Nikon D7100

Nikon Introduces D7100 for Ambitious DSLR Photographers

The D7100 not only follows the D7000, it also replaces the former professional model D300s. Not an easy task that Nikon has assigned to his new APS-C flagship. But the engineers have equipped the D7100 well: Their 24-megapixel sensor does without a resolution-reducing low-pass filter. And the autofocus is supported by the same processor that also works in the top camera D4. These and many other new features should help the Nikon D7100 to meet even the highest demands.

 

Short evaluation

Pros

• Bright, informative DSLR viewfinder
• Very good image quality (usable set lens)
• Sophisticated ergonomics
• Excellent equipment

Cons

• Rigid display
• Slow continuous operation (buffer too small)
• Restrictions on video recording
• Live View with extremely slow contrast AF

With the D7100, Nikon today introduces the new top model among the APS-C cameras. Its core is an image sensor with 24.1 megapixels, in which Nikon does without a low-pass filter for the first time in this camera class. The D7100 also benefits from a 51-point AF system based technologically on the autofocus of the top-of-the-range D4. Compared to its predecessor, Nikon has also expanded the equipment, simplified operation and reduced the weight somewhat. Matching the camera, Nikon also announces the MB-D15 battery handle.

The D7100 is the successor to the D7000 and D300S. However, both cameras will not be replaced immediately by the new DX flagship, but gradually replaced. The D7100 can boast a number of innovations. This includes its image converter in APS-C format (called “DX” by Nikon), which has a very high resolution of 24.1 megapixels. For the first time in this camera class, Nikon does without a low-pass filter in the D7100’s image converter. In conventional image sensors, it serves to suppress Morié, but at the same time also reduces the theoretically possible resolution. The D7100 is now saying goodbye to this previously intended reduction in resolution and is thus intended to deliver images with a wealth of detail and perfect sharpness. Stefan Schmitt, Product Manager SLR-System at Nikon Germany, assures us that thanks to the high sensor resolution of the D7100, no unwanted moiré effects are to be expected in more than 99 percent of the shots.

Externally, the D7100 is very similar to its predecessor D7000. The housing is sealed against dust and dirt and consists mainly of a light but very robust magnesium alloy. With a mass of 675 grams, it nevertheless proves to be a true lightweight and lies perfectly in the hand – as we were able to convince ourselves in the context of the new presentation. Nikon has improved the display. It has grown to a diagonal of 3.2 inches (eight centimeters) and is based on an RGBW matrix with over 1.2 million pixels. As usual with Nikon’s professional cameras, the monitor is firmly attached, so it can neither be folded nor swivelled. When displaying the viewfinder image, Nikon relies on an elaborate pentaprism construction; the pleasingly bright viewfinder image covers 100 percent of the image detail.

Completely new is the autofocus module, which Nikon gave to the D7100. It is largely based on the module of the top model D4. Like this, it has 51 measuring fields, 15 of which are designed as cross sensors in the centre. The middle measuring field is particularly sensitive, it already works from aperture value F8. The D7100 is equipped with a new spot measuring field to enable tailor-made white balance under mixed light – it is possible to select a specific part of the image to which the white balance is to be aligned. In addition to these very professional functions, the D7100 also offers possibilities that are more familiar from beginner and advanced cameras. These include, for example, various effect modes that distort the recording. The D7100 also offers a range of scene modes and an intelligent fully automatic function, as well as an HDR automatic function on board. However, it can also be operated as a classic program, timer or aperture timer.

The D7100’s maximum continuous shooting rate is 7 frames/second (fps), but it crops the image by a factor of 1.3; it records the entire frame at 6 fps. The D7100 records videos in AVCHD format with a maximum of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels, optionally with 50 fields per second (50i) or 30 full frames (30p). Nikon has provided the camera with a wide range of connection options for external accessories, including the wireless transmitter WU-1a, which connects the camera to smartphones. In keeping with the D7100, Nikon has also announced the MB-D15 battery handle, which is also made of a magnesium alloy and sealed.

