Nikon has stormed back into the DSLR scene with its new D7000 DSLR camera, offering a bevy of features sure to set high-end photographers’ hearts a-flutter: a 16.2 megapixel resolution, a new 39-point autofocus system, 100 percent viewfinder coverage, two SD card slots for efficient media management, and a six frames-per-second burst mode that can run for up to 100 shots. And if that weren’t enough, the camera can also handle 1080p and 720p high-definition video, and that video shooting comes with continuous autofocus.
The D7000 features a new Expeed image processing engine and a new CMOS sensor, and the camera sports ISO sensitivity down to 6400 for low-light shots—and that can be cranked all the way up to US 25600 (or Hi 2). The D7000 also features a new 2,016-pixel RGB metering sensor (to help out with autofocus, exposure, white balance, and other functions) and the 39-point autofocus system can be toggled between single-point AF, dynamic area AF, 3D tracking, and auto-area auto-focus—and if the system doesn’t seem to be working for a particular scene, it can also be dialed back to a traditional 11-point autofocus system. Users can also store frequently-uses settings and get at them right from the camera’s mode dial.
The D7000 features dual SD card slots (accepting SD/SDHC/SDXC media), a 3-inch TFT LCD viewfinder, and a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that should be good for over 1,000 shots. There’s also a built-in stereo mic for use during video recording, although video shots are limited to about 20 minutes.
The Nikon D7000 is available now for pre-order, with a suggested price of $1,199.95 for a body-only kit and $1,499.95 with the D7000 with an AF-S DZ Zoom-Nikkor 18–105mm ƒ3.5–5.6 ED VR lens. The D7000 should hit retailers in October.
