Nikon D7100: A Worthy Option to Try

The Nikon D7100 is the latest APS-C DSLR to feature a 24MP sensor, after the D3200 and D5200. This is an upgrade of the company's successful D7000 model. And this is the very first model from Nikon to remove an optical low-pass filter (OLPF) to get good results in higher resolutions. Some of the key upgrades to D7100 over D7000 are the AF system with 51 AF points (15 cross-type) compared to 39AF points, around 10% larger screen, a higher resolution screen which is 1229k dots compared to 920k dots in its predecessor and obviously the mega pixel count, which is now 24 megapixels as compared to16 megapixels.

Look and feel:

Accept a few minor changes the D7100 looks very much similar to its predecessor, the D7100. It is similar in size, layout and functionality. The D7100 inherits the 100% viewfinder coverage, 6fps continuous shooting, 2016 pixel metering sensor and twin SD card slots from its predecessor. Moreover, movie recording and live view activation have been implemented across Nikon's current generation of DSLRs. It also has a solid magnesium alloy body that offers moisture and dust resistance.

How it performs:

The Nikon D7100 is a very responsive camera which has the same exposure modes as its predecessor, the D7000, but with a couple of additions. The main dial offers the same PASM modes, Auto and Flash off modes, a SCENE position which provides access to 16 presets, and two user

setting positions - U1 and U2. Now the new additions to this are: a new EFFECTS position, similar to the D5100; there are six effects including Night vision, Colour sketch, Selective colour, Silhouette, High key and Low key. The D7100 delivers outstanding image quality and detailed rendition at low ISOs in both JPEG and Raw mode. And the image quality is

impressive across its standard ISO sensitivity span of 100-6400.The D7100, like the full frame D800 and the flagship D4 has an impressive focus sensitivity down to -2 EV, beating that of the the D7000 and D600 by a huge margin. It also has an F-mount which can accommodate most Nikkor lenses, with the DX-format sensor.

Video quality:

The D7100 records videos at 1080p30 output, provides uncompressed output over HDMI and stereo microphone and headphone sockets, as well as manual audio controls. Like the D5200, the D7100 also offers the ability to record 1080i60 videos, but to access this option you'll have to first set the camera to its 1.3x crop mode. The video quality of

the D7100 is quite good for capturing the occasional video. Colors look natural with auto exposure and white balance settings producing output in a variety of light scenarios.