Ergonomics and workmanship

Nikon has always been more committed to evolution than revolution. The D7100 is no exception: its case resembles that of its predecessor like an egg to another – at least at first glance. At second glance it becomes apparent that Nikon has reversed the function of two buttons on the back left. And another button has been added that brings up a quick menu on the display – which, however, is somewhat tight with ten commands. To the right of the display Nikon has combined the controls for the Live View function, the video recording button has now moved to the top plate near the shutter release. Nothing world-shattering, therefore, climbers from the predecessor model will quickly get used to the small changes. And Nikon novices will like the fact that the D7100 is well equipped with dedicated switches, buttons and rotary wheels. This allows the camera to be operated blindly after some training time – especially since a number of buttons can be assigned functions of your own choice.

The case of the D7100 largely adopts the bulky shape of its predecessor. Thanks to the very pronounced grip, it lies securely in the hand, but you should put a lot of effort into it. With an empty weight of just under 800 grams (without lens, but with battery), the camera is quite heavy, although Nikon makes it largely from a light but resistant magnesium-aluminum alloy. Nikon emphasizes that the D7100 is just as well sealed against dust and splash water as the D300s or the current D800 – which was also the case with the D7000. For example, robust rubber flaps, which are somewhat fiddly to close, protect the interfaces. The cover of the interface for the portrait handle, however, Nikon would have liked to have attached to the case. But it is loose, so it can easily be lost.

In the sense of a long camera life, Nikon still does without a movable display in the D7100, the monitor is permanently installed. A shortcoming that can be lived with reasonably well, however, as the display is easy to read even from a very large viewing angle and doesn’t show any color distortions. The screen diagonal of the D7100 grows to a generous 3.2 inches, the display resolves very fine 1,228,000 dots. However, it remains with a nominal monitor resolution of 640 x 480 pixels, the higher number of dots results from the fact that the display now consists of an RGBW matrix. W stands here for white dots, which should provide for more radiant power in bright sunshine.

As much as the display is up to date, it will be used less often for recording (although the D7100 of course has Live View capabilities). Also not for the configuration of the camera, because there is a large info panel on the right side of the camera top. Nikon is not a revolutionary, and so the D7100 remains a classic DSLR with a reflex viewfinder. This viewfinder marks the current state of the art: It is large (0.94x magnification) and covers 100 percent of the viewfinder image. If desired, a razor-sharp auxiliary grid can be displayed in the viewfinder image, as well as an artificial horizon in the form of a bar display. It is a pity that the latter can only be activated via the function button and cannot be switched on permanently in the menu. Only those who always look for their hair in the soup could chalk the optical viewfinder up to the fact that it darkens the viewfinder image noticeably with lenses that are not very fast. However, it should not be denied that the classic mirror refl concept and Live View do not get along very well – more about this in the Lens section.

As is to be expected from a camera with professional ambitions, Nikon spared no effort with the equipment. But of course the many options and configuration possibilities need to be adjusted – which in the typical Nikon menu of the D7100 is only possible after extensive manual study. Not that the main menu is confusing – quite the opposite. But it offers so many setting options that your head will quickly smoke – especially since a number of parameters cannot be changed because they come into play with other options. Although the D7100 then issues an error message, which always has the same content and thus does not help to track down the conflict. The menu item “Last settings” proves to be very helpful for the almost excessive configuration possibilities – it lists the last called commands neatly, so that they can be retrieved quickly on the screen.

To ensure that nothing is accidentally misadjusted in the sometimes tough everyday life of a photographer, the two adjustment wheels are pleasantly tight and engage noticeably. In addition, the front selector wheel is located quite a bit below the trigger, so that the index finger hardly gets lost unintentionally. The mode dial and the ring for selecting the shooting mode (single-frame, continuous, etc.) are locked, and can only be adjusted by pressing and holding the corresponding button. Nikon has arranged the tripod thread and battery door on the underside as it should be: The tripod thread is located in the optical axis, the battery door is so far away that the energy dispenser can easily be changed even when the quick-release plate is attached. The memory card compartment on the right accommodates two SD cards and is firmly closed by a robust flap.

