Review: Nikon D7200 specs

At its launch in 2015, the Nikon D7200 became Nikon’s high-end APS-C format DSLR. It incorporated a 24.2 megapixel CMOS sensor, a 51-point autofocus system, a 2,016-pixel RGB metering sensor, continuous shooting at up to 7 frames per second (with a 1.3x crop), low-light shooting at up to ISO 102,400 and a maximum shutter speed of 1/8000sec.

Of the camera’s 51 autofocus points, the central 15 of these are cross-type points and the centre one will operate at f/8—this enables you to work with more lens and teleconverter combinations. The cross-type autofocus points analyse both vertical and horizontal lines and thus are more accurate than autofocus points that only analyse vertical lines. The D7200 autofocus system is also sensitive down to -3EV, which makes it capable of precise focusing even in low-light conditions. 

The autofocus system can also swiftly lock on to moving subjects, making it a superb option for shooting nature or sports, especially as you can shoot at up to 6 frames-per-second in APS-C format—or 7fps at a 1.3x crop—to freeze and capture action. With the D7200, you can shoot up to 27 12-bit RAW images or 100 JPEGs in a single, high-speed burst.

The camera’s APS-C (Nikon’s version is called DX-format) sensor is a 24x16mm 3:2 format sensor. These smaller sensors allow Nikon to produce smaller and lighter cameras than full-frame DSLRs. DX-format cameras are optimised for use with Nikon DSLR lenses, which are also smaller and lighter in comparison to the Nikkor FX lenses designed for use with full-frame Nikon FX DSLRs. 

On the D7200, you get a 1.5x crop factor. So, for example, a 200mm lens on the camera will effectively give you a focal length of 300mm and get you ‘closer’ to subjects. This crop factor benefit is great for shooting nature or sports events when you consider a 200mm on a full-frame FX camera would only give you 200mm of focal length. The sensor also doesn't have an optical low-pass filter, so it is designed to deliver the best possible detail in images.       

The ISO range of the D7200 is from 100 up to 25,600, in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV. At ISO 100, you’ll get sharp, grain-free images. At ISO 25,600, you can shoot in low-light situations but still retain great quality in your photographs, with little noise or grain obvious to the naked eye. The range is actually extendable up to the equivalents of ISO 51,200 and 102,400, but these ISO options are only available for shooting in monochrome.

A large, 3.2-inch (8.0cm), 1229K-dot, 3:2 ratio TFT LCD monitor on the rear of the camera can be fine-tuned for colour balance and brightness. The D7200 has built-in WiFi and Near Field Communication (NFC) support making it simple to upload your images to a smart device. For shooting moving pictures, the movie options offer Full HD 1080p video at up to 60p—although only with the 1.3x crop on the sensor.

If you’re looking for a small, rapid-firing, easy-to-handle DSLR with sophisticated autofocus across the frame and great metering to ensure superb pictures are produced, then the D7200 might be the camera for you. It’s equally at home capturing action, low-light scenes or more creative shots, so is a very strong, high-spec contender if you're considering an APS-C camera as your preferred choice of format.