural, appearance. During our tests we had absolutely no problems with moiré or aliasing effects. Even shots of fine detailed structures (front of an office building with sun blinds in its windows, fine structures of fabric as in our portrait shot, lines in the Siemens stars in our standard test box shot, and more) are reproduced neatly and cleanly. Some aliasing effects are noticeable in video shots, however, but are still on a lower level than in videos taken with some other D-SLR and D-SLT cameras we have tested. Considering the missing low-pass filter, this is a surprising result.

The model shot shows only a very slight shift of the bright background into the green- and yellow-colored areas. The red fabric of the T-shirt is reproduced with very high saturation while skin tones are reproduced accurately.

Noise: Noise results are very good. Luminance noise shows at a slightly higher level than in images taken with cameras with APS-C-sized sensors and lower image resolution, but the look of the final images is very good. Color noise is filtered efficiently and the final image shows only a little grain similar to the grain of analog film material.

The camera also showed an excellent performance in our dynamic range test. It scores up to 11.5 f/stops in lower ISO speeds and keeps a high level of more than 10 f/stops up to ISO 3200.

The automatic white balance system did a perfect job under nearly all lighting conditions and created very neutral colors, but it also showed a tendency toward a very saturated color style.

The Nikon D7100 (body only) has a list price of $1199; $1599 with the 18-105mm VR kit lens.

Scorecard
Pro

+ Extremely high image resolution and image sharpness
+ Very fast SLR system
+ Massive and robust body, carefully sealed
+ Easy handling, automatic functions for beginners (scene modes for example), but also a lot of individual settings for precise set up of all parameters
+ Large LCD screen
+ Large optical viewfinder (shows 100 percent of the final image)

Con
- Missing swivel monitor
- GPS and WLAN only with optional accessories

Lab results and test images by BetterNet, our TIPA-affiliated testing lab. Edited by George Schaub.

Image Tech is where we publish web-exclusive lab reports on cameras. To read the reports please go to the Shutterbug homepage at www.shutterbug.com and click on the Image Tech tab on the top navigation bar. New reports are published frequently, so check Image Tech for updates.

For more information, visit www.nikonusa.com.

COMMENTS
BlinnDobv's picture

I was supposed to buy is this one but I settled for the other model nonetheless it was still worth it and worth the prize. - Lindsay Rosenwald

Rainer's picture

Not sure if it is worth the upgrade from a D7000.
Since i am in the market for a second back up Camera I am considering this one or may stick to another D7000.
I do not like the looks of the button on the top on the left of this Camera. It just looks a little awkeward to handle with one hand on it.

alex619's picture

was supposed to buy is this one but I settled for the other model nonetheless it was still worth it

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