Equipment

The D7100’s brawny appearance may give the impression that it is a professional camera only for experienced photographers. But the impression is deceptive: the D7100 is clearly part of Nikon’s consumer line – and thus features a lavishly equipped mode dial. Who is not yet with the camera per “you”, can trustingly put all settings into the hands of its fully automatic. Or he can give you one of the 21 motif programs, believe it or not. The D7100 isn’t quite as buttoned up as some other fully automatic cameras or scene selectors – after all, it allows the setting of an ISO sensitivity and the flash can also be specifically deactivated. However, the automatic systems refuse an exposure correction – that’s a bit unfortunate. Also not entirely happy is the fact that the D7100 offers HDR auto, but cannot be activated via scene mode. The D7100 also has the now unavoidable image effects such as colorkey or miniature effect on board. However, they are only really fun in Live View mode, because only then can the effects be specifically adjusted.

 

The D7100 will certainly unfold its full potential only in the hands of a knowledgeable photographer. It is well worthwhile to familiarize yourself with the almost unlimited possibilities of the camera – such as the very finely configurable light meter, which by the way is based on the Color Matrix Metering II with 2,016 metering cells. If you decide to use center-weighted integral measurement, you can determine how large the center of the image should be, which is weighted more heavily. In addition, the exposure meter of the D7100 can be given a fixed correction value – separately for each of the four measuring methods! The ISO automatic of the D7100 is also extremely adaptable. Not only can the desired ISO range be set, but the longest shutter speed can also be set. But that’s not all: similar to the D800, the D7100 aligns ISO sensitivity to the focal length of the lens – and allows you to focus on the shortest possible shutter speed or the lowest possible ISO number. A function, by the way, which the predecessor still missed. It is also great that the ISO automatic also works with manual exposure control. This allows the photographer to set the aperture and shutter speed as desired, and the D7100 ensures correct exposure by selecting the appropriate ISO sensitivity.

The D7100 offers two special functions to master strong contrasts in harsh light: D-Lighting aligns the exposure to the lights and brightens the shadows – the amount of brightening can be adjusted. And HDR combines a darker and a lighter shot in such a way that shadows and highlights are drawn through as perfectly as possible. Another new feature of the D7100 is the ability to adjust the white balance to a narrowly limited measuring field – which again only works in Live View mode. As you would expect from Nikon, the D7100’s flash system more than satisfies even the most discerning photographer. The camera is capable of all standards such as flashes on the second curtain, long-term synchronization and offers a very short flash sync time of 1/250 second. Nikon has also given the D7100 a small on-board flash, it is adequately potent with a guide number of just under 12, but illuminates the motif with a strong vignette. It is better to use one of Nikon’s system flash units, which can also be controlled wirelessly with the on-board flash of the D7100. For a particularly balanced exposure, the camera is equipped with a flash exposure memory – the stored value is automatically adjusted as soon as the aperture or ISO level is changed.

So far, the D300s was the sports cannon in Nikon’s APS-C class, but it will soon be completely replaced by the D7100. Can the D7100’s continuous shooting speed keep up with the still very fast D300s? Not quite, but almost – albeit with a few limitations. First, the D7100 rattles off at about 6 photos per second (fps) – whether recorded in Raw or JPEG makes little difference. So she’s barely slower than the 300s. But already after 17 JPEGs and only six raw photos the buffer memory is full – the D300s had a much longer breath. If the D7100 is in the endurance mode, it continues quite comfortably: with 1.5 fps for JPEG shots and even only 0.6 fps if raw is selected as the file format. Obviously the D7100 has its dear need to transfer the immense amount of data, which accumulates with continuous fire, on the memory card. However, the D7100 has a little trick in store to increase the serial frame rate and relieve the buffer memory: it can crop the image field by a factor of 1.3, which lowers the resolution to around 15 megapixels. In return, the serial frame rate rises to around 7 fps and you also get a supplement for the telephoto focal length.

