The
D7000 range is a line of cameras I've always greatly admired, with
nicely sized viewfinders, fancy autofocus and great metering systems,
it's always been a range I've been particularly fond of, especially when
you take into account the abundance of physical controls. Nikon's D7
line is ideal for avid photographers who want professional-level
features but can’t quite justify the high price of a full-frame digital
SLR.
Two years after we saw the Nikon D7100,
at first glance it looks like not all that much has changed with the
D7200. Both models look pretty much exactly the same, aside from the
name badge, WiFi and NFC logos. The thing is, the lack of design change
isn't really a bad thing, the layout of controls with the older model
was pretty much perfect and one of my favourite things about the D7100,
so there isn't much point in messing with a winning formula.
Wi-Fi is probably the most tangible new feature but there are lots of
other improvements under the bonnet. Battery life has increased from
950 to 1,100 shots. There’s a faster processor and larger buffer for
longer bursts of photos. Video capture is now at up to 60fps at 1080p.
The autofocus sensor retains its 51-point array but this time they work
better in low light, quoted as being sensitive down to -3 EV compared to
the D7100’s -2 EV. There’s a new sensor with an ISO range that's
increased by two stops, although the highest 512,000 and 1,024,000
settings are black and white only.
We’ve always liked that Nikon’s
controls lend themselves to two-handed use. Hold down one of the
buttons to the left of the screen and the dual command dials are
reassigned accordingly. This technique isn't ideal when supporting a
heavy telephoto lens but otherwise we find it easier than Canon's
approach where everything is done with the right hand, which can get a
little fiddly.