That was quick. Probably about the shortest time I’ve ever owned a camera, but I sold the D7000 and got a D7200 instead.
Don’t get me wrong, I really liked the D7000. But when I started reading about the D7200 and its higher resolution, faster fps, more focus points, no low pass filter, ISO performance, and other improvements, it was not very difficult to decide to buy one. In fact, I bought the MB-D15 battery grip before the camera, just because I came across one at such a good price.
The two cameras are just about identical to handle, the differences are primarily on the inside. And, I guess, why change a winning concept. The D7000 is probably the best feeling camera to photograph with that I’ve ever used. Ken Rockwell compares the D7000, D7100 and D7200 and concludes: “If you own a D7100 or D7000, there’s no reason to update unless there’s something particular about the D7200 that you really need.” Oh, well, I guess I’ll figure out at some point if he’s right.
Here are some of the differences (first D7200, D7000 in parentheses):
- Released November 2010 (March 2015)
- 51 focus points (39)
- 24 megapixels (16)
- Full HD video 60 fps (24 fps)
- Wi-Fi, NFC (No)
- 25.600 max ISO (6.400)
- No low-pass filter (has filter)
- 3.20” Fixed Type Screen (3.0”)
- Expeed 4 processor (Expeed 2)
- Battery life 1110 shots (1050)
- Headphone port (No)
- Dynamic range 14.6 (13.9)
- 136 x 107 x 76mm (132 x 105 x 77mm)
- 765g (780g)
So, do the differences actually make a difference? Well, I’ve not used the D7200 much yet, but the 24 megapixel resolution obviously makes a difference. Moreover, noticeable is better performance at higher ISO levels. Wi-Fi and NFC obviously also make a difference, although I will probably not use them much. The lack of low-pass filter should make a difference, but I can’t say I’ve done any comparison yet. The D7200 is very much a sibling to the D5500, both in years and in specs.
One other thing the D7000 and the D7200 have in common: they are cameras for photography, not video, even though both of them support recording video. Even with the D7200 I’ll happily keep my D5500 as a backup but primarily for video.
And I sold the D7000 and the MB-D11 and managed to recover about half the cost of the D7200, so I’m happy. Any further upgrades on the horizon? If I stick with DX that would be either the D500 or the D7500, but, currently, they are both far too expensive for me to even think about.
Photos will follow.
