Nikon D7000

       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

Ease of Use
       The new Nikon D7000 slots in between the existing D90 and D300s models, not only in terms of feature set and functionality, but also in terms of size and weight. It isn't as compact and lightweight as the D90 but neither is it quite as bulky and heavy as the D300s. The right-hand grip bears more resemblance to that of the D300s, with a chunkier rubberised coating than on the D90. There's also a rubberised thumb rest on the back of the body.

       The 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR kit lens that ships with the D7000 feels well-balanced on the Nikon D7000 and despite only having a plastic mount it fits into place with a reassuring mechanical click. It also adds the very important advantage of Vibration Reduction. Nikon bodies don't offer any form of in-camera image stabilisation, unlike similar models from Sony, Pentax and Olympus, so the relatively affordable and versatile 18-105mm VR lens is a good starting point if you don't already have any Nikon lenses.

      The shutter release action on the Nikon D7000 is surprisingly quiet, with an exemplarily dampened mirror slap that makes this DSLR actually quieter than some rangefinder cameras, and it's tested for 150,000 cycles. Furthermore, there is also a Quiet mode, in which the mirror is raised fairly slowly to further reduce the sound it makes. This, however, introduces some shutter lag, which usually isn't worth the few decibels of difference versus what is already an impressively quiet shutter (Nikon actually recommends using the Quiet mode for taking pictures of sleeping babies, a situation in which a bit of shutter delay obviously isn't a problem).

       The overall control layout and 'philosophy' of the Nikon D7000 is very similar to the D90, with two control wheels and dedicated buttons for controlling ISO sensitivity, white balance, metering and AF mode. Only the combined Live View switch and Movie Mode button and lockable drive mode dial are completely new, with the former being an improvement on the D90 but the latter being somewhat awkward, requiring the use of both fore- and middle fingers. In addition the Playback button has moved to the left of the viewfinder in line with models higher up the range. This all means that upgrading from the D90 to the D7000 is a near seamless experience from a handling point of view.

Nikon D7000 Specifications:

• Image Sensor: 16.2 million effective pixels.
• Metering: Matrix, centre-weighted metering and spot.
• Effective Sensor Size: 23.6×15.6mm CMOS.
• A/D processing: 12/14-bit.
• 35 SLR Lens Factor: 1:5x.
• Compatible lenses: Nikon F mount (with AF contacts).
• Exposure Modes: Auto, Program AE, shutter and aperture priority, manual.
• Shutter Speed: Bulb, 30 to 1/8000 second, Bulb. Flash sync: 1/250-1/320 sec.
• Memory: SD/SDHC/SDXC cards.
• Image Sizes (pixels): 4928×3264 to 2464×1632. Movies: 1920×1080 to 640×480 at 24/25/30fps.
• Viewfinders: Eye level pentaprism, 7.5cm LCD (921,000 pixels).
• File Formats: NEF (RAW), NEF (RAW)+JPEG, JPEG, MPEG4.
• Colour Space: Adobe RGB, sRGB.
• ISO Sensitivity: Auto, 100 to 6400.
• Interface: USB 2.0, AV, HDMI mini, DC input, external mic, remote.
• Power: Rechargeable lithium ion battery, AC adaptor.
• Dimensions: 132x105x77 WHDmm.
• Weight: Approx. 690 g (with memory card and battery).
• Price: Body with f3.5/18-105mm $2299.
• Body with f3.5/18-55mm plus f4.5/55-300mm $2499.