Review: Nikon D7000 APS-C DSLR Camera

Upon its release in 2010, the Nikon D7000 became incredibly popular among Nikon photographers. But how does the DSLR perform today? This review will examine the Nikon D7000’s body and handling, image quality, autofocus and ISO performance, as well as its strengths and weaknesses.

Overview

Today, the Nikon D7000 can produce excellent photos with rich detail and colour. On its release, Nikon positioned the D7000 as a top-end consumer APS-C DSLR. So, because of the more premium features, it remains an intriguing option today. And, perhaps most importantly, it’s now a really affordable option for beginners or enthusiasts. 

Key Specs

Pros

• Great image detail and dynamic range

• Fantastic build quality and handling

• 6 fps on a body this affordable is a big plus

• Access to the extensive range of affordable Nikon DSLR lenses

• Twin SD card slots

Cons

• Autofocus is a little outdated and poor in low light

• Tends to overexpose in high-contrast scenarios

We particularly liked the responsiveness of D7000, and how good it feels in the hand while using it. 

The D7000 only captures 16-megapixel images, so you won’t be able to crop in all that much. If you’re used to high-resolution images, like those from modern mirrorless cameras, the D7000 would represent a step-down. However, if you don’t need to blow up, crop into or print your images, the D7000’s 16 megapixels should be enough. The D7000 is still able to produce sharp and detailed images. 

Camera Body and Handling

The Nikon D7000 is built with a magnesium-alloy body, which feels sturdier and heavier than the all-plastic Nikon D90. Despite sharing a lot of similarities in terms of design, the D7000 feels more solid and weighty in hand than the D90. We appreciated how well the D7000 handles.

The D7000 features a rubber grip coating and lockable drive dial, contributing to the camera’s high-quality feel. The interface layout is an improved version of the D90, with direct video controls added. The D7000 also offers ample customisation options to suit diverse shooting styles.

Image Quality

The Nikon D7000 captures excellent images across most shooting situations. However, it tends to overexpose in bright, high-contrast scenarios in auto modes. The default JPEGs show minimal artefacts, natural colours and pleasing tonality. Shots do appear slightly soft viewed at 100%, but retain adequate detail. 

Shooting in RAW increases fine detail and colour depth. If you want crisper default JPEGs, try adjusting the built-in Picture Controls to add some extra sharpening and contrast. The D7000's files also respond well to sharpening during post-processing. Pair it with high-quality Nikon lenses to get the most out of the D7000. 

Overall, the Nikon D7000 takes pleasing pictures, which leave enough room to edit. This DSLR is more than enough for beginners to hone their skills.

Crop Factor

The D7000 has a DX-format APS-C sensor. The crop factor of 1.5x means that on the D7000, a 100mm lens will give you the ‘equivalent reach’ of 150mm on a full-frame camera. You get a ‘closer’ field of view, albeit cropped in the centre.

This is a significant plus for shooting nature, sports and action, as it effectively makes far-off subjects appear larger in the frame.

Autofocus

The Nikon D7000 autofocus system uses 39 autofocus points. We found that the autofocus speed was generally fast and quickly locked onto subjects. 

The speed of the D7000 will also depend on the lens. The camera is perfectly responsive with a kit lens—like the Nikon AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, for example—and beginners will be more than happy with it. However, enthusiasts might soon want to upgrade to a Nikon lens with a faster motor. 

Speed

The Nikon D7000 can shoot six frames per second in continuous mode. The buffer allows the capture of multiple RAW files in succession, although not as many as other DSLRs. More casual shooters shouldn't see the buffer as a major downside. But if you want to capture more images in sequence, get the Nikon D300s instead.

ISO and Low Light

The camera’s standard ISO range is 100–6400. The extended ISO settings can help you shoot at higher shutter speeds in low-light conditions. However, when it comes to low light, APS-C format sensors have their limitations. So, if you’re often photographing in poor light conditions, you may want to consider a full-frame camera. The Nikon D3 and Nikon D3s are available at a broadly similar price point to the D7000.  

If you’re set on the D7000, and you need to shoot in dark locations, you may want to get yourself a Nikon flashgun. Take a look at our best Nikon flashes for photographers.

The dynamic range of the Nikon D7000 is pretty good in the majority of shooting environments, especially shooting in RAW, as you might expect. 

If you don't want to set ISO values manually, you can simply rely on the camera’s auto ISO feature when in fully automatic exposure modes. However, it’s worth remembering that the maximum ISO setting in auto is 1,600.

Verdict

Overall, the Nikon D7000 represents great value—particularly for beginners—and its 16-megapixel sensor, six fps burst speed and extensive custom options fulfil the needs of advanced enthusiasts. The D7000 is ideal for photographers who want a capable all-rounder DSLR without breaking the bank.

The D7000 enables first-time photographers to get used to using a ‘proper’ camera. From there, as you build your understanding of your creative requirements, you can always sell or trade and upgrade to a more advanced setup.

Still looking for your first-ever camera? The D7000 offers good features and value for money. But if you want an even lower-cost camera and are willing to compromise further on specs and build quality, check out the Nikon D90 or read our Nikon D90 review.

FAQs

Is the Nikon D7000 good for beginners?

Yes. Thanks to its affordability, features and ease of use, the Nikon D7000 is a great camera for beginners. 

Does the Nikon D7000 shoot 4k?

No. The D7000 can only shoot video up to 1080p (Full HD) at 24fps.

Is D7000 good for wildlife photography?

The D7000 is a decent option for wildlife photography due to its 1.5x cropped sensor, good autofocus and resolution. For wildlife photography advice and camera gear recommendations, read our Guide to Wildlife Photography. 

Is D7000 a full-frame camera?

No. The D7000 uses Nikon’s DX-format APS-C sized sensor. 

How old is the Nikon D7000?

The Nikon D7000 was released in 2010.

What is the maximum shutter life of a Nikon D7000?

The Nikon D7000 shutter is rated to 150,000 actuations, but it can work perfectly fine beyond that figure.

Is the Nikon D7000 discontinued?

The Nikon D7000 was superseded by the Nikon D7100. You can buy both DSLRs used from MPB.

Read more camera gear guides on the MPB content hub.