On paper, the D7100 shines with contemporary video features: It records in Full HD resolution (1,920 x 1,080 pixels), the sound is recorded in stereo. If you prefer a particularly high-quality film sound, you can connect a microphone to the camera – internal or external microphones can also be controlled manually. However, the D7100 scarcely has any frame rates: It records at the highest resolution with a maximum of 50 fields per second (50i) and only in 1.3-crop mode. The camera only adjusts the focus on demand (press the shutter release button), with the contrast AF pumping back and forth clearly audibly visible and audible on the shot. The D7100 is therefore not so well suited for fast video snapshots, while it is more suitable for professional shoots with manual focus tracking.

The D7100’s playback and image processing capabilities leave nothing to be desired. Whether D-Lighting or filter effects – much of what you usually define before recording can also be applied to the image afterwards. But that’s not all: the D7100 can retouch red-flashed eyes, correct wide-angle photos, crop images – to name just a few. Raw shots can also be developed directly in the camera – very practical when things have to get fast. During image processing, the original is always retained, and the D7100 saves the processed version as a new image file.

Lens

Nikon offers the D7100 as a set with the lens AF-S Nikkor 18-105 mm 1:3.5-1:5.5 VR. This 5.8x zoom covers a focal length range from 27 to approx. 160 millimetres in relation to 35mm. The Zoom is an old acquaintance, who already existed in the set with the D7000. It is not particularly bright, but with a weight of 420 grams it is pleasantly light. Another pleasant feature is the focus ring, which is not too small and ergonomically close to the bayonet. The autofocus is driven by an almost inaudible voice coil motor. In addition, an optical image stabilizer reduces the risk of blurred images. The D7100 automatically focuses even with older lenses without its own focus drive, and is also equipped with a drive and the corresponding cardan shaft.

Nikon has significantly improved the autofocus of the D7100 compared to its predecessor. He inherits from the D300s the AF module Multi-CAM 3500DX with 51 sensors (including 15 cross sensors), the D4 contributes the processor. Equipped in this way, the autofocus is dependent on significantly less light than the D7000 – its sensitivity now starts at -2 EV, the central cross sensor works down to light intensity F8. But in combination with the inexpensive set lens, the new autofocus doesn’t tear up any trees either: To focus, the D7100 takes between 0.4 and 0.5 seconds, depending on the zoom position – some compact cameras are already faster today! It even takes a little eternity for the D7100 to focus in Live View mode using contrast measurement – in the laboratory of digitalkamera.de it took almost two seconds, in practice it often took even longer. You focus better by hand, which is fast and comfortable thanks to a switchable focus magnifier with a maximum magnification of 19x.

Picture quality

Even though Nikon likes to hold on to what has been tried and tested, the D7100’s image sensor keeps up with the times: it resolves 24 megapixels, no camera can currently accommodate more pixels on an APS-C sensor. Unlike the D5200, for example, which also has a resolution of 24 megapixels, the D7100 doesn’t have the usual low-pass filter. It is intended to nip possible moirée formation in the bud, but it also limits dissolution. To what extent the image quality of the D7100 can benefit from these and other measures, it had to be paired with the AF-S 18-105 mm 3.5-5.6 DX G ED VR lens in practice.

The zoom lens performs well on the D7100: at short and medium focal lengths, it has a very high resolution, effortlessly breaking the magic barrier of 50 line pairs per millimeter (lp/mm) – at least in the center. Towards the edges of the image, the resolution is about 20 percent lower, but this is hardly noticeable as a drop in sharpness. In practice, the fact that the loss of resolution is even more pronounced at the edges in the telescopic position of the zoom is not so much a matter of smearing, since in telephoto shots the main subject is often placed in front of a deliberately blurred background. It is also nice that Nikon resists the temptation to compensate for weaknesses in resolution by intensifying sharpening: Sharpness artifacts hardly interfere, especially not at the edges of the image, which are not quite so high in resolution. Nikon does not have the distortion of the AF-S 18-105 mm under control. The lens registers wide-angle photos very strongly barrel-shaped, already at medium focal length the distortion changes into a pronounced cushion form. Vignetting is also noticeable, especially in the telescopic position. Fortunately, the image processor of the D7100 can correct image errors such as distortion and vignetting via software, so that in practice you don’t have to worry so much about it. There is also little need to worry about chromatic aberration – the set lens has color fringes on contrast contrasts well under control, at most at the outermost edges of the image they could sometimes be a bit annoying.

Apart from the distortion, the set lens cuts a fine figure. Especially the high resolution surprises in a positive sense. Does this also apply to the image sensor of the D7100, which is very highly integrated with 24 megapixels? As expected, the D7100 has an easy time with low and moderate ISO settings: The signal-to-noise ratio is only very good up to about ISO 400, but the texture sharpness suffers only beyond ISO 1.600 and remains satisfactory up to very high ISO 12.800. Nikon has imposed restraint on noise suppression, allowing the luminance noise to increase moderately from ISO 400, then more strongly from ISO 6,400. However, since the interference pixels remain very small over the entire sensitivity range, image noise disturbs visually far less than the measurement results might suggest. In addition, annoying color noise remains invisible up to ISO 6,400. Up to this ISO sensitivity, the D7100 can be used in practice without any ifs or buts – if you want to accept a somewhat rougher picture impression.

The dynamic range of the D7100 is without fault or criticism. Its input dynamics remain at a very high level of at least 10 f-stops (EV) up to ISO 800, while at ISO 3,200 it still processes contrasts of a high 9.5 EV. The output dynamic, however, is only very high at low ISO settings, but at ISO 1.600 it is still a good 160 of 256 possible tonal value levels. The D7100 won’t let you down when it comes to implementing the finest tonal nuances or high contrasts – especially if you can operate it at low sensitivity. The D7100 reproduces colors in a very neutral way, the camera does not increase the saturation. Overall, Nikon has adjusted the picture quality of the D7100 very well balanced and restrained. This opens up some scope for subsequent editing, if you do not record in raw format from the outset. But also the unprocessed JPEGs directly from the camera are convincing, especially as the D7100 can be tuned as desired.

 

Bottom line

If you’re looking for a top camera with classic DSLR virtues, the Nikon D7100 is the best choice. This is true even in combination with the set lens AF-S 18-105 mm 3.5-5.6 DX G ED VR. This pairing delivers a surprisingly high resolution, only the distortion of the zoom is not on top level. The D7100 can be used up to ISO 3200 with no visible loss in image quality, but even at ISO 12.800 it still delivers halfway decent image results. Typical for Nikon, the image processing is modestly tuned, yet visually it knows how to convince all along the line. Also convincing is the immense range of equipment, which leaves practically nothing to be desired. This is especially true for the useful fully automatic and motif controls, which make the D7100 a powerful tool even in the hands of a less experienced photographer. The handling of the D7100 is good, in practice something might be bothering that the excellent display is rigidly built in. This also limits the use of the Live View mode, which also annoys with extremely lame autofocus. This restriction is particularly important for video recordings, which are also cut at the highest frame rate with a factor of 1.3. Compared to the D300s, which has now been replaced by the D7100, the tightly dimensioned buffer memory is particularly annoying – it is full too quickly, then the D7100’s actually high serial frame rate sinks deep into the basement. As a pure action camera, the D7100 is therefore not quite as well suited, but in all other fields of photography the camera does a convincing job and can compete well with a more expensive full-frame